Monday, March 21, 2011

Bookshelf mini quilt - finished!

I've officially finished off my bookshelf mini-quilt for my Make Mine Modern swap partner.  I really love how this turned out, after being terribly unsure of whether or not this would be any good for not.  I think my partner will really like it.  I like this little mini-quilt so much that I'm thinking of making another one, since I have a good number of selvages hanging around and quite a few friends and family who love books.  Would you guys be interested in a little tutorial?

Better shot - Finished MMM bookshelf mini-quilt


This mini-quilt was shamelessly inspired by a quilt block I spotted on Flickr a while back, made by the wonderful Amber of One Shabby Chick for the super awesome Ringo Pie bee.  I loved what she did, and favorited it for a rainy day.  Fast forward a while to my partner assignment in Make Mine Modern, and I knew that I wanted to do this mini-quilt for my partner.  I had a lot of fun working on this one, sketching it out and figuring out how to make it as awesome in reality as it seemed in my head.


The book titles, with one exception, are all selvages, which I added some simple double-sided fusible web to, and then adhered them in place after stitching the book fabrics all together in a layout that was pleasing to me.  The one book title that is not a selvage comes from Sweetwater's Make Life collection.  I tell you, Sweetwater makes the best fabrics currently that use text.  I especially love their fresh Sweetwater collection, the colors are so cheery and some of the text fabrics are just gorgeous.  But, I digress...


The binding on this little mini-quilt comes from AMH's Innocent Crush collection.  I love the varying sizes of the stripes.  I'm a big fan of striped binding, and I really like how it works here.



I also love the back of this quilt.  This fabric is a completely random find I stumbled upon at Fabricworm, from Victoria & Albert's Grand Tour collection.  The whole collection is a series of reproduction prints from the Victoria and Albert Museum, and some of them (like this one) are just so stunning!  And just so you know, the painter's tape on the back?  Totally not some kind of weird artistic thing, I was just covering up my partner's name :)


I added the embroidery at the bottom after I finished the rest of the top and thought it needed something extra.  After an hour of digging through quotes about reading, I stumbled on this one and felt it was just the sentiment I was going for, and it wasn't fifty words long, so it was perfect.  My embroidery skills still need a bit of work, but I like how the embroidery turned out.


All I need to do now for this swap is find the right box to start packaging up all of the goodies in.  I simply cannot wait to get this swap mailed out and see what my partner thinks.  Stay tuned!

I'm linking up with {Sew} Modern Monday at Canoe Ridge Creations.  Pop on over to see some other recent modern finishes!

{Sew} Modern Monday at Canoe Ridge Creations

I'm also linking up with Fabric Tuesday over at QuiltStory!
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41 comments:

  1. AnonymousMarch 21, 2011 at 7:44 AM

    I like it! I'd love a tutorial!!!! I'm thinking I'd embroider my own titles so I can add them to the books...soooo cute! =)

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  2. amyMarch 21, 2011 at 8:06 AM

    Super cute! Very clever with the selvage titles!

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  3. AngieMarch 21, 2011 at 8:17 AM

    That looks great! A woman in our guild made someting like this but it was a whole quilt with maybe 12 of these blocks. Your's are cuter with the titles and great colors! Love it!

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  4. LynetteMarch 21, 2011 at 8:44 AM

    Yes, a tutorial would be awesome! Love that backing fabric. In this context, it looks like rows and rows of books. :D

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  5. LeanneMarch 21, 2011 at 8:52 AM

    This turned out to be awesome! And fantastic choice for the back! I would enjoy a tutorial if you had time to make one.

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  6. AshleyMarch 21, 2011 at 8:58 AM

    I would love a tutorial! Ever since you first posted about it, I've been wishing I knew how to make one. It combines two of my favorite things - reading and quilting!!

    Beautiful job! Love how it turned out!

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  7. MaryMarch 21, 2011 at 9:06 AM

    What a great quilt! I would greatly appreciate a tutorial - this is such a wonderful idea for book lovers. Well done ma'am :)

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  8. krisgrayMarch 21, 2011 at 9:14 AM

    A tut would be great! I actually looked for one after seeing your pix a few days ago. Like the selvages.

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  9. randiMarch 21, 2011 at 9:28 AM

    this is wonderful! so many great details in this quilt!

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  10. AnonymousMarch 21, 2011 at 9:48 AM

    Definetly love a tutorial on this quilt I love it and can already think of two people I would make it for.

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  11. Becky (My Fabric Obsession)March 21, 2011 at 10:16 AM

    This turned out SO great. I seriously hope that's my name under the blue painters tape! You should definitely do a tutorial for this. I know a few people (besides me) who would love this on their wall!

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  12. ShelleyMarch 21, 2011 at 10:41 AM

    I love this mini quilt! It's so fun with all the selvages and the hand stitching! A tutorial would be so awesome.

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  13. Angela NashMarch 21, 2011 at 10:51 AM

    LOVE. IT. The selvages as the book titles is fabulous. And I love that backing fabric!

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  14. AlexandraMarch 21, 2011 at 11:17 AM

    I loved it! I'll try to make one for me ...

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  15. LeeMarch 21, 2011 at 11:37 AM

    Yes please on the tutorial! I love this! What a fantastic idea to use selvages as book titles. Everything about it is just perfect, I'm sure your partner will just love it.

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  16. anneMarch 21, 2011 at 11:48 AM

    I *love* these fabric salvage books, and would totally love a tutorial, too!

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  17. TiffanyMarch 21, 2011 at 11:56 AM

    Love this mini!!

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  18. ChrisMarch 21, 2011 at 1:04 PM

    A tutorial? Yes please! I have seen a large quilt like this but it's the size of yours that makes it so appealing!
    Chris x

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  19. KristieMarch 21, 2011 at 2:03 PM

    WOW! I love it! The details are awesome- the selvege titles, the quote, and the back. I just won some of that book fabric that you have on the back, it is fantastic, isn't it? Great job, and lucky partner!

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  20. EricaMarch 21, 2011 at 3:20 PM

    Elizabeth, this is such a cool mini quilt! I love it! The fabric on the back is perfect, too! Thanks for introducing me to the Victoria and Albert fabric collection...what a cool group of fabrics!

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  21. Katie BMarch 21, 2011 at 4:25 PM

    I'm in love with this quilt! I wish my name was under that little piece of tape. :)

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  22. Live a Colorful LifeMarch 21, 2011 at 5:01 PM

    Yes, a tutorial please. I even posted about your quilt in hopes of getting even MORE people on board requesting a tutorial. On the back of the quilt, the diagonal quilting of the book on the front makes it look like one of book ladders in a library against the backing fabric. LOVE.IT!!!

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  23. Sara @ Sew SweetnessMarch 21, 2011 at 7:14 PM

    SO so cool!! Can you do a tutorial please...I want to make one! I love reading and that would be my excuse to make this. :-) I think your embroidery looks really cute!

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  24. Christine M.March 21, 2011 at 8:26 PM

    What a great mini quilt. A tutorial would be awesome. Thanks.

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  25. Tricia C.March 21, 2011 at 9:15 PM

    Add me to the list of people who'd love a tutorial. Reading and quilting are my two main passions. Love your quilt!!!!

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  26. Lindsay ConnerMarch 21, 2011 at 10:49 PM

    So lovely! I admired those bookshelf blocks, too!

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  27. BryMarch 21, 2011 at 11:20 PM

    Oh my goodness Liz this is so freaking AWESOME!! I soooo want this to come live at my house!!!!

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  28. bruinbrMarch 22, 2011 at 2:26 AM

    This is such an amazing mini! I love the selvages for titles and I would love a tutorial so that I could make one myself!

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  29. Teje KarjalainenMarch 22, 2011 at 12:08 PM

    This is defenetely one of my favorites! I love quilts and books - perfect match and you have made it really beautiful! xxx Teje

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  30. Myra @ Busy Hands QuiltsMarch 22, 2011 at 12:21 PM

    What a cute way to use selvages! Love it!
    Mrs. Hearts

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  31. LadybugMarch 22, 2011 at 1:23 PM

    I would love to see a tutorial!!!

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  32. CandaceMarch 22, 2011 at 1:48 PM

    The bookshelf mini-quilt is so cute!

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  33. Riel NasonMarch 22, 2011 at 4:03 PM

    Great job. Super cute!!! I love the selvages.

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  34. LisaAnnMarch 22, 2011 at 4:19 PM

    That is a great project!

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  35. MeganMarch 22, 2011 at 10:44 PM

    Great job Elizabeth! Can I be your partner?!? :) Thanks for linking up!

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  36. MelissaMarch 25, 2011 at 3:28 PM

    I want to make one! A tutorial, PLEASE!!

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  37. QuiltstoryMarch 26, 2011 at 8:47 PM

    Wow this is soooo cute!! I love this idea, great work! Thanks for linking with fabric Tuesday :)

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  38. DoloresMarch 29, 2011 at 3:12 AM

    I really love this idea. I've been looking for a selvedge project.

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  39. Caroline@ToffleCraftMarch 29, 2011 at 6:09 PM

    Also add me to the list of people who'd love a tutorial on how to make this! Reading is my all-time favourite hobby This quilt is just beautiful. Also I adore that backing fabric!

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  40. LoralynnMarch 30, 2011 at 11:55 AM

    I adore this mini quilt! I would so love to make one like it for my Mom for a gift...we are both advid readers. If you did a tutorial, it would just be the bee's knees!!!

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  41. CraftyGardenMom - TaneshaApril 1, 2011 at 9:45 PM

    Ok I absolutely love this quilt since I am a notorious "bookie" and can't wait to make one using your upcoming tutorial! Beautiful job!

    Tanesha (CraftyGardenMom)
    http://craftygardenmom.blogspot.com
    My quilting/reading/crafting podcast is Crafty Garden Mom on iTunes

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for leaving a comment for me! I appreciate each and every one of them and try to respond when time allows. Your comments totally brighten my day :)

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Welcome! I'm Elizabeth, mom to a mood teen boy and a chatty six-year-old girl and I sew for my sanity. Let's get to quilting, shall we?
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