PATCHWORK QUILT OF DREAMS SHOWER

Theme Concept: Guests are sent fabric squares to decorate and the squares will be assembled into a quilt for the new baby.   

Guest of Honor Profile: A real traditionalist and romantic with a sense of nostalgia. One who sews or likes crafts would love this shower.    

Invitations: Standard card with a fabric square enclosed.  Sketch on outside of card can be a baby sleeping covered by a patchwork quilt. 

 Invitation Verse: (on front) Patchwork Quilt of Dreams Shower,                                                                   (inside card) For the sweetest of dreams as our new baby’s slumbers, We’re making this patchwork quilt by numbers, Please decorate this cloth any way you like, To keep our baby warm at night. (print shower information and a cautionary line asking guests to avoid using buttons, small chokeable items, long ribbons, and paints that are not baby-safe.)

Décor: Use a country theme.  Choose a patchwork patterned tablecloth or overlay on a compatible colored cloth.  Place flowers such as daisies or an assortment of wild flowers in a lined basket as centerpieces.  Purchase small oil lanterns and place with centerpieces.

Menu:

Cake Décor: Create a nighttime backdrop with chocolate glaze over the top and down the sides of the cake.  Place tiny edible stars around the sides and on the top of the cake.  Use non-edible trinkets to make a lullaby scene such as a cow jumping over a moon, or a cradle surrounded by toys.

Games / Activities: Hang gingham fabric, @72-inches long x 45-inch wide near guest entrance.  Set a small basket of straight pins near fabric. As guests enter have them pin their decorated cloth square to the quilt.  The gingham doesn’t have to be the actual fabric for the quilt but all will want to see a representation of the final product.  

Create a personalized Baby Bedtime Story.  Purchase a blank journal or notebook with a lovely, baby themed cover.  Start the story by writing on the first page, “Once upon a time there was a sweet little child, who dreamt of birds and horses in the wild… “ During the party ask guests to write 2 rhyming lines continuing the story.  Keep an eye on the story’s progress to make sure all guests have contributed.  Have the expectant parents finish the last lines of the story and then read the work aloud.    

 Music: Old-fashioned country tunes from Patsy Kline, Glen Campbell, or Loretta Lynn.

Party Favors: Small gourmet jars of jam or chutney.  Cover the lid with a fabric square where the edges have been trimmed with pinking shears.  Wrap a ribbon around the lid securing the square in place and tie a bow.  A personalized label would be a lovely finishing touch.

Theme Substitutions

THEME TITLE	THEME CONCEPT	IDEAS
Family Birthday Quilt for Grandma	Members of the family make a special birthday quilt for Grandma