October 28, 2014

Little quilts for little babies


Everyone’s sprogging! And if there are new sprogs that means that new baby gifts are in order. I got this one down pat a while ago: applique baby quilts are easy, speedy and fun to make, and much appreciated by parents for both useful and decorative value. Win-win! In fact I just found out the other day that one of the ones I made in the past is now a 2 year old’s security blanket, and if that doesn’t say gift recipient satisfaction, I don’t know what does.
First up, a blanket for wee blonde Irish-American baby Pierce. I popped over to Grey’s Fabrics and picked up a fat quarter bundle of gorgeous washed-out soft flannels, including a novelty one with various little characters.  I made a triangle template out of a bit of cardboard, and cut out the bunting bits, stuck them onto the base cotton with fabric clue, then tight zig-zagged all the way around them.
Then I made some little letters and went through the same process:
Whap some batting and a back layer on, quilt through the bunting lines, and here we are! This looks much much more rumpled here than in real life – that’s what taking iPhone pictures at night under overhead lighting does for you. I finished the quilt with pre-made quilt binding (also from Grey’s), and the back is a gorgeous soft turquoise gingham check flannel.

First quilt made and delivered (on the same day, no less), it was on to the second, this time for a wee lady who managed to unexpectedly come into the world in a back room at home, delivered by her father! She definitely deserves something nice. I used the second part of my fat quarter bundle, together with this cat fabric which I seriously can’t get enough of – it’s also going to feature as the lining on a duffle coat I’m currently working on for another little lady.

And here we are: another quilt, another baby.

If you want more step by step instructions on how to make your own, I actually wrote a tutorial on this a loooooong time ago. Check it out!

What’s on your baby gift roster? Or are you vehemently against sewing for wee babbies?

22 thoughts on “Little quilts for little babies

  1. I always make matching burp cloth, bib and pacifier keepers. I should probably try my hand at the quilts though. The ones in this post are just precious!

    1. Jenny says:

      Oh that’s a great idea! Do you use a pattern or just make them up?

  2. Amy says:

    I’ve made some easy blankets and burp cloths before for babies. I do have two baby quilts on my to-do list before January, just waiting on the fabric to arrive.

    1. Jenny says:

      Fun! Isn’t sewing for babies just the cutest?

  3. One if my colleagues is going to be a Dad in the spring and I woud dearly love to make them something. These are so cute and useful. What a lovely thoughtful gift. Xx

    1. Jenny says:

      Give it a go! They take no more than 2 hours if you’re not too fussy about perfect finishing 🙂

  4. Awww, so cute! I’ve got a friend baby due in a few weeks… I’d better start thinking about gifts!

    1. Jenny says:

      This is definitely a quick and easy one and its so fun to buy kid quilting cottons!

  5. Vicki Kate says:

    My ambition always outstrips time (& not just for tiny person sewing…) but this seems manageable and is so cute!

    1. Jenny says:

      I know what you mean 🙂 but these are def easy – I made the one in a morning!

  6. Alessa says:

    Aww it’s so cute! 🙂

    1. Jenny says:

      Thanks Alessa!

  7. Cadi says:

    This could not have come at a better time – I committed myself to making a baby quilt for my BF’s babe and started MONTHS ago with the measuring and cutting, it’s ready to sew and everything but I just can’t bring myself to do it. Lo, the baby is due yesterday and no blankie! I’m going home and turning my squares into triangles and making one of these, it’s just perfect and Baby Mama will love it. Thanks for saving my sanity!

    1. Jenny says:

      Yes! Appliqué quilts are soooo much easier than piecing. And non sewists would never realize it didn’t take you forever 😀

  8. I don’t see for the wee ones. I usually knit a cap. Or, if mama is a good friend, babysit the little one, so that mommy can take a nap or have another short respite.

    1. Jenny says:

      I’m sure baby sitting is most welcome!

  9. Ahhh so cute! My best friend’s baby is due in the next few weeks and I was thinking of making something for the little one so this is perfect! Just need to hope they don’t choose a really long name!

    1. Jenny says:

      Then you can just go for initials!

  10. Sara A. says:

    I usually knit for babies and find that baby knits hop off the needles quickly and painlessly. All of a sudden, my friends have started spawning and there’s a cluster due in early 2015 so I can’t complete my usual knits for all of them. I’m finishing up a layette for one of my friends and then debating what to do for the rest, quilt or outfit?

    1. Jenny says:

      I’ve never got into knitting but there are so many cute baby things to knit that I might have to start!

  11. Marjie says:

    I always crochet a blanket from a soft, washable acrylic for babies. Sometimes I use a color to match the nursery, if I know what the palette is, but often I just use a nice off white or pale yellow – spit-up color coordinated, you know. After all of my wee ones, I know that’s what’s important! Your appliqued quilts are adorable; maybe I should add that to my rotation.

    Oh, and my oldest daughter always buys her friends’ babies a copy of Pat The Bunny. It’s a great book to read to the littlest of tykes!

    1. Jenny says:

      They sound adorable! I know people really appreciate hand made presents, too

Let me know what you think!