Final Quilt – the “What”

Project Inspiration

To develop inspiration for my project, I first defined my personal aesthetic. This was difficult, because I, like many others, feel like there are many different parts of  my life that join together to create my aesthetic. However, I know my aesthetic is rooted in a love of the outdoors, warm weather, colorful things, and light. I draw inspiration from the mountains, sunny days, and time with friends and family. When thinking about how I could turn my aesthetic into a tangible project, I defined it as two-fold: 1) my aesthetic outdoors  2) my aesthetic indoors. I spend a lot of time outside and strive to spend as much time outdoors as I do indoors to achieve a healthy balance of the two. My design style as applied to the outdoors could be defined as indie, folk, adventure core, and biophilic. As applied to indoor settings, my design style could be defined as colorful Scandinavian, eclectic, earthy, warm, with a touch of mid-century modern. A few photos below help define the visual aesthetic that describes me best. The goal for this project was to create something that captures the mood given by all these images.

The above paragraph was originally featured in my plans and inspirations blog post. 

Outdoors Inspiration

         

      

Image credit: all images are my own

Indoors Inspiration 

         

Image credit (in order): The Alchemist’s Home, Elizabeth Daniels, Historiska Hem, Jules Lee, 1st Dibs, My Decor Inspo

Why a Quilt?

Since I defined my personal aesthetic as two-fold, I knew I wanted to answer the question: what can I make that will be functional and useful in both outdoor and indoor environments? Something that can highlight my personal aesthetic in multiple settings? The answer I came up with was a multifunctional quilt. I wanted to create something that will be cozy on the couch and durable enough to withstand the elements when taken outside. A throw blanket/picnic blanket combination would satisfy this goal. That way, I can enjoy the blanket when cozy indoors, then I can take it outdoors to the mountains for scenic picnics. I am also very detail-oriented. I want to create something that, even up close, displays a high level of craftsmanship, implementation of colors, and thoughtful design. I am inspired by the many possibilities of fabric combinations when it comes to quilting. A few quilt photos and picnic inspiration photos are shown below.

The above paragraph was originally featured in my plans and inspirations blog post. 

         

Image credit (in order): StockCake.com, Shannon Fraser Designs, Erica Marshall, Calhoun and Co

Project Vision and Specifications

To satisfy the project requirement of dynamic components, I planned to implement two additions to my design that help the quilt transition from indoors to outdoors uses:

1. A detachable handle for carrying the blanket when it is rolled up
2. Snaps in each of the corners of the blanket to attach a piece of waterproof protective material to the bottom, for use outdoors

Although I am currently out of time to include these components as final products in this post, they will be fully manufactured before my next post. With these designs, however, I found a pattern online and will modify it to match the aesthetic of my blanket. This handle will essentially be two fabric + webbing straps that wrap around the rolled-up blanket, connected to a loop which will be used for carrying the quilt. As for the snaps for connecting the waterproof tarp piece to the quilt, they will be hand-sewn on each of the corners and each of the sides of the quilt.

 

Image credit: Art Gallery Fabrics, Abby Rindfuss

I came up with additional specifications as well, including: 

1. Size. I wanted this blanket to be huge! I accomplished this by making it 72” x 83.” Additionally, I wanted it to be puffy and have a lot of volume. I fulfilled this by using a high-loft batting. It will take up space, but this is the point. I don’t need it to be packable for backpacking or traveling because the intention is to use it for car camping and picnicking. So, in my eyes, the bigger the better, both in terms of visual aesthetic and also in terms of comfort and enjoyability. 
2. Colors. I wanted  the colors in my design to be colors that I love. And they are! I love blues, yellows, browns, and oranges. I took a lot of inspiration from existing quilts that I found online, and used these to develop my color palette and design. 
3. Craftsmanship. Quilt making, as I’ve learned, is all about proper technique. The tiny details of stitching, aligning patterns, and sewing together many pieces are obvious in the final product. This was a difficult specification to accomplish because this was my first time making a quilt, and I ambitiously chose a large project. 
4. Uniqueness. I wanted to make something that I’m positive nobody else will own! It excites me to think that I can create and own something that is completely my own, down to every last stitch. This also ties into my desire to fulfill my personal aesthetic that I described a few posts back. I know I’ve succeeded in this because my finished quilt feels like ME.
5. Functionality. I know this class is all about aesthetics, which is awesome. However, personally,  I will love to see that my multifunctional quilt achieves its desired uses. I want to make sure that my transformable components (snaps, buckles, carrying handle) allow this project to become a truly useful multi-environment object. I’d love to see it be used both indoors and outdoor

The above list is modified from my previous “top 5” post

The Current Final Product

I have been working day and night and absolutely pouring hours into this project. However, I’m not upset about that because I genuinely enjoy sewing and quilting. Once I get into the rhythm, all the repetitive yet challenging stitching can be therapeutic. Below are some images of my quilt in its current state. It is so close to being complete! All the patchwork is complete, all three layers are bound together, and 60 rows of detail stitching are finished. All that’s left is binding the quilt (cleaning up the edges by sewing on fabric trim) and creating the detachable components, both of which should feel like a walk in the park compared to the quilt itself.

      

   

      

IMG_9895

Sources

1. The Alchemist’s Home https://thealchemistshome.com/products/tabitha-quilt-cover-set-blue 
2. Elizabeth Daniels https://la.curbed.com/2012/11/21/10312656/touring-architect-ray-kappes-incredible-house-in-rustic-canyon-1
3. Historiska Hem https://historiskahem.se/objekt/tillsalu-sundbyberg-sundbybergs-centrum-tulegatan-58b-OBJ18440_2058978278/#gallery_images-10
4. Jules Lee https://www.thesorrygirls.com/lifestyle/eclectic-maximalism-why-you-should-try-this-design-style-how-to-achieve-it
5. 1st Dibs https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/more-furniture-collectibles/textiles/quilts-blankets/large-hand-quilted-patchwork-bed-quilt-made-from-organic-cotton/id-f_41230392/#zoomModalOpen
6. My Decor Inspo https://mydecorinspo.com/15-mid-century-modern-living-room-interior-inspirations/
7. Shannon Fraser Designs https://shannonfraserdesigns.com/products/shattered-star-quilt-pattern-pdf?epik=dj0yJnU9ZWZtaGREaGRHcWlmS3RneUZ6ZDNUT1AtNEEycDlZVDcmcD0wJm49OVVKWkJZTEVvZWlJeHQyZ2pZcTlMUSZ0PUFBQUFBR2ZEalZv
8. Erica Marshall https://www.pinterest.com/pin/1407443629219270/
9. Calhoun and Co https://www.etsy.com/listing/1300254293/gingham-knit-blanket-blueberry-pie-blue?epik=dj0yJnU9Zy1mVUhBTkdvNkhWWXJlZ0N3WDBOMnJHYzgxV1JndTYmcD0wJm49NWcwYVdGNEtCa0lFWkFadWRDT2gwQSZ0PUFBQUFBR2ZEalUw
10. StockCake.com https://stockcake.com/i/mountain-picnic-feast_975465_1136347
11. Art Gallery Fabrics https://weallsew.com/blanket-carrier-tutorial-art-gallery-fabrics/