The Velveteen Rabbit
It's all hand quilted and finished now.
I have to admit I don't square up my quilts and only measure them when I post a finish. Normally top and bottom are the same measurement and sides are the same measurement. Not this time! Can you tell? The quilt is 43 x 58 x 44 x 60.
Sally who blogs at The Objects of Design shared a tutorial for making the standing bunnies. I started making them on my Janome and finished making them on a new Brother. Unfortunately when I bought the Brother I did not have the needle set correctly for a quarter inch seam so the Brother Bunnies turned out slightly larger. So, I made the Rabbits hop up and down in the quilt. I used a variety of neutral background fabrics (mainly because I didn't think I had enough of any particular one) and like how sometimes a butterfly just happened to turn up on a Bunny belly or a Rabbit ear.
The rabbits were made of bits and pieces of mostly brown fabrics (scrap chunks).
I hand quilted with regular brown quilting thread on the rabbits and with perle #12 ecru in the sashing areas.
I actually included a Velveteen Rabbit at the end. It's velveteen from an old skirt of mine. I made the skirt and wore it and wore it until it no longer fit. I love velveteen so saved it to remake into something else someday - after all...velveteen was not cheap when I was skinny and made that skirt.
The backing is fabric with rabbits. And I free pieced the words "Get Real" to add to the back.
"It doesn't happen all at once,' said the Skin Horse. 'You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand.”
― Margery Williams Bianco, The Velveteen Rabbit
― Margery Williams Bianco, The Velveteen Rabbit
I had enough Velveteen to make a matching stuffed rabbit.
The quilt and stuffed rabbit are going into the hope chest for the first great grandchild. I was going to add my copy of The Velveteen Rabbit but can't find it. I think I gave it to my first grandchild, Isabelle, when she was born. I'll have to buy another copy.
And it will probably be awhile before the quilt, rabbit and book make it out of the hope chest. My oldest grandkids are 12. I like to plan ahead. I like to be prepared.
35 comments:
OMG! This quilt is full of surprises! I love how you made the bunnies march and dance all over the quilt by raising and lowering them. I love the sashing. It's like they are in a scrappy garden. I love the matching bunny toys! Sooooo much fun. What a treasure. Congrats on your fabulous finish.
OMG that quilt will be in the hope chest for awhile! nothing like planning ahead
That is a wonderful quilt, Cathy! I wish I could see it in real life, because I know I'd have fun inspecting all the fun fabrics and bunnies up close. And no one but you will ever know that it isn't quite square!
What a super fun quilt! And I love how you tied the back to the front! Wonderful quilt!
Well, this is so great, Cathy! The hand quilting is that final, soft touch. And I do love those bunnies. Another wonderful finish!
Ohhhh I love this quilt and the story that goes with it! Love the backing which has such connection to the story. How on earth did you get this hand quilted so fast?!?! You rock! Happy Mother's Day!
Thanks for linking up to Slow Sunday Stitching!
The Velveteen rabbit is one of my favourite children's books. This quilt and the toy rabbit will be treasured. I like to work ahead and be prepared too.
Great choice laying out the rabbits like you did. I love how they are scattered about the quilt just like real bunnies! Thanks for sharing with Oh Scrap!
I love it! The quilt, the stuffed rabbit and the whole message is amazing! what a great gift for your first great grandchild.
What a beautiful, REAL quilt. I'm sure if truth be told, we've all had quilts that we're off by an inch or two. I know I have. Happy Mothers Day!
What a delightful post, Cathy, it made me smile. Talk about forward planning! Whenever that little Great Grandchild is born it will surely have a quilt, a soft cuddly rabbit and a lovely story book to remember you by. I hope you include a note about where the velveteen fabric started life, in your skirt. I don't usually square up my finished quilts either, hoping they are more or less OK.
The quilt embodies the story so well--I love your velveteen rabbit you made, too...I like to plan ahead as well...as in:
My four grands (Steven, 17, Cassidy 16, twins 14) all have their going away to college quilts done...each one has a reverse Christmas side...(so four quilts really!!) ...I don't like deadlines at all--soooo, I'm with you on making things ahead...hugs and Happy Mother's Day....Julierose
That velveteen is amazing. I was expecting a solid and seeing the whimsy of the pattern was a great boost. So glad you had enough for a stuffed rabbit too. The "Get Real" on the back of the quilt was a really nice added touch,
Your use of prints is unsurpassed. And thank you for asking for a velveteen stuffed bunny pattern...and for bringing it to life!
Looks like The Velvet Bunny did what bunnies do; there's lots of bunnies in that quilt! That first great grandchild will not care, or even notice, that the quilt is not square. Such a precious treasure the quilt and bunny will be! ---"Love"
Oooh - that's so nice , your quilt and the great post too. And not forgetting the stuffed bunny to tie it all together.
I've got quilts and knitting tucked away too. My grand-daughters are now in their early 20s and I tell them I'm waiting for great grand babies now!
Your velveteen rabbit quilt is adorable - especially with the stuffed matching rabbit! What a thoughtful gift!
Cute bunnies.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful journey through this precious quilt. The Velveteen Rabbit is my favourite and I have often thought of making a quilt to honour it somehow. Your quilt is marvelous and what a great idea to have it all ready for a lucky little baby sometime in the future.
such a happy quilt and beautifully quilted, it is going to be so loved by a lucky little one, stuffed rabbit looks so good too
One of my favorite books of all time - and your quilt is just as wonderful. Adding the stuffed rabbit to the mix is beyond perfect.
Awww...
Such a cute quilt!
Those bunnies are so cute. What a great quilt.
I absolutely love this quilt! The bunnies are perfect. Your work is beautiful and the size just proves it's starting to "get real" already! There's a lady in my quilt group that has a goal of 10 boy and 10 girl quilts in her hoped chest for future great grandchildren. She's currently making quilts for her sister's grandchildren since she has already passed, but she keeps working on her goal.
As everyone else has written, the quilt is adorable and the stuffed rabbit takes it over the top. Congratulations
I knew I would love this and I do!
ohh my that is too cute and what a great keepsake for your first great grandbaby.
How cute is that. Love the butterfly fabric used around the bunnies.
Oh, Cathy -- it's wonderful! The words on the back are just terrific!
Sweet quilt top! Thanks for linking up with Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal and congrats on your finish.
What a wonderful keepsake! I also gave my copy of The Velveteen Rabbit to a grandchild. Now I am inspired to be thinking more ahead. Ha, ha!
What a gorgeous quilt! I like how you mixed up the backgrounds, it adds so much character. It will be a wonderful keepsake.
Cute bunnies! I like your "design" choice of hopping bunnies. I considered using that pattern this month too. In the end I picked the jumping bunny. Nice quilt.
This is wonderful! Your matching velveteen rabbit is a perfect touch. Such a treasure. Thanks for sharing with us!
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