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How to Make a Simple Baby Quilt

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Inside: How to Make a Simple Baby Quilt

If you’re like me then you probably give personalized baby gifts for friends and family ~ right? I bet finding the time to construct said handmade gift can sometimes be a challenge. What you need is a simple baby quilt that anyone can make in an afternoon.

Recently, my friends at Fat Quarter Shop asked if I’d like to join them in celebrating their Top 10 Videos from 2015. I was given a list of quilts I could make and from that list I decided to make the Bloom and Bliss Receiving Blanket because it is entirely made of Half Square Triangles (HST).

As a new-ish quilter I believe that having a thorough understanding of HST’s will be beneficial as I begin designing more quilts on my own. These over-sized HST’s were perfect for continuing my education.

How to Make an Easy Baby Quilt

Get the FREE Pattern

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To make the whole process easier, Fat Quarter Shop offers the a free pattern which includes a supply list. There is also a companion video to help with the assembling.

Keep in mind, the video shows how to make a receiving blanket. You will have to rely on your own talents if you want to turn this into a quilt. Basically, if I can do this then you can do this.

Everyone needs a simple baby blanket or baby quilt pattern in their arsenal. Find one that can be easily assembled and quilted and youā€™ll never wonder what to gift to give at the next baby shower you attend.

Piecing the Quilt

Piecing is a snap with this pattern because the pattern uses 10″ the pre-cut fabrics. I still had to turn them into half square triangles, but that is why I chose this pattern. The overall design enabled me to continue working with half square triangles.

How to Make an Easy Baby Quilt

The Easy Quilting Process

Once all of the pieces were sewn together and assembled all that remained was making a quilt sandwich and then quilting the project.

For my batting I chose a leftover piece of wool batting. I’m sending this quilt to Newfoundland and it will be a gift for new mom who is my daughter’s friend. Cotton batting was never going to cut it in Newfoundland ~ even in their brief summer.

How to Make an Easy Baby Quilt

Quilting with half square triangles is really one of the best ways to understand quilt construction. If you scroll further down you’ll see exactly what I mean. When you step back from the image you’ll notice squares and triangles that are now quilted into the design.

I could’ve taken it even further and filled in some of those squares and triangles with free motion quilting. I didn’t because I wanted the quilt to remain soft and pliable for a baby. However, this design lends itself to doing that very thing and the overall design in different fabrics would be awesome as a wall hanging with some fancy quilting.


Binding the Quilt

One thing the pattern calls for is rounding the corners. I didn’t do this because I knew I would be binding the quilt. In hindsight, I wish I had rounded the corners because I think it would’ve made the quilt look more like a baby quilt. I was so focused on my HST’s that I let that override my “it’s for a baby” thinking.

How to Make an Easy Baby Quilt

Instead of making this a receiving blanket, I decided to add binding. I had a piece of lime green fabric that was perfect for the binding.

I used a single piece of fabric for the backing which makes it that much faster to assemble. I think the colors are ideal for a baby girl.

How to Make an Easy Baby Quilt

This is my first ‘official’ quilt using Half Square Triangles. It was beyond easy and any level sewist could tackle this project and come out a winner.

And that makes it a real win for this beginner quilter.


Simplified Quilt Basting

Let’s be honest, here. Pin basting can be one of the biggest challenges to finishing a quilt. It usually requires a large area and some moving of furniture. Well, I know a better way and youā€™re going to love it. Iā€™ve created a two-minute video that demonstrates a simplified way to baste your quilt.


Need Help with Binding?

Need help with quilt binding? Visit my tutorial How to Machine Bind a Quilt to learn more.


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8 Comments

  1. I like the way you were still able to put your own twist on this receiving blanket while using the kit. It doesn’t look the same. It has a much loftier look as a quilt.

    1. You have to give credit to FatQuarterShop.com for the fabric. It’s part of kit. However, thanks for quilting complement. As a quilting newbie I am still learning and don’t often get quilting complements.

  2. It is beautiful! I have a new Great grand baby due in June and Iā€™m going to make this quilt.
    Personally, I donā€™t think there is an ā€˜uglyā€™ quilt, all quilts are beautiful. You put your time and talents, whether you are a newbie, or a professional, and even though there may be a few boo boos it is your creation.
    Happy Sewing.
    Deb

  3. Hi,
    thank you for the inspiration and end my sewing block. Perfect for my first childrens charity quIlt. Now busy cutting my children fat quarters into 10 ” squares. Love half square triangles. Keep them coming.

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