Are you looking for that special baby shower gift or for that new mother-to-be? Do you have a grandchild, a favorite niece or nephew, or just that extra special young lady or little man, who have a soft spot in your heart and their birthday is around the corner? No ordering store bought gift off the shelf will be your unique gift. The most cherished items are those not bought, but ones made with selfless love and are, like a handmade children’s quilt and crib quilts. These are treasured items prepared with skills and dedicated to the art of quilting. These become true keepsakes and cherished gifts that will not be forgotten on some shelf in a closet or outgrown in a matter of months. A handmade children’s quilt or crib quilt lasts for beyond even the child’s toys or playthings, because they are gifts of a lifetime.
Jack and Jill with their pail of water, Winnie the Pooh, or other story book characters do not have to adorn the tops of children’s quilts or crib quilts for them to be favorites today. Children’s quilts can be replicas or smaller versions of adult quilts. When designing the children’s quilt, look first for fabrics. The soft baby flannels, minx, quilters cottons each bring a uniquely soft texture to the quilt, which allow for the cozy, cuddly feeling. The novelty and solid collection of colors and designs, adds to the gorgeous prints and plaids that make up the 100% cotton quilt flannel materials and cottons. These arrays of colors, designs for boys or girls are as endless as your imagination. From the traditional trains, planes, ABC’s, and ducks for boys to the dolls, flowers, and kittens for girls, the patterns and designs you use, the materials, colors, and textures now create a uniquely one-of-a-kind children’s quilt or crib quilts. More traditional quilt designs include the four and nine patch, the star, and the appliqué designs, which bring the 19th Century children’s quilt approach into a more modern day designing. The most common and often used is the patch work, that offers the flexibility to encompass all materials, color, and textures of materials, yet provides for an easy pattern that even the most novice of quilters to attempt, as they design and set out to hand make their children’s quilt or crib quilt for their special gift.
Where do you begin? Take a trip to your local fabric store, browse the materials, feel the textures, match the colors and choose the ones right for your specials “little one.” Once you’ve made your choice, wash and lightly iron the fabrics before you begin to cut or sew. Take your time, and relax making your quilt. If you need help, call or ask another quilter. If there is no one in your family or circle of friends that is a quilter, check your local organizations for a quilt guild in your area or look for them online. Any quilter would be happy to share “their passion” with you and answer all of your questions. Just ask. Remember your making a gift for a life time. Pour your heart into your children’s quilt or crib quilt and watch that keepsake quilt in the hands of the child, who received it as your gift. It’s truly worth every minute of your time.
Time to quilt.