Make It More Personal With Custom Blankets
Now that you have completed the first go-around and shapes have been sewn to all five sides of the center piece, it is necessary to cut more angles from the pieces you have sewn down. Be brutal in cutting back, cutting from seam edge to seam edge, trying to achieve at least five more angles. Work toward a variety of shapes and sizes.
Size is the first element to consider when it comes to making baby quilts. A baby quilt should be significantly smaller than a typical quilt. Some quilts can be used for comforters or as bedding in cribs, so it is a wise choice to create a quilt that is fitted to match the size of the crib. In addition size can relate to the thickness of the quilt. Quilts that are constructed for adult use or even decoration are quite thick. However a quilt made for a baby should be relatively thin.
Blanket Quilt The next time you are trying to figure out just what to get for an upcoming baby shower, think of the impression your gift will make if it is personalized. Even if mom and dad have not announced the baby's name, you can still have the child's last name added to any gift you choose. If you decide on a baby blanket, quilt, or pillow, ask the parents what theme they have chosen so you can coordinate your gift.
Have you ever needed to throw together a quick quilt? Many quilting pros laugh at the notion, but sometimes we need a quick gift to give and want to make it personal. Lap quilts and baby quilts are very easy to create on an embroidery machine.
After the foundation piece has been completely filled with fabric strips, trim the block to the desired size. Press the block on both the front and back. Don't leave any loose pieces.
The great value of a template in how to make a quilt is that it allows one to easily make patches identical in size and shape that fit together perfectly. Quilt block templates may be purchased or they can be made. To make a cardboard template the design must be transferred on to paper that has been squared and then with very sharp scissors cut out. The cutout then gets glued onto a piece of cardboard. It is important that a seam allowance be included. The cardboard template should then be cut out and the paper seam allowance protected by covering it with a very thin layer of clear polish or nail varnish. New templates should always be made for each of the project's required shapes.
A century ago, cigar companies tied a bright colored silk ribbon around a bundle of cigars. Women stitched them together with black or colored embroidery floss stitches onto a fabric foundation block. They were not cut or curved, but placed side by side. Cigar company ribbons had fancy logos and used attractive fonts in black ink on yellow or orange ribbons. The various advertising on the ribbons added decoration to the quilt block. Green, pink and purple ribbons were occasionally used in the block designs, signifying a rare cigar.
The preferred needle type for woven cotton fabrics is called a "sharp." Sizes 75/11 and 80/12 are good choices for piecing, quiltmaking, and binding most simple quilt patterns. Use a smaller needle (70/10) if you're piecing tightly woven batiks and a larger needle (90/14) for flannels. Dull needles can cause skipping or uneven stitches, so it's a good idea to insert a fresh needle at the start of every project.
