Memories of childhood Polaroid patchwork quilt

September 16, 2016September 16, 20161 Comment

Here at last is the quilt that I exhibited at the recent Festival of Quilts held in Birmingham. It is called Memories of Childhood because I felt the little fabric pictures perfectly capture the joy and innocence of being a child.

Memories of childhood Polaroid quilt

With over 80 different fabrics used for the Polaroids, there is so much to discover in this quilt. One hundred Polaroid blocks are featured in the quilt and no picture is repeated. There are birds, wild animals, cats, dogs, insects, boys and girls playing, mythical beasts and much, much more. This “Blast Off” block even glows in the dark!

Polaroid quilt detail

You can see more detail In an earlier post of some of the Polaroids before they were pieced into the quilt.

All the blocks are tilted to give the impression that the Polaroids have been randomly strewn across the quilt.

Polaroid quilt detail

I love these Polaroid blocks. They make a great i-spy quilt for rainy day games. And imagine the stories you could make up with your children using these little blocks as inspiration.

The back of the quilt is just as lovely, featuring this fabulous print of scooter boys and girls by Aneela Hoey. It has been carefully pattern matched for a seamless finish and the red and white binding (also by Aneela Hoey) frames the quilt beautifully.

Memories of childhood Polaroid quilt back

At 61 x 62 inches (155 X 157 cm) it is the perfect size for picnics, cuddling on the sofa, a cape, a den, a bed or thrown over a chair.

The quilt is made from high quality 100% cotton quilting fabrics, wadding and thread and has been professionally long-arm quilted (the pattern is called cool beans) to make it sturdy and durable. Warm and snuggly, this is one of my favourite quilts. Definitely one to be played with now and a treasured heirloom for the future. I’ll be listing it for sale via my Folksy shop very soon.

Like what you see? Remember you can follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest to see more of my lovely makes.

Baby boy Polaroid quilt

July 29, 20161 Comment

A new baby calls for a very special gift and what could be more special than a gorgeous baby quilt.

My latest obsession is definitely Polaroid blocks. I love them and don’t they make a fabulous baby quilt? Here I have fussy-cut my favourite fabrics to produce a quilt perfect for the new man in your life. Each of the blocks has then been cut to make them slightly wonky, as though the Polaroids have been tipped from a box onto the quilt.

There is so much to discover in this quilt. You’ll find a boy riding a scooter, a fierce ninja, a tiny snail, a cute dachshund. There is a crow peeking from the bushes, some ghoulish skeletons and my favourite, a scary tyrannosaurus (RAWWRR!).

Baby boy Polaroid quilt

This little quilt, being approximately 27 by 32 inches, is the perfect size for a baby. It is soft and supple and therefore great for cuddling baby. It can also be a play mat, changing mat or pram blanket when the baby is little.

Baby boy Polaroid quilt detail

Even better, it can be folded and rolled small enough to fit into a bag so the quilt can go wherever they go. Once your baby boy gets a bit older, the Polaroids will make for fun games of i-spy or for story-telling. Use it as a wall hanging, as a colourful addition at the end of their big bed or thrown over a chair.

Baby boy quilt reverse

The backing in Kona cotton teal looks great against the binding – a sweet seedling print by Denyse Schmidt.

Being made from 100% cotton makes this quilt so easy to care for. Just give it a short, cold machine wash and dry it flat in the shade, or pop it in a dryer on a low setting. It will come out as good as new.

This quilt will make a wonderfully versatile and practical gift for any baby and will soon be available via my Folksy shop.

Like what you see? Remember you can follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest to see more lovely makes.

Polaroid blocks

March 31, 2016March 31, 20163 Comments

Polaroid blocks are my latest obsession. I love how you can use them to highlight the tiny details that might otherwise be overlooked in a busy print. Take this pirate fabric as a case in point. Did you notice the pirate shark, complete with eye patch and wicked teeth, in the main fabric?

Pirate shark Polaroid block

Polaroid blocks were all the rage a few years back and I think it is time they made a comeback. I know that all the fussy cutting makes them greedy of fabric but I don’t care. There are just so many adorable fabric designs that are crying out to be made as Polaroids. Who could resist the cute little images from these Dashwood Studio prints? (Oops! Error alert – the pigeon fabric is part of the VeloCity collection from P&B Textiles. This is what happens when you chop off selvages).

Polaroid quilt blocks in fabrics by Dashwood Studio and P&B Textiles designs

Polaroid blocks in fabrics by Dashwood Studio and P&B Textiles

And I adore these quirky illustrations from favourites by Heather Ross.

Polaroid blocks in Far Far Away and Tiger Lily fabrics

Polaroid blocks in Heather Ross fabrics

Aneela Hoey is another great designer whose images are perfect for Polaroid blocks.

Polaroid blocks in Aneela Hoey fabrics

Then there are these fab ones by new(er) kids on the block, Cotton and Steel.

Polaroid quilt blocks in Cotton and Steel designs

Polaroid blocks in Cotton and Steel fabrics

And if you really want to overdose on cuteness, you”ll love these sweet little images by Australian designer Natalie Lymer.

Polaroid blocks in fabric by Natalie Lymer

Polaroid blocks in Cinderberry Stitches

I love all these blocks however my absolute favourite from my latest batch of Polaroids is this little one. A crow peeking in the branches from the Yoyogi Park collection by Heather Moore.