Baby Blankets - Unique Rag Quilts
Machine quilting on the other hand, involves a sewing machine to sew the pieces together. In very much the same way, layers of fabric are stacked together, laid-out, batted and backed on a flat surface. They are pinned and the pieces are then moved through a sewing machine. This can be done in block form as in hand quilting or as a large piece. Again, the details are determined on the style preferred and the quilter's experience. This is a much faster process than the hand quilting and often a good place for a beginner to learn with quick results.
First decide on the finished foundation (muslin) size for each block and cut the muslin one half inch larger than the desired finished block size. This allows for any puckering or tight tension variations that could draw up the size. You can always cut the finished piece down to the proper size later. Also remember that the finished block size in this case is the unfinished block size for your quilt. You will have to have a seam allowance to sew your blocks together into a quilt. A half inch should provide this necessary allowance.
First, you need to find two boards, ideally of a hardwood such as oak. It is crucial that they are longer than the width of your quilt. Next, you need to staple or stitch a piece of durable material around the boards, such as heavy cotton or denim. Form the fabric into a slack tube, loose enough to leave a flap of fabric to which the quilt ends can be attached, while ensuring that the material is firmly fixed to the boards.
Blanket Quilt Double-Sided Bias Tape. You'll use this to make the trim. There are other ways to do it, but this is one of the easiest, and will give your baby quilt a nice, finished look. Try to pick bias tape that compliments the fabric. For example, if your fabric has a pattern, pick one color in the pattern and choose bias tape to match. If you want the bias tape to sort of blend in, try to match the fabric's background color.
Most nursery bedding comes in the form of crib bedding or crib sets. These are essentially a four piece set of bedding that will satisfy most new parents and will work for most cribs made these days. Specialty cribs, like the Stokke Sleepi crib, for example, require their own proprietary bedding. If the crib company is popular enough, there will be other companies offering other choices. Additionally, if you are buying a crib that is larger than normal or is a different size than the standard crib, you may be restricted in your nursery bedding choices by what is on offer from the manufacturer of your specific crib.
Place a few straight pins at random places on the surface of the quilt. (Anywhere but on the lines.) This will keep the pieces from shifting during sewing.
For a crazy quilt, large or small, you should work on a square or rectangle of muslin or plain fabric. Working 12" or smaller is recommended so that the piecing is easier to handle.
