Homemade Baby Crib Bedding
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.
Handmade Baby Blankets A handmade baby blanket gift speaks to the heart of any new mother. Knowing someone spent the time, thought and effort to make a hand made gift in this day and age means a lot. You can crochet, quilt, embroider a baby blanket to make it unique and special. In fact, you can make a baby blanket that requires no sewing at all, and will be just as special because you put yourself into the gift.
Blanket Quilt 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.
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.
If you aren't a crafty person, don't worry about it. Buying a beautiful baby blanket can be just as special. No one says you have to spend a lot of money for something to be from the heart. The same goes for crafts. Not everyone is artistic and crafty. If you don't have to knack for crafts, use your talent of choosing a beautiful blanket. Think about it, wouldn't you rather have your child get a beautiful blanket that they purchased than a 5 inch lopsided crocheted blanket?
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.
Traditionally quilting was a chore completed by women and they soon made the act a social event. They would gather in small or large groups and exchange materials to produce the most attractive quilts that they could. It was evident very quickly that this was a new form of art and its canvas was one of care and joy, as well as friendship.
