Beginner quilt for new baby...?

Question

Hi,

I had a baby girl in March and I have recently been thinking about making her a quilt for her crib. I have a sewing machine and Ive taught myself quite a few things on my own, but I've never tried making a quilt before. I would appreciate any tips that any of you may have. I could probably figure how to do it on my own, but it always comes out nicer when you do it the correct way! =)

Answer 1

The easiest quilt is just large squares sewn together. For a little more interest, I'd suggest starting with a Rail Fence block. You can vary the appearance by changing the number and width of the rails, and through your fabric choices. See the first link below for inspirational photos.

I recommend using a rotary cutter, an acrylic ruler, and a cutting mat. It is so much easier to cut the fabric quickly and accurately. Start with a 45mm cutter. I like the Olfa one with a curved squeeze grip because when you let go, the blade is automatically retracted. ALWAYS RETRACT OR COVER THE BLADE WHEN YOU FINISH CUTTING A PIECE OF FABRIC. I cannot stress this enough. I know too many people who've gone to the emergency room for rotary cutter injuries. Start with an acrylic ruler that is 6" x 12" or, if you can find one, 6 1/2" x 12 1/2". The extra half inch will make it so much easier if you're doing 6" finished blocks, because it includes the extra 1/2" seam allowance. Finally, get a self healing mat - the thin green ones (although I've seen them in blue and pink as well). Watch for these to go on sale at craft stores like Jo-Ann Fabrics, Hancock Fabrics, Hobby Lobby, etc.

To make a finished 6" rail fence block with three rails, choose three distinctly different fabrics. You may choose three shades of one color or three completely different colors. Cut a 2 1/2" strip the width of the fabric (selvage to selvage). Cut off the selvages. Sew the three strips together, side by side, using a 1/4" seam. Try to keep the seam very accurate. Press the seams to one side. Now cut that into blocks that are the same width as the sewn strips are high. In this case, they should be 6 1/2". Lay out the blocks on a table or the floor so the are going the same direction. Now turn every other block 1/4 turn clockwise. You'll see a step or woven pattern emerge. Repeat the strips and blocks until it's the size you want. Sew your blocks together into rows, then sew your rows together.

I really recommend getting a good beginner quilting book like "Start Quilting with Alex Anderson," and a good reference book like "The Quilter's Ultimate Visual Guide." Take them to a copy center (Kinko's, Staples, Office Max, etc) and have them cut the binding off and replace it with a spiral binding. This will let you lay the book flat or turn it back to the page you want.

Finally, check out HGTV's website for videos from Simply Quilts, as well as QNNTV.

Answer 2

I have made severl baby quilts, using 5X5" squares, and also a crazy rag quilts where one side the seam is hidden and the reverse side the seam is showing. On the seams that are showing you cut slits about 1/2" apart and not through the seam. When you wash and dry it ravels. Works with flannel, not as good with other fabrics. You can make as big as you want. Cut your squares out then cut your batting a little smaller so as to not get in seam. Sew around each square and make an X in the middle. Makes a very cute quilt. Best to match front and back of each square the same color so you it's the same on both sides and you don't spend hours fixing duplicate squares. Best to use 5-6 colors, and 1/2 yd of each fabric. I made mine 6-7squares wide 9 squares long. Trim corners so they don't bunch up when you sew them together in strips.

Answer 3

Hi - I made my very first quit for my new baby son in 2000, using Alex Anderson's "Start Quilting" book. I highly recommend this, or any of Alex Anderson's books. Especially recommend using a step-by-step book (with pictures) like this one, vs. a bunch of web sites and/or "tidbits" of helpful advice. Pulling off the entire quilting project has many steps and each step should go pretty well for the overall project to turn out nicely. Ms. Anderson's "Start Quilting" book is very straightforward and the patterns are easy, but beautiful too. I made that first quilt using scraps of fabric that my girlfriends gave me at a baby shower, at my request, since I wanted to "teach myself to quilt".....I loved the outcome and had a picture with my baby on that first quilt before he began walking. I've managed to make 8 more quilts since then, including one for a school fundraiser auction last spring that fetched $1300! Get a good how-to book and enjoy your baby and quilt!

Answer 4

Contrary to popular lore, sewing squares together is *not* the easiest. It's the easiest way to make a top look amateur.

When sewing squares together like a checker board or 9-patch or whatever, the corners should meet perfectly or the top will look sloppy. I have an entire volume on Dorky Homemade quilt tops. They're fun, but picky people don't think they look nice.

Rectangles, however, sewn narrow end to narrow end for rows and then off-setting the rows like bricks is wonderfully easy. There are no picky-picky-picky corners to match. You can have everything different or you can alternate light and dark for diagonal stripes. This is not from the book cited below.

Answer 5

i did my first quilt for my grand daughter when she was six months old, it was flannels which feels soooooooo good to a little one, and i simply made it with six and a half inch squares. i forget howmany squares i used, then the back was solid flannel , just one layer of batting and quilted in the ditch, which means down the seam lines of the blocks on the front, then bound with simple cotton binding from the fabric store, she will be three this aug, and she still drags her quilt everywhere in the house and sits or lays on it to play or watch cartoons.

Answer 6

I'd use a simple pattern to start like a 4-patch or a 9-patch or there are some simple patterns with lots of link here:
http://quilting.about.com/od/babyquiltpatterns/ss/easybabyquilt.htm

http://scrapquilts.com/
http://www.quiltmaker.com/patterns/snuggle/
http://www.equilters.com/

There's a lot of information out on the web - just search on quilt patterns.

Answer 7

Here is a good list of common mistakes
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art798.asp
And some patterns to get you started
http://www.freequiltpatterns.info/QuiltCategories/FreeBeginnerQuiltPatterns.htm
Have fun! Maybe you will be making quilts for grandchildren someday!
.

Answer 8

Thank a classification at your community fabrics shop in making a toddler duvet. they're going to instruction manual you thru, step by step. i does not propose attempting to examine it on your own on the grounds which you are able to grow to be pissed off and supply up! it rather is plenty much less puzzling in a classification with all of the experts. good success!

Answer 9

http://allcrafts.net/quilting.htm#freeprojects

http://craftandfabriclinks.com/babyblanket/babyquilt.html

http://www.womenfolk.com/baby_quilts/medallionpattern.htm


http://freequiltinglibrary.net/

http://www.expertvillage.com/interviews/quilting-beginner-guide.htm

http://quilting.about.com/od/babyquiltpatterns/ss/easybabyquilt_2.htm

http://www.womenfolk.com/baby_quilts/basketpattern.htm

http://www.trishscrafts.com/quilting/baby_quilt.html