Quilts on commission

So you want a special present for that special new arrival…

Fresh flowers quilt

A quilt is lovely, but it helps to have some idea of what you want first, especially how you want the quilt to be used. Do you want the quilt to be functional (dragged around as a favourite blanket, chewed, rolled on and thrown in the wash frequently?) or decorative (a wall hanging for baby to look at to brighten up the nursery)? Decorative quilts are stunning but use some different techniques and are not intended for regular washing.

Cost is a consideration, of course. Fabric and batting add up (these alone can cost $80 or more), as do the hours that go into making a quilt. Cost also depends on complexity. An individually designed, highly decorative quilt that involves a lot of applique and a lot of decorative quilting (like The Rabbit Tree) is gorgeous, but costly. One way of keeping things simple is to use feature fabrics such as Beatrix Potter or Dr Seuss – see http://www.fabricworm.com/ for a start - or 'charm packs' (packs of 5" squares of coordinated fabric).

As well as the practicalities like size, function, and colour, if you want a quilt designed especially for you, think about what style and theme you'd like. For example, modern, traditional, year of the dragon, environment, fantasy, fishing, travel... Is there a book or a hobby that someone in the family adores that could be reflected in a quilt?

Have a look at the quilts below to get an idea of what is involved and what is possible.



Peter Rabbit

Simple and functional (approx $120-200)

This Peter Rabbit Quilt is a fairly simple quilt based on feature fabric.

Baby’s name could be added in bold applique letters to personalise a simpler quilt.


 The World Map Quilt uses a large panel but a lot of detailed quilting.

World map play mat

Lorax

 The Lorax uses a feature fabric in a wonky, inprovisational style. It's a full twin-size quilt as opposed to a smaller baby quilt.

Moderate but functional (approx $150-$250)

Water for Elephants



These quilts involved a fair amount of work. They are not simple to construct, but they look clean, neat, and will wear well.



Water for Elephants is a good example of the modern fabrics, modern, improvised look. Plenty of white and/or grey. Not symmetrical.

ABC quilt – modern ‘wonky’ quilt style, traditional colours and fabrics. Feature fabric.

ABC

Complex, borderline decorative/functional (around $300)

These quilts are hand or machine appliqued and pieced and take a lot of work

Noah's Ark

Noah's Ark Quilt features handstitched applique and hand quilting.



Year of the Dragon



Highly decorative ($300-$500)

The Rabbit Tree



The Rabbit Tree was individually designed and was published in Australian Patchwork and Quilting in March 2012. There are hours of decorative quilting involved, and the density of the quilting makes it quite a stiff (rather than snuggly) quilt. Best suited to a wall hanging.

Check out my Etsy store for ready made quilts currently available.

Alternately, if you'd like to make one yourself but don't know where to start, drop me a line and we'll talk!

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