Glenna Jean is a well-known designer and manufacturer of premium baby crib bedding and accessories, available through baby specialty stores and online retailers. One of Glenna Jean's most popular sets is Isabella, which was introduced in early 2005. The Isabella bedding collection is a visually striking set with tassels and cording for those who desire a very feminine appearance for their baby girl's nursery. With a four-piece crib set retailing for $400 or more, Isabella is far more expensive than many popular themed bedding collections from other national brands, such as Kidsline and Lambs & Ivy. Then again, it is far less expensive than custom-made crib bedding with comparable fabric quality and styling. If the price is within your budget, this is truly premium quality merchandise that more than justifies the price.

Isabella comes as a four-piece set which includes a quilt, bumper, crib skirt, and fitted sheet. There is also a five-piece option with your choice of a pillow or diaper stacker available. All pieces are also sold separately. The collection is made from a 60/40 cotton/poly blend and is machine washable. Glenna Jean has included specialized washing instructions for those pieces that come with tassels, which are generally pieces that would require infrequent washings. As with most bedding collections, accessories are available to enhance the nursery. A common accessory not available in the Isabella pattern is a hamper.

The Isabella collection is a genuine patchwork design, in which each patch of fabric is sewn together to create the pattern; as opposed to patchworks in which the "patches" are on the same fabric and the stitching makes it appear as though the patches are independent of each other. The quilt consists of several squares of each of the main fabrics used in the bedding accessories - pink toile and gingham, crushed green velvet, embroidered roses, pink and cream star pattern. I examined each of the fabrics very closely and was satisfied that Glenna Jean has selected only premium grade fabrics. There is an interesting pink, green, and cream cording used as trim around the quilt and bumper. The quality of the stitching and overall workmanship is very good, as I would expect at this price point. All ten of the fabrics used in the Isabella pattern are available for separate purchase, for those who are creative and wish to make their own nursery accessories.

The bumper measures 9" tall with pink satin ties on the top only. One minor limitation for the bumper is the fact that it is one continuous piece, which makes washing it more of a chore. An interesting feature of the bumper is the patchwork pattern appears on both sides of the bumper. In many cases, the inward facing part of the bumper features the patterns used in the collection, while the outward facing area is a plaid or another striped fabric used as a background. The fitted crib sheet is a cream fleece, which is also on the back of the quilt. The crib skirt has an 18" drop and features tassels.

Because Isabella merchandise is assembled in the United States, it can be particularly appealing for Canadian customers purchasing from a US retailer. It can be shipped to Canada duty-free, thereby avoiding charges of 17% or more of the purchase price that apply to bedding manufactured in China or India.

If you prefer the tassel and cording look of Isabella, you could look at Libbie, also by Glenna Jean.