Baby Quilt Patterns

Photo by Caroline Jones

It was  when I went to a rummage sale and came across a little book of easy quilt patterns and patchwork projects together with instructions on how to make the templates,that started me on the patchwork road. ’ Well I have got to have a go at this’ I said to myself.

I have been ‘crafty’ since the age of 8 and have always been draw to most craftwork techniques. Patchwork was no exception.

I happily collected used cereal boxes, a compass, protractor,ruler and scissors and set about  making my own templates. The square and triangles were a piece of cake! The hexagon? Ah, a different story.

I found out very quickly that this is a fiddly job requiring great accuracy when measuring angles, other wise the patches wouldn’t fit together. I eventually got the hang of it and started making lots of patchwork pieces.

The articles were mainly cushions and pin cushions as I was not that confident in doing anything bigger.

It was a combination of my mother-in-law’s sharp eyes and the fact that my sister’s 21st birthday was on the horizon that gave me the idea of making a patchwork duvet for her birthday.

My mother-in-law was helping at a sale of work and came across a plastic bag full of material. Not your ordinary material but about 6 sample books of cotton fabric. I had never seen anything like them in the shops – I suppose they were sample books the reps. took to the various fabric shops to show what was available.

They were perfect for my project. They were all about 5inches by 3inches and ready cut out. All I needed to do was arrange them in a pleasing pattern and sew them together. I only used them for the top of the duvet and I did have to find bits of other material to complete the project.

I backed it with a plain piece of fabric, sewed some ties on the bottom and bob’s your uncle – one duvet cover. The amazing thing is it is still in one piece, some of the seams are a little threadbare and the colours have faded but none the less it has survived 30 years. For the last few years it hasn’t been used because it is a single bed size and my sister has a double bed. I don’t know what she is going to do with it but she says she likes the faded look. The picture above is the quilt.

If this article inspires you to have a go at patchwork and quilting you might like to take a look at my learn how to quilt post on what equipment you would need to get started.

Technorati Tags: duvet cover, easy quilt pattern, fabric, Patchwork

Image by D Brawn

Log cabin quilts are one of the easiest to make. It is a simple design  built around a small square which was often red or yellow, a practice thought to reflect the hearth or the light within the log cabin.

The traditional design consists of sewing strips in sequence around the sides of the square, varying between light and dark material to dramatically emphasise the geometric shapes.I believe the finished pattern reflects the way the log cabin, in which the quilters lived was constructed.

The picture  is an example of a block.

The pattern for the quilt will consist of a number of blocks usually measuring 6 inches square.These blocks will be made up of a 2″ square, one 1″x2′ strip, two of the following sizes – 1″x3″, 1″x4″, 1″x5″, 1″x6″, making atonal of nine strips.These strips are varied in length and are sewn together to form the block to the size that is required.

Generations of quilters have been fascinated with the limitless variations possible by changing the central shape, the widths of the strips, the arrangement of blocks, and the interplay of lights and darks.

Technorati Tags: block, Log Cabin Quilts, pattern, quilts, Square

I have to thank my sister for this contribution to my Baby Quilt Patterns blog. Whilst she was driving home from shopping, intending to test one of a couple of Portable Navigation Systems, she spotted a sign and  you will see from the video she got a little diverted.

It is heartening to see that the beautiful Baby Quilt Patterns are helping two worthwhile causes.

If you would like more information about the Quilts of Valour go to www.qovf.org where you will find a link to UK groups that have been set up, or you can register your own QOV group on this site.

Well I am off to see what other snippets I can find to share with you. See you next time.

Davina

Technorati Tags: Baby Quilt Patterns, pattern, premature babies, QOV, quilting

If you have found Baby Quilt Patterns have given you ideas for your project you might find the following list of basic
equipment useful.

1. Sharp pair of scissors – use these just for cutting fabric. Don’t let the children or significant others use them to cut paper as paper blunts the blades.

2. Pair of scissors with rounded ends – these you can use for paper.

3. Fabric – what a choice but use 100% cotton as it is much easier to work with. Don’t use stretchy fabrics because you wil get into all sorts of trouble.  Go into a fabric shop and drool(well away from the fabrics though) over the colours. The staff are most helpful.

4. Rotary cutter – 45mm is recommended.

5. Cutting mat – there are a number of choices, I would recommend the 18″x24″. The marked measure lines are useful and if you can buy a board that is self healing, all the better.

6. Pins – glass headed as they are easier to see in your work.

7. Fabric marker – the best is a chalk marker. Special marker pens and pencil can leave a mark after washing.

8. Non-slip perspex ruler.

9. Non-slip perspex square – a good size is 12.5″x12.5″ as it will include the seam allowance.

10. Sewing machine – not an absolute must as you can sew the blocks by hand but it does make life easier. It is also recommended having a ¼” quilting foot to attach to your machine.(It shows you a ¼” seam allowance as you machine). It is also a good idea to have extra tables or work surfaces to support your project otherwise it will be hanging from your machine and the weight could bend the needle or alter the tension.

11. Iron and ironing board – a damp cloth is very good for getting a sharp fold.

Whatever you do when you first Learn To Quilt, don’t spend a fortune on fancy equipment. The Internet has lots of advice and the staff at your local fabric/craft/sewing machine ship will be only to pleased to help.

Have fun and let me know how you get on.

Technorati Tags: equipment, fabric, pattern, quilting, Square

For today’s update of my Baby Quilt Patterns blog I thought I would try an experiment. You will see from the previous post I gave static step-by-step instructions on how to make a perfect square for those people who want to Learn To Quilt. I have put those instructions in a video together with the audio accompaniment. Ok the message is the same but the delivery is different. It would be great if you could comment as to whether you prefer the video format or the still photographs. Or tell me what your preferred method of learning is. Anyway, here goes and I look forward to reading your comments.

Technorati Tags: pattern, quilting, Square

When I first started to Learn To Quilt  I wanted something easy and quick as a template for a patchwork quilt. A number of  easy quilt patterns used squares, and this  seemed a pretty good idea. I made one and I would like to show you how to make one.

You could go out and buy a metal or plastic square template but you would be restricted to that size. For more flexibility, make your own. You can use light weight plastic or stiff card, anything that is rigid but can be cut. If you opt for card remember over time the edges and corners will wear away and as a consequence you will loose accuracy on your template.

How to make a 4″(10cm) square.

You will need –

• A craft board or a flat, smooth work surface
• An A4 piece of stiff card or stiff paper- they have 90° corners and you need the accuracy. I used the back of an A4 writing pad.
• A pencil
• Ruler – a metal one is the best if you are going to use a craft knife but plastic is fine.
• Scissors or a craft knife for cutting the card or paper

Method

1. Place your sheet of card on your mat or flat surface and put  your ruler along the top edge. Line up the left-hand edge with the corner of the card making sure you have the 90° angle.

2. Measure along the top edge from left to right 4″(10cm). Make a small mark.

3. Turn the card around 90° clock-wise so the left-hand  edge is now facing.

4. From right to left, measure 4″(10cm). Make a small mark.

5. Turn the card around 90° clockwise so the bottom edge is now facing.

6. From right to left, measure 4″(10cm). Make a small mark.

7. Turn the card around 90° clockwise, line up the two marks from left to right and draw a line between them.

8. Along this line from left to right, measure 4″(10cm). Make a small mark.

9. Turn the card 90° counter clockwise and draw a line connecting the two marks from left to right.

10. You now have your perfect square.

11. VERY CAREFULLY, with either a craft knife and a metal ruler, or scissors, cut out the square.

You could draw round this template on another piece of card or light-weight plastic to preserve the edges and use that as your wroking template, or use this template to make your square on the fabric.

I shall finish now but I will take you through the steps of how to use this template to make your squares, in another post. See you then.

Technorati Tags: easy quilt patterns, Patchwork, patchwork quilt, Square, Template

So you have decided you want to learn to quilt. Like most learning situations it is much better if you have a project which will enable you to learn the techniques. Using Baby Quilt Patterns is a perfect way to start.

Why? You don’t want to start out too big or too complicated because you will get frustrated and invariably end up with a bag full of pieces of fabric that need to be sewn together,hidden away in a cupboard. A baby quilt measuring 36″x36″ or 1meter by 1meter is the right size for a cot, push-chair and is the perfect project to start with.

There is more information available on the equipment needed to learn to quilt, just click on the link Equipment

If you just wanted to learn the quilting technique and are not too interested (at this stage) in creating a pattern you can buy a meter or a yard of pre-printed fabric. Just go to your local fabric store and have a look. You can concentrate on learning how to combine the backing, wadding and top cover to create a quilt

If you want to dip your toe into creating a pattern then cut out 36 6″x6″ squares of different colours, patterns etc and piece them together.  I guarantee that you will be really pleased with the results and proud of yourself and The Quilt can easily be created in a weekend.

A word of warning! Quilting is addictive! Prepare the family!(if you live alone-great you can be totally selfish) You will also need some space to store your materials because you will not be able to resist a particular piece of fabric. I know I have been there!

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Technorati Tags: baby quilt, Baby Quilt Patterns, fabric, pattern, quilting, quilting technique