Quilt Patchwork Patterns
Need help making baby quilt...?
I am trying to make some baby quilts but need some help remembering patterns to use. The first is a rag quilt--any directions in making a very simple 36x30 baby quilt? Size of squares, directions after cutting squares, etc.? The second idea is for a simple front/back quilt. I will do a pattern on the front side and the solid color on the back. Are there any specific ways to do this? Third-use squares on the front and solid on the back. Directions? Help! I am NOT a sewer by any means but would like to try making some quilts. THanks!!!
Public Comments
- http://www.quilterscache.com has lots of free patterns and instructions.
- Make the squares whatever size works for you and your fabric pieces. Cut them 1/2" larger than you plan for the finished blocks to allow for a 1/4" seam allowance. Let's assume you decide on 6" squares. Cut 30 squares, each exactly 6-1/2 inches. Sew six blocks together into a strip. Press seams flat up or down, not open, alternating up and down. Make five of these strips, then pin and sew them together, matching seams and nesting the up/down seam allowances. Press the seam allowances flat. Make a three-layer sandwich of the backing, batting, and the top that you have sewn. Sew the three layers together or tie together in the center of each block. Trim all edges to be even. Cut four strips of your binding fabric, each three inches wide and two inches longer than the edge of the quilt. Press under 1/2" on the long edge of each strip. Sew two strips to opposite edges of the quilt back, the right side of quilt back fabric to the right side of the unpressed edge of the binding. Fold the extra inch of fabric on each end in, fold the strip over to the front, and sew the pressed edge to the front. Repeat on the opposite two sides. If you haven't already bought your fabric, I suggest using a pattern for the back instead of a solid fabric because any uneven edges or crooked quilting will be less obvious. Flannel would be a nice, soft baby quilt.
- To make a rag quilt, just make a smaller version of these directions: You need three colors of flannel, in different colors or complementing designs. Cut 180 - 9 inch squares out of this flannel...and then sew them all together. Sew the seams showing on the right side.. instead of the wrong side...then you cut up to the seam line...wash and dry the quilt...and where you cut...is all frayed. You can make rag quilts out of anything...old jeans...just regular fabric...as long as it frays after washing and drying it
- First start off slow. There are great websites with free designs and patterns out there. Log cabin quilts are one of the easiest to start with. Everything is 2 1/2" wide strips and you cut to size only after you have sewn it so there is little room for error. Most of the time the back of a quilt is solid, many time out of Muslin but sometimes I cheat and buy a flat sheet from the bedding dept. Squares can be any size you want just do some math to figure out how large it will end up. Visit the local quilt guild meeting for free tips!!!!
- If you are making baby quilts, I suggest that you use flannel. You could use it just for the back or for the front and back.
