Thursday, November 17, 2011

DIY chic geek quilt

When my 7 year old son asked for "a periodic table quilt" for his next birthday, I was a bit flabbergasted. Where to start???

But trusty Mary came up with the perfect idea ..... get Michelle to print the design with her fancy shmancy (and extremely awesome) new fabric printing business and ask Cindy to help out with creating the digital file. (I LOVE my crafty friends!!!)

So I went along last week to Frankie & Swiss headquarters to experience the magic in person and the amazing light and airy space took my breath away!! Here's a few examples of the space and the amazing pieces on display ...

This is the beautiful dress made by Cindy. 
Look out for Cindy's classes where she teaches how to make this dress!!!

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Yep, that's Cam's fabulous 'Granny Square' fabric

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 So once we had the file just right, we started to print ...


And to give you an idea of scale, here is Michelle and her lovely sister Jacquie setting up 'Flo', the huge printing machine .... 
 
 
Yesterday I sewed on a border and ... voila .... instant single bed quilt top ...
 
 
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Now I just need to find the perfect backing fabric and get it quilted and bound before January.
I think I can! I think I can! I think I can!

So what do you think? Do you have a chic geek in your life who would love this in their bedroom? Maybe as a cushion?

Andi xx

29 comments:

  1. FrogdancerNovember 17, 2011 at 6:33 AM

    That's amazing.

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  2. Karen HNovember 17, 2011 at 6:52 AM

    What a great idea! I love the look of it. I think your son might be on to something! Awesome!

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  3. CatherineNovember 17, 2011 at 7:10 AM

    Wow, I love it! (I definitely have a bit of geek in me!)... this reminds me of the Oliver Sacks book I just finished, called "uncle tungsten", as he describes his childhood love of chemistry - I found myself once again fascinated by the periodic table as I read it!

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  4. CardygirlNovember 17, 2011 at 7:42 AM

    Great...maybe primary coloured cushions of your favourite elements would be fun!

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  5. Allison CNovember 17, 2011 at 7:52 AM

    LOVE IT! I'm a microbiologist and naturally I'm into geeky science stuff. It is so cool your son asked for this! I bought some great fabric called Chemistry Alphabet from Spoonflower recently. It is http://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/557944
    I think it would make a great backing!

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  6. trashNovember 17, 2011 at 7:59 AM

    This would go down a storm in our house. We are sufficiently geeky that the kids regularly get tested on the first ten elements over dinner. Being a mean mother I am now moving onto the second 10.

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  7. LorraineNovember 17, 2011 at 8:22 AM

    Such a great idea & it looks brilliant !

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  8. LisaNovember 17, 2011 at 8:36 AM

    way cool!

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  9. AnonymousNovember 17, 2011 at 9:54 AM

    You could embroider some of his favorites.

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  10. CurlyPopsNovember 17, 2011 at 10:21 AM

    OMG Andi Love Love Love. I'm a total and utter chemistry geek. I studied it all the way through Uni. Can you just imagine if the squares were coloured pink, red and orange????????

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  11. Ann Marie @ 16 Muddy FeetNovember 17, 2011 at 10:48 AM

    I love it when people think outside of the box! Congrats to your son for the idea, and congrats to you and your crafty friends to come up with a way to make his wish come true!

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  12. CathieNovember 17, 2011 at 11:00 AM

    heheee, totally geekalicious Andi!
    well done on the team collaboration ♥

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  13. Jenny from OhjohNovember 17, 2011 at 2:03 PM

    WOW!
    Sooooo awesome!!!
    Love, love, love, lovin it.
    And the process - I think I also love flo!

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  14. TheresaNovember 17, 2011 at 2:16 PM

    That is SO awesome....and great story to boot! Well done.

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  15. MichelleNovember 17, 2011 at 6:52 PM

    And didn't we have fun printing it! I look a bit funny in that photo, don't I!!!

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  16. apiecefullifeNovember 17, 2011 at 10:52 PM

    That is fantastic.
    I am not showing my kids or else I will have to make one!

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  17. CarolineNovember 17, 2011 at 10:54 PM

    That is so geeky, but so COOL at the same time! I'm a scientist and applaud the enthusiasm of the next generation of chemists! (and I would totally put a cushion of this on my couch)

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  18. audreypawdreyNovember 18, 2011 at 12:16 AM

    I should have had that as a quilt when I was taking Chemistry in college. Maybe I could have absorbed the information as I slept?:)

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  19. SallyNovember 18, 2011 at 11:00 AM

    Out of this world brilliant!

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  20. Jen HendersonNovember 18, 2011 at 3:01 PM

    Yay! So good to see the finished product :) Hope your son loved it as much as I do. Excited to see my little Dala Horses on your blog too! x

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  21. KnittingBetsyNovember 18, 2011 at 3:51 PM

    That is the most amazing idea I've seen in quite a while! I just love that fabric can be printed more easily nowadays. (Nowadays? Does that make me sound ancient? O.M.G.)
    Off to look for some gray hair in the mirror.
    Betsy

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  22. UnknownNovember 18, 2011 at 4:53 PM

    Hi Andi,
    What a sensational gift for your son. Im sure he will love it. x x

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  23. Sarah November 20, 2011 at 8:59 AM

    We absolutely LOVE this in my house!!!!
    Any plans for the fabric to go on sale? Enquiring minds would like to know!

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  24. JulieNovember 21, 2011 at 10:38 PM

    I love the periodic table. What a great idea. Lets know if there's any for sale.

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  25. ChristineNovember 22, 2011 at 11:52 PM

    love it! brilliant idea, what other unique thoughts does he have?

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  26. missi muNovember 23, 2011 at 3:04 PM

    Andi, Thanks for dropping around, especially given my long absence! I love this idea, think I might see if they can do something for my girl. Look forward (hopefully!) staying in touch post-baby xx

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  27. leanneNovember 24, 2011 at 9:24 AM

    what a great idea

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  28. Karen Lewis TextilesNovember 26, 2011 at 9:44 AM

    that's going to be one hellava quilt, Andi! And what a load of gorgeousness in these photos...i really really want that sofa!

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  29. The Rx quilterNovember 29, 2011 at 1:24 PM

    So this is so super cool..any chance that more can/will be made to purchase...although not sure I could afford??? My son would love this..and me too I am afraid :)
    Lisa in Texas

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