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The Letter to My Niece Quilt

November 10th, 2008

The holiday gift for my niece is done. I made the quilt using a custom printed fabric from Spoonflower which I designed in Photoshop and uploaded according to their detailed specifications here. The other fabrics I used I bought from Purl. The backing fabric is the awesome fabric from Megumi Sakakibara called Rakugaki and the binding is are some great stripes on sale from Suzuko Koseki here.

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Entry Filed under: sewing, holiday

63 Comments Add your own

1. ToilingAnt | November 10th, 2008 at 11:40 am

I bet that little quilt feels just like a hug.
2. Kirstin | November 10th, 2008 at 11:41 am

That is pretty much the sweetest gift ever. It looks fantastic; everything about it is perfect!
3. sarah | November 10th, 2008 at 11:44 am

Thanks to you both! I forgot to mention the size is 2 yards in length so it’s about the size of a twin bed top so long enough to wrap around you and hopefully small enough to manage carrying around.
4. Daniela | November 10th, 2008 at 11:48 am

Oh. My. Goodness. This is just THE best thing I have seen. Ever. Wow.
5. Denise | November 10th, 2008 at 12:15 pm

Just beautiful! Love the fabric you designed.
6. katie r | November 10th, 2008 at 12:19 pm

beautiful!
7. Sarah | November 10th, 2008 at 12:33 pm

I really adore this idea. Jack is starting to read, and it has me kicking around ideas of things he might like to read on his “snuggly” blanket.

I am sure she is going to be crazy about that quilt!
8. Thimbleanna | November 10th, 2008 at 12:33 pm

This quilt is AWESOME! So very creative!!!
9. Hannah | November 10th, 2008 at 12:38 pm

Love it. I can’t wait to have time to start quilting!
10. sarah | November 10th, 2008 at 12:43 pm

On my quilt, since I used to take care of her and her nephew during the day before they were in school, it was more about how special that time was to me and remembering what we used to do and saying that she is awesome and I’m the luckiest aunt around to have had that time with her. Especially since we live about 3 hours away from each other now, I want her to know and remember that she’s incredibly important to me. My aunts are such amazing and supportive people in my life.

And honestly, this didn’t take too terribly long. I got all the fabric in on Friday and finished it in a total of about 6 hours from start to finish. I used two running yards of both the front and back so no piecing was done. And since the text is in lines already, no marking was necessary. I used a fusible batting and ironed all the bits together and then, using a walking foot, starting from opposite ends on each row, I machine quilted it all together. The binding was cut on the bias from the stripe fabric but really didn’t take more than 2 hours to make and sew on to the edges.
11. lena | November 10th, 2008 at 12:53 pm

i agree with the above comments, this is just about the sweetest gift i’ve ever seen. i’m inspired now to try and make gifts this thoughtful for my family!
12. laura r. | November 10th, 2008 at 1:05 pm

sarah, this is an heirloom. a special cuddle take to college object. the love is obvious.
inspiring!
13. dianosaurus | November 10th, 2008 at 1:14 pm

I love this! The ‘dear carol’ fabric is so precious. Great job!
14. amanda | November 10th, 2008 at 1:18 pm

Love the backing and the diagonal binding. Love the letter too. So sweet and she’ll treasure it!
15. Happy Owl Glass | November 10th, 2008 at 1:49 pm

What a lucky niece to receive such a beautiful quilt. It is just lovely, Sarah.
16. Rebecca | November 10th, 2008 at 2:12 pm

Ooo thats totally adorable! nice work! Love the fabrics especially the colours :)
17. abbyjane | November 10th, 2008 at 2:16 pm

This is amazingly creative. Spoonflower has opened up a whole new creative world and you have put it to beautiful use!
18. Alex | November 10th, 2008 at 2:24 pm

Oh, it’s lovely and so unique. The graphic nature of the fabric and the unified color pallet are inspiring. As someone who has a baby girl - anything w/o pink is appreciated although I have a soft spot for pink now. BTW, I really enjoy your blog, you’ve got a different point of view and great projects.
19. Janice | November 10th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
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Everytime I stop by I am always, always inspired by your thoughtful creativity….I’m still over the moon about the padding glue…and now this…you sure know how to up the ante for us aunties.
20. Sarah | November 10th, 2008 at 4:28 pm

This is just about the most fantastic idea ever. I would never have thought of this. Just perfect.
21. g. | November 10th, 2008 at 4:44 pm

Sarah, this is lovely!
g.
22. Simbelmyne | November 10th, 2008 at 5:53 pm

that’s so cool! and so personal!
23. Emma | November 10th, 2008 at 7:13 pm

Beautiful. That is one lucky kid!
24. Bunny | November 10th, 2008 at 7:53 pm

Simply gorgeous. That is one gift she will keep and remember for years and years. :)
25. Fiona | November 10th, 2008 at 8:27 pm

This just about makes me cry. Such a beautiful gift, she’s a very lucky niece. And I love the diagonal binding. Love it!
26. suann | November 10th, 2008 at 9:53 pm

sarah — this is so amazing! love it!

hope you’re well! xo.
27. corinne | November 11th, 2008 at 1:31 am

I am constantly amazed with your handmade gifts…they are so sweet, and unique…and inspiring!
This is just a beautiful quilt, your niece is so lucky, I am sure she will just love this quilt more and more over the years!
thanks for sharing this with all of us!
28. Gretchen Skovron | November 11th, 2008 at 11:26 am

Wow that is beautiful. What a wonderful gift to cherish. I wish someone made that for me boys. :)
29. Kim F. | November 11th, 2008 at 12:01 pm

What a fantastic idea and a very special quilt! I blogged about this on the Spoonflower blog and am only sorry that I didn’t get to see it when it was printed. Wonderful job!
30. Whistlepea | November 11th, 2008 at 1:22 pm

It’s adorable!
31. Dawn | November 11th, 2008 at 2:58 pm

This is really beautiful! Nicely done!
32. Sara R. | November 11th, 2008 at 4:22 pm

I saw this on the Spoonflower bog, and it’s just incredible. I hope you don’t mind if I borrow this idea for my daughter!
33. jessica | November 11th, 2008 at 6:09 pm

amazing. that is absolutely brilliant. i’m sure your niece will love her gift!
34. penandpaper | November 11th, 2008 at 8:07 pm

What a touching gift. Your niece will cherish it for years and years.
35. melissa | November 11th, 2008 at 8:22 pm

this is the most special gift i have ever seen. what a loving and creative gift.
very inspiring!
melissa
36. Leta | November 11th, 2008 at 8:52 pm

This is seriously the most awesome thing. What a fantastic idea.
37. heidi | November 11th, 2008 at 9:02 pm

You are seriously the best gift giver ever, you always come up with the most amazing thoughtful handmade gifts I have ever seen. Not only that but your attention to small details like sending maps and keys with beautiful fabric key rings! Your family must feel so loved!
38. encrasia | November 11th, 2008 at 9:24 pm

Beautiful idea that inspires me to creat something!
39. Kristin | November 11th, 2008 at 9:37 pm

I love the idea! Simply wonderful!
40. anastasia | November 12th, 2008 at 12:58 am

I love that quilt! i hope she cherishs it forever!xo
41. pumpkin petunia | November 12th, 2008 at 11:33 am

That is absolutely the most special and wonderful gift I have ever seen.
42. sarah | November 12th, 2008 at 12:32 pm

Sarah- I just discovered your blog, and I am in love with everything you are making. wow! This quilt is incredible.
Thanks for sharing all your lovelies.
43. kelly | November 12th, 2008 at 3:00 pm

This is so, SO sweet. Beautiful work.

Thank you so much for sharing.
44. my little rogue heart | November 13th, 2008 at 1:46 pm

Holy Shineolly! That is such a cute idea! Thank you for sharing the brilliant ideas your brilliant mind is producing!
45. Heather | November 13th, 2008 at 4:44 pm

this is just lovely. . . what a better way to show your love? you are really incredible
46. erika | November 13th, 2008 at 5:15 pm

Sarah,

Is it dumb to ask how long you letter was? What I mean to say, is did you have to keep yourself in some sort of parameter as you poured out lovely thoughts to your niece, so that it could all fit on your two yds of fabric?
47. natascha | November 18th, 2008 at 6:23 pm

You’re a genius!
48. kristenly | December 20th, 2008 at 5:46 pm

i hope that you don’t mind if i link to you. this is one of the most thoughtful, beautiful gifts i have ever seen!
49. kim | December 22nd, 2008 at 3:06 am

hi, love your little animal print. it’s fresh and sweet and looks so inviting. if you’re interested in selling through boutiques i’d love to talk to you about blankets in that design! i’m looking for a way to offer more hand made products - i think the babies can feel the love in them. Anyway let me know! it’s lovely!
50. chiarabelle | January 22nd, 2009 at 6:27 pm

what a beautiful, sweet, treasured object you’ve created!
51. Penelope | January 22nd, 2009 at 6:33 pm

Hi this is a marvelous, sweet and heartfelt gift!!!! I’m sure she was pleased as punch to receive it. I did want to know if you don’t mind sharing, the font that you used to create this.

Thanks so much and beautiful job again!

PT
52. kelly | January 23rd, 2009 at 12:38 pm

This is such a beautiful and thoughtful gift. I just realized something like this would make an amazing bumper and quilt for the baby we’re having. I was thinking of getting little quotes and sayings from family and friends to use. What are the space limitations for the print?
53. jenn | January 24th, 2009 at 5:45 am

this is the most fabulous thing i have seen in a long time. i instantly want to run out and make one for my sweet twins. i have been stalking spoonflower for awhile now but the specifications of the kind of file, format, etc. seem too hard. it becomes too cost prohibitive for me to hire someone to “fix” my stuff. any chance you would consider doing a tutorial on how you made your letter fabric design????
54. CK | January 24th, 2009 at 12:10 pm

this is so brilliant and sweet and touching all at the same time. wonderful idea!!! thanks for sharing.
55. Lynne's Somewhat Invented Life | January 25th, 2009 at 2:28 am

This is just the most clever thing I have seen in a long time. Your niece is very lucky to have such an Auntie. Thanks for all the links. I sent them to a friend of mine who is passionate about fabric and quilting.
56. shar | February 1st, 2009 at 9:21 am

Absollutely georgeous!
57. Felicity | February 7th, 2009 at 1:23 pm

I’m not sure that my comment is really adding anything new here, but I’ll say it anyway: this quilt is gorgeous. I love the idea, the fabric you designed yourself, and the overall execution! You’ve done a wonderful job and I’m very inspired!
58. beck | February 16th, 2009 at 5:45 am

You clever little gem…
59. Kate | February 19th, 2009 at 7:09 am

This is the most brilliant gift ever. I am so stealing your idea for my fiance who is feeling a little sidelined as we have a 7-month-old daughter who has stolen my heart. I am pretty sure it would take me a while longer than six hours to make though!
60. Betsy | March 9th, 2009 at 12:35 pm

This is amazing. I’m drooling over the personalization, color scheme, and sweet sentiment. I’m with the other commentors in pleading for a tutorial on HOW TO design a letter in spoonflower’s fabric land. I bet I could eventually figure it out, but hints would be super! Great work.
61. dana | May 18th, 2009 at 3:46 pm

This is such a brilliant idea, to do the words. I have yet to try Spoon Flower. So I’m glad to a finished product. Cute/Modern/Adorable. Great stuff!
Found your cool blog through Presser Foot.
62. Jennie | November 3rd, 2010 at 11:18 am

Hi,
Would it be possible for you to help me create one of these? I could pay you to make the jpeg?
Thanks for your help,
Jennie
63. 1018 charmingdate.com review | May 28th, 2013 at 4:24 am

Thank you for sharing !

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