Recently I needed to make a baby quilt for a gift, but didn’t have much time and not quite enough material to make what I had in mind.
Then I remembered my friend Traci makes these really cute rag quilts with fabric scraps and I thought maybe I could try to do something similar.
As I was sorting through my scraps I got the idea to make a quilt of all of my different “soft and textured” fabrics. Since babies like lots of different textures I thought it might be kind of fun to make a quilt with lots of different fabrics. I ended up using corduroy, minke, flannel, chenille and satin all on the same quilt.
This is how I made it:
I started by gathering fabrics that all coordinated and cut them into random sizes. My smallest piece of fabric was 35″ long so I cut all of the fabrics to 35″ with widths varying from 3″ – 10″. I didn’t plan it out at all or think about it, I just started chopping up fabric. (yeah, I know, not always a good idea)…
I then just started sewing the strips together. I made sure the minke was not on one of the ends (it stretches and I needed to keep the quilt straight) and that no 2 “like” fabrics were next to each other. You can’t tell from the photo but I cut the 2 corduroy fabrics (the red and turquoise) opposite ways so that the wale of the corduroy was different on each one. (Just to add more visual texture).
After I thought the quilt looked like a good size I stopped sewing on extra strips. It ended up being about 35″ wide by 50″ tall.
I then quilted it with a stitch in the ditch over the seams, using more flannel as the backing. (Now that I think of it, a pieced backing may have been cute for this project).
For the binding I used some satin blanket binding. It was the first time I’ve used it and it was MUCH easier than I thought. (I bought it a while ago and was afraid to try it out!!).
After a trip through the wash and the GENEROUS use of a lint roller, it was soft and snugly and ready to give away.
I’m very happy with how it turned out. Mostly because it only took about 2 hours to make and I was able to use up a lot of scraps of fabric that I had left over from other projects.
That blanket is so beautiful! I love the fabrics and that you backed it with the roses.
What a fantasic idea! I just love it, I want to make one for my daughter too!!
Super cute!!
I really like that! Inspires me to make some baby quilts to have on hand for gifts but I think I need another project like I need a hole in my head! ha ha :) Love it!
It’s beautiful! I’ve had strip quilts on my mind recently and am trying to finish up my first ever pattern for sale.
I love the different textures idea. I’ve got 3 baby quilts to make so that strategy might be very handy!
Beautiful! I don’t think I could make a prettier quilt if I bought the fabrics to try, let alone use what is in my stash.
Is the floral print a Basic Gray for Moda? I think I used the scrapbook paper with the same pattern years ago.
Melanie
Sweet, and fast! Maybe just the inspiration I need for the great nephew almost here.
oooh I loved that you used Amy Butler fabric, it is so so cute!
Beautiful. I LOVE that floral flannel. I have seen it before on a quilt and secretly covet it. Wish I had some.
The texture change is a great idea. I have a baby shower to go to soon and will steal your idea and make a girly, textured quilt!
Thanks
That quilt is AWESOME!!!!! I love it; the simplicity and gorgeous fabrics and colors too. Great job.
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The quilt is lovely. I would love to know how to do the satin blanket binding. Thanks
Hi Dawn,
There is a good tutorial here on using the blanket binding… http://prudentbaby.com/2009/11/baby-kid/diy-silky-baby-blanket-2/
Hope this helps
Melissa
did you use batting? or just the flannel backing?
beautiful and quick idea to inspire us all.
Hi,
I did use batting. Quilters Dream cotton, the lightest weight. You do need it because some of your fabrics are cottons.