News: Baby quilt

I am so excited to announce that we have a new product! Blankie Quilts are now available! These modern wholecloth quilts are perfect for any age from babies to big kids. They have a modern fabric choice on the front and a coordinating solid color fabric on the back. You may notice that they also match our handmade baby bibs.  

A lot of children form some kind of attachment to an object that they use to go to sleep. A lovey, if you will. My lovey was a very well loved blankie that I brought everywhere with me for years. I have so many childhood photos with my blankie in my hand and my thumb in my mouth. While I no longer suck my thumb, I did sadly lose my blankie during a Disney trip. It was a traumatic day and I mourned the loss of my blankie for a long time.

These blankie quilts are largely inspired by own lovey. They are a really versatile quilt that can provide comfort and love to the children in your life for years. They might start off as nursery decor when baby is too young to have blankets in his or her crib, but can be used for years to come. 

They are slender, making it easy to fold or roll up bringing with on the road. Perfect for family trips while you’re out making memories. 

They wash easily if you plan to send it to daycare or preschool, but also because kids are messy. 

The modern fabrics make them all the more cute and lovable.

We currently have six options for the Blankie Quilt: (1) Swanderful; (2) Surfer Girls, (3) Bumble Baby; (4) Swan-derful; (5) Wild Things, and (6) Panda Baby. 

If there’s a baby bib set you’d love a matching Blankie Quilt for but don’t see that we currently offer a coordinating quilt for, please send an email to casey@caseysheilaquilts.com. 

 Today, I am giving you some sneak peeks at the new product that’s launching this summer. Sometimes I wonder if I should give early glimpses at the product with my iPhone pictures when there will be really lovely professional photos taken. Then I remember I’m in charge and there are no rules. So, here we are. 

This modern children’s quilt collection was inspired by a couple of sources. First, I’ve had several requests for custom whole cloth quilts using fabrics from the bib collections. These quilts are easier to visualize- the fabrics are already there to see and can match a bib set if you wanted to give both as a gift to the baby in your life. Even if you’re gifting it to your own baby. 

Second, this may not surprise you but I had a security blanket growing up. I brought it with me everywhere. Sucking on my thumb with my blanket hanging from the same hand. I still can’t sleep without a quilt or blanket on top of me even if it is a special kind of hot (think no power post hurricane in the middle of Florida summer hot). 

So, I created a quilt that would be easier for a child to carry around with them but would be just as special for the child. It will be about 40” x 45”- the perfect size to bring to daycare or a nap on the go. The perfect size to drape across their little bodies at quiet time. And the perfect size to get a really good burrito roll. 

I’ve probably said too much. Can’t wait to show you more! Make sure you subscribe to our email newsletters to stay in touch. Have a custom handmade quilt in mind of your own? Send an email to casey@caseysheilaquilts.com. Custom orders are currently open!

I knew I was going to create a custom Everything Quilt for Etta, but I struggled for a long time to decide on a theme. Honestly, with this third baby, it was hard to make a lot of decisions. We struggled between two names for a long time- we had originally decided on a different name a couple of years ago but it became really popular. So we decided to let it go and went with Etta. We both love the name Etta, but usually we are very decisive and have the name picked out early in pregnancy. I don’t think we finally decided on Etta until my third trimester!

Also at some point in my third trimester, I finally decided Etta’s room would be a Secret Garden theme with blacks, browns, and greens. Once I made the decision, then the fun began: picking out fabrics! I found the perfect black and white floral design for the back. 

The front of the Everything Quilt has 6 patterned fabrics and 4 solid colors. I chose some moody, darker patterned fabrics and some lighter white and beiges to balance them out. This design requires a lot of cutting and sewing and then some more cutting and sewing. Did I mention cutting and sewing?

She’s four months now and it’s coming along. I sneak in some personal sewing in between making beautiful quilted heirlooms for our clients. I hope to have it done in the next few months after our two new handmade quilt collections are released! Make sure you subscribe to the newsletter to stay in touch. In the meantime, Etta happily uses her brother and sister's quilts. 

Interested in a handmade quilt for the baby or child in your life? I would love to bring your quilt to life. All of our quilts are made to order and take about four to six weeks to complete. Send me an email: casey@caseysheilaquilts.com so we can connect and get started today. 

If you’ve been following along on social media, then you know I have three silly and wonderful kids: a four year old, a two year old, and a three month old. I thought it would be fun to share with you how they use their children's quilts. What started off as a handmade baby quilt for each of them has evolved over time as they grow.

All of my babies used their quilts as soon as we got home from the hospital. It’s a soft place for them to lay down for playtime and tummy time. Spit up is of course inevitable. I machine wash the quilts and they have all held up well. We also use them as the backdrop for their monthly photos.

My two year old now uses his quilt for pretend play. I love watching their imaginations come alive. There are many games of being a ghost, peek a boo with the baby, and pretend sleeping. Pretend sleeping is when they get all cozy on the floor with pillows, the quilts, turn off the lights, wake up 15 seconds later and do it all over again. Ah, the repetitive life of a toddler.

My four year old now uses her quilt to sleep with every night. If I’m being honest, she’s still in her crib (without the railing attached). We are waiting on some home renovations to finish before upgrading her to a big girl bed. But she delicately and purposely hangs the quilt on the side of her crib every morning. The quilt has been through so many washes at this point between spit up, messes, and night time potty training. Her children’s quilt has proven durable and soft. I will make her a bigger one when the time comes and save her baby quilt for picnics, imaginative play, and hopefully one day for her babies (should she choose to have children). 

I offer custom quilts and two quilt collections right now: Wild Things and Pout Pout Fish (of course, inspired by the legendary books). They are all made to order in baby, toddler, and twin sizes. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at casey@caseysheilaquilts.com. 

In the first part of this blog series, I explained that part of my inspiration for baby bib sets was simply falling in love with a modern fabric. 

Once I find a print that I love and that print is on a cotton fabric soft enough to put on a baby, I create a whole set around that print. The set usually includes a matching solid bib and a complementary pattern bib that doesn’t upstage the star of the set. All three bibs work well together so they can be grouped together as a set but of course, they look good independently (because obviously that’s how they’ll be worn).

Another inspiration behind the handmade baby bib sets is you! When I work on a custom, handmade children’s quilt, the client and I collaborate on the fabrics that will be used in the quilt. I often find myself ordering extra fabric (in case I make a mistake and need extra fabric and… to create a limited edition bib set!). 

I mean, when the client asked for the Liberty of London Strawberry Thief fabric in this baby girl quilt- it was obvious we needed coordinating bibs for a limited release.

Other times, I get a special request for a certain theme and all of the stars align so that it makes sense to create limited release set. That’s how the Flamingo Babies Bib Set was created. After I released the Flamingo Babies Bib Set, you all asked the solid color to also be available in blue. Why not? Great idea.

Like all good things, the limited edition sets are just that- limited. They are available in smaller quantities than the rest of the bib sets. So if something catches your eye, don’t snooze. Once they’re gone, they’re gone.

If you have any questions or requests, please reach out to me at casey@caseysheilaquilts.com. I love talking inspiration and customizations. Custom orders for quilts are also open for 2022. Just send me an email at casey@caseysheilaquilts.com and I’ll walk you through the process.

Welcome to the last post in the Custom Quilt Series! We laid out the basics of creating a custom Casey Sheila Quilt. We then further explored how to customize your own Raindance Quilt, Ombré Quilt, and Everything Quilt. Our last custom, handmade quilt design is the Nostalgia Quilt.

This quilt is perhaps the most flexible of the custom designs that we offer at Casey Sheila Quilts. The first choice, like with the other custom quilts, is choosing the color scheme. It can be as minimalist or as maximalist depending on your color choices. My daughter’s first daycare baby quilt was a simple, dramatic black and white color scheme with a bold pink edge and bright, confetti fabric for the backing. I wanted it to stand out as hers while incorporating her favorite color, pink.

This custom quilt design does best with one continuous color on half of the quilt and up to six different colors on the other half.

On this beach inspired quilt, this client chose to use a subtle yellow on half the quilt with a blue ombre on the second half to create a wave like feeling. 

For this Christmas inspired quilt, the gold fabric was continuous and there were two different pinks used in alternating rows. Really, there are infinite possibilities with this design.

The second choice to make is the fabric for the backing. This is entirely up to you and the theme of your quilt. I will custom order a fabric based on your choosing and get started on the quilt as soon as the fabric arrives (which includes pre-washing all of the fabric to help prevent any color transfer later on).

Just a reminder that if none of these custom designs feel right to you, I am happy to design a completely custom quilt for you. Send me an email at casey@caseysheilaquilts.com so we can get started on the quilt heirloom of your dreams. 

On February 7, we welcomed baby girl, Etta Louise. She came out fast and furious at 8 lbs 5 oz and 20.5” long.

I was 41 weeks pregnant (Alice was born at 39 weeks and Dylan was born at 40 weeks) so going a week past my due date was unexpected. To say I was restless for her arrival would be an understatement. Although I did enjoy a big delicious milkshake each night while I impatiently waited for spontaneous labor. I had lots of strong Braxton Hicks, but nothing consistent or close together. I ultimately agreed to be induced at 41 weeks. 

Despite my best efforts, spontaneous labor never happened. So on a Monday morning, B and I said see you soon to Alice and Dylan and we headed to the hospital for my induction. It’s quite odd going to have a baby during daylight hours. I got started on Pitocin and my OB broke my water. I was 3.5 CM dilated and 60% effaced that morning. An hour later, the contractions were very intense. We tried watching some of the Olympics while I labored in my room. Being hooked up to the machines made moving around difficult so we made do with the tight space. 

After a while I couldn’t relax through the contractions anymore and I was worried my stress would slow down labor so I requested the epidural. That worked perfectly. After it was administered, I was 9 CM and my wonderful nurse called my OB to say it was almost time. A half hour later I was pushing and baby girl made her appearance in just 4 fast and furious hours. 

Alice has been enamored with her baby sister. She loves holding her and making sure everyone washes their hands before holding Etta. Dylan says “Etta” in the cutest way possible with his tongue sticking out and gives her gentle touches.

We are adjusting to newborn life once again. I am tired and so grateful that she is here and healthy. I am kicking myself for not getting farther along on her baby quilt before she arrived but I also didn’t get Dylan’s done until after he was born, too. Second and third children, am I right?

I do, however, have all the fabric laid out for this modern, handmade baby quilt. I am going to make her a secret garden themed Everything Quilt. I can’t wait to lay it out for tummy time, monthly photos, bring it on outdoor adventures, and make all the memories with her. 

I created a Raindance gender neutral rainbow baby quilt in May 2021. After momma received the handmade baby quilt, she ordered one for her sister who was also expecting a rainbow baby. Both mommas were team green. The first momma ended up having a boy and I can’t wait to see what her sister has. 

This is one of my favorite custom baby quilts to make. You get to select five different colors for the triangles and any kind of backing of your choice! We had a specific color palette in mind for this quilt and ended up finding the perfect backing choice on spoonflower.com. 

I quilted this Raindance quilt in diamond shapes with a cream thread. I love the subtle pop from the shape, texture, and color of the thread on the back. The cream is just delicate enough to complement the bold colors on the front. 

I had some extra fabric from binding all three layers together (top, batting, and backing). In fact, I often over measure this part and have extra fabric. It’s been a struggle because I don’t want to throw out the fabric, but I didn’t know how to re-use it. I finally figured out I could wrap the quilts up with the extra fabric. I think the end result looks authentic, handmade, and personal. And it keeps fabric out of wasteland. An all around win. 

I would love to help you create the baby quilt of your dreams for you or a momma in your life. Please send an email to me at casey@caseysheilaquilts.com.