How to Make a Baby Quilt Quickly and Easily

Make a Baby Quilt The Fast, Fun and Easy Way

This baby quilt, which measures 45 inches wide by 60 inches long, can double as a toddler's blanket or a lap quilt for grandma; your choice of fabric will determine how versatile the quilt will be. Because this project doesn't bother with unnecessary fancy borders, it requires minimal sewing skills and can be completed in an hour or two.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Fabric for both sides of the quilt, 45 inches by 60 inches
• Batting, slightly larger than the fabric
• Pins
• Sewing machine or needle and thread

1. Lay out your fabric on a long table or the floor. First place the fabric for the top of the quilt right side up, then place the backing fabric on top of it, right side down. Smooth out the fabric and make sure all corners match up evenly.

2. Lay the batting on top of the fabric pieces and smooth it out until it is even with corners of the fabric. The batting piece may hang over one side of the fabric because it is usually wider. You will trim this excess later.

3. Pin all three layers together, placing each pin about 4 inches apart. Pin all around the quilt, but leave an opening of about 12 inches midway on one side. Place double pins on each end of the opening to mark it.

4. With all three layers pinned together you have one unit. Turn the piece over and lay it on the table or floor. The fabric should be on top now and the batting should be on the bottom. Cut off the excess batting.

5. Sew the quilt. Straight stitch all four sides of the quilt with a 5/8-inch seam allowance. Reinforce the stitch when you get to the double pins. Be careful not to sew closed the opening. It's faster to use a sewing machine, but the quilt can be cumbersome. Sewing by hand is a fine alternative and typically takes about an hour.

6. Reach into the opening of the quilt and pull the top of the quilt through the hole. This should be fairly easy if you left a wide-enough hole. Once the quilt is turned right side out, reach in again and push out the corners to make little points.

7. Topstitch the opening closed. Continue sewing around the edge of the baby quilt until you are back to the beginning and tie off the thread.

Tips & Warnings

• Make the quilt reversible by choosing a printed fabric for the back.

References

• "Quilts, Baby!: 20 Cuddly Designs to Piece, Patch & Embroider"; Linda Kopp; 2009