Things Child Does Not Want
The construction of the blanket is the most time-consuming part. Many quilters actually pin the materials of the quilt together before they begin to sew so they can see what it will look like. This allows them to move and adjust the placement of stitching as needed. The construction process will differ greatly depending on the type of quilt you are making. Regardless of which style, it is important to take your time and pay attention to detail.
Decide the amount of usage the baby quilt will receive and how often it will be cleaned or laundered. If the project will be a wall hanging, more intricate patterns could be considered as opposed to a child's personal blanket that will be well-loved.
Make pillows. Single blocks are the perfect sice to create toss pillows for your sofa, loveseat or chairs. Make pillow shams for your bed by stitching several together to fit your pillows.
Blanket Quilt There are conflicting opinions about the need to prewash fabric. The choice is yours, but if you have any doubts about colorfastness (whether or not the color will bleed or wash out), test the fabric before adding it to your quilt.
Last but not least, the quilt was marked for quilting. This was a very vital part of the quilting process as it would be seen on the top of the quilt as well as it must also be seen on the bottom when you turned down the bed at night. This took quite a bit of time and consideration. You did not want the design of the quilting to take away the look of the quilt but to enhance the beauty of the creation.
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.
A hand quilter will use a frame or a hoop to keep all pieces together while using a variety of basic running stitches in and out of each piece while stretched taut. It's at this point where details are sewn with as little or as much as the quilter prefers. From the outlining of patterns to hand stitching every petal of every flower in each block. This is time consuming but often the most rewarding part of quilting.
The type of fabric in your baby quilt top will also determine the type of quilting design you should choose. Large or busy prints require a simpler design quilt top. On the solid colors or tone-on-tones, a decorative featured wreath or floral motif is perfect to show off that baby quilt.
