Friday 8 August 2014

A quilt for Harvey, and it's not even his birthday!

This week, i finally got around to making a new bed cover for our favourite, furry, friend Harvey. Harvey is a mongrel, but is mostly a big, black labrador. We rescued him, when he was just a little boy and he's now a beloved family member.



As well as being play mate and brother for our 2yo Hurricane, Harvey is a big lounge lizard, who loves nothing better than to have a snooze in the company of his family (often at my feet, next to the foot pedal while i'm sewing!). We love Harvey and after 5 years of solid use, his old quilted bed cover was worn through and he was in need of a new one.

Harvey i'm sure, would be happy with an old blankie, but given his bed is located near a frequented entry to our home, i wanted to have something nice for him to use (and me to look at). But nothing too fancy of course and very masculine for such a cool dog!



Using some mid-weight 'FolkModern' by Ellen Luckett Baker for Kokka (made in Japan), i improv-pieced together something very simple, keeping all my cuts on the straight grain to keep the end product nice and strong. I made the top to fit an existing piece of foam that we used for his old bed cover too.

Other than a small tree i free-motioned in one corner, i quilted it with a wide, straight grid. I had some corduroy left over from a craft project several years ago, so used it to make the rest of the cover with an envelope-style opening.



I reckon the fabrics are the star here, and i'm sure Harvey loves his new bed and it should do him for at least another 5 years. It will be perfect for Harvey to take to our good friends who look after him when we go away and travel too.

Linking up with:
- Lily Pad Quilting for Pets on Quilts Show 2014 (dog on quilt category)
- Amanda Jean for Finish it Up Friday
- Gemma for I Quilt Thursday at Pretty Bobbins and
- Lorna for Lets Bee Social

29 comments:

  1. Harvey is adorable. He's the complete twin of out dog Stan, even to how and where he sleeps xx

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  2. Very cool! Lucky Harvey - my Bess would be very jealous. She is an outside dog who loves summer when she can sneak in through open doors but she is definitely staying as an outside dog (the way she smells today - phew! Pong! She must have rolled in something dead while we were out walking along the farm road today!) Great work on Harvey's bed!

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  3. I agree - lucky Harvey! Great fabric choices :-)

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  4. You must love him dearly if you used FolkModern for his bed! It turned out great, and he's quite the photogenic guy. :)

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  5. You cover looks great and Harvey sure looks like he is enjoying it!

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  6. This looks great and Harvey is so cute cuddled up on it. I know he appreciates your work! :)

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  7. Very stylish and comfy! Envelope-style: excellent. Easy for frequent washing. I know what you mean about having dog beds that you can stand to look at all day - they are part of the furniture.
    I am not sewing our dog anything as she has a bad habit of chewing her blankets.

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  8. Handsome Harvey looks like he is loving his fabulous new bed! Jen, the Folk Modern fabrics really are great, but I'm still thinking Harvey is the star of the show LOL.

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  9. The colors you picked are perfect for showing off how handsome he is, it looks like he really appreciates your efforts.

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  10. He does seem to approve of his new bed.

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  11. aw he loves it! lucky dog!!!

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  12. You did a great job on the dog bed!

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  13. Harvey is adorable! So glad he likes his lovely new bed :)

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  14. That sweet Harvey looks like he totally approves of his bed, which he should because it looks beautiful!

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  15. Lounge Lizard! LOL Love that part! Great job on the bed, the bright colors are really fun!

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  16. You know, I have planned to make new covers for both of our dogs' beds, but somehow still have not done so. I did make new sack-style covers for their outside cushions (spoiled, I know), and I did redo my cat's bed cover...but Harvey's cover is more what I had in mind for their beds! I love the colours you used; he looks spectacular against them! Love his name too.

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  17. Harvey appears to be in the lap of luxury! Sweet Dreams, boy!

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  18. I think Harvey definitely approves of his new quilt bed. Enjoy. Hugs, Susie x

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  19. I love the bed cover and the colors go beautifully with Harvey! Very lucky dog.

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  20. Oh looks like Harvey is really enjoying his new bed! How cute.

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  21. Looks like Harvey is very pleased with his bed, he looks so comfortable! :-)

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  22. That is a great idea, I should make a cover for my cat's bed!
    The fabric is a really good pick!
    Esther

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  23. I was just thinking the same thing Our pets are our special friends, and he knows he's loved and cared for.

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  24. A little puppy love is given back 10 fold with retrievers, lucky dog/ lucky you too!

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  25. Those fabrics were the perfect choice! Love those cool colours. Harvey looks so pleased with his new bedding. You did an amazing job, Jen! This new cover sure brightens up that corner.

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  26. Beautiful dog bed for a very handsome Harvey!

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  27. Harvey is a lucky dog....he's got such a great bed! :)

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  28. Lucky Harvey! Mine eat their beds so I've never been brave enough to make them one!

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  29. Harvey is so lucky to have his new bed. What beautiful colors he has there.

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Wahoo.....I'm always stoked to receive comments so thanks so much for taking the time.

Wishing you many happy quilting hours!