Children at Play: Family Tree

Hello! It’s Friday!

When did that happen? This is the first week of summer for us, so I kinda woke up and realized I haven’t really posted anything really interesting…well, I have lots to share in the next couple weeks. But breaks are good, right?

So. Let’s start talking a little more about Children At Play. The fabric isn’t even in stores yet, but should be soon! And until then, I want to introduce you to it bit by bit.

So, let’s start with the family tree, shall we?

{image from Samantha Cabrera}

The family tree print is one of my favorites. I’ve had this idea in my head for a long time…ever since I came out with the print version. This Family Tree is a place for children to see their parents, grandparents and great grandparents all in one place. And it’s been a great addition to the shop!

But what is so great about this panel print, is that now you can create a quilt that can last even longer! And it’s much, much bigger (24″ x 44″ panel) so you can really make a statement with it…or incorporate it into bedding, etc.

What I love about this panel, is that is leaves you open with a lot of options. On mine, I have stitched my children’s names down at the bottom, randomly where the children are playing. And then for the tree itself, I have stitched the names of my husband and myself, and then our parents and grandparents. But what I also did, and you can see down below a little bit, is I have stitched the pet names that my children call them! So, below my father’s name, is Papa. And below Kenneth’s father’s name is Bee-baa (which is what my children call them). And next to my grandmother, I stitched “Tutu” which is what she went by, etc.

This is now hanging in my daughters bedroom, and LOVE that she strokes it every night before she goes to bed. She can feel the stitching. She loves the “bumps” from the quilting. She reviews the names of some of her great-grandparents that have since passed, but that she still loves and remembers. It’s a precious way to keep your heritage alive with your children in mind.

I’d love to see how you end up quilting yours! This one is done with dark brown embroidery floss (you could also use fabric pen I guess), “Wallpaper Flowers Berry” and “Meadow Light pink” Fabric.

I’ll be starting a flickr group too, for all of you to share your ideas!

So….That’s my first intro to Children At Play! I have a lot more…and maybe by the time I’m done, you’ll have some in your hands already. I can’t wait to see what you all make up with it!

Happy weekend! Sending hugs and kisses to you all….

xo

sarah

 

 

 

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  • http://www.beyondwordsdesigns.com Stephanie

    Oh, this is just beautiful, it makes my heart warm just seeing such a pretty piece that is meaningful and keeps your family record. My children love, seriously LUV, hearing stories about family. It is a nice way for them to feel a part of something bigger. To feel rooted.

  • http://monicaleestudios.com/blog/ Monica Lee

    I just love this too! Your new line is lovely! I am so sorry I didn’t have time to meet you in person at Quilt Market

  • http://abilingualbb.blogspot.com/ Marta

    I love this project! My favourite part is that you have included the pet names, how sweet and something to keep for generations

  • http://www.muxugorri.com muxugorri

    Ohhhhh! Is sooooo beautiful! A great, great idea.

  • Jennifer

    I can hardly wait!!

  • http://momnipotentblog.blogspot.com N.

    Beautiful!

  • http://jeannegwin.blogspot.com Jeanne Gwin

    I am so anxious to get my hands on that panel and some fabric. It is absolutely right up my alley. I love the “50′s Children” (that is how I relate to them, like my childhood playmates). Thanks for designing such a neat group of fabrics.

  • Sarah

    I love this but it seems to be only for those with 2 children. 3 children would make the whole thing uneven

  • Sarah Jane

    Nope…the two lower boxes are the two parents (so you and your spouse for instance) and then the parents above. How you document the children is up to you! I stitched my children’s names at the bottom in random spots. Most family tree’s are for ancestors, so this starts with the parents and works back…that way you can fill in as many children as you want! Hope that makes sense:)

  • Angie

    This is beautiful! Just wondering, does the panel come in more than one color scheme? This is something I would make, not for one of my children, but for me so when they’re all grown and gone I can still have a “baby” quilt around!

    • Sarah Jane

      Yes! Right now it’s just in pink. But, I’m hoping to have this ready for early fall. I will keep you posted!

  • Liz Pitcavage

    Oh Sarah!! It is so beautiful. I love EVERYTHING you do.

  • Rebekah Greenwood

    I don’t even sew, but plan to learn just to make this quilt! Love it – and all the material you have designed. Thanks for the inspiration! I’m excited for the line to become available.

  • Ursula

    Oh, I am dying to get my hands on these fabrics!!! I can NOT wait for it to hit stores, I will be watching and saving my pennies! :)

  • http://www.craftymumma.com Gab

    Oh I just LOVE the family tree print!! I wish so badly that I could make it work with our little family, I might have to do my daughters on each, with their daddy passing away and with my parents and his both divorcing their are LOTS of family members not to mention my new partner who someday wants to be their official step daddy… It’s complicated!! LOL But I want one OH SO BADLY!!

    Gab xx

  • http://www.loveyourlizzie.com Lizbeth

    Oh goodness. I just found you and your designs tonight and I’ve favorited a few of your things on etsy and now I’m just beside myself with anticipation for the fabric to come out. I love, love “illustrated” fabric. Yours is so beautiful, and thank you for doing a few boy options, too! I wish the family tree came in a blue or green, but I will buy the pink and hope that maybe the next baby will be a little girl. :)

  • http://www.ishtarolivera.com/blog/ ishtar

    one of the best ideas I´ve seen!! and SO SO SO beautiful!!!!

  • http://janeheinrichs.blogspot.com Jane

    Absolutely beautiful. I used to star at an old family album and recite the sames of my grandparents and great grandparents. They had names like “Julius” and “Agnes” and they seemed so romantic and far away. So great for children to have a connection to the past! Love your quilt. X

  • http://victoryrd.blogspot.com/ denise @ victory rd.

    what a lovely piece. how sweet that your daughter strokes it before she goes to bed. i absolutely love keeping the heritage alive aspect of this piece.

  • Jennifer

    I think this is just one of the best ideas ever. I can’t wait for the other colors to come out, as I don’t have any girls!

  • ina

    I love it! What a unique and wonderful idea. ;0

  • http://www.alpahbetix.net/blog Laura

    I am so in love with this. I can’t believe how wonderfully beautiful it is. Will it be in other colorways too?

  • Ali

    Beautiful family tree quilt! Love that you put the relatives “pet names” on it too! So cute!

    I ordered two prints from your site! My first prints for my daughter’s room and I adore them! They are the Ella and Addie Tea party prints! So lovely!

    My favorite posts on your blog is when you post pics from your home! Like the fun backyard stuff your kids are doing! Your kid bookshelves and your kid room decor! So inspiring!

    ~ Ali

  • Katja Magus

    I would love to second and third the wish for a gender neutral panel, it would make a such a lovely baby gift too, but nice to be used by all the children in the family, can’t see putting it up in pink in the boys room, or for girls who have brothers! I wish, I wish, I wish! But I’ll buy lots of the boys prints, already have a quilt in my mind!

  • Sarah Jane

    To all of you….YES! It will be coming in different colors. Early Fall most likely….the other colors didn’t make it in time for the final cut. So, if you can wait a bit, you’ll get one! xoxo and thanks for all your great comments…so glad so many of you love family trees too!

  • http://www.erinmakesitwork.wordpress.com erinmakesitwork

    I just discovered your blog and work through your interview, and I am truly loving this! You see, I am a children’s poet (hoping to publish picture books). I am also madly crocheting stuffed animals for a future Etsy shop. I want to make blankets and sewn animals too and I think your fabric would would wonderfully for that.

    I sincerely hope there can be some collaborations in our future. Thank you for this added inspiration.

  • http://fischtaledesigns.blogspot.com Melissa

    oh wow, I see a Fischer on your family tree! I don’t see that often… spelled the same as our last name. Love the family tree!
    Melissa Fischer

  • http://sharonsfamilyandotherstuff.blogspot.com Sharon Haas

    What a wonderful idea. I just love it.

  • http://adventureswithkelly.blogspot.com/ Kelly J. R.

    This is such a beautiful idea. I think it would make a really cool wedding gift. If I only knew how to sew…

  • CarrieO

    Such a neat idea, I love it! Out of curiosity, how did you hand the quilt on the wall? I have a quilt I need to hang in my baby’s room and am looking for ideas. Thanks!

  • CarrieO

    Sorry – I meant “hang” not “hand.”

  • Sarah Jane

    Carrie:

    Well, this one we hung at the booth is on a curtain rod, and we used curtain clips to hang it up! Target I think is where we got both…maybe the clips are from IKEA, but both are easy to find!
    Hope that helps:)

    xo
    sarah jane

  • Sarah Jane

    And about the other color options: Yes! Pink is in right now, and there will be more options in the fall (hopefully sooner) and I’ll be keeping you up to date on those! Thanks xoxo

  • Stacey

    This is devine. I’m so excited by your collection. Thanks for starting to introduce us : )

  • http://www.meandmybrightsides.blogspot.com amelia

    it’s all OUT OF THIS WORLD beautiful!
    you’re my idol!
    i think i’ve told you this before, but you’re living my DREAM :)
    keep up the great work!

  • http://thepocketchronicles.blogspot.com Kristina L

    What an amazing heirloom! I’m sure your children will treasure this quilt their whole lives.

  • http://www.arieleldridge.blogspot.com Ariel

    Sarah, we just love our family tree in the summer color scheme. It would make me giddy to see a panel in that color scheme next! What a perfect heirloom for our boys :) Congrats on the new fabric line and I’ll be counting the days til it hits my sewing table! woot!

  • http://www.minimepaperdolls.com Hannah Stevenson

    Sarah,
    I’m almost crying, this is so beautiful, charming wonderful!

  • Caitlin

    I’m curious to know which fabric you used to back the panel? It’s just adorable and I might just have to make one for my daughter as more of a quilt. I would have to order fabric online and wouldn’t get to physically match up fabrics to decide.

  • maurlo

    I just spent all day sewing this up…although I have been working on the names for a couple of weeks. I am a horrible sewer, but the fabric is so darling that it looks fantastic regardless. I am shipping it off to Utah tomorrow to have someone machine quilt it. So exciting to have something done for Christmas so early! Thanks for letting me steal the idea in full…love your stuff! (still hoping this is coming out in different colors for my boys??)

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