Michael’s provided me with a gift card to purchase supplies for the project in this post.
School is starting up again, and when it does, my daughter Emily will be going back. The fact that she is going back is so special for us this year, because she had a stroke back in February after her son, Parker was born. She has been a teacher for a few years, and we were really worried that the stroke would affect her ability to teach. I am so very glad to say that it has not.
In recognition of her return to work, to her school, to teach again, I wanted to make something for her classroom. I decided to make a patchwork poster with one of her favorite quotes to hang on the wall. She chose this quote:
“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” ~Albert Einstein
After choosing the quote, it was time to go to Michael’s to get some supplies. I found some solid red and some solid black fabric, which are the school colors for the high school where Emily teaches. When I saw those, more ideas came to me about how to make the project. I also found a pretty red, black, and white print. Next I got a 18″ X 24″ poster frame in white. I also picked up some glue sticks and some duct tape for another project I had in mind. Oh, and I couldn’t resist buying some extra fabrics in a variety of colors. They package the fabric in 2 yard pieces, which is plenty for any project I could think of using them in.
To make this project, I had to figure out a way to print the quote and a graphic onto a piece of white fabric. The tutorial I found said to use freezer paper, and iron it onto the back of the fabric, then cut the piece to the size of a piece of printer paper. I didn’t have any freezer paper, but I did have some Wonder Under, so I used that. I practiced printing onto paper until I had the graphic and quote exactly how I wanted them, then I printed it on my white fabric.
Next, I had to come up with a design that was somewhat like was floating around in my head. That design process is the hardest part for me. I can think of something and see it in my head, but getting it out into the real world, sometimes that is a different story.
After a couple of days of fiddling around with the concept, I finally figured out how I wanted this to look. I stitched it all together, and put it in the frame, and uh-oh! it turned out too crooked to even think about letting anyone see it in person:
This meant I had to take the whole thing apart, put it on the cutting board, and cut with the ruler and rotary cutter, then sew it all back together again. When it was all done, I put it back in the frame, used some of a glue stick to set it on the frame backing. All done:
I am really happy with the way this project turned out. I made mine for my adult daughter, using one of her favorite quotes and her school colors. I think this type of project would be great for any child’s room with an inspirational quote, or what about a birth announcement, or a wedding invitation, or…..What would you make? Who would you make it for?
trisha says
What a really fun project!! Great job karen.
trisha
Karen says
Thank you Trisha! I really enjoyed making it.
Sheri says
You’re so thoughtful Karen, and I think that’s the perfect gift.
Lisa Johnston says
Oh I love it, Karen! You did a great job, and that’s such a perfect and thoughtful gift!
Jennifer @ MySweetSanity says
What a really cute idea. This would make a great teacher gift at the holidays.
Rachel says
I love that. What a neat and very thoughtful gift for Emily. I like the use of school colors.
I have wanted to try printing photos onto fabric to make a quilt but I haven’t gotten brave enough to try it yet.
Nicole Robinson @TheBookWormMama says
This is a cool project. I love that quote. My kids are little younger than Emily, but I think they could appreciate those words of wisdom.
Melissa says
I love the quote! This is a great idea, I’d love to do this with my son.
Alison says
Oh that is just gorgeous and I love the quote! You did good work Karen!!
Henrietta says
This is such a fun project! I could see making one of these for my daughter’s room with her favorite song lyrics or for my granddaughter using a cute nursery rhyme! I’m so glad to hear that your daughter is doing well!
Jennifer H says
What a neat idea. I like Michaels.
Marianna says
That is such a sweet gift.
MommyJenna says
I love this! I need to get more creative.
Emily @FamilyNLifeLV says
I love the quote! You did a really nice job!