Embroidering & Sewing: My First Quilted Duvet Cover

February 25, 2021

Embroidering & Sewing: My First Quilted Duvet Cover - Super Mario Themed

AKA. Project 2021.2

This project came to fruition around September 2020, I had never made a quilt and wanted to do so before my life plans to have a child kicked in. With the pandemic looming about during this time, I thought if I did have a child, my life expectancy is now unknown in the constant changes of our environment and day-to-day lives. So if I DID have a child, and was to go unexpectantly, I wanted to leave some words of wisdom on quilt made for them. This is a present to a child I have yet to birth, (I'm pretty sure this is a clear indication that I am a little bit of a pre-planner. Or a little bit crazy. Or a little bit of both.)

Not only was this my first quilt attempt. It was also my first embroidery project (not including cross-stitching.)

This project originally had 25 panels, another 24 Panels had to be added to accommodate the size. I used 100% cotton fabrics and a duvet cover that was purchased from Ikea. I chose one side of the duvet to cut out and use the material for the panels on the outer edge.

Each panel was somewhat sketched out and then embroidered, sewn together. Some have fabric paint to enhance the panel and its design.

Here are the 49 Panels for your enjoyment.

Lemmy Koopa.
If the ball is in your court...serve it & play.
Meaning: If events in life lead to you having full control, don't be afraid to take charge.
Morton Koopa
"Morton strong like wall! but even wall fall down sometime."
Wendy O. Koopa
With great confidence, always love yourself.
Hammer Bro
If you want to fly you have to give up the things that weigh you down. - Toni Morrison.
Iggy Koopa
Adventure is found both close to & far from home.
Ludwig Koopa
"...line things up just right, your combined power can be incredible. This is known as spirit."
Superstar
Be good, better, amazing! to be a superstar.
Roy Koopa
In order to hit the target, you need to take the shot.
Dry Bones
Everyone has skeletons in their closet.
Meaning: Everyone has their secrets.
Lakitu
You can choose to be a hindrance or a help.
1 Up Mushroom
There are no extra lives, you only have one.
Princess Peach
Don't float by in life. Take leaps of faith.
Meaning: Don't live life without ambition. Take chances.
Chain Chomp
There are those who just look like a monster.
Larry Koopa
With a wand, make magic. With a torch, light the way. Show them what you can do.
Swoop & Scaredy Rats
:Beware: of bats and rats
Wiggler
Never be guided by anger.
Mario & Bricks
In the pursuit of your goals ~ break through all obstacles.
Luigi & Ghost
Suck it up. Be brave. Face your fears.
Koopa & Koopa Clown Car
Sometimes the bad ones hide behind friendly faces.
Rosalina & Luma
Dont just wish upon stars, reach for them.
Bowser Jr.
Be creative. For it leads to innovation & solutions.
Dino Torch & Dino Rhino
Spit fire but don't be a spitfire.
Meaning: Perform with skill and energy, but don't be one that has a fierce temper.
King Boo & Boos
Don't be haunted by regrets
Shyguy
Let us not love with words... but with actions. 1 John 3:18
Meaning: You do not need words to show you care.
Mario & Princess Peach
Find love worth fighting for.
Goombas
Sometimes it is rude to stomp on others - other times it is necessary.
Meaning: Sometimes it's rude to bring others down, but there will be times where you need to.
Wario
If you're to be villainous, remember ~ even villains say sorry.
Meaning: If you're going to be bad at times, even the bad guys say sorry.
Rex
Everybody has those days where they have no idea what's going on.
MagiKoopa
Find magic in the world. If you cannot, be the magician.
Meaning: If you can't find wonder and joy in life, you have to create it.
Koopa Troopa
You should never be afraid to come out of your shell -
Meaning: Don't be afraid to be who you are.
Toad
You can seek wealth, but know there are things money can't buy.
Bob omb
Sometimes life feels like a ticking time bomb walking -
Yoshi's
Find loyal friends to help you through life.
Bullet Bill
Sometimes you can't dodge the bullet, you have to bite it.
Boomerang Bro
Karma is like a boomerang, be sure to put out good vibes into the world.
Mario Hats
You'll have to wear many different hats...wear them well.
This piece was based on Billie French's Mario hat rack.
Blooper
A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor - Franklin. D. Roosevelt

This piece was based on Tim Shumate’s Great Wave Of Blooper.
Cheep Cheeps, Porcupuffer, Blurp, Rip Van Fish
There are lots of fish in the sea ~ hook the right one.
Super Mushroom
True growth comes from within
Piranha Plant & Fire Flower
Sow good seeds
Thwomp
Avoid those that try to stomp you.
Donkey Kong & Mario
There's always going to be someone throwing barrels
Princess Daisy
Being gentle does not make you weak.
Pokey
There are those who endure where no others can.
Waluigi
It's hard to trust, but trust in yourself.
Mario Stage-Ending Jump
When ending a stage in life...make it count.
Li'l Sparky
Sparkle & Shine but remember, be kind.
Monty Mole
You can't plan everything, unexpected things pop up.
Banana Peel
Slips & Falls happen ~ and when they do...you get back up & back on track.

My biggest lesson learned was NOT to do circles in quilting if you've never done it before. It's really hard, I had to make perfect templates to help me, and even when I did, sewing it all together was still difficult. But now I know. I give great acknowledgment to the quilt makers out there that are circle professionals, it is certainly a skill set one has to practice to perfect. I also learned in the middle of ironing the batting on the circular embroidered parts of this quilt, that stretching my embroidery again in the hoop when applying the circular iron-on adhesive batting will greatly reduce the wrinkles. Also, I should have done more research on quilting large quilts in smaller portions at a time.

Instead, I taped the backing onto the ground, placed my batting layer down, and my sewn together panel. I used all the safety pins I owned and pinned every 8" apart all over the piece. I machine free-hand embroidered the white areas of the quilt before sewing it into the cut-out duvet. I even tried my best to put more Mario characters into the white of the quilt to make it feel more like little easter eggs everywhere.