My friend, Kari, came to me a couple of months ago with an idea for a project she wanted me to make for her best friend and new mom, Shanna. She wanted to use the bridesmaid dress she’d worn in Shanna’s wedding to make a quilt for her new baby. I loved the idea. It’s so clever. I was just mad I hadn’t thought of it myself. I immediately agreed to take on the project and began searching for the perfect quilt pattern. The fabric from the dress was a bit rough to the touch, so I wanted to find a pattern that would feature the material prominently, but use it sparingly. The majority of the quilt had to be soft for sweet baby Alex. I also needed a pattern that was relatively simple in its design. This would be my first quilt and although I had an inkling that I may turn out to be a quilting prodigy there was no guarantee. This baby was growing fast, so I couldn’t spend the next year working on it. I found the zig zag quilt on purl bee and thought it was perfect. Simple, playful, and who doesn’t like a good zig zag? You can find the easy-to-follow step-by-step directions right here. The quilt took me two days to make from start to finish. Two full days, but still, not bad, especially for how well I think it turned out. The solid light blue and turquoise triangles are fabric from the bridesmaid dress. The two main fabrics used – the pink polka-dot and flowered fabric (used on the back of the quilt) – are from Purl Soho. The other turquoise printed fabrics used in the zig zags are from JoAnn’s. It really was easy and such a lovely way for Kari to give Shanna something representing their friendship, her wedding and new baby.

{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Leslie, thank you so much for the amazing quilt! I love it!! I definitely got teary eyed when I opened it. You are so talented, it turned out beautifully!
You are so welcome! I’m so glad you liked it!
Thank you Leslie, this turned out better than I could’ve ever imagined. You are so talented and I’m glad that this blanket was made from love for one friend to another friend for a little baby. Loved it!
Such a great idea, Leslie! At this point, I am practically a professional bridesmaid…I will need to attempt to make these as the new wives become new moms.
Thanks Sarah! Hope you’re well!
Hi! I was wondering how much do you charge to make the quilt? My best friend Is due in june