Here is a quick baby quilt using a very simple design.
In this case, I used blocks, no batting, and flannel for the backing. It is soft, not bulky, and great for swaddling baby. Perfect for a newborn, and great for a baby shower gift. Perhaps add a burp cloth with matching fabric?
You will notice that the seams of the lighter blocks are visible. This is due to the flannel that I used. I still make mistakes, and that's ok. The day that I stop learning, is the day that I check out from this joyride!
What you will need
- 10 running quarters
- 40 x 45″ flannel (I used flannel sheeting available from your local material shop) *Tip – don’t use a darker flannel like I did. It makes the light seams obvious. Use a background that will make your seams “disappear”
- Coordinating thread for piecing
- Thread for quilting
Instructions
- Keep two running quarters aside for the binding.
- Stitch the running quarters together in rows.
- Now it’s a matter of alternating the strips so that you have an alternating block pattern. Stitch these back together until you have a full quilt top measuring approximately 40 x 45″.
When you pin the rows together, make sure that you are nesting your seams. Nesting allows the join to lie flat when you press it and makes the quilting easier.
- Give the seams a press. I sometimes press my seams open, but with the light fabric I chose to press the seams to the darker side.
- Use your 6″ ruler, or else measure the 6″ and cut columns so that you have blocks.
- Sandwich your top and flannel for quilting. I used the Bugs with Flowers pantographs available from our store. When you quilt only two layers like this, your sewing machine tension can be an issue, so check throughout.
- When you have done your quilting, square up your quilt and bind. A tutorial on binding is available here.
I made this whole project in less than a day – finishing in time to fetch the kids from school! The advantage is that using running quarters, there is very little cutting. I always find that to be the most time consuming – that and loading the layers on the frame!
Happy quilting!
