If you follow me on Instagram and especially if you watch my stories-you know that I share a lot more than quilting. The truth is that I have SO many hobbies. I quilt, cross-stitch, love to decorate my home, am currently renovating our kitchen, garden, cook and bake. These are the things I share just off the top of my head!
I have never really “created” content. This is probably because I have so many hobbies! I just share whatever I am working on. I came up with Quiltingfor4 because its why I stared quilting: for my four children. However, with baby number five due in August, I thought it was a perfect time to change things up. When I was trying to think of a new name, my husband pointed out that all I am really doing now is sharing my day at home so why not “Home with Andrea Sims.” I absolutely loved that idea because it is true. I love sharing my day at home.
I have also been working on a NEW quilt pattern in the behind the scenes. This pattern was inspired by our recently completed home library. We ripped out a kitchenette and had custom bookcases built. It has been such a favorite spot of ours to hang out in and to cuddle up and read. I have read to my kids since they were tiny and we still read together almost daily. We especially love reading long chapter books together-it is so priceless to get to experience stories with them.
I have always wanted to make a bookshelf quilt but little did I think I would ever write my own! However, I was inspired to recreate a quilt that looks like our home library. Our library was inspired by our love of Harry Potter. I wanted it to feel cozy like the Gryffindor Common Room but not too “themed.” I plan on writing up a post of the entire library process from before to after.
I even film my Floss Tube episodes right in this spot now!
It was with this color palette in mind that I came up with my next pattern called My Library Quilt. I wanted something far simpler than the typical bookshelf quilts I had seen. I wanted it to also reflect our love of reading as a family so I knew words would be a part of it. In the spirit of simple, I decided to just do an applique version rather than piecing words. It is no secret I love coffee and frequently have a cup sitting nearby the shelf so I had to include that on a block!
The pattern will come with printable font (sized correctly) so you can just print, trace and applique! The pattern will also teach how to applique along with tips, tricks and thorough instructions. This is one of my longest patterns yet with illustrations, explanations and pointers all designed to help you make “My Library Quilt” all yours!
In fact, I designed this quilt to be very modular! If you don’t like the words, you don’t have to add them. I made all the blocks the same size so you can place your quilt blocks in the order YOU like them. I am including all the colors I used so it can be recreated but of course anyone can use any fabric they like! I absolutely love how the borders set off the bookcase but if borders aren’t desired-the quilt is still a great size without them!
This pattern is SUCH an accomplishment for me both in terms of quilt bucket list but also because it was inspired from one of my best projects as a home decorator enthusiast (our library). This was the first space I got to design from scratch and select all the details from trim to lighting and furnishings. This quilt encompasses so much of what I love from books and reading to my kids to quilting and designing beautiful and functional spaces in our home. The 65.6″x80″ quilt pattern releases April 27th in my Etsy shop so mark your calendars.
I love your new name! I also can’t wait to make the library quilt fir my mother.
Thank you Suzanne!