Quilt V .. Comforter: A Bedding Dilemma

The size of blanket that you will give will have to depend on the recipient. Smaller blankets are ideal for kids while large ones will be more appropriate for adults that usually have king size beds. Materials that are best for blankets are fleece, alpaca, merino wool, and cotton, to name a few.

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.

Next up is the crib sheet. These are usually fitted. If it is not fitted, don't bother. Your child may sleep like an angel, or they may move around a lot. Either way, a fitted sheet will keep itself in place instead of getting wrapped up around your child, which is about as bad as it sounds.

Blanket Quilt Not feeling crafty at all? No problem, you can still create a fantastic baby blanket gift. Just go and find a bunch of color coordinated baby blankets. Use some fabulous ribbon and roll up the blankets and tie them with the ribbon.

If you have the means to give a big item as a gift, you can still have it personalized. Again, personalization makes an impression. Have baby's initials put on his or her crib or armoire.

For quilting beginners there are kits available that contain all of the material needed to create a quilt. These kits include step by step instructions to help you make the perfect hand crafted quilt for the new addition. Kits are also great because they help new quilters learn the basics of quilting, enabling them to create other, more personalized quilts in the future. While experienced quilters are often aware of the hard work and materials that go into creating the perfect quilt; creating the perfect baby blanket can still be difficult.

Then we have the bumper. Bumpers go around the inside of a crib and provide padding between the slats of the crib and your precious baby's noggin. They also provide a way for your child to keep their arms and legs inside the crib while they sleep, thus helping to prevent any late-night cry sessions because an arm fell out the side of the crib, then got twisted. It's a fairly necessary piece of equipment, but can be used as a step when junior gets older, so it has it's time and age limit.