Small Comfort
I'm here, resting up, after a very busy (and rather emotional) last week spent with good friends before they packed up their belongings, and started the long trek across country Sunday morning with two kids, a cat, and a chicken. (This chicken in particular had become a beloved pet.) I smile every time I think of them rolling down the highway with that chicken in the back seat. They will surely be missed. Meanwhile, my granddaughter turned three! So we went up to Portland for her birthday party loaded down with lots of goodies. This comforter, among them. I made it using two curtain panels I bought last summer here. I've since forgotten the name and I don't think it's available anymore, but it matches her other bedroom accessories and was the perfect size for her new "big girl" bed. I used a king-size sheet of batting, folded in half, to give this extra loft. Instead of quilting or tying the layers together, the eyelet feature on my Bernina (which is like a small, round button-hole) worked great. I used safety pins to secure it, but still had to watch that I didn't catch folds on the bottom fabric. So lots of smoothing and finessing as I went along. The eyelet ruffle was added around the edges before sewing the three layers together. (Sorry I don't have a tutorial to point you to. Most basic quilting books will have directions for making a comforter though.)
It is hard to see good friends move away. They must be truly interesting people if they have a chicken for a pet--love that!
It's a lovely quilt--one that I'd choose for myself because I love the quiet blue and white color, so cozy.
Posted by: June | August 21, 2007 at 10:16 AM
I adore that fabric pattern. I've been lucky enough to find 1 twin flat sheets, a fabric remnant and a shower curtain all in the same fabric.
Posted by: Grace | August 21, 2007 at 10:22 AM
Oh my gosh! Yay you're back! Love the comforter, now off to read other posts and see other new pics!
Posted by: gena | August 21, 2007 at 12:04 PM
That comforter is wonderful! Your granddaughter must love it!
Posted by: Angela | August 21, 2007 at 01:17 PM
I have the sheet set that matches that quilt. No kidding, my mom gave the set to me when I moved out. She recieved them as a wedding gift in 1974 and they were for a double bed which they never owned. The sheets were still in the original packaging.
I've still got them somewhere...
The quilt is beautiful!
Posted by: Island jen | August 21, 2007 at 01:41 PM
Aren't three year old granddaughters precious...especially for me when I had only boys. Have a rollicking good time.
Posted by: ellen kelley | August 21, 2007 at 03:49 PM
Honestly, you make the loveliest "girly" things.
Posted by: Diane B. | August 21, 2007 at 07:09 PM
Exquisite comforter! Your granddaughter will love it for years and years to come.
Posted by: Isabelle | August 21, 2007 at 11:32 PM
Beautiful comforter...No doubt it will become a family heirloom! Glad you had such a grand time with friends staying...parting is such sweet sorrow ((HUGS))
Posted by: Tracy | August 22, 2007 at 03:39 AM
It is always hard to have dear friends move away. They sound like wonderful people---with a chicken for a pet, they must be fantastic!!
Pretty comforter for your granddaughter, she will get warm hugs from Grammee every time she cuddles under it.
Posted by: Julia | August 22, 2007 at 07:00 AM
It's so tough when friends move away. And it's always hard to stay in touch unless you really work hard at it. Thank goodness for the internet these days!
I love the little comforter.
Posted by: Anina | August 22, 2007 at 08:45 AM
Lovely comforter! I'm sure your granddaughter will cherish if for a long time. I love the print! I just came across your blog and love the things that you post. Very creative. Love the chicken story, though parting is often hard the memory of the chicken should keep you laughing.
Posted by: Alice | August 22, 2007 at 10:58 AM
What a sweet gift. She's so lucky to have a grandmother that can sew.
Posted by: willzmom | August 22, 2007 at 11:58 AM
That quilt is lovely - looks comfortable and squishy and warm - perfect for curling up with. My cats would adore it too!
Claire
Posted by: Claire Hicks | August 22, 2007 at 03:26 PM
Oh how lovely! What a lucky little girl indeed!
Posted by: Becky | August 22, 2007 at 06:06 PM
Oh my goodness, the chicken! That is too precious! I read a story once when my son was little called "The Relatives Came," one of those kind that you find in the Scholastic newsletter they send home from school, filled with amazing illustrations. I am just all smiles thinking of you and the girls and that chicken! The comforter is spectacular!
Posted by: Kathy | August 23, 2007 at 12:56 AM
Love the quilt...and from curtains? wow!
A question: somewhere on either your blog or a link to your blog was a pattern for a felted wool cupcake. I finally found some pink felted wool and my hard drive crashed and I've lost all my favorites. Does such a pattern ring a bell with you? wish I would have just printed out the directions!
thanks in advance...Paula
Posted by: paula | August 23, 2007 at 06:02 AM
As someone who still has many of the things my Grandma made, I bet she will cherish them always!! Nothing can substitiute for the love that Grandma sews in :D :D
Colleen
Posted by: Colleen | August 23, 2007 at 03:22 PM
So pretty, V.! I'm glad you shared it. I'm giggling too as I picture your friends driving down the road with that chicken! Save a cupcake for Hannah and I, dang those look yummy!
Posted by: Toni | August 25, 2007 at 08:24 AM
Thats a very beautiful quilt. You have to be so creative to think of wonderful ideas as you did. I have a granddaughter who just turned 3 also in July. Aren't they just wonderful. She is extra special because it has been all boys all over...but then boys are wonderful too.
Posted by: Judi | August 26, 2007 at 03:13 PM