Elea is known for her sweet repro designs and she didn't disappoint with this collection. These fabrics are just too cute for words - sweetest retro puppies, bunnies, birds, strawberry doilies, and pretty florals in bold colours. My fingers were itching as I was taking the obligatory fabric photo - I couldn't wait to start cutting, and I knew exactly what I had to make first: hexies.
I made a whole bunch of 1" hexies, without really knowing exactly where I was going with this (every now and again I get a kick out of starting to sew without a clear plan. Yes, I do like to live dangerously). When I had a whole bunch of hexies I piled them on the table and quite liked the way they looked all bunched together, and then found a cute red dot lace edged bias tape, of which I had just enough left for a cushion binding. Decision made!
It turned out pretty cute, don't you think? I hand quilted it with DMC perle cotton to accentuate the vintagey feel of the repro prints.
I also wanted to make a small quilt, and kept thinking 'economy block' (that's the block below) - such a retro block and really perfect for this line. All the fussy cut centre cuteness - oh my goodness. Bring it on.
I had originally intended to turn my economy blocks into a cot quilt, but half way through sewing Alice came into my sewing room to keep me company (as she frequently does), and started stroking the animals and flowers in the centres of my finished blocks. Light bulb moment - a quilted playmat / picnic mat would be a pretty cool addition to our growing quilt collection! So that's what I ended up making.
If my kids were younger, I would have sewn in a layer of crinkle material between the batting and the quilt top, which I think would be a great addition to a playmat such as this. Babies go nuts for that stuff!
I kept the quilting simple and light. Just straight line diagonal quilting in the ditch, with a little hand-quilting around the centre motif of each block. I didn't want to quilt it too heavily as I want it to get that "puffy-vintagey-much used-much loved" look over time.
As a final touch, I added a little applique washi tape detail on each corner of the quilt.
If you would like to make this playmat, I have written a tutorial / pattern which is now available on the Penny Rose Fabrics blog - you can access it here.
Alice's nap time was drawing near as we were taking these photos - she was quite tired from a morning of cycling all over our small wine town. However she refused to go to bed, as she wanted to "sleep on the pinkic mat today". Sadly this quilt and cushion will be on their way to quilt market tomorrow and I couldn't risk any damage or stains, so I had to disturb her to transfer to bed. Arrggh - evil mum - bless her, she looked so peaceful!
'Strawberry Biscuit' is now available at fabric stores, worldwide. If you would like to see what the other participating bloggers will be making with these fabrics, here's the schedule with links to their blogs and Instagram feeds. Enjoy!
18 April - Karen of Creamcraft Goods (@creamcraftgoods)
18 April - Sedef of Down Grapevine Lane (@downgrapevinelane)
19 April - Angel & Amy of TaDa! Creations (@tadacreations)
19 April - Lindsey of Fort Worth Fabric Studio (@lindseymweight)
20 April - Sarah of Pretty Fabrics & Trims (@sarahedgarprettyfabrics)
20 April - Megan of Quilt Story (@quiltstorymeg)
21 April - Minki of Minki's Work Table (@zeriano)
21 April - Heidi of Fabric Mutt (@fabricmutt)
22 April - Kristyne of Pretty By Hand (@prettybyhand)
22 April - Gina of Party of Eight: Our Story (@partyofeightourstory)
25 April - Taunja of Carried Away Quilting (@taunjalynn)
25 April - Amanda of Jedi Craft Girl (@jedicraftgirl)
26 April - Jemima of Tied With A Ribbon (@tiedwitharibbon)
26 April - Stacy of Stacy Olson Design (@stacyolsondesign)
27 April - Ange of A Little Patchwork (@alittlepatchwork)
27 April - Glenis of Gee's Projects (@glenisebbettsews)
28 April - Megan of Sew Style Love (@dollyhenryau)
28 April - Stacy of Farm Road Quilts (@farmroadquilts)
28 April - Kimberly of Fat Quarter Shop (@fatquartershop)
29 April - Christa of Cotton Berry Quilts (@cottonberryquilts)
29 April - Elea of Elea Lutz Design (@elealutz)
These turned out beautifully! I just loved the quilt especially! It's so colourful and sweet at the same time!
ReplyDeleteThanks Cherise! xox
DeleteOh my goodness so cute!!! I love love love the washi tape detail!!! I may have to use your pattern as I had a playmat on my to make list for my twins! Thanks for tagging me next!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Karen! I need to pop over to your blog now to check out your project!!! xx
DeleteOh my word... this is SO darling. I love the little quilt. You chose the perfect pattern for the fabric. Wow, wow, wow!!!!! Love it! - Dori -
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Dori xx
DeleteBoth projects are gorgeous Sedef! Her little face when she fell asleep, so sweet! Sarah (Pretty Fabrics and Trims)
ReplyDeleteThank you Sarah! I was so happy to see your name in the list - I didn't know you did blog hops! That gives me an idea as I love your style ;-) ;-) xx
DeleteThanks so much Sedef.....I was so chuffed to be asked! Oh Oh Oh message me with your idea xo
DeleteI adore the hexie cushion (quite partial to hexies!) and the quilt is just gorgeous! Elea's fabrics are just stunning and made into a playmat, it's so perfect. Poor Alice - she looks like a little angel sound asleep. I guess she can have her pillow and blanket back when they have finished their tour at quilt market :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Megan! She was so grumpy at me when I woke her up, as she had just drifted off. I can't wait to see what you will make! xx
DeleteSedef!! OMG simply gorgeous! I love it all so much, and your daughter is just precious! The sweet hexie pillow and darling playmat - the sweetest details (that washi tape!!!) My heart is going to burst! What an honor to have you on the blog hop! Your projects are over-the-moon beautiful and inspiring! Thank you so much, friend, for sharing these wonderful creations! xoxo
ReplyDeleteYour projects are just beautiful Sedef! Such a pleasure to read and view the pictures of your darling daughter and sweet quilt and cushion. Lovely work!
ReplyDeleteVery very nice not a big hexy girl but wow love the fabrics and what and how you used them....ty for sharing.... happyness04431@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI love what you have made with this fabric collection. You have really showcased the prints with your fussy cutting. I can't wait to get this collection. Thanks for sharing, you do beautiful work!! Your little girl is adorable!
ReplyDeleteWonderful projects to show those darling fabrics! What a sweet little girl your Alice is! Thank you for sharing. Looking forward to your tutorial too.
ReplyDeleteLOVE IT........................
ReplyDeleteHow cute are your projects! I can't wait for the tutorial on the nap quilt as my niece has requested a quilt for her future children and wants one for a girl and one for a boy. This is perfect! I can't see any little girl not loving it. As soon as it's published I'll run out and get the fabric. So cute how your little girl has her bunny with her, the perfect picture. Thanks so much. Rina
ReplyDeleteAll your projects are darling! I love them all.
ReplyDeleteStrawberry Biscuit! ...
ReplyDeleteI adore this fabric by Elea Lutz, Penny Rose has the best fabrics.
I love the pillow with the cute hexies
and I always love an economy block for showcasing sweet motifs. I love these so sweet little animabibbles, the bears and kittens, and the flowers too. Your quilt turned out adorable.
Your cutie daughter is such a treasure. Kids are precious!
It's all beautiful! I really enjoy your blog and seeing little bits of your life...thanks for sharing x
ReplyDeleteThe playmat is truly lovely, the gorgeous fabric brings to life PLAY, whimsical, sweet and fun.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully done
Glenis
Beautiful projects Seder! I just love the washi tape detail on the playmate! Sweet little Alice looks so cute!
ReplyDeleteBEAUTIFUL PROJECTS! THANKS FOR SHARING!
ReplyDeletemsstitcher1214@gmail.com