With the holidays in full swing, I find myself searching and scrolling for quality gifts to give to my loved ones. To me, the mark of quality is the look, feel and durability of the materials used in an item, and the craftsmanship with which it is made. Other features such as style, uniqueness and sustainability also add value.
Just as I look for these characteristics in gifts that I purchase, it’s important to me that the quilts that I sell also reflect these qualities. Quiltlove quilts are made with premium materials and are expertly sewn, resulting in high quality gifts that are sure to be loved for many holiday seasons to come. In this blog post, I share more details about the materials I use to make my custom quilts.
Organic Cotton Calico
To begin, I use a professional third party printer to print a customer’s unique drawings, notes and images on white, organic, cotton calico fabric. This durable fabric is tightly woven and slightly starched when new. It has nearly no stretch, which is ideal for quilting but softens quickly with use.
My printer uses a pigment printing process to create crisp designs that look as if they were drawn directly on the fabric (minus the potential for bleed). In addition, pigment printing is excellent because it ensures that images remain vibrant over the course of numerous washings. As the mother of two young boys, I can attest to this.
Perhaps best stated by my printer “details are clear, but the visible cloth pattern adds authentic charm.” It’s so true!
Premium Sherpa Backing
Like a delightfully hidden Easter egg, Quiltlove quilts are backed with high end white sherpa. I use luxe, premium plush fabric with a high pile height, to give my quilts an extra cozy feel. Further, the thickness of the fabric contributes to the calming 4lb weight of the standard sized quilt. The result is irresistible. You simply have to touch it to believe it. In fact, one of my favorite parts of attending fairs and events is watching people’s faces when they discover a quilt’s soft sherpa backing. It’s the best.
Thick 100% Cotton Batting
My unsung hero! Nestled between the sherpa backing and the patchwork top, lies a layer of thick, white 100% cotton stuffing known as batting. I buy batting in enormous rolls and it’s always exciting when a shipment arrives. Did you know that the layer of inner batting is technically what makes a quilt unique from a blanket?
Cotton batting is more expensive than its polyester counterpart, and cotton-poly blends, but for me it’s worth the price. For example, cotton is heavier, more durable and softer than polyester. In addition, quilts with cotton batting tend to drape nicely. It also works well with my quilting and binding process. Win-win-win.
Premium Fabric Choices
Lastly, I use premium 100% cotton fabric on the colored patches that surround your custom squares. Selecting which bolts of fabrics to keep in stock is any quilter’s dream, and I am no different. For solid fabric, my go-to, supplier of choice is Robert Kaufman’s Kona line. The colors are vibrant and the fabric is smooth and crisp off the bolt. There is a reason that Kona is the gold standard for solid fabrics.
For small prints known as “blenders,” I typically shop from tasteful designers such as Timeless Treasures and Dear Stella, for more modern styles. However, I’m always on the lookout for special fabrics to add to my selection. I’m looking at you, Liberty!
The finished quilt came out wonderful, and exactly what I was looking for with respect to look and quality.
jason, quiltlove customer
Sustainability
In addition to ensuring my quilts are made to last, I am also committed to sustainable manufacturing practices. From a solar powered studio, to a minimal waste production process, I’m trying to avoid the environmental pitfalls that are so often associated with textile manufacturing. Learn more about Quiltlove and sustainability here.
The hunt for quality gifts is challenging, but worth it in the end. Some of my favorite gifts I’ve received in recent years include buttery-smooth wooden cutting / cheese boards made by my dad, my trusty beekeeping getup and tools from my husband, and a cozy gray sweatshirt from my mom.
Have you given or received any gifts that stood out for their high quality? What were they? I would love to hear from you!
As always, thanks for reading.
Warmly,
