Thursday, June 11, 2015

Our Little Munchkin's Quilt - Photo Heavy

I picked up my sewing machine on Wednesday, so was able to finish our Little Munchkin's quilt.   My "model" is sick {{SIGH}} so I had to be quick with photos, as he was having a hard time holding the quilt up!  This is the front, it's a twin/single size.

 Here is the back.
A close up of the back.  I did NOT do the quilting on the body of the quilt I got a professional to do it.  I can't quilt like this as I am no where near as talented as this lady.
 A closer look at the back.
 Another close up of the quilting.
The label I put on the quilt (see further down the post on this process).
So to recap the story of this quilt.  Our Little Munchkin had her photo taken every month for the first year of her life.  Each photo she was placed on a fabric background.

The grey neutral material was used in 5 month photo.  The Christmas fabric (top left) was used in the 1 month photo.  The hexagonal fabric was used in the newborn photo.  The lemon slice fabric was used in the 8 month photo, the yellow paisley one was used in the 9 month photo.
The ghost fabric (top left) was used in the 11 month photo.  The lilac (bottom left) was used in the 2 month photo.  The brown polka dot in the 12 month photo, and the green and brown one in the 4 month photo.
 The heart and ladybug fabric in the 3 month photo.  The pink floral in the 6 month photo.  The fishes in the 7 month photo and the letters in the 10 month photo.

We obviously have all the photos and need to get a big frame to put them in.    There is also a lot of fabric leftover, so dd said she was going to make some clothes for Our Little Munchkin.  We put her in sewing lessons when she was young (dd), so she knows her way around a sewing machine, but hasn't sewn in years.

I forgot to take photos of how to make the label, as it is a DIY project and very simple.  You need some freezer paper, material (I generally use muslin), a printer and a piece of paper.

What ever the normal size of a piece of paper is, I think 8.5" x 11", take that and use it as a template to cut out a piece of freezer paper that size.  One side of the freezer paper has some "glue" on it.   With that side facing the back side of your material, iron (no steam)  the freezer paper onto the material, it will stick to the fabric.  Trim the material so it is 8.5" by 11".  

Using your "word programme" type out the words you want to use on your quilt label on your desktop/computer.  Print it out on a piece of paper to make sure you are happy with the font and size.  My font size was 11 and I used I think Calabria maybe?  When you are happy with how it looks, feed the fabric with the freezer paper on it into the printer and print it out on your fabric.

Pull off the freezer paper.  With another blank piece of paper on top of the fabric, iron (no steam) over the lettering and hold it there for a few seconds.  I think I did 30 seconds just set the ink.  I then put a border around the grey label with leftover pink fabric and hand sewed it to the quilt.  I will do a step by step tutorial on this when I finish my next quilt.

By the way you can buy special sheets from your local fabric store that does practically the same thing and is supposed to be more colorfast.  I have never had any issues doing it my way, but that's just me.

To see some of the photos of Our Little Munchkin's monthly photos, you can click on this link.  I am so pleased how this turned out.  Now onto dd quilt.  I am quilting that myself as dd did not want to pay to have it quilted.  I paid for Our Little Munchkin's but refused to pay for dd.........they make more money than we do....LOL

There was a bit of plastic broken on my on/off switch on my sewing machine, so they glued it back together.  So how long will that last before it breaks again....any guesses?


24 comments:

Gillian said...

I'd say your stuck on bit of plastic won't last long! Your quilt is absolutely gorgeous. It's lovely to be able to get it professionally quilted but it also very expensive. In fact, quilting is an expensive hobby! I've only done a little bit. I was going to a class but it has stopped now and there's no other one close to where I live. Oh well, I just keep on with the crocheting and knitting.

The Cranky said...

Stunning quilt, and what a great way to use the fabric from her photos..... brilliant!

Anonymous said...

It is beautiful. Cheryl

angela said...

Looks wonderful. What a clever idea an heirloom to treasure for ever

Debby said...

BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!! You should be so proud!!!!

charlotte said...

A great quilt Gill. I love the idea behind it.

Kitty Greene said...

Gill, that is so beautiful ! it doesn't matter that you didn't do the quilting, you did the design and stitching, and I love your little message to her, lets hope it will become an heirloom of the future and she uses it for her own children - well done you !

EG CameraGirl said...

It turned out GREAT! I like that there are reasons for each fabric included in the quilt,

Betsy said...

I'm sure this quilt will be treasured. It is beautiful and what a great idea to use the fabric from her photos. The quilting is beautiful. Glues the switch, not replaced it? I'm guessing that won't last long.
Blessings,
Betsy

Plowing Through Life (Martha) said...

What a wonderful idea. This quilt is extra special.

Jenn Jilks said...

Isn't it fun doing these projects?! When I finished my cross stitch I thought about how many my mom had done.
Lovely.

slugmama said...

Very nice quilt and even better because it was made with love by her Nana. 8-)

mamasmercantile said...

That is such a great idea, a beautiful quilt made with love. I really must try the label, thanks you for the tip.

Piece by Piece said...

Love the quilt Gill. Thanks for the info regarding the label, will try it on my printer.

have a great day.

Patricia

Rose said...

Oh, Gill, it is beautiful! Love the quilting and the pink fabric backing. Is that Nora's favorite color? It has been Lorelei's favorite since she could talk. She is not called the Pink Princess for nothing.

I hope your model is not getting what you had just a bit back.

William Kendall said...

Beautiful colour in the quilt!

Linda aka Crafty Gardener said...

Such a beautiful idea to use material that has special memories. I know she will treasure this quilt for many years.

Cat Lover said...

The quilt is beautiful! The munchkin will treasure it I'm sure.

barbara woods said...

I saved this in my bookmarks so when i start to make a label i can find it, thanks Gill

McVal said...

How precious is that??!!! What a great way to incorporate old photos!

And I have lots of yarn barf around our house...

Unknown said...

What a precious idea!! This is something that will be treasured for a very, very long time!!

John Going Gently said...

Gill

Can you look at the Trelawnyd Flower Show schedule?
Please enter something!
There's still time xxx

Scrappy quilter said...

Beautiful quilt. I love how you did the label. Great job Gill!

Out My window said...

What a lovely idea. I wish you lived close to me, we could have such fun together.

{{{SIGH}}}

Tuesday was a mixed bag type of day. Had the appliance repair guy come again to install another circuit board in the fridge.  When hubby got...