My friend asked me to make her a book themed quilt for her classroom. She decided to splurge and commission a quilt from me! I was honored that she asked me to make her a quilt, and excited that she was going to leave everything about the quilt up to me!
My excitement grew when I found this bookcase pattern from Fabric at Work. It gives super clear instructions on how to make your own bookcase quilt!
Fabric Selection
First I went on a hunt for fun, unique and quirky fabrics to use as the books. I knew I couldn’t buy any type of pre-cut bundle since that would all coordinate. Instead I went to my local quilt shop (it has since closed), and purchased a mystery bag of fat eighths.
![A bag of mystery fat eighths that I bought from my local quilt shop.](https://lovefromorlando.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/PXL_20230314_145146524-768x1024.jpg)
![Fun fat eighth prints for the bookcase quilt.](https://lovefromorlando.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/PXL_20230314_1502274472-1024x788.jpg)
I did also go through their Fat Quarter and Fat Eighths bin and buy some other fun prints, along with pulling out some fabrics from my limited stash.
![Fat eighths of fabric for the bookcase quilt, along with the brown fabric for the bookcase.](https://lovefromorlando.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/PXL_20230123_174605390-1024x768.jpg)
The only request my friend had was to make the quilt the right size for her to hang up in her classroom to cover a boring wall, and she wanted her two cats represented in the quilt.
Making the Books
I started making the book blocks and worked on incorporating the cat blocks. This is again where I am so glad I have my design wall. It is on the only huge blank wall I have, which is at the front door of my apartment. It’s a Fons & Porter hanging design wall, and it fits perfectly on that wall.
![Blocks for the bookcase quilt being laid out on the design wall prior to being sewn together.](https://lovefromorlando.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/PXL_20230124_174403077-cropped-802x1024.jpg)
Once I figured out where I wanted everything laid out, then it was time to put it all together.
![Rows of the book case quilt all ready for the brown border.](https://lovefromorlando.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/PXL_20230125_152234330-768x1024.jpg)
The dark brown fabric then got added in between the rows as shelves and a border around the quilt as the actual bookcase.
![The bookcase quilt top all pieced laid out on my design wall.](https://lovefromorlando.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/PXL_20230126_150243324-768x1024.jpg)
I ended up having to wait to quilt it. My friend agreed to let her quilt be the first one I quilted on my new 19x Elite, but I had to wait for it to get here! I worked on a few other quilt projects while I waited. I also tested out and got used to Ettie before I even tried quilting this top, but it was the first real quilt top I finished with her.
Quilting the Bookcase!
I took a quick picture after I loaded the quilt on my Cutie with the 19x Elite, but this was before I started actually quilting or put on my elastic straps. Please ignore my wonky brown border. I’m HORRIBLE at borders, and it ended up looking great once I was all done.
![The bookcase quilt hooped on the Cutie frame ready to be quilted.](https://lovefromorlando.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/PXL_20230210_141548298-768x1024.jpg)
I had so much fun playing with the 19x Elite and finding something different to quilt into each book. I did swirls in all of the black background and I tried to do a woodgrain in the browns. The woodgrain wasn’t as successful as I would have liked, but overall I think the quilt came out so cute!
![Close up of a few books showing a meandering leaf, ribbon candy, meandering loops and pebbles.](https://lovefromorlando.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/PXL_20230210_173600218-1024x768.jpg)
![Close up of the orange cat block in the bookcase quilt.](https://lovefromorlando.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/PXL_20230211_001344535.MP_-768x1024.jpg)
![Closeup of the bookcase quilt showing a meandering heart technique and a brick technique.](https://lovefromorlando.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/PXL_20230212_021946375-768x1024.jpg)
![Closeup of the bookcase quilt showing where I quilted the books by tracing the fabric pattern.](https://lovefromorlando.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/PXL_20230212_021856424-768x1024.jpg)
![A closeup of the bookcase quilt where I traced the pattern of the fabric in the quilting.](https://lovefromorlando.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/PXL_20230212_021846512-768x1024.jpg)
![A closeup of my bookcase quilt showing my first attempt at pebbles.](https://lovefromorlando.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/PXL_20230212_021918558-768x1024.jpg)
Not horrible for my first attempt at pebbles!
![Entire bookcase quilt prior to being squared or binding.](https://lovefromorlando.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/PXL_20230212_022545971-768x1024.jpg)
Unfortunately, this was before I got my new setup to take quilt photos outside, so this is the best overall photo I have of the quilt. Thankfully, my friend LOVED her quilt!
I know I want to make more of them, but I have a long list of quilts to make, so it will have to wait a bit before I can make another one, unless someone orders one.
Check out my favorite Grace Company products here!
Have a question? Feel free to contact me, or leave a comment.
Thanks for coming by and happy quilting!
I absolutely love how the photo of this quilt. Have shown pics to friends and everyone has commented positively. It is lovely!!!