News: Quilted Pillow

Les Fleurs Quilt: A wholecloth children’s quilt

By Casey Corey

Toddler eating popsicle in front of couch with handmade quilt

The Les Fleurs handmade baby bib set has a been a long time favorite of mine. The deep red is so vibrant, full, and luscious. The flowers are happy. The set can be dressed up or down. The perfect fancy set for a wedding or for another day hanging out with momma at home. 

Last year, I was asked to create a quilted pillow using these fabrics. We decided on a black zipper with red on the back. 

The client loved it and decided her baby girl who was turning ONE needed a matching handmade quilt. I couldn’t agree more. 

This handmade wholecloth quilt is a dream. (And hopefully encourages sweet dreaming and snuggling for baby girl who is officially now a toddler). 

Just like the pillow, we used the red floral fabric on the front and the solid red fabric on the back. I quilted her up using diagonal lines to create elegant diamonds with an organic, coordinating yellow thread. 

I used the yellow speckled fabric to create a bold binding for this modern, custom quilt. The final quilt was about 40” x 45”. The perfect size to take on the go- daycare naps or weekend adventures. But also the perfect size to hang on the crib and keep at home for imaginative play and sweet slumbers. 

I’m obsessed and was so happy to create this custom quilt for the client. If you’ve been eyeing a bib set that would make the perfect handmade wholecloth quilt for the little one in your life, please send an email to casey@caseysheilaquilts.com

This quilt may not or may not have inspired a brand new line of quilts soon to be available at Casey Sheila Quilts. Subscribe to the email newsletter to stay in the know!

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Mother's Day 2022

By Casey Corey

Mother's Day 2022

I write this today with my two year old on my lap. As you may infer- he has completely embraced his middle child position. 

My husband and I stumbled on an old TED talk from Brené Brown the other day and of course, I was captivated the entire time. One of her key mantras (if you will) was:

You are imperfect 
You are wired for struggle
But you are worthy of love and belonging

This phrase really hit home for me at this point in my life (I’m really behind on the Brené Brown train). Becoming a mother to three littles, today’s celebration, and all of the recent headlines has me consistently evaluating my relationship with myself, my kids, my husband, and frankly- everyone! It feels crushing at times. But when I remember we really  just want to be reminded that we are worthy of love and belonging- well, it simplifies things.

So I think I’ll leave today’s note simple too: I’m so grateful for my community of strong females (which includes all of you!) who remind me and my children that we are worthy of love and belonging. You are the real MVPs. Today, I celebrate you (and myself). You too are loved and you too belong. Happy Mother’s Day. 

Sending hugs and so much gratitude, 

Casey


P.S. Custom Orders are officially open and underway for 2022. I recently created a set of gorgeous, citrusy, summery lumbar quilted pillows.

orange and yellow quilted pillows with two oranges on top

They were in fact inspired by the Upside Down Quilted Pillows in the Pout Pout Fish Collection. The custom pillows were 12” x 20” with sturdy YKK zippers. Send an email to casey@caseysheilaquilts.com to get started on your custom design today.

 

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Better Together Pillow: Perfect Quilt + Macrame Combination for Baby’s Nursery

By Casey Corey

Better Together Pillow: Perfect Quilt + Macrame Combination for Baby’s Nursery

When I designed the Pout Pout Fish Collection, I knew I wanted to incorporate a different kind of texture for one of the pillows. I wanted to lean on the community theme. It took many different friends for the Pout Pout Fish to realize himself that he needed a different perspective. He needed his community to help him get through his sad days and they were still there to welcome him when he was able to see his pout another way. Becoming a parent also requires a community. Whether its a friend to vent to, a play date to organize, someone to seek parenting advice from, or a child care provider- we all need the support. We’re better together despite this westernized ideal that a mom can do it all and do it all by herself. 

quilted pillow with macrame laying in pile with other quilted pillows on beach

I met a local mom who makes exquisite macrame. I knew a collaboration with her would be perfect for this collection. I decided to quilt the front of the pillow with an elegant diamond quilting pattern. Something about that pattern is so regal.

toddler girl holding quilted pillow with macrame on beach

toddler girl holding quilted pillow with macrame on beach

The macrame artist then designed her own piece inspired by the Pout Pout Fish book to add on top of the quilted fabric. 

quilted pillow with macrame displayed on beach
quilted pillow with macrame displayed on beach

The result is a stunning, collaborative handmade quilted pillow that is a perfect addition for any baby’s nursery. The quilted pillow is backed with a lilac woven cotton fabric. The pillow also has aa brass YKK zipper to take the insert out. It was a joy to work together and I know you’ll love the pillow as much as we do.

 

P.S. If you try to order this pillow while I'm on maternity leave (February 2022- April 2022), then it will be marked as sold out. There is a gift card option to hold you over until my leave is over.  

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Floral Nursery Pillow: Les Fleurs Edition

By Casey Corey

Floral Nursery Pillow: Les Fleurs Edition

I was commissioned to create a custom, handmade quilted pillow based on the Les Fleurs Baby Bib Set. I love to see where my client’s inspiration for a custom pillow or quilt come from. I am even more in love when that inspiration comes from one of my handmade baby bib sets. The design process for this pillow was so fun and easy. We knew the front would be the magical Liberty of London floral fabric. The fabric is soft and easy to wash. 

The client picked the coordinating red fabric for the back of the pillow.  A brilliant choice. 

We then used the yellow speckled fabric for the bottom with a study black zipper. The bronze zipper is YKK and glides very smoothly. Easy for taking on and off the pillow insert. Our pillows do come with an insert, but if you have the perfect insert in mind, then I am happy to adjust the price to come without the insert. Just let me know at casey@caseysheilaquilts.com. 

The resulting pillow for baby girl’s floral nursery is strikingly beautiful and practical. The pillow can be used for back support during those late night feedings, for pretend naps when baby becomes a toddler (or fingers crossed, a real nap!), or any kind of play that baby imagines. The pillow is an heirloom that be used to create memories for years to come. Hopefully one day, baby girl can pass it on to the next generation. Now she just needs a matching Casey Sheila Quilts quilt. 

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Pout-Pout Fish Collection is Here!

By Casey Corey

Pout-Pout Fish Collection is Here!

A few months after The Wild Things Collection came out, I started dreaming about a new collection and couldn't get Deborah Diesen's Pout-Pout Fish out of my head. It had beautiful colors that would lend themselves nicely to handmade quilt designs. And I loved the story.

I used to read Pout-Pout Fish to my kids when they were both babies barely capable of holding their heads up. I didn't mind reading it almost daily because the story theme really resonated with me. It was this idea that we can choose our perspective during those sleep-deprived days as a milk machine with constant diaper changes (for you and the baby!). We can get lost in all of the hard work that goes into caring for a newborn. We can embrace the dreary-wearies. Or we can choose to embrace the cheery-cheeries. We can choose to embrace the anxiety, the insecurity, and the overwhelming love. You only get to do this once, might as well focus on the silver linings.

three kids quilts laying on top of each other

I began frantically doodling baby quilt designs and after a few months started to match fabric to those drawings. Three quilts and four pillows later, this collection was born.

Baby laying on a handmade quilt on the beach

The Upside Down Quilt and matching pillow cover is full of soft, gorgeous yellows and oranges. This one is a fan favorite and its easy to see why with those happy suns on the back.

purple & grey kids quilt

The Moody Purples Quilt and matching pillow cover is meant to match the big emotions of your small kids. I wanted it to feel like you were getting wrapped up in your parents' soft tee-shirts. I used lots of soft, woven cottons that are great for melting into. The back is a heavier woven cotton that gives this quilt great drape over a bed or crib. 

little girl wearing a happy quilt on the beach

The Happyish Quilt is inspired by the Pout-Pout Fish himself. Bright blues and purples. You can flip it up and turn it around, and it's a whole different pattern 

four quilted pillows in a pile on the beach

And last but certainly not least is the Better Days Quilted Pillow. This pillow has a lilac purple backing with a gold zipper. The top is quilted with regal diamond lines and elegant locally, handmade macrame is hand stitched on top. 

two kids laying on a handmade quilt on the beach

The Pout-Pout Fish Collection is designed to embrace your families for generations to come, one moment at a time. We can't wait to see them spark joy in your homes and families. Feel free to reach out with any questions: casey@caseysheilaquilts.com

 

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Pout Pout Fish Quilt Collection Sneak Peek

By Casey Corey

Pout Pout Fish Quilt Collection Sneak Peek

It had been almost six months since the Wild Things Collection launched. I was ready to start planning for the next children’s book inspired collection. I went through the all of the kids’ books that we had and polled my momma friends on their favorites. I kept coming back to one- Pout Pout Fish. I read this book all the time to Alice when she was a baby. During those long, but sweet days when it was just the two of us while on maternity leave I would read this book at least once a day. I created character voices and entertained myself. It’s hard to say if Alice was actually entertained by my reading performances, but I’m sure she enjoyed my company at the least. 

pout pout fish book with matching colored fabric

I had good memories of the book, but was it enough to inspire an entire quilt collection? I opened the very worn down book once again. The colors. They were so good. All the characters had their own color vibe going. I was really feeling Ms. Clam’s soft yellow and orange. The silver fish? And of course, Mr. Pout Pout himself.  

blue and purple fabric squares on a white background 

I thought this could be it so I started to sketch out designs. As I did, I reread the book over and over again. And I fell in love with it for a different reason- the plot line. The whole purpose of the book! I had somehow missed it during those early sleep-deprived days. The perspective message spoke to me in a whole new way. 

sun fabric with coordinating colors

I started to challenge my own perspective on parenting. Kamala Harris became Vice President as I designed and pieced this collection together. I started to think about myself, my worth as a woman, and my ability to parent my young daughter into a confident woman who confidently knew her worth. I realized I was falling quite short with the little every day things. 

purple pout pout fish fabric

Sure, I was hitting the big things or as much as you can with a three year old. Reinforcing love, kindness, and empathy. But I wasn’t modeling it. I spoke to myself in unkind ways that I would be horrified to hear Alice talk to herself. I knew I had to do better. For her and for me. 

sewing binding for the pout pout fish collection

For many personal reasons, I am so excited to share this collection with you in just a few weeks. There will be three quilt designs in four sizes: crib (30” x 50”), baby (40” x 40”), toddler (40” x 50”), and twin (70” x 90”). There will be three coordinating quilted pillow covers and a really special, fourth pillow. 

Come back soon for the full reveal of the Pout Pout Fish Collection

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