News: handmade quilt

Nostalgia Quilt: Part 5 of the Custom Quilt Series

By Casey Corey

Nostalgia Quilt: Part 5 of the Custom Quilt Series

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.

Choose a color palette for custom quiltThis 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.

black and white custom, handmade baby quilt hanging by pink flowers

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.

quilt design for a beach inspired quilt

modern beach inspired quilt with yellow and blue like waves displayed on beach with a lighthouse

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. 

fabric pull and quilt design for a christmas inspired quilt

pink and gold christmas quilt on sewing machine

family gathered around christmas tree draped in a pink and gold quilt

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.

choose a fabric backing as part of creating a custom, handmade quilt with casey sheila quilts

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. 

 

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Introducing Etta Louise (and her birth story)!

By Casey Corey

Introducing Etta Louise (and her birth story)!

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

 family of 5 with mom holding newborn

mom and dad holding newborn baby

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. 

newborn baby

newborn baby with eyes open and fist by face

 

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. 

toddlers on rocking chair smiling

 

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. 

toddlers holding newborn baby sister

toddler holding newborn sister

mom with toddlers

 

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.

naked newborn baby with eyes open 

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?

fabric pull for baby quilt

 

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. 

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Raindance Quilt: A Gender Neutral Rainbow Baby Quilt

By Casey Corey

Raindance Quilt: A Gender Neutral Rainbow Baby Quilt

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. 

gender neutral baby quilt hanging on white brick wall with wooden chest underneath
front and back of rainbow baby quilt

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. 

white rainbow fabric
gender neutral baby quilt hanging against white brick wall
close up of gender neutral baby quilt

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. 

baby quilt all wrapped up with extra fabric

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. 

 

close up of gold fabric in corner of quilt

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. 

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Custom Quilt: La Playa Quilt

By Casey Corey

Custom Quilt: La Playa Quilt

I was commissioned to create a custom Casey Sheila Quilts quilt as a gift for someone’s parents. The parents have a spectacular beach house that is open for family use and houses some truly wonderful memories. It was fitting that the beach house, also known as La Playa, had its own custom quilt. 

From the balcony on the second floor, you can see the beautiful beach waters and sand. Often times, you can see baby sea turtles hatching and heading to the water. The parents have 8 grand children- 4 girls and 4 boys. It was only fitting the quilt had 8 hatchlings to represent their grandchildren. 

The client designed the quilt himself. It’s full of rich colors that fit together perfectly. I’ll be honest. The quilt took me about twice as long as a custom quilt normally takes me to make even though the client designed it himself. 

Shortly after I took on the commission, I got pregnant and spent the next few months nauseous in bed. I never experienced the second trimester energy boost although the nausea let up thankfully. So, slowly I got back to work. Lots of cutting and math errors led to more cutting. Luckily, most everything is fixable in a quilt! One of the quilting magical wonders. 

After 4 or 5 months, we finally had a quilt ready to be gifted. The client sent me a photo of the quilt on the balcony that served as the inspiration and it looked right at home. A true heirloom that will be generously enjoyed for years to come. 

Looking for your own custom handmade quilt? Email me at casey@caseysheilaquilts.com. I’d love to bring your vision to life. 

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Custom Christmas Quilt

By Casey Corey

Custom Christmas Quilt

After the holiday rush last year, I spent the day before Christmas creating some custom quilted pillows for me! It was one of the first times I made myself something. This year, when I brought out the Christmas Decor and got to put out the pillows, it truly made me giddy. I made four pillows- one side with gold fabric and the other side with a pink and gold Christmas tree fabric. I quilted them with pink thread and used a beautiful gold zipper on the bottom. I made two of them 18” by 18” and the other two were 20”x 20” so that there would be varying sizes on the couch.

quilted christmas pillows in front of a christmas tree

As I packed up Christmas last year, I dreamed of a matching quilt. As I started to prep for the holidays this year, I pulled out the fabrics. I had plenty left to make a quilt and started right away. I coordinated the quilt with the pillows by using the same gold and pink Christmas tree fabrics. I also included a light pink and dark pink. 

I used the Nostalgia Quilt design to make a pink ombre quilt. Like all of the Casey Sheila Quilts custom quilt designs, it’s so versatile. The result is always something truly unique and custom. I used the gold fabric on the front. I then backed the quilt with the pink Christmas tree fabric. The quilt is a lap quilt- so about 45” x 60”.

Alice, my pink obsessed girl, was as thrilled with the final product as I was. I got to make something else for myself! A true heirloom that will last for years and years. I spent many nights during this holiday season lounging on the couch with my quilt wrapped around my shoulders and a matching pillow behind me for support. 

Next year, I may attempt a tree skirt. I feel like that’s the last missing piece to my coordinated Christmas decor, but I’m sure I’ll think of something else next year. Quilts are like Pringles, am I right?

Hope you all had a magical holiday season with time to rest, reflect, and enjoy family. 

Looking for your own custom holiday quilted heirloom? Email me at casey@caseysheilaquilts.com. I’d love to bring your vision to life. 

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Everything Quilt: Part 4 of the Custom Quilt Blog Series

By Casey Corey

Everything Quilt: Part 4 of the Custom Quilt Blog Series

So far in the Custom Quilt Series, we’ve shared the basics of creating a custom Casey Sheila Quilt. We’ve also taken an in-depth look at customizing both the Raindance Quilt and the  Ombré Quilt. This week is all about customizing the Everything Quilt.

custom baby quilt with soft greens, yellows, and blues

baby boy custom quilt

The Everything Quilt is a fun, detail-oriented way of packing a little bit of everything into a modern baby quilt. Lots of patterned, coordinating fabrics with geese flying in vertical directions. As with all of our custom quilts, this quilt is a feast for baby’s visual stimulation and provides a soft place for tummy time. Because there is a lot of anticipated spit up and drool in tummy time, this quilt is also machine washable.

two toddlers laying under custom quilt

Once baby is old enough, the quilt can be used for naps and night time sleep. My four year old still comfortably snuggles with her baby sized quilt (40” x 40”) and the toddler sized quilt (40” x 50”) would last even longer. Once they are ready for a bigger size, you can tuck this quilt away for your baby to give your grandchildren one day. Quilts are for life. 

To customize your own Everything Quilt, we start off discussing a theme or color palette for the quilt. Maybe baby boy’s nursery is polar bear themed and so we start off looking for coordinating colors and fabrics. Or maybe you just moved to South Florida and you spent your pregnancy walking along the Miami River with the manatees swimming alongside you. We would then look for fabrics that fit that theme. Because the quilt is custom, the theme is anything you dream up! I am here to help you make those ideas a reality. 

fabrics for baby boy polar bear quilt

After we discuss a theme/color palette, I’ll send you a mock-up. Once approved, I will order the fabrics. Custom quilts generally take between 4-8 weeks to create. I will literally wrap your dreamy quilt with a bow and mail it off as soon as it’s done. I can’t wait to work with you. Please send me an email at casey@caseysheilaquilts.com to start designing a forever quilt for the baby in your life. 

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Ellsworth Kelly Wall Quilt

By Casey Corey

Ellsworth Kelly Wall Quilt

“The negative is just as important as the positive.” -Ellsworth Kelly

colorful wall quilt styled with pumpkins

This was my second wall quilt based on Ellsworth Kelly’s “In and Out of Paris” painting. It was just as fun as the first time and I learned just as much making this piece as the first one. 

ellsworth kelly wall quilt

ellsworth kelly wall quilt close up

The color and white square spacing fascinates me in this modern, handmade quilt. I spent most of my time while piecing the front of this quilt looking for patterns and exploring how the white squares balanced all of the bright, bold color squares.

basting ellsworth kelly wall quilt

basting ellsworth kelly wall quilt

Each time I make this quilt, I’m hyper focused on the slightly different shades of each color used. It doesn’t translate 100% perfectly into the color options available in fabric, but I think we got pretty close.

quilting ellsworth kelly quilt

The front and back of this quilt are 100% cotton. I created a hanging sleeve for the back so this quilt could also be used as a wall quilt. While making the sleeve, I became inspired to explore other ways to hang quilts. There are so many creative options, but I’d really love to create a modern, minimalist quilt hanger for my clients. Working on a few prototypes now and hope to have them available soon.

christmas order by deadline for a custom quilt image

If you’re following on social media or are signed up for the newsletter, then you’ve seen the suggested order-by dates for the holidays. But if you haven’t seen them yet, then you still have some time to order a Casey Sheila Quilts in time for Christmas! Order quilts by November 7, order pillows by November 28, and bibs by December 5. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions at casey@caseysheilaquilts.com. 

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Ombré Quilt: Part 3 of the Custom Quilt Blog Series

By Casey Corey

Ombré Quilt: Part 3 of the Custom Quilt Blog Series

Two weeks ago, we shared the basics of creating a custom Casey Sheila Quilt. Last week, we took an in-depth look at customizing the Raindance Quilt. This week is all about the Ombré Quilt.

The Ombré Quilt is a sleek and modern baby quilt. Bright, bold colors in a striking pattern. The bright colors can provide a stimulating visual for baby to behold (in addition to being a soft, safe place for tummy time and snuggles). But, the pattern can also be toned down with a softer color palette. I’d love to make this quilt in a soft, peach color palette (let me know if you’re my person). 

customize a custom baby quilt by choosing a fabric backing

Like each of the other custom quilts, there are two steps to creating the Ombré Quilt and you can decide on them in any order. One, select a color palette. Two, select a fabric for the backing. The inspiration for the colors and fabric backing can come from anywhere. What’s your favorite nursery book? 

winnie-the-pooh inspired baby quilt

I was inspired by Winnie-the-Pooh when I made this Ombré Quilt. How sweet are those honey bears for the back? And a bold color punch with red, orange, yellows, white, and cream for the color palette on the front. 

modern baby girl quilt hanging outside

toddler girl standing in front of quilt outside

This Ombré Quilt was customized for a baby girl based on the Party Babies Bib Set. The balloon animals are a fan favorite and clearly one of my personal favorites. We can of course discuss customizing a quilt based on any of our modern baby bib sets. 

color palette for baby quilt with red, orange, yellow, white, and cream

Once we discuss the color palette and/or themes, I will send a proposal with a mock-up of the quilt. Once the quilt design is finalized, I can send you the invoice and order fabrics. I can start as soon as the fabrics arrive! The process is about 4-8 weeks, depending on how long the design process takes. 

Send me an email at casey@caseysheilaquilts.com to start designing an Ombré Quilt for the baby in your life.

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