Michele Made Me

Sand and Beach Balls: A Baby Quilt

by

 

Introducing “Sand & Beach Balls”, a baby quilt I designed and made for my newest young nephew.

When I set out making this scrappy little quilt, I knew I wanted to capture the feelings you sometimes get on a lovely beach outing. A combination of serenity, warmth and playfulness, you know? I hope that by doing so, my nephew will feel those good feelings whenever he wraps himself in this blanket.

Working from my stash, I went with the following colour combination. For my collection of beach balls, I chose aquas, blues, yellows, oranges and browns to bring to mind water, sunshine, and sand. For the remainder of the quilt, I kept to off-whites and beige tones to reflect the beach underfoot.

In a few places on the quilt, I added subtle embroidery stitching to echo the sun’s rays. I also embroidered a quiet To/From inscription so that my nephew will always know that this quilt was made especially for him by me in the year of his birth.

I chose a simple hatching pattern for the quilting because, frankly, I’m still such a newbie when it comes to machine-quilting. I wasn’t so sure it would work out either, but I went with it because it mimicked the main backing fabric. And speaking of which, the simple backing was pieced from an old gingham sheet and a blue remnant, both longtime stash-dwellers.

I’m so happy to have it completed. I’m pleased with it. Now I can send it off to my brother, the new daddy and his sweet little family, where hopefully it will be used and loved for a long long time.

Wishing you the pleasantest of weekends!

♥M

More on this quilt here, here and here.

Reader Interactions

Comments

    • Michele Pacey says

      Well thanks Melissa, I hope so. I remember a very soft baby quilt my aunt made when we were little. It was made of old men's shirts and was so soft in colour and texture. That's the feeling I was going for here.

  7. Michelle L. says

    It does feel exactly like you describe! Also, I love that it's masculine yet elegant. Congrats to the whole family on little new one!

  8. Lynne says

    I love that this is so scrappy and bright, but still so masculine! Unlike so many baby quilts, I can see him happily carting this to University with him! Nice work!

  9. pam says

    Beautiful photographs of your little quilt, Michele. Well done!

    And the quilt – it is everything you wanted it to be. If you hadn't already put me on overload with your junk mail and hexie inspirations – I could very easily see myself making one similar because I just love this quilt!

  13. Karen says

    This is such a beautiful quilt, and you definitely captured the sand and beach in it. I love the embroidery detail, too! I've enjoyed watching its progress. This will surely be well worn a few years from now. You have a lucky nephew!

  20. Gwen @ Gwenny Penny says

    The finished version is even better than the flimsy! Gorgeous design, Michele. I'm so impressed that you designed this yourself. And the embroidered stitching… you always add such detail to everything that you do. I wish I had the patience 🙂 A beautiful quilt that will be treasured forever.