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.
Amy @ Increasingly Domestic says
That blanket is so beautiful! I love the fabrics and that you backed it with the roses.
Sharon says
What a fantasic idea! I just love it, I want to make one for my daughter too!!
Jen says
Super cute!!
Debbie B says
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!
SewHappyGeek says
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!
Melanie says
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
debbie says
Sweet, and fast! Maybe just the inspiration I need for the great nephew almost here.
Shiree says
oooh I loved that you used Amy Butler fabric, it is so so cute!
Lisa says
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
VickiT says
That quilt is AWESOME!!!!! I love it; the simplicity and gorgeous fabrics and colors too. Great job.
Dawn H says
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
Cynthia Awa says
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.
Felie Hempfling says
Super adorable, love the color combinations and the prints!
Megan says
Very new to sewing, my daughter wants to make a quilt- like this one, soft and flexible. I don’t understand this wording though.. Can you translate to newbie lingo? 🙂
“I then quilted it with a stitch in the ditch over the seams”
How do I do that?! What is it?! 🙂 Newbie here!
Kendra says
Love this and so quick and simple. Backing pieced as you mentioned would be darling.
Diane Schoep says
When you did the stitch in the ditch, did you sew thru the lining and flannel on the back? I am using minky as the backing and am afraid it will move. Could you just do it on the top pieces?