Quilt Patchwork Patterns
Some good sites for making a quilt for a baby?
I've decided now in my 6th month I should pick up a more relalaxing hobby and I wanted to make something my little one on the way will have her entire life so I figure what better than a quilt? so,I'm looking for a website with step by step instructions and cute patterns & ideas for making a quilt for a little one! if you have any suggestions on fabrics or textures those are always welcome : ) Thank You!!!
Public Comments
- If you use minky or chenille or even flannel, it will be soft , although the first 2 are a little messier to sew than flannel or cotton. If you have a local fabric or quilt store, they usually have cute books and even examples up to see. You can try Joann fabrics (or their website) for step by step instructions, but I've found that the cuter patterns are usually in quilt shops. It doesn't hurt to just do a random search online for quilt shops or baby quilt patterns either.
- Quilting is a wonderful hobby - I've been doing it for a few years now, and I just can't get enough. Since you want to make something she'll have for a long time, you want to do something just a bit more complicated than a preprinted panel with a couple of borders added. There are many very easy patterns that still look great with good fabric choices. Be sure to use good quality 100% cotton. I wouldn't start with flannel or Minkee except maybe as backing because it's a little more difficult to work with. One of the easiest quilt blocks is called Rail Fence. You choose your fabrics, cut long "width of fabric" (WOF) strips, sew the strips together, then cut sections off that are the same size as the width of the strips. For example, if you cut three 2" strips, then sew them together you'll have a piece that is 4 1/2" wide (using 1/4" seams). Cut this into 4 1/2" segments to form blocks. Once you have the blocks cut, lay them out on your table or floor and turn every other one 1/4 turn. It will look woven. Sew the blocks together to form rows, then sew the rows together. You may want to add one or more borders to the outside. My rule of thumb is to use borders that are no bigger than the entire block (in this case, no border bigger than 4 1/2"). I also like my borders to be the same size or a multiple of the strip or block size. In this case, I'd use a 1 1/2" border, then a 3" border. Check the links below for some photos of rail fence quilts and more detailed instructions for the block. Quilter's Cache is a fantastic website for free block instructions.
