Ready, set, go… It is not a race when I set out to design a new baby quilt.
Before I decide how I want my next baby quilt to look, I pull out the quilt books on my shelves, the magazines that I have sitting just waiting for me to leaf through their pages, and check out some of my patterns that I have saved either in boxes or on the computer files.
Congratulations! You finished your baby quilt top. The fabric and colors are superb and match perfectly with the baby’s new room. Now it is time to do the hand quilting. But the dilemma is in choosing the perfect design. After the hours and time spent on the baby quilt top, the design of the hand quilting must be just right. But where to start?
My baby quilts are soft, cuddly, and can be a wonderful touch and feel blanket, as well.
What gives the quilts that added special touch? The fabric is called minky, which is luxurious and silky soft. This fabric, which is perfect for baby quilts, resembles the real mink in touch and has a soft short pile that is as soft as cashmere.
Now if you are a quilter and are interested in using minky or minx as it is sometimes referred to, here are some of my tips from using the material in my baby quilts that may come in handy.
I heard a story where the house was broken into, the family was robbed of their valuable possessions. Amazingly enough, these smart folks under the guidance of the insurance company had a photo record of their jewelry, the important records, and other valuable possessions in their home. The robber, who got away with all of these prized possessions and never recovered stolen property, took a few more items that were not photographed.
A quilt based on the square and rectangles is the easiest to make but when you start to divide the square and rectangles there are endless possibilities.
There have been many unique and creative ways to sew these triangles for your quilt, but the half-square triangle method I have listed below is not only fast and easy, but also accurate. This method is based on creating strips of fabric, sewing them into a unit, cutting segments from the unit, and finally cutting the segments into squares. Your quilt will have squares that are not distorted because the pressing is done prior to cutting the squares.
The Secret to Half- Square Triangles for Your Next Quilt Read More »
In a quilters’ world, your stash is SEW important, but did you know this helpful information that is related to fabric?
Fabric – In a Quilters’ World, Your Stash is SEW Important. Read More »
A wide-eyed 8 year-old stands by the quilt frame watching her Grandma and friends ply the needle over the quilt blocks. How I remember just waiting for the opportunity to try a few stitches. The joy of threading needles for Grandma as she chatted and sewed with her friends was the beginning of a history of learning the love my art of quilting……
Wake up Quilters; I have an e-book on how to make money from quilting. “Patchwork and Quilting Business Compendium” Do
Would you like to transform ordinary fabric into a handmade quilt and get starting in quilting today? Have you been
SEW Decorative – Consider a Piper Baby Quilt Binding
A few extra minutes and a slice of color of fabric between the quilt and your baby quilt binding does wonders for the appearance and the accents the edge or frame.
SEW Complicated – The Challenges in Making a Baby Quilt Binding
As a quilter there are many challenges you face when designing, sewing and ultimately quilting your finished baby quilt. Here are the 5 most important steps that you need to complete before the baby quilt can be proudly given as a gift or used to snuggle around your little one. But it the baby quilt binding, that most quilters struggle with. Here are a few tips that might help:
Many people who see my baby quilts, especially those who sew, ask me the about making my quilt bindings.
Since my entire baby quilts are made with 100 percent baby flannel, which gives them the cuddly soft touch. With proper machine wash and dry, the baby quilt will only become softer with time. The binding needs to hold up overtime with the baby’s love and in the wash.
Another new day is an opportunity for Mother Nature to turn her colors back on and for Grandma that meant designing a baby quilt.
There is an endless possibility of color and fabric choices available to quilters. Grandma’s advice will lead you to mix and match, blend and complement the colors and fabrics that will best fit your baby quilt pattern.
Do you believe in “Once Upon A Time”?
The fabrics are just right, the colors for the baby quilt are the ones blend perfectly, all seams and points are matching, and you have the last stitches on the border in place. It is time to name the quilt.
Fall in Love with a Fancy Binding
You have mastered the art of straight and bias binding but is there more than just a straight edge to your finished baby quilt?
Choosing a challenging binding involves time commitment, extra fabric, and some advanced planning to make sure the binding fits the baby quilt.
Love is the thread that will continue binding us together.
In a baby quilt the binding is the last part that keeps those raw edges from showing and adds the finishing touches to your project.
