Frankie Goes to Hollywood
There are two reasons this name was chosen 1) a fun little throwback for any 80’s kids out there and 2) Frankie was a quilt we did for a great nephew. This family waits until the baby arrives, so we can put the baby’s name on the quilt. Often quilts will get a name while they’re with us as a way to keep jobs straight when deciding who is being loaded next, who needs to have their owner contacted for pick up, etc. Hence “Frankie Goes to Hollywood” was born. His nursery was a space and rocket theme in blues and grays. Below you can see Frankie’s quilt.
Rockets and spaceships for Frankie!
Names can be added in so many other ways, styles of font, variety of thread, as an applique, etc. Below are two more examples where the name was added to personalize the quilt. The one on the left is hot off the press, it hasn’t been quilted yet. It is a modern font and white fabric was used to appliqued Cade’s name. The other is a soft, flowing font done in a shrimp coloured thread to add Lola June’s name.
Here are a couple ways a whale theme was used to enhance a baby quilt. In the first, the baby’s name was added along with a cute little whale. What I love in this case is Cameron’s mother’s maiden name was Lee and now it’s his middle name.
The lighting is poor, look closely for the cute whale next to the letter C.
Linda made this quilt for her grandson. She made the whale the focal of the quilt by appliqueing it to the quilt top. Doesn’t hurt the little guy lives in Kansas City Royals territory and the blue of the ocean is similar to the team colours. :)
To make sure the whale stood out, waves were quilted around him.
Monograms have enjoyed a resurgence lately. It’s no different when it comes to baby quilts. Another way to personalize a quilt in a simple way. The initials of the baby, in the case of the photo shown below, were embroidered in the center of the baby quilt with a darker thread colour to have it stand out.
Audrey’s monogram was placed in the center of her quilt.
A quick way to make a baby quilt is to begin with a panel, add a few borders, and you’re done! A great way to personalize it is adding the family surname to it. Below is an example of that.
The quilt is baseball themed and the painting above it is from a photo taken outside Busch Stadium.
In some cases, a person wants a phrase embroidered on their quilt. Below are two examples of that approach being used. One was the motto of a sorority and stitched in the “sky”.
“To receive much, you must give much.”
The other was done for two Latin teachers who met at a Latin conference and fell in love. Esto perpetua is a Latin phrase meaning "let it be perpetual" and was included along with their names and wedding date on their wedding quilt. Coincidentally, it is also the Idaho state motto which is where Jacob was born.
This young couple is expecting their first child in a couple weeks!
This last quilt is entirely appliqued by our friend Sue from the UK. She made this for her granddaughter, Charlotte, to use when she’s over and it’s time for a little rest. She even took one of our labels home to put on the back next to her along with her label. Apologies the photos are grainy, not sure why.
How much time went into this quilt? We don’t know, but it is gorgeous!
These are just a few examples of the many beautiful and creative uses of embroidery and applique that have passed through our doors. In some cases, the top already has the embroidery on it and other times we’re asked to coordinate it.
For anyone in the St Louis area, Tag-It In Stitches Custom Embroidery does great work in a prompt, timely manner. My photos do not do justice, please see website for additional examples and details or call Martha at 314.585.7097.
And now to properly end this journal entry, “Relax” and have a listen . . .