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Saturday 21 April 2018

Books galore

I really like books, I used to be a librarian, so I guess it figures. But I also have a friend who really likes books and she has a big 0 birthday coming up in June. So last year I began making some shelves (of books) like this. A great way to use up scraps of fabric, such bright, fun colours.

And I used the letters that my machine could produce and began to name some, using a list of 100 most popular or well read books. That was in about August last year. Along the way many other projects came and went, but I did this project in bursts. 

It didn't see much action over Christmas and into New Year, but around March I thought I'd better get going on it again. Then this month I realised it really needed the big push. And here it is, only needing its binding on - which I hope to complete tonight. 

I chose black for the background as I checked out a few bookshelf quilts on line elsewhere and found the black appeared more realistic to me. I stippled it so that it flattens a bit, enabling the shelf contents to stand out more. My friend also collects tea pots, so of course I had to include some of those: 

I had great fun doing various patterns on the spine, some spirals, leaves, ribbon candy, feathers etc, I just went to town wherever I felt like it. And I went up and down on both sides of each book, so there's quite a bit of quilting on those 14 sections of shelving. 


She also enjoys cooking and often makes Delia Smith recipes - so Delia's titles feature. I was pretty happy with the tan fabric I found for the shelving. I has rows of small white dots so quilting lines around the edges of the 'shelves' seemed to work pretty well. It was all done on my domestic machine, free-motion, even the straight lines. I don't have a walking foot for this machine, so I've just learned to do it free motion rather than using a normal foot which tends to put too much pressure on fabric with wadding. 

Here's a shot of the backing, just a light colour. I used a light grey for the stipple in the bobbin, and black of course on the top. 

For the remainder I used a variegated thread which worked well. 
I know my friend will enjoy it and she has made just a couple of quilts herself so she'll have an idea of what was involved. Now I can leave it lying around and enjoy looking at it until I give it to her in June. 

One last shot out on the decking:


Now, what's next......

Lynn


11 comments:

  1. this is so lovely! I really like how you put those teapots and the globe in too. I've never used the alpha capabilities on my machine--i think I'd better check that out--thanks for sharing...hugs, Julierose

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  2. That's incredible! I'm the librarian at our church, so I know about books on shelves - this looks so realistic. Well done!

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  3. I love this quilt! So much thoughtfulness put into it with her favorite author, the tea pot, and, of course, all of the books! I love to read, and especially reading a physical book. I have a reader, and use it, but nothing beats the feel and heft of a book in my hands. I'm sure your friend will love this milestone quilt for her birthday!

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  4. It's fantastic, Lynn! So many fun and thoughtful details. The quilting looks great and the whole piece is so realistic. Your friend will adore it! :)

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  5. WOW! An amazing quilt, a librarian's dream come true! What a wonderful gift for your friend.
    Cheers,
    Sylvia@Treadlestitches

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  6. Hooray for bookshelf quilts! It's such fun to see the details on the shelves and the book spines. Consider joining the ALA Biblioquilters -- librarians who quilt! We contribute quilts to the scholarship auction at the ALA Annual Conference (ALA membership/attendance are not required). We have a FB page and converse on a YahooGroup (for the time being; we will migrate to another newsgroup platform this year).

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  7. Beautiful quilt. Something every book lover would love to receive.

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  8. What a fabulous quilt. You are so creative and your friend the book lover will love it!

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  9. Congrats! on your newly completed quilt. LOVE it!!!

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  10. First time I visit your blog... I am in love. I started dreaming already! But there are so many projects on my list befor I could thing of starting one like that!
    You will make a very happy friend in June

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  11. That's incredible! I'm the librarian at our church, so I know about books on shelves - this looks so realistic. Well done!
    กำถั่ว

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