Save Energy And Cash With An Electric Blanket

Be especially careful not to store your quilt in a place where there could be a problem with bugs or unwanted visitors that would like to eat away at it. Some brands of fabric softener sheets have been credited with repelling these unwanted critters. In addition, the fabric softener sheet will keep it smelling fresh. A cedar chest is an ideal storage place for your handmade quilt.

Once a quilt block template has been created it should be put on the fabric lined up with the fabric's grain on one straight edge. Then with either a tailor's chalk or a quilter's pencil it can be drawn around. Folding several layers of the fabric accordion style will create several patches at once. Then after the template has been stapled to the layers one can cut the pieces out. If it is possible, it is of great value to use a cutting mat and a rotary cutter should they be available.

Blanket Quilt Another way to customize a blanket is by including text in it. This may be a favorite punch line; a line from a song; a secret code between the two of you; a meaningful date; or even a surname.

For each block you want to make also cut a five-sided piece of solid fabric. Make the sides angular, not parallel. Don't make it too big or too small roughly about a ninth of the block (like a tic tac toe pattern on the muslin foundation square). It will serve as your crazy, off center middle of your design.

Place a few straight pins at random places on the surface of the quilt. (Anywhere but on the lines.) This will keep the pieces from shifting during sewing.

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.

Another way to make a memory quilt is to use all new fabric with a different approach. You could make each square a representation of some part or event of a child's life. Each square would be embellished by applique, embroidery, scanned pictures, iron-on letters, fabric paint or whatever you like. You could ask important people from the child's life to contribute a square or two and to sign their square with their name.