Snuggly Sentiments

We will have guests sign fabric with fabric markers and than those piece will be sewn together into a quilt. I love the idea of having something so practical with well wishes all over it. I also really love commemorating things on blankets. My friend made a first birthday quilt for her son with fabric the guests signed, I have a graduation blanket with the year I finished college on it and I've always want to make a t-shirt quilt. It's a good idea.

Here's how some other folks pulled it off:

It looks like these folks started with a finished quilt (unless this is the finished product). I love that someone drew a picture on a square. I anticipate lots of creative things from our guests (no pressure, Ha!). I don't like the monogram in the center square, but I definitely want the date. I think we'll put our whole names somewhere.

This couple obviously hand cut their fabric with pinking sears (yay, crafty DIY people). I don't know that I'm fond of all the squares being the same or having whites spaces to sign. I prefer the whole square be sign-able. We wouldn't want to stifle any creativity! I also think using a few different fabric gives it a "quiltier" look.

I found this image on Martha's wedding site. It didn't have any tips or templates so I guess it's just for inspiration. I love the sign! It appears to be made out of fabric. What's that another sewing project? Actually I think fabric glue would do the trick just fine. On the other hand what in the world would I do with it ever the wedding? Hmmm... Also I can't tell if they're asking people to sign the pre-made quilts in the background or if that's a stack of fabric on the table. Either way cute sign.

I was picturing displaying our center square (I just giggled because that made me think of Hollywood Squares) with some kind of sign for the quilt. Their seems awful little though so maybe it's just a tag they're stitching to the back or something. How modest. I want my name big and readable.

Another option is to have all the guest sign something and then embroider their messages into the fabric. Since, at least at this point, I don't have the capability to do this or the budget to hire someone this is probably not on the table.

As far as construction the best information I could find was on this sewing blog. I am blessed to marrying into a family that sews without which a lot of my DIY aspirations would never be realized.

As far as an explanation to guests I've found a poem making it's way around the internet that's sweet, but not for me as well as a few signs like these:


I just feel like there's a cuter, more clever way to do it. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

And Then What?

A few things occurred to me recently not the least of which is: I need a way to sit during the ceremony that doesn't look stupid in pictures. As I was cutting up a wedding magazine that was still kicking around from last winter I saw a picture of a bride and groom sitting in white monogrammed directors chairs. That's the answer. Something like the first picture in this slide show:

Boundless Photos

I like it because it won't cover the whole back of my dress, my actor roots, it's super portable and I'll use it after the wedding. Don't you love those photos? I wish I were in the UK. I like the groomsmen reflected in the sunglasses and the wedding dress with the bridesmaids dress hung in a row, among others.

The other issue on my mind recently is our not so insignificant height difference. It used to be annoying to reach Mike or dance with him, but ever since the metal rod in the back it is painful. I had originally thought I would get a small stool and put my dress over it to hide it. That was fine until I landed on a short dress for the reception. I'm still stumped on this one. I want something just high enough, not like a step ladder or anything that won't be ugly in pictures. I figure Mike may not be the only person it would be more comfortable to dance with from a more reasonable height. Also, I'll find use for it after the wedding for sure.

That's very much where my mind is right now. What will I do with it after the wedding? Second bouquet, nah. Guest book? When would I ever look at that? I should order green champagne flutes. Wait, what the heck would I do with 80ish green champagne flute afterwards? Never mind.

It led me to a great idea though. We talked about how people have had guest book tables or wish tree stations, etc and everyone ends up crowding them and you feel pressure to come up with something witty and get out of there. About a month ago Mike suggested we leave postcards on the table for people to write well wishes on at there convenience. I loved it and pictured big ribbon boards for guests to deposit them on the way out.

I was still thinking that was the way we'd go until I saw this idea in Martha Stewart Weddings for a guest book quilt:

We'd have a box of fabric on each table in different colors and patterns and fabric markers. Everyone could write or draw us a message, even the kids. In the end they'd all get sewn into a quilt. Cute and useful! I am sold on this one. So, look forward to that, friends and family. Also, if my out of town folks can't make it I can send them a piece of fabric to sign (much cheaper postage than mailing a whole book).

Hurray! On to bigger and more pressing problems (and the continuing stool search). Ten-ish months and counting...