Electric Blankets - Nightmares Or Dreamsleep
These down throw blankets are the best ones to have for your baby because they are made with natural products that are gentle and easy to wash. You wouldn't have to hassle yourself cleaning away all the baby stain. When selecting the perfect blanket, make sure to check the stitching as well. Those with regular V stitching are the ones to have. Those with quilt squares and box stitching are also recommended. These types of stitching secure the down in place. You can also even the blanket out after a tumble in the washing machine. If the quilt doesn't have these kinds of stitching, it's likely that the down will bundle up together after some use. Your blanket will end up uneven and lumpy and your baby wouldn't like it.
These quilts are fondly called "Quillows." They are made with an attached pocket which allows the whole blanket to be folded. In this way the "Quillow" can be folded into a cushion during the day and can be unfolded to become a blanket at night.
Blanket Quilt 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.
For making perfectly straight cuts, choose a thick, clear acrylic ruler. A good size to start with is a 6x24" rectangular ruler marked in 1/4" increments.
When choosing colors and themes for a baby quilt the sky is the limit. You can go with bold exciting colors, cartoon characters, or you could even call and talk to the parents and find out what color they are planning for the nursery to match your quilt to the theme of the room.
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.
We have a wonderful family tradition of everyone making at least one homemade gift for Christmas to give another family member. My children have all made at least one blanket to give a family member. The fabrics are fun to choose and put together as we think of the personality of the family members. We have a daughter very much into music so there are always musical motif fabrics in her quilts, a son who loves insects so a quilt with ants or other insects are often made for him. There is the wonderful John Deere fabrics to make beautiful quilts. If you have a hobby or interest there is sure to be a fabric just right to personalize your blanket.
Pet Quilts. The pet industry is enormous and the money spent on pets each year is staggering. People are very willing to spend large amounts of money on their animals so suggesting specialty quilted items such as sleeping mats, coats or travel rugs can make for a profitable business. Think about other opportunities within the pet market such as individualizing the quilt with the animals name or some other shape the quilt to fit the animal.
