My nephew Elliot turned six this year and the bed quilt he's using now has started to look a little juvenile to me. I asked Elliot whether he wanted a new quilt and, if so, what he wanted it to look like. His response was "black, like Batman." I know that Batman fabric is something that I could probably buy, but it's a) not my style and b) something I doubt my sister wants in her house either. I also think it's likely that Elliot doesn't remember what he told me, so I'm not too concerned about my decision to take the quilt in a different direction!
I already had a piece of this Timeless Treasures print that I found at Cool Cottons and I decided to use it. I kept calling the little guys on the print "robots" or "aliens," but my husband was adamant that they were actually Space Invaders. Clearly, I know nothing about video games. Except Ms. Pacman. I could beat you all at Ms. Pacman, most especially if we were playing on a Commodore 64.
I played around with a couple of different ideas before I determined that I didn't actually want to use any of the print on the front of the quilt. Instead, I decided to play with the pixelated look of the print and make the quilt top into a super-enlarged version of the fabric. I started by sketching out each of the Space Invaders on graph paper.
Then, I found Kona solids that matched the colors of the print (which I plan to use on the quilt back). The winners were Turquoise, Chartreuse and Aloe. I cut a bunch of 2" squares from each, as well as some squares of coordinating monochromatic print fabrics. My concept is to use just a few print pieces in each invader, giving the quilt a pixelated, but still patchworky vibe.
I've mentioned before that I really don't like to use solid black fabric as a background fabric. It's just not a look that I like. I needed something "almost black" though, so I decided to use Kona Pepper. The photo above is of some of the 1,600 little squares I cut from the Pepper fabric.
Now I need to get down to piecing!
It's going to look AMAZING.
Posted by: Sheridan | November 14, 2011 at 12:43 AM
Love the plan, love the colours and looks like puss approves too. Sadly, I remember space invaders and played it often at one time.........
Posted by: Sheila Donnachie | November 14, 2011 at 12:50 AM
gosh you're amazing, can't WAIT to see the finished quilt. I love that Space Invader fabric, but your version will look so way cool. Lucky Elliot.
I reckon I could take you on at Pacman. I clearly remember hitting the top score of 9999 on my home-Pacman game when I was about 13 (I'm 14 now ... ha! not!) - but no one else was home!! - I left it plugged in as evidence for several hours til someone came home! still remember that flashing '9999' .... ah those were the days ...
Posted by: Cat | November 14, 2011 at 01:09 AM
Ooh I can't wait to see this quilt!! Love the colours.
Posted by: Michelle | November 14, 2011 at 01:54 AM
I've seen a few Space Invaders quilts, and been toying with the idea of doing my own, too. Looking forward to seeing this one with the unique Hartman flavour to it. :)
Posted by: Kim | November 14, 2011 at 02:06 AM
I'm certain that I could take at Ms Pacman. I used to collect pinball and classic arcade size video games about a decade ago. I thought you might enjoy seeing a hoop that I received in an online swap on the Space Invaders theme. Jo of SparklyGreenKnickers stitched this for me based on a space invaders screen: http://www.flickr.com/photos/amygunson/4991425405/
Posted by: Amy (badskirt) | November 14, 2011 at 02:08 AM
Uber cool Elizabeth! Your geek is totally showing... :-)
Posted by: Laura Jane | November 14, 2011 at 02:23 AM
Your one dedicated aunt :) quilt idea looks great - look forward to the progress
Posted by: Siobhan | November 14, 2011 at 03:18 AM
thought you might be interested in this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invader_%28artist%29
"invader" is a street artist from paris (but also has done some work in the us) who does space invaders in mosaic in random spots in cities. it's pretty cool. he's featured in the banksy film "exit through the gift shop" which is awesome if you haven't seen it.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1587707/
excited to see how the quilt turns out!!
Posted by: Bryna | November 14, 2011 at 03:35 AM
such a great idea! i picked up some of that same fabric (and some pac-man fabric), from a local store, and when i showed my husband, telling him i didn't really know what to do with it, he said, "they'd make cool boxers." so that's what i'll be doing with mine. :)
Posted by: Kelly | November 14, 2011 at 04:17 AM
It's going to be so cool! I loved Space Invaders. Those sound effects are going to be in my head all day.
Posted by: Michele | November 14, 2011 at 04:25 AM
Ok now this is awesome! He is going to love this! Especially because it will be an original quilt of his very own!
Posted by: Cheryl | November 14, 2011 at 05:22 AM
I loved Space Invaders as a kid! This quilt looks awesome so far! I can't wait to see the work in progress... might have to find me some of that fabric!
Posted by: Ginette | November 14, 2011 at 05:29 AM
this is going to be so awesome! I one made a pieced Scrabble board for my boyfriend, with all the squares the right colors, and a game on the board with words that were all meaningful to us. :)
Posted by: s | November 14, 2011 at 05:31 AM
Wow. I can't wait to see this one!
Posted by: Alice R. | November 14, 2011 at 05:37 AM
Your brain is a serious computer. I love the design sketch and I can only imagine how amazing the quilt will be.
Posted by: Suzanne | November 14, 2011 at 05:40 AM
My son would LOVE this idea (his name is Elliott too)! Though, I'm not sure if cutting out 1600 little gray squares is at the top of my list. :) Can't wait to see it!
Posted by: Karina | November 14, 2011 at 05:49 AM
On an unrelated topic, last spring I made your Tokyo Subway Quilt. My original thought was to hang it in my foyer, but it was a just little too big. A friend of mine had been tracking my progress, admiring the quilt as I made it. She told me she wanted her husband to see it as she knew he would love it. She is a quilter, but more of a primitive quilter, and her husband doesn't really 'get' her quilts.
Sadly, my friend and her husband had to move this fall (only 3 miles, but I will miss her being down the street.) I decided to give her the Tokyo quilt. As much as I love the quilt, I can make another.
I gave it to her last week, and she was so happy she cried. She has made everyone in her extend family a quilt, but no one had ever made one for her.
Thanks so much for your blog and patterns you provide! You allowed me to give my friend a gift she will always treasure.
Posted by: Laura | November 14, 2011 at 05:55 AM
The Commodore 64?? Wow! You must have been like 2 when that came out if the pic of you on the site is current.
Posted by: rita | November 14, 2011 at 05:59 AM
Can't wait to see it! I used the space invaders fabric for a pair of PJ pants for my husband. They are his favorite pair now! (yeah, he's a big geek. :)
Posted by: Jeannette | November 14, 2011 at 06:13 AM
This is so cool. My almost 8 year old son loves Lego, and I've been thinking about making a Lego quilt for him. Although it's not exactly the same thing, I think the techniques would be very similar, so I'm going to watching your quilt for inspiration!
Posted by: BFromM | November 14, 2011 at 06:33 AM
Awesome!!!! Did you see the nintendo quilt on flickr? Just cool.
Posted by: Kritta22 | November 14, 2011 at 06:36 AM
I think this is going to be a really cool quilt--your nephew will love it!
Posted by: Wendy | November 14, 2011 at 06:45 AM
Very cool! I'm anxious to see how it turns out.
Posted by: NancyinSTL | November 14, 2011 at 06:48 AM
I can't wait to see how it turns out!!
Posted by: Katie | November 14, 2011 at 07:21 AM