Quilts And Coverlets: What Is The Difference
You don't have to be an expert quilter to make a special handmade baby crib quilt. First, you need to choose the perfect fabric for the baby crib quilt. If you're unsure of what design you might prefer, either take a trip to your local fabric store, or go on line to the one of the many retail dealers for their collections of ideas and baby crib quilt patterns. If this is your first attempt at the art of quilting, it is best to keep your pattern simple. Choose colors that are appropriate for the baby's gender, unless you do not know that, than yellow or white is a safe choice. Be sure you wash and lightly iron all fabrics before you start to cut.
Always use a rotary cutter with a cutting mat specifically designed for it. In addition to protecting your work surface, the mat helps keep the fabric from shifting while you cut. Start with a 17x23" mat marked with a 1" grid, hash marks at 1/8" increments, and 45 and 60 degree angles.
Embroidery is a traditional way to add special decorative touches to quilts. Whether by hand or machine, a quilter may accent his or her creation with embroidered flowers or other accents. But today's machine embroidery - for those willing to try it - can make quilting quite different.
Blanket Quilt Double-Sided Bias Tape. You'll use this to make the trim. There are other ways to do it, but this is one of the easiest, and will give your baby quilt a nice, finished look. Try to pick bias tape that compliments the fabric. For example, if your fabric has a pattern, pick one color in the pattern and choose bias tape to match. If you want the bias tape to sort of blend in, try to match the fabric's background color.
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.
Unlike comforters, a quality quilt is filled with cotton. This results in a much more substantial bedcovering. When you compare a comforter and a cotton-filled quilt of the same size, you will find that the quilt weighs quite a bit more. The quilt is heavier, but it takes up less space. Therefore, you get all of the warmth of a comforter, without the bulk. And because the batting is cotton and not polyester, you won't wake up sweaty in the morning. Quilts are also much easier to store when not in use, and they can double as a picnic blanket! When was the last time you took your comforter to the park?
If you want your custom blankets to look more personalized, you can have one large photo, or a collage of photos printed on them. Images should be of high quality so they will look better in the finished product. Certainly, your blanket will be a gift that will always be treasured.
