Custom Quilt for A Future Astronaut
Outer Space themed Custom Quilt goes Mid-Century Mod
This twin bespoke quilt started as an order for an outer space themed quilt for a nephew who was very interested in rockets and such. The pattern (Rapid City Quilt, by Elizabeth Hartman) was suggested and approved as appropriately modern and masculine, and I set about ordering some astronautical fabrics.
At the eleventh hour, it was revealed that the recipient’s favorite color was orange (the color least found in space) and could it please be incorporated. Luckily, this pattern is super adaptable, and I love how the color palette makes it look even more mod and mid-century. Very space race, very moon landing.
The Pattern Choice Keeps it sophisticated and timeless
As I mentioned, this custom order was intended for a young boy into all thing space exploration. But the thing about young boys is that they very soon become older boys and then young men. So to keep this from becoming too juvenile too fast, we went with a timeless, modern quilt pattern with mid-century modern appeal.
Clean lines, contrast, mod shapes and color blocking all contribute to the graphic impact of the Rapid City quilt pattern, from designer Elizabeth Hartman, from her book Modern Patchwork. The pattern uses only small pieces of each space themed fabric, surrounded by solid colors or less-thematic prints. With themed novelty prints, a little often goes a long way.
Another thing I love about this pattern is that it looks quite complex and has an improv pieced look to it, but it comes together pretty quickly after cutting and organizing all the different pieces. The instructions are so clear, and (in the book version) the pattern even gives color grouping tips and tricks.
The Fabric Pull: Outer Space goes retro mod
Same as with the pattern, my main goal here was to incorporate a fun amount of novelty outer space themed prints, while still keeping in mind that timelessness. I want this quilt to grow with its recipient, at least for a little while.
So I found some very space exploration-forward prints with the manned rockets, the adorable serenely floating astronauts, and the sort of happy space age rocket control panel print. I loved that the small and varied rectangles used in each block gave me so many great opportunities to fussy cut small details, like the individual astronaut floating next to his vehicle.
Then, I added some more colorful but less directly themed prints with the crystal formations, the constellations, and the glowing stars from designer Lizzy House’s Natural History collection (by far one of my favorite collections ever). You might also spot some blue moons from Felice Regina’s Luna Sol collection, and even some gray scientific or geometry-adjacent looking sketches and formulas.
I love that these are definitely on theme, but also feel timeless and nebulous and nature-inspired in a way that will outlast a fascination with more specific things like astronauts or rocket ships.
I then color blocked around these using a few different shades of blues, yellow-leaning greens, and of course the requested oranges. The background and secondary colors are Kona ash gray and solid black.
Out of this world finishing touches
Quilted in an angular, geometric meandering maze, my signature free motion style, this quilt should serve its future scientist for a long time. It is backed with an Ash Gray solid Kona cotton that matches the background fabric on the top, and bound with the same for a seamless, clean border.
I wish I had taken more photos before sending it to its new home, but please check out the Bespoke Quilt Gallery for other completed custom quilts.
