Willy's Whimsical Creations
Follow the journey from idea to final keepsake quilt
How it begins
Dropoff
The quilt journey starts with laying out all of the possible pieces. We have a conversation about any of the pieces that you want to have included for sure and others that you would like included. We also look at the front and back of all the pieces as there are often great graphics on both sides
What happens next
Design
I take all your loved memories and lay them out in various designs which are shared with you. You make the final design decision (there are often many options) and this is also where we talk about sashing (strips inbetween each row) and start to think about border and backing colours.
Starting to put together
Preparing the squares
Once we have design then I start to make the pieces all work together. Sometimes pieces need to be resewn to make them lay well. Often there is cutting and resewing to ensure that important parts of the piece are included - a C designating Captain as an example. Whether the design includes all the pieces being the same size or varied sizes, I apply a stabilizer material to the back that enables different materials to combine well together. This is also the stage where once the stabilizer is on I make each piece the final size.
Getting ready to assemble
Let the sewing begin
Now I start to make the pieces into a quilt. Rows and columns are sewn together and finally all your precious memories start to look like you thought a quilt would look (and maybe even better!)
Sewing and pressing and sewing and pressing
It all comes together
Sewing and winding and refilling the bobbin - piece by piece, strip by strip it all comes together
Keeping it all together
Pins and more pins
Quilts are amazing big and heavy and so lots of pinning to ensure lines stay straight. I will admit to some pin pricks and sore fingers but in the end it creates such a solid, symmetrical product it is worth the time and "blood, sweat and tears"
And more sewing
Almost there
Joining pieces, pressing to create straight lines and joins - all the small touches that make your quilt not only beautiful and also durable. There is an option of extra design top stitching that is offered during the design phase.
Trim, trim, trim
Getting ready to finish
Trimming the backing and batting to match the top piece to get ready to add on the final binding.
Pulling it all together
Final touches
The binding pulls it all together. Not only does it nicely finish off the piece, this final touch also adds durability and stability to the piece. The final product is washable (as long as all the keepsake pieces were washable). All materials used to make the quilt are pre washed and fully washable.
Smiles and tears
Pick Up
My favourite part - pickup. Many, many smiles, sometimes happy tears and hugs but always overjoyed. I love seeing the happy looks on their faces when they first see the final quilt. Warms my heart!
