Early in April I signed up for Lisa's Doll Quilt Swap. Round One. She's already on Round Two and has 100 swappers lined up. Wow. Beautiful doll quilts are popping up all around on craft blogs. Many swappers from Round Two have finished already. I received mine almost immediately. The one I made finally went out last week. My apologies go out to my swap partner who had to wait so long for her quilt. The crazy thing is, I signed up for this swap having NEVER made a quilt before. And as many of you know, I don't know how to use a sewing machine, so I stitched my quilt by hand. I worked it in felt, which although not a popular choice, it is my favorite medium. I am happy with the way it turned out, I'm just sad it took me so long.
Some research was involved before I made this quilt. The first thing I learned about Monica, is her favorite color is yellow. Oh, how I wanted to use yellow for the background, but I just didn't have enough yellow felt. So I went with the yellow border of flowers for her. I also learned my she was born in the year of the sheep. That's when I went with this idea.
And I just couldn't help it, but as I stitched along I would sing one of Peanut's songs from his Musikgarten Class, which translated from the German goes like this:
Sleep, baby, sleep,
your father tends the sheep,
your mother shakes the dreamland tree, and down come all the dreams for thee.
Sleep, baby, sleep.
So that's when I added this:
And since Monica is from a bilingual household as well, I also stitched it in Spanish.
The hand stitching went pretty well, but I did have one major mishap. The quilt originally was white, not green, and had a green and yellow floral quilt binding. The words were larger and embroidered on the bottom part of the quilt. However, when I was close to finishing I noticed a tiny spot where I had embroidered duerme bebe duerme. It looked like a tiny red dot of ink. Well, I kept looking at it and it really began to bother me. I thought I could spot clean it. That didn't work. So I added a little soap. Then more water. And before I knew it, I had completely destroyed the bottom half of the quilt. I was devastated! I couldn't believe I had ruined it and didn't even want to look at it again. I put it away for a while before finally realizing I could rescue it by cutting off the section around the flowers. I then stitched it on the green background and restitched the phrases from the song. Then the floral quilt binding did not look quite right, so I found this lovely gold velvet that I think works very well with the felt quilt.
I have to thank Mimi for all her moral support. She even sent me this link, to let me know I am not alone. (Thanks Michelle, it's nice to know I'm not alone).
Whew! I did it. My first doll quilt. I do hope all will be forgiven.
the quilt is so beautiful, kristin! i love how you resolved the 'issues' you had with it. your partner is going to be a happy girl!
i love reading about your experiences with your training, so interesting and needed! looking forward to reading more about it.
Posted by: Veronica TM | July 02, 2007 at 12:41 PM
Oh my - how cute!! I'm sure your swap partner will be thrilled!
Posted by: Jackie | July 02, 2007 at 01:41 PM
I can't tell you how much I love this (well, yes I can ... I just did!).
I recently did a doll quilt through a flickr challenge and, like you, encountered some difficulties. Working through those challenges made me love the finished product even more.
Your quilt (and the thought and detail in it) is lovely!
What did you bind it with? It looks too shimmery to be felt?
Posted by: Jeannine | July 02, 2007 at 01:51 PM
by hand? you are amazing!
Posted by: erin | July 02, 2007 at 02:12 PM
You rock, girlfriend!! I'm in round 2 and had considered doing mine in felt and all by hand, but chickened out. You know how I love felt!!
I think this would be worth the wait for anyone. Beautiful!
Posted by: Old School Acres | July 02, 2007 at 02:56 PM
I sure believe that this gorgious little quilt was worth waiting for!
Posted by: corry | July 02, 2007 at 04:01 PM
It's wonderful! I am sure your swap partner will be very happy. Also, it is great to tell the struggles that go into a piece- these projects don't always go together smoothly.
Posted by: Mimi K | July 02, 2007 at 04:55 PM
Wow..that is amazing and looks great!! I would have never have known it was your first attempt...
Posted by: barb | July 02, 2007 at 05:11 PM
I adore it! Those little sheep are so cute :)
Posted by: Felicia | July 02, 2007 at 06:11 PM
Wow, this is simply adorable! I cant believe how much cratfing you get done with a travelling full time job! That blows my mind!
Ang
Posted by: norththreads | July 02, 2007 at 06:12 PM
Hi, Kristin! I knew your doll quilt would be worth any wait. Don't beat yourself up over wanting to do a good job. I'm sure Monica will be thrilled.
The sheep and the embroidery are so sweet! Very nice colors and design.
Posted by: Lisa K. | July 02, 2007 at 08:29 PM
I just love how much thought and research you put into your projects. monica will love it because it is made with love. i love the bilingual phrase on the quilt.
Posted by: jen b | July 02, 2007 at 10:06 PM
This is way cute. Love thoses sheep!
How do you do it all!
Posted by: Frizz | July 03, 2007 at 07:55 AM
Thank you so much Kristin! I do love it, not only because it is a beautiful quilt, but because all the thought, care and love that you included in it. I feel so lucky for this! Thanks again!!
Posted by: Monica Andrade | July 03, 2007 at 01:50 PM
Your partner will love it, it is beautiful! I'm not brave enough to quilt with felt, but power to you!
Posted by: Marisa | July 03, 2007 at 07:23 PM
It's so pretty and I would never have believed all the angst you went through. Thanks for sharing that though - it's nice to know that we're ALL far from perfect on our crafting. You should see what I have to rip out/unstitich/re-do!
Posted by: Simmy | July 04, 2007 at 09:20 AM
I was visiting Monica's site and saw your quilt. It is truly wonderful and unique. I know she's feeling very fortunate and will treasure it. I certainly would.
Posted by: ellen kelley | July 04, 2007 at 11:12 AM
How could she not. Love it, I mean.
Posted by: Vallen Queen | July 04, 2007 at 08:36 PM
what a sweet and beautiful little quilt you made. and it's bilingual...wow!
Posted by: jessica | July 05, 2007 at 03:15 AM
That is so cute! Beautiful stitching around the sheepies and the Spanish is a lovely touch. That's my kind of quilting :)
Posted by: alisonmc | July 06, 2007 at 05:07 AM
forgiven and admired. It's lovely!
Posted by: monica | July 06, 2007 at 08:43 AM
How beautiful!! Well worth the wait, I'd say!
Posted by: amanda bel | July 06, 2007 at 10:41 AM
What fortitude! The quilt is quite pretty--you would never know you had such trials. I love that yours is in felt. It's completely appropriate.
Posted by: dorie | July 07, 2007 at 03:10 PM
Your first doll quilt is adorable and I'm sure it will be much loved.
Posted by: carolyn | July 08, 2007 at 10:22 AM
It's beautiful!
I'm sure your swap partner didn't mind the wait!
Posted by: Mirre | July 10, 2007 at 03:36 PM
That quilt is beautiful! So sweet.
Posted by: Jen | July 12, 2007 at 09:49 PM
You have more talent in you little finger then.....The little lambs are cute!
Posted by: carolyn | July 14, 2007 at 06:39 PM