How to Create Quilts for Kids

Sew a child's "I spy" quilt using out-grown clothing.

Kids love clever games and puzzles, especially if they include things that are personal to them. Create quilts for kids that have an "I Spy" theme. "I Spy" quilts can be used to play in the car on long drives while also providing snuggly comfort. "I Spy" quilts can be made in any size, and each square is made with a different fabric. The small squares can be made from recycled bits of your child's out-grown clothing.

Things You'll Need

• Small scraps of print fabric and out-grown clothing
• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• Straight pins
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Iron
• 1 yard of backing fabric
• 1 yard of low-loft quilt batting
• 1-inch-wide bias binding, 3.5 yards
• Embroidery floss
• Embroidery needle

Instructions

1. Cut 56 squares sized 4.5 inches, each from different print fabrics. Lay out the squares on a large work surface with seven squares across and eight squares down. Arrange the squares in any pattern you desire.

2. Sew the squares together. Place the first two squares on the top row together with the right sides facing. Sew one edge using a quarter-inch seam allowance. Open the stitched squares. Add another square to the end of the stitched squares and sew. Continue until all seven squares on the row are attached. Repeat with each of the remaining rows.

3. Turn the rows with the seam sides up and lay on your ironing surface. Press open each seam.

4. Place the top row and the second row together with the right sides facing. Pin the long bottom edge of the top row to the long top edge of the second row and match the vertical seams with additional pins. Sew the long pinned edge using a quarter-inch seam allowance. Turn the stitched rows wrong side up on your ironing surface and iron the seam open.

5. Place the third row on top of the second row with the right sides together. Pin the long bottom edge of the second row to the long top edge of the third row. Sew the rows together and iron the seam open. Repeat with the remaining quilt rows.

6. Cut a 29-inch-wide by 33-inch-long rectangle from the backing fabric and from the low-loft quilt batting. Place the backing on your work surface with the wrong side facing up. Place the batting on top of the backing, matching the edges. Center the constructed quilt on top of the batting with the right side facing up. Pin the layers together.

7. Stitch the quilt layers together, a scant quarter-inch from the quilt's edges. Trim the batting and the backing even with the quilt's edges.

8. Lay the layered quilt with the back side facing up. Place the long edge of 1-inch-wide bias binding on an edge of the quilt back with the wrong side of the binding facing up. Start with the beginning of the binding on the bottom center of the quilt. Pin the binding around all four edges of the quilt. Cut the binding an inch longer than where the ends meet.

9. Sew the binding to the quilt, starting a half-inch from the beginning end of the binding and using a quarter-inch seam allowance. When you come to the end of the pinned binding, fold over the beginning half-inch and continue to stitch to the end, overlapping the end with the folded beginning. Turn the quilt over and flip the binding to the front. Pin the edge of the binding on the front of the quilt. Miter fold the corners and pin. Stitch the binding to the front of the quilt using a zigzag stitch.

10. Tie your quilt at each intersection of four squares. Thread embroidery floss on an embroidery needle. Insert the needle into an intersection from the front of the quilt to the back. Leave a 4-inch tail on the front of the quilt. Insert the needle back through the quilt to the front. Cut the end at 4 inches. Tie the ends together in a knot and trim them to an inch long. Repeat this tying technique on each square intersection.

Tips & Warnings

• This quilt can easily be altered for different sizes.

• Use the quilt for a game of "I Spy" by taking turns saying, for example, "I spy blue stripes" or "I spy red flowers," and searching for the quilt square that matches the description.