Quilting daughter, Stephanie, is planning her summer wedding.
It occurred to me the other day that I should be making a quilt. On the other hand, Stephanie has her own ideas about most everything, so before I embark on a quilt project, I thought I'd better ask.
Sure enough, she had a quilt she started and it still needs borders and to be finished, so rather than my making a new quilt for her, she asked if I would finish this quilt.
Of course I said "Yes." The real question is whether I can have it finished in time for the wedding.
In the meantime, I got to thinking about other wedding gifts that quilters could make when they don't want to make a quilt.
Here are a few ideas:
Ask if they need a ring bearer pillow. If they do, offer to make it as your gift to the couple. Keep it simple or create a crazy quilt pillow top from various shades of whites or creams in satins and velvets. Add a piped trim for a totally complete look to the wedding accessory.
Will the bride and groom have a wedding cake that is a “quilted” cake? These cakes are decorated so that the frosting appears to be quilted. If so, they are already a fan of quilting. Offer to quilt 20 to 50 postcards using the same “quilt” design as their cake. They can use the quilted fabric postcards as thank you notes.
Along the same lines, create a stationary pack to give to the new couple. Decorate a box with fabric and add the initial for the couple’s last name to the fabric box and plump it using a trapunto tool. Add papers and envelopes that coordinate with the fabric. Stitch some all occasion fabric postcards to include in the kit, too.
The bride might appreciate some custom gifts to give as bridesmaid’s gifts. Quilted cosmetic bags would be perfect! Don’t forget to make an extra one for the bride herself.
Give the couple a coupon for a memory quilt after they return from their honeymoon. Use photos they select from the wedding and from their trip to incorporate into the quilt. Use a color scheme they choose and you are sure to be the one who gave them their favorite wedding gift!
Create his and hers quilted tote bags for the couple. Add their names (or at least “Bride” and “Groom”) by using machine embroidery or appliqué. You could also quilt personal caddies for the bride and groom. Add a nail trimming kit and file or mirror, comb and small brush to each caddy. Roll up and secure with a Velcro dot, snap, or tie with a ribbon – whichever look you prefer.
Quilt some accessories for organizing their new home. Find out their decorating color scheme, then create a quilted shoe caddy and a hanging clothing bag in coordinating colors and fabrics.
If you are feeling really industrious, venture to create quilted wall hangings or flags for the new couple to represent each holiday. For January, create the items around a snowflake or snowman theme (baby New Year is another good idea). Valentine’s Day is a natural choice for February décor.
March could feature a leprechaun or shamrock appliqué or a traditional Irish Chain quilt block pattern. Easter can be represented in April by appliqué designs or by a basket patchwork quilt block pattern. May is a great month to feature flowers. Summer sun is a good choice for June. Of course, fireworks and a patriotic theme are perfect for July.
You have to be a little more clever for August. Since it is typically a hot month, a “dog days” appliqué is a fun idea. August also marks back to school time in many areas. You might also choose to use September as your “back to school” month.
In addition to lots of appliqué ideas for Halloween, you also have lots of fabric options. Now that there are many holiday fabrics, you can use your favorite traditional quilt block pattern to make your decorative holiday projects. That’s true for November (Thanksgiving) and December (Christmas, Hanukah, and Kwanza), too.
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| Stephanie's wedding quilt |
Happy Quilting!
Penny Halgren
Master Quilter
