Creating meaningful and unique gifts is one of my favorite parts of quilting, and this past Christmas, I had the joy of making two very special book quilts for my daughter, Camryn, and my daughter-in-law, Olivia. Using the Book Club quilt pattern by Happy Hour Stitches, I crafted personalized bookshelf quilts that perfectly suited their styles and personalities.
When purchasing through links on this site, I may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you.
A Unique Book Quilt Pattern
The Book Club quilt pattern isn’t your typical step-by-step quilt design. Instead, it offers a collection of ideas and templates for creating bookshelf blocks, leaving plenty of room for creativity. From stacked books to upright books of varying sizes, front-facing books, succulent plant blocks, and more, the possibilities felt endless. I decided to make the largest throw size, which features 30 blocks and finishes at 60” x 70”.
Choosing the Perfect Fabrics
Fabric selection is always a key part of any quilt, and for these projects, I wanted something soft and feminine that would complement the bookcase design. I started with a half-yard bundle of the Dainty Meadow fabric collection by My Sew Quilty Life. The delicate prints in this line were perfect for creating the “book spines” and accents. To keep the blocks clean and cohesive, I paired the prints with Bella 200 white solid fabric. For the shelves themselves, I used a tan chambray-look fabric by Tilda, which added a subtle texture that I absolutely loved.
Making Each Quilt Unique
Although I used the same pattern and fabric collection for both quilts, I wanted to make them unique to each recipient. I created two of every block design but arranged the layouts differently. The result was two distinct bookshelf designs that still felt cohesive as a pair.
To personalize the quilts further, I saved the bottom-right corner of each bookcase to feature a block with their first initials. Designing and sewing the “C” and “O” blocks was a fun challenge and added a thoughtful, custom touch that made the quilts even more meaningful.
Backing and Quilting the Book Quilts
To ensure these throws were as cozy as they were beautiful, I backed each quilt with extra wide Silver Shannon Cuddle fabric. This ultra-soft material added a layer of warmth and comfort that’s perfect for snuggling up with a good book. By using the extra wide cuddle, I didn’t have to piece the backing which is nice when sewing with such a fluffy and sometimes messy fabric.
For the quilting, I chose a long-arm spiral design. The curves of the spirals offered a lovely contrast to the structured, linear look of the bookshelf blocks, adding just the right amount of movement and texture.
Related Post: Moonbeams Finished Quilt Along
The Final Book Quilt Touches
When Christmas morning arrived, Camryn and Olivia were absolutely thrilled with their quilts. Seeing their smiles and hearing their excitement made every hour spent on these projects completely worth it. The soft colors of the fabrics, the personalized initials, and the cozy backing came together to create quilts that were as functional as they were heartfelt.
Reflecting on the Process
The Book Club quilts were a joy to create and reminded me why I love quilting so much. The pattern’s flexibility allowed me to infuse each quilt with personality, while the fabric choices brought a timeless, elegant feel to the finished designs. If you’ve ever considered making a bookshelf quilt, I highly recommend this pattern for its creativity and versatility.
I hope these book quilts inspire you to try your hand at a personalized quilt project. Whether it’s for a loved one or yourself, the thought and care you pour into every stitch make the end result truly special.
Have you ever made a bookshelf quilt or personalized a quilt in a unique way? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!
Thank you for joining me on this journey. Be sure to check back for more posts in this series, where I’ll share the stories behind the other quilts I made as gifts this past Christmas. Happy quilting!
Leave a Reply