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!!!

  DSC_0168 

   DSC_0161 

  DSC_0162 
Yep, that's Cam's fabulous 'Granny Square' fabric

  DSC_0164 

  DSC_0166 

  DSC_0165 

  DSC_0172 

 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 ...
 
 
  DSC_0199 
 
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:

Frogdancer said...

That's amazing.

Karen H said...

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

Catherine said...

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!

Cardygirl said...

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

Allison C said...

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!

trash said...

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.

Lorraine said...

Such a great idea & it looks brilliant !

Lisa said...

way cool!

Anonymous said...

You could embroider some of his favorites.

CurlyPops said...

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????????

Ann Marie @ 16 Muddy Feet said...

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!

Cathie said...

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

Jenny from Ohjoh said...

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

Theresa said...

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

Michelle said...

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

apiecefullife said...

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

Caroline said...

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)

audreypawdrey said...

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?:)

Sally said...

Out of this world brilliant!

Jen Henderson said...

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

KnittingBetsy said...

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

Unknown said...

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

Sarah said...

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

Julie said...

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

Christine said...

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

missi mu said...

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

leanne said...

what a great idea

Karen Lewis Textiles said...

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

The Rx quilter said...

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