I'm going to a baby shower today for a dear 30-something friend.
The sex of the baby will be a surprise.
I looked at the gift registry to find her style. Everything was very modern and minimal.
Colors were white, gray and soft blue-green. What to do?
Here's what I came up with, thanks to inspiration from the Amish.
This quilt is made between 1920 and 1940, but I think it looks very modern.
I love the odd setting for the double border.
It comes from this book, which I bought years ago on recommendation from Gwen Marston.
It's packed with wonderful crib quilts, and has become one of my favorite inspiration books.
I made a version of this quilt for a neighbor baby a few years ago. Can't find the photo of mine.
Recently I noticed that the quilt was hanging on their living room wall.
I know I should take that as flattery.
Personally, I'd rather see my quilts well-used, stained and tattered.
Ah, well. We give our quilts away and we let go of what happens next.
Stunning! I want to make one!
ReplyDeleteOh this is so cute--love it!! julierose
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great book! Lovely quilt too. Better the living room wall than the dog's crate. :) I'd say that is quite a complement--and maybe they valued it so much they couldn't bear to use it?
ReplyDeleteSo funny! My copy is bedside right now & looks as well loved as yours!
ReplyDeleteLucky baby! Beautiful quilt!
Love the crib quilt! Conversely I love to see quilts hanging on a wall- the colour, design and workmanship can be truly admired there!
ReplyDeleteYou've updated a traditional quilt into a very modern version. A great looking quilt. I'm with you quilts should be used. However once they are given away we can only hope.
ReplyDeletePerfect and look at you going to town with your quilting....what a lovely gift. I agree with you I like to see my quilts being used up, but also agree once you let them go you don't get to vote on how they are used. I hope your friend is thrilled with your generous gift.
ReplyDeleteHappy Sewing
I've ordered the book. Love your quilt!
ReplyDeletelovely, lovely, lovely!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE that Amish inspired quilt! The colors you used are fantastic! Modern and whimsical! Perfect! And it's a total compliment to have them hanging your quilt on the wall.....they are enjoying it, and preserving it for the child later! An heirloom! What could be better!?!
ReplyDeleteAWesome quilt!! I love that book. I got to meet Sara Miller about 14 years ago. She used to have a quilt shop in Iowa. Fun lady. :)
ReplyDeleteI have that book and I LOVE to look at it. So very modern...or maybe timeless. Your colors are fresh and clean and perfect for Baby!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous quilt!!
ReplyDeleteDon't tell the "modern" quilters where you got the idea etc. They think it is all their idea.
ReplyDeleteI had the privilege of hearing Sara Miller talk about her quilts at a local fabric shop about 25 years ago. Yes she brought her quilts with her and I still had enough hearing that I got a lot out of it. Happy Memory
Went back and looked at your baby quilt. It is a stunner...would love to know how you get the rows of blocks to be straight? I have tried sewing like that and they end up sort of wabbelie..
ReplyDeleteLovely quilt.
ReplyDeleteI have seen a couple of exhibitions of Amish quilts and was amazed how"modern" they are. And of course I love solids.
Beautiful, Nifty! Especially like the colors of the odd borders and binding.
ReplyDeleteYour quilt ist so beautiful, I love it !
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Germany
I'm with you, I think quilts should be loved. I had one mom-to-be tell me at the baby shower that she would keep it (the quilt I had just given her) in a drawer in tissue paper. sigh. But it's like you said, it's a gift - so it is theirs to do with as they wish.
ReplyDeleteLovely quilt!
Great book! Your quilt is so vibrant and fun
ReplyDeleteLove the updated look of your baby quilt. The binding color is absolutely perfect for the quilt too--sorry, I'm always checking out the binding choices.:) Too funny that the other gifted quilt has been hung on the wall! Great, enormous compliment, but yeah, too bad it's not still being used.
ReplyDeletewonderful quilt! gotta admit, when they're this gorgeous, I'd be putting it up on a wall too. I finally solved that dilemma by making ugly baby quilts.
ReplyDeleteFabulous quilt - great setting for the photo, too.
ReplyDeleteLove it! I made an "English" version of the same quilt. Really enjoyed seeing your version.
ReplyDeleteWonderful choice again!
ReplyDeleteThis book is indeed full of nice incentive small quilts and you chose one of my favorites!
My wonky hearts crib quilt got used til it was tatters. I got to see it poking out of the stroller from time to time when I ran into my friend and her baby. It was bittersweet watching fade to tatters! Glad I have a photo. I guess I'm not a prolific enough quilter to enjoy watching them wear out?
ReplyDeleteI love coin quilts!
ReplyDeleteWhat a brilliant baby quilt!! I think it was art historian Robert Hughes who said Amish Quilts were the first pieces of modern art in America? That book looks like a must have for the collection. I so agree that it's preferable to have a quilt be used and loved to bits but hanging on the wall is much better than being in a cupboard.
ReplyDeleteLol, I just read Tonya's comment!! That is hilarious!!
ReplyDeleteYour quilt looks wonderful, I'm sure it'll fit in with the baby room. I think a lot of older quilts still look very modern. At least the one on the wall wasn't stuffed away in a cupboard.
ReplyDeleteGreat quilt - and such nice inspiration. I want to look for a copy of that book. I'm with you - want the baby quilts I make to be used used used!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilt Nifty, and looks like a good book! xo
ReplyDeleteI love this pattern. You nailed this one - it looks great!!
ReplyDeleteAhh, to be so lucky to receive a Nifty baby quilt. What a great resolve.
ReplyDeleteWhat more is left to say? You interpretation of the Amish quilt is just brilliant! Love that double border too.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I make baby quilts to be used. But hanging on the wall isn't too bad, except that it's baby's quilt, not the parents'. But, I'd take it as a compliment. At least they're using it!
Thanks for the tip about this book. I'll have to see about getting this one!
Best baby gift ever...
ReplyDeleteI think all amish quilts have a modern feel! Love yours. I, too, like to see my quilts being used. But I guess your friends thought it too precious!
ReplyDelete