I Spy quilts

It was hard for me to know what quilts to start blogging about. Initially I thought I'd blog in chronological order, starting from my first projects and then bringing my readers up to date with my current projects. I then decided that I should just write about some of my favorite projects and expand from there. When I think about some of my favorite quilts to make, I immediately think of my I Spy quilts.

 

I think all children and adults can remember playing the game, "I spy with my little eye..." And then the person they are playing with gets to guess what the other player has spied. So how perfect is it to have a quilt with which the game can be played?

 

These quilts grow with the child. Consider the following in a child's development and how an I Spy quilt could be used at each age:

• Tummy time, when a baby's vision is blurry but as he or she grows and is exposed to brightly colored things like an I Spy quilt, is able to begin to distinguish color and form.
• First words, when a toddler is able to verbalize what they see. For example, the quilt has a "puppy", "kitty", "ball".
• Color and shape recognition, when a toddler is first able to identify various colors and shapes and then pick those out from images that they see. For example, the bike's tire is a black circle.
• Dependence to independence, when a toddler or preschooler needs a tactile object like an I Spy quilt to comfort them. 
• Quiet time, when preschoolers need rest but can benefit from the quiet stimulation of looking at an I Spy quilt.  
• Self entertainment, during times when toddlers or preschoolers need to be patient and entertain themselves. For example, long car rides, who wouldn't want a cozy quilt to cuddle with that has cute, fun images to find?
• First sleepovers, when a young child might be nervous about sleeping somewhere new but can be comforted by a familiar quilt that is brightly colored and not too "babyish".

These quilts have so many benefits and can be used for a long period of time. The first I Spy quilt, pictured directly below, I made almost two years ago for my son Aiden. To this day, he still sleeps with the quilt and loves to look at it.

 

I just love how bright and fun this quilt is

 

 An example of how a small pink border can make the quilt look a little more girly

 

This little cowboy makes me smile

 

 Mr. Potato Head pieces

 

 A different variation

 

The I Spy blocks are made using a different method, making them appear round rather than square

 

I loved collaborating with the woman I made this for, she provided some of the I Spy fabric and could not wait to give it to her son for his first birthday

 

Yet another! Given to a friend as a baby shower gift.

 

I have quite the stash of I Spy fabrics. Over the summer I ordered a half dozen more to add to my collection. I don't think I'll ever stop collecting for or making I Spy's!