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Young House Love » Reader Redesigns » Reader Redesign: A Monstrous Duvet

| By John Petersik | January 12, 2012 | 165 Comments

Reader Redesign: A Monstrous Duvet

Okay, okay – so we’re taking a breather from our usual kitchen-related reader redesigns to share a super cool project on a smaller scale. Well, if you call a project that involves 120 hand-drawn monsters a “small” undertaking. Now I’ve got your curiosity piqued, eh? I’ll let Jen explain:

My son Daniel is a prolific artist and I wanted to showcase some of his sketches and decided that I would do so on a duvet cover. He designs his own Pokemon, complete wtih names, types, and evolutions and he chose those for the project. Here are his design sheets:

Jen Original Drawings

I photographed each chosen design. Then in Photoshop I erased all extra marks around the edge, used the Hue / Saturation tool to effectively bleach out all colour, converted it to grayscale and increased brightness and contrast to get a nice, pure black & white image to trace. Then I resized each chosen character to fit on a sheet of paper and printed them out.

Jen Monsters Printed

I chose the first image to trace, put it on a piece of cardboard and slid it into the top left corner of the duvet cover. Then I began tracing it with the fabric marker.

Jen Tracing Hand

This is after about four and half hours of tracing:

Jen Midway Tracing

Preparing the images took around 2-3 hours (I didn’t take note of the time) and the actual tracing took around 8 hours. I didn’t do it all in one go but worked on it as and when I had time, packing it away in between tracing sessions. And here is the final product, which I am so happy about – and thankfully Daniel likes it too! – Jen

Jen Bed After 2

Jen Bed After 1

Now c’mon, how cool is that? Daniel not only gets to sleep among his (very inventive!) creations every night, but also gets this daily reminder of how dedicated his mom is to celebrating his imagination. You can check out Jen’s blog for more pics and info on the process, like whether or not it survived the wash (spoiler alert: it did!). Maybe we’ll make Clara one of these someday. And even if kid doodles aren’t your design of choice, I can see this method working to transfer a large handwritten love letter or something. So cool.

Psst- We announced this week’s giveaway winner. Click here to see if it’s you.

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Comments

  1. Avatar for Kelsey NobleKelsey Noble says

    January 12, 2012 at 3:21 pm

    I was skeptical at first, but it looks fantastic! I love your idea of a love letter duvet. Totally stealing that idea from you guys to make one for our bed!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 12, 2012 at 3:59 pm

      Ooh send us pics!

      xo,
      s

  2. Avatar for CherCher says

    January 12, 2012 at 3:23 pm

    WOw, what a great way to celebrate her sons creativity. GREAT project!

    Reply
  3. Avatar for erica p.erica p. says

    January 12, 2012 at 3:23 pm

    That is seriously the coolest idea ever. I love that she is celebrating her son creativity, and it looks awesome!

    Reply
  4. Avatar for AmberAmber says

    January 12, 2012 at 3:25 pm

    That is really cool! What awesome parents he has & that is one creative little boy. Might use this for my cousin’s birthday present.

    Reply
  5. Avatar for LindsayLindsay says

    January 12, 2012 at 3:28 pm

    This is so awesome!

    Reply
  6. Avatar for HallyHally says

    January 12, 2012 at 3:38 pm

    That’s awesome! You could do it with any design!

    PS I just wanted to say thanks for the 2012 Calender template. I made one with photos of my in laws, for my mother-in-law, and she freaked out! Thanks so much.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 12, 2012 at 4:00 pm

      Aw, so glad!

      xo,
      s

  7. Avatar for JaneJane says

    January 12, 2012 at 3:39 pm

    So cool!!! I bet you could also scan all of them in and print on fabric like you guys did for Clara’s first birthday and then sew a duvet or pillow covers.

    Reply
  8. Avatar for JulieJulie says

    January 12, 2012 at 3:41 pm

    AMAZING. (Daniel, Jen, AND the duvet.)

    Reply
  9. Avatar for Julia @ Chris loves JuliaJulia @ Chris loves Julia says

    January 12, 2012 at 3:43 pm

    I must be feeling emotional today, because this brought tears to my eyes. A mother’s love is always inspiring!

    Reply
  10. Avatar for Faith JFaith J says

    January 12, 2012 at 3:49 pm

    Oh wow that is awesome!!! Not only does it look great, it’s a wonderful keepsake.

    Reply
  11. Avatar for Tomi AnnTomi Ann says

    January 12, 2012 at 3:54 pm

    Wow wow wow. That is just plain awesome!

    Reply
  12. Avatar for JulieJulie says

    January 12, 2012 at 3:57 pm

    I pinned this a while ago – what a fantastic idea!

    Reply
  13. Avatar for smallsmall says

    January 12, 2012 at 3:57 pm

    What a great idea, and what a creative mom and son!

    Reply
  14. Avatar for KimKim says

    January 12, 2012 at 3:58 pm

    This is totally off subject…kinda (still in kid zone).. you have to check out Target $1 bin.. they have play Sushi for Clara’s kitchen! I don’t have kids, but I almost bought them because they were so darn cute!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      January 12, 2012 at 4:05 pm

      No way! We love sushi in our house (Clara has even eaten some). Must check it out asap!

      xo,
      s

  15. Avatar for GraceGrace says

    January 12, 2012 at 3:58 pm

    I love the duvet – what a wonderful idea. It reminds me of a b/w duvet that a friend of mine had that was the entire text of Romeo and Juliet and everywhere that had the line “Romeo, Romeo wherefore art thou” the text was in red. She gave it to her husband for their anniversary one year. It looked great.

    Reply
  16. Avatar for Krystle @ ColorTransformedFamilyKrystle @ ColorTransformedFamily says

    January 12, 2012 at 3:59 pm

    I love this! I love how clean and stylish it looks paired with the purple pillows. This is such a thoughtful gift!

    Reply
  17. Avatar for lauralaura says

    January 12, 2012 at 3:59 pm

    What a CUTE project! Something you and your child can do together. So great!

    Reply
  18. Avatar for kerikeri says

    January 12, 2012 at 4:03 pm

    ahh! so cute! another fun project – he could color in his drawings with fabric pens :)

    Reply
  19. Avatar for KendallKendall says

    January 12, 2012 at 4:08 pm

    This is such a neat idea for kids. I just love her creativity and her patience for how long it took!

    Reply
  20. Avatar for michellemichelle says

    January 12, 2012 at 4:12 pm

    this is so cool and loving at the same time, made me tear up. I hope they keep this to give to his child someday.

    Reply
  21. Avatar for Jenna at HomesliceJenna at Homeslice says

    January 12, 2012 at 4:14 pm

    Very cool! That’s a great idea for any kind of drawing!

    Reply
  22. Avatar for PolinaPolina says

    January 12, 2012 at 4:18 pm

    Love this! The most creative and original idea i have seen in a while.

    Reply
  23. Avatar for jbhatjbhat says

    January 12, 2012 at 4:19 pm

    I too am super impressed. This is the sort of thing her son will keep forever and pass on to his kiddos. And use and love now–it’s wonderful.

    jbhat

    Reply
  24. Avatar for PattiPatti says

    January 12, 2012 at 4:22 pm

    Their creativity must be in the genes, so amazing!

    Reply
  25. Avatar for GabrielleGabrielle says

    January 12, 2012 at 4:25 pm

    Incredible! Fantastic idea.

    Reply
  26. Avatar for LCLC says

    January 12, 2012 at 4:31 pm

    My favorite reader redesign EVER. And seriously, you could sell that duvet and those sketches for so much money and I know people would pay for it. Totally hits a chord.

    Reply
  27. Avatar for SaraSara says

    January 12, 2012 at 4:34 pm

    That is freggin adorable!

    Reply
  28. Avatar for AngelaAngela says

    January 12, 2012 at 4:41 pm

    Before I scrolled down to see the end result, I was worried that it would look a little TOO homemade (sort of the DIY version of When Keepin’ It Real Goes Wrong). But I’ve got to say I really love how it turned out. Excellent work, and serious mom bonus points!

    Reply
  29. Avatar for GreenInOCGreenInOC says

    January 12, 2012 at 4:41 pm

    This is such a sweet project it made me cry thinking of the love her son would feel every time he sees it!

    Reply
  30. Avatar for CatherineCatherine says

    January 12, 2012 at 4:43 pm

    I hope that when I have kids I can be an awesome a mom as Jen obviously is! I’m in awe!

    Reply
  31. Avatar for KimKim says

    January 12, 2012 at 4:47 pm

    LOVE this!! I hope that Daniel appreciates what a dedicated mother he has. I totally choked up.

    Reply
  32. Avatar for MollyMolly says

    January 12, 2012 at 5:01 pm

    That is awesome! What a creative mom she is!

    Reply
  33. Avatar for Teresa @ wherelovemeetslifeTeresa @ wherelovemeetslife says

    January 12, 2012 at 5:04 pm

    How cute! And what a great mom to use her son’s work like that! :) I had seen this pinned on pinterest a bunch of times…people seem to love it! Great work Jen! And thanks for sharing S&J!

    Reply
  34. Avatar for SarahWestSarahWest says

    January 12, 2012 at 5:13 pm

    Wow! That is such a great idea!

    Reply
  35. Avatar for angellaangella says

    January 12, 2012 at 5:17 pm

    This is amazing!!! A great idea for when we switch my son to his “big boy bed” in just a few months.

    Reply
  36. Avatar for kristinakristina says

    January 12, 2012 at 5:17 pm

    I’ve had an ache to make a quilt with an embroidered map of Chicago (saw it once, forgot where), but I’ve not tackled the project because it would just take wayyyy to much time. I might use this method instead of hand-sewing a map; thanks so much for the inspiration!

    Reply
  37. Avatar for HollowSquirrelHollowSquirrel says

    January 12, 2012 at 5:19 pm

    This is awesome and adorable! I love it– my sons are big into Pokemon, too, and create their own Pokemon! Great idea!!

    Reply
  38. Avatar for JenniferJennifer says

    January 12, 2012 at 5:30 pm

    That might just be one of the most awesome things I’ve ever seen! What a great mom, and what a talented kid!!

    Reply
  39. Avatar for LizzLizz says

    January 12, 2012 at 5:35 pm

    holy cow, this is SOOOO cool!!!

    Reply
  40. Avatar for KaraKara says

    January 12, 2012 at 5:54 pm

    That might be one of the coolest duvets I have ever seen. Such an amazing idea and so happy that it survived the washing machine! Definitely something he wil sure treasure for a long time.

    Think this could be great for smaller projects as well, such as pillow cases or throw pillows, to integrate personal artwork into everyday use.

    Reply
  41. Avatar for CaraCara says

    January 12, 2012 at 5:57 pm

    That is so cute and inventive. I wonder if you could also scan the images in and get custom fabric made like you did with your clara fabric.

    Reply
  42. Avatar for SaraSara says

    January 12, 2012 at 6:01 pm

    Love this idea, what a great way to boost your child’s imagination and pride in his own work. Major kudos to the super mom!

    Reply
  43. Avatar for ellisellis says

    January 12, 2012 at 6:03 pm

    Wow- GREAT project!I kinda want a blanket like this- no really LIKE this. With Daniel’s drawings and everything. :)

    Reply
  44. Avatar for lindsaylindsay says

    January 12, 2012 at 6:24 pm

    OOOOOhhhh. I LOVE this.

    Reply
  45. Avatar for mpmp says

    January 12, 2012 at 6:44 pm

    A mom’s love is awesome!

    Reply
  46. Avatar for AaroohiAaroohi says

    January 12, 2012 at 6:51 pm

    Cool project! But I wonder what was the need to convert pictures to B&W when she was gonna trace them with black marker anyway!
    Also I feel a kid’s art should not be made into boring b&w, kids love color! J&S please don’t convert clara’s coloring art into b&w.. that is like demeaning child’s imagination..

    Reply
  47. Avatar for NatalieNatalie says

    January 12, 2012 at 7:17 pm

    So much fun! Our baby bear’s room is getting all kinds of manic and colorful – I need to make something like this immediately, perhaps with rainbows and unicorns.

    Reply
  48. Avatar for rosarosa says

    January 12, 2012 at 7:59 pm

    loved the finished product! but since i’m so into color + keeping it as close to the original as possible, i would’ve probably scanned the pics and printed them onto iron on paper so that i can just iron on the colorful pokemon onto the duvet cover :)

    Reply
  49. Avatar for bethbeth says

    January 12, 2012 at 8:21 pm

    I will be doing this. myolder daughter designs clothing all day long and her younger girl draws mermaids. too cute.

    kids art looks great on mugs, coasters and matted and framed. esp black pencil drawings. every house needs a mermaid.

    Reply
  50. Avatar for dhwdhw says

    January 12, 2012 at 8:51 pm

    What a fantastic way to celebrate your son’s creativity. It’s gorgeous, and I’m sure he will treasure it always. Great job!

    Reply
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John and Sherry smiling against pink backgroundHey, we’re John & Sherry. We’ve fixed up 7 homes, written books, designed products, started a podcast, and then downsized & moved to the beach! Here you’ll find over 3,000 DIY projects & home updates. More about us…
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