Bedding To Match Your Golden Retriever
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.
The best fabric for simple quilt patterns is 100% cotton because it minimizes seam distortion, presses crisply, and is easy to quilt. Good simple quilt patterns specify quantities for 44/45" wide fabric unless otherwise noted. You'll need to allow for a little extra yardage to accommodate minor cutting errors and slight shrinkage.
Make pillows. Single blocks are the perfect sice to create toss pillows for your sofa, loveseat or chairs. Make pillow shams for your bed by stitching several together to fit your pillows.
Blanket Quilt However, if we have kids at home, we could not just pick any kind of quilt for any family member. Especially boys, they tend to get as picky as the girls when it comes to these. Where and how can we get ideas for boys of different age ranges?
If you don't have a sewing machine, you have a lot of work to do. I don't recommend quilting a blanket without a sewing machine if you are looking for a quick easy blanket, even if you are a super fast sewer. If you are really fast at sewing, you probably don't have a desire to sew a quick quilt anyway but are looking for more complicated and challenging projects. If you don't have a sewing machine, you should get one. If you aren't planning on doing any sewing besides this project and don't want to buy an expensive sewing machine, ask a friend if you can borrow theirs.
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.
Continue sewing additional fabric rectangles to sides 3, 4 and 5 of the center piece. Note that new angles can be created as you go, and excess length can be cut off. Trim any rectangles that extend beyond the foundation fabric even with the edge of the foundation fabric.
Design is the next step in the process of creating the perfect baby quilt. Different types of quilts require different materials in different amounts; therefore it is essential to have your quilt designed before you purchase materials. Another variable is time: patchwork quilts take a lot more time and dedication than tie quilts, and a crocheted quilt takes even more time than a patchwork. Quilters should be prepared for the amount of work they are going to dedicate to the quilt.
