Monday, February 21, 2011

Playtime Baby Blanket

My friends Meagan and Mike (Miguel) are having a baby in a few weeks, and if there is one thing I learned from hanging with my baby niece, Ella, is that these kiddie kats like to be on the floor.  What I also learned is Moms and Pops like it when their babies want to be on the floor, because it gives them a break from rocking, nursing, snuggling, and entertaining baby.  Not that these things aren't great, but hey, being self-sufficient is the goal right, so why not start 'em early?   Anyway, I made M&M a quilted blanket that was a bit heavier to withstand some serious baby floor work. 

The lovely Meagan Marie with her baby's blanket.  Doesn't she look pretty?
I got the inspiration for this blanket from my domestic idol Lotta Jansdotter.  Her book Simple Sewing for Baby had been passed around the Test-Nest households as we prepared for baby Ella to arrive.  I'm going to save how awesome this book (and her others) is for another post dedicated to Ms. Jansdotter's work, but if you want to be inspired you can't go wrong with a Lotta Jansdotter book.  


Anywho, I took some liberties with Lotta's pattern, which I think she would appreciate.  I made the blanket a bit bigger, by making five 8" high strips that were about 40" long.  I didn't buy fabric for the top of this, just pretty scraps that allowed me to reminisce about past projects.  The width sizing for each block was random, but I love how I used some bigger strips, particularly of the blue Irving Street Flannel by Erin McMorris, it's like a real sky line!  I used a little mixed media action on this by mixing cottons and flannel fabrics together.  Babies seem to like feeling things, so maybe Baby McGarry will like the contrast.  Keep me updated on that one, Meagan. 

Quilted blocks.  Love it!  

The back of this blanket was created with of my favorite fabrics by Anna Maria Horner.  I always loved this fabric, which looks like big stacks of books, but never knew what I could use it for.  When I found this on sale and with similar colors to the top of the blanket, I knew I had found my match.

Cutting out the backing and the inner batting.

What made this quilt/blanket so easy is that I didn't bind it (thank you, Lotta).  I just sewed the batting, backing and top together.  I left an opening so I could flip it right side out after I trimmed the edges and corners.  TIP: Always sew with the batting facing up.  If not, those feed dogs (yes that is what they are called) pull on the batting stretching it in all sorts of wonky ways.   TIP 2: Before you trim and flip the blanket right side out, spend the time to make sure you caught all three layers in your stitching.  It is much easier to fix at this point. 

Corner and edge trims


As for quilting the blanket, I did a top stitch around the edges, and then I "stitched in the ditch," which means I stitched where the blocks of fabric were stitched together. 

Stitching seams from the back.
So that is that.  This is a great first time quilting project for all of you out there considering such an undertaking.   I had such fun doing this, I have another one ready for the next baby that is coming along.  I also think it would be nice to make a colorful throw for the couch to help keep toes warm and kitties content. 

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Monday, February 21, 2011

Playtime Baby Blanket

My friends Meagan and Mike (Miguel) are having a baby in a few weeks, and if there is one thing I learned from hanging with my baby niece, Ella, is that these kiddie kats like to be on the floor.  What I also learned is Moms and Pops like it when their babies want to be on the floor, because it gives them a break from rocking, nursing, snuggling, and entertaining baby.  Not that these things aren't great, but hey, being self-sufficient is the goal right, so why not start 'em early?   Anyway, I made M&M a quilted blanket that was a bit heavier to withstand some serious baby floor work. 

The lovely Meagan Marie with her baby's blanket.  Doesn't she look pretty?
I got the inspiration for this blanket from my domestic idol Lotta Jansdotter.  Her book Simple Sewing for Baby had been passed around the Test-Nest households as we prepared for baby Ella to arrive.  I'm going to save how awesome this book (and her others) is for another post dedicated to Ms. Jansdotter's work, but if you want to be inspired you can't go wrong with a Lotta Jansdotter book.  


Anywho, I took some liberties with Lotta's pattern, which I think she would appreciate.  I made the blanket a bit bigger, by making five 8" high strips that were about 40" long.  I didn't buy fabric for the top of this, just pretty scraps that allowed me to reminisce about past projects.  The width sizing for each block was random, but I love how I used some bigger strips, particularly of the blue Irving Street Flannel by Erin McMorris, it's like a real sky line!  I used a little mixed media action on this by mixing cottons and flannel fabrics together.  Babies seem to like feeling things, so maybe Baby McGarry will like the contrast.  Keep me updated on that one, Meagan. 

Quilted blocks.  Love it!  

The back of this blanket was created with of my favorite fabrics by Anna Maria Horner.  I always loved this fabric, which looks like big stacks of books, but never knew what I could use it for.  When I found this on sale and with similar colors to the top of the blanket, I knew I had found my match.

Cutting out the backing and the inner batting.

What made this quilt/blanket so easy is that I didn't bind it (thank you, Lotta).  I just sewed the batting, backing and top together.  I left an opening so I could flip it right side out after I trimmed the edges and corners.  TIP: Always sew with the batting facing up.  If not, those feed dogs (yes that is what they are called) pull on the batting stretching it in all sorts of wonky ways.   TIP 2: Before you trim and flip the blanket right side out, spend the time to make sure you caught all three layers in your stitching.  It is much easier to fix at this point. 

Corner and edge trims


As for quilting the blanket, I did a top stitch around the edges, and then I "stitched in the ditch," which means I stitched where the blocks of fabric were stitched together. 

Stitching seams from the back.
So that is that.  This is a great first time quilting project for all of you out there considering such an undertaking.   I had such fun doing this, I have another one ready for the next baby that is coming along.  I also think it would be nice to make a colorful throw for the couch to help keep toes warm and kitties content. 

No comments:

Post a Comment

Leave us a message! Tell us what you think!