(Shown mixed with 3 additional nautical fabrics from The Village Haberdashery - ship's wheels, stripes and rope alphabet)
Isn't it a sweet selection of nautical fabrics? The fabrics sat unused until I gathered myself up to finally get going with it a couple of weeks ago. I really wanted to make a chevron quilt using this tutorial, however after I cut out all the fabric squares to size I realised that the design was not going to work for my fabric selection at all. So I decided to go for blocks of 9 squares, using a couple of extra nautical themed fat quarters I bought from The Village Haberdashery. Incidentally I'm kicking myself for not visiting this shop when I was in London last weekend, especially as we spent a day in Hampstead! I wasn't intending to do any fabric shopping, so maybe next time, they do have a fab fabric selection.
Sewing the squares together was fairly easy and made me realise how important it is in patchwork to have pieces which are perfectly measured so that everything matches up at the joins and corners. I didn't 100% manage this, but I think my quilt will be just as effective.
I have bought some white cotton flannel/flannelette/winceyette (I've seen it called all three names) for the reverse of the quilt so it's nice and cosy. I am thinking it can be put on the floor for the baby to play on and later used as a throw or quilt. I had thought about using a bright red flannel but had second thoughts when I realised that I'd want to use white thread for the quilting and this would be really obvious against the red.
(Enjoy it while you can, Dot...)
What I now have left to do is:
- Choose and buy batting - I'm thinking natural cotton based wadding rather than polyester for a more authentic old-style quilt look when it gets washed. Plus as I have used natural fibres for the rest of the quilt it seems a shame to stuff it with polyester. Any quilters out there have any thoughts on this?
- Choose, buy and make binding - Perhaps using a pin dotted cotton in one of the colours from the quilt. I had originally thought that I'd use a ribbon to bind it for a contrast in texture, or maybe buy a silky fabric to cut into strips but then thought that might be more suitable for a smaller blanket.
- Sandwich the thing together and QUILT! - I think my quilting will be limited to following the lines of the squares - is that unimaginative? Or will trying to do straight lines look too obvious when I inevitably go wonky?
- Add binding to quilt
- After the baby arrives I might add a hand sewn initial or some kind of personalisation to the plain side too.
So what do you think? Have you any quilting tips or recommendations for a new quilter?
K x
I'm in love with Dot, what a fine belly! Loving the quilt. xxx
ReplyDeleteThanks Vix, she does have a fantastic furry belly :)
DeleteMy two cents: I would use cotton personally. If you want it to be really puffy but have the feel of cotton, you can use two different layers of batting (cotton and polyester).
ReplyDeleteSilky fabric will end up being a nightmare to get perfectly around the binding. I'd personally stick with a cotton binding (and I think a pin dotted cotton would be super cute).
I think simple quilting on a simple quilt can be quite elegant, and stressing yourself to do something fancier can lead to excessive seam ripping and frustration.
Consider buying a stitch-in-the-ditch foot for your sewing machine for ease of sewing exactly on the seam line. It's really helpful.
Can't wait to see the finished quilt!
Thanks Erin, I don't mind about it being puffy and I like the idea of cotton.
DeleteLOVE the fabrics you've chosen!!
ReplyDeleteYou could put red thread in the bobbin and white thread on the top for quilting.
Also, there is a wadding especially meant for baby blankets - you still aren't supposed to let them sleep underneath them (because babies heat up too much)but the baby-safe wadding will be good for all other baby-oriented play and muck.
An easy way to bind is to cut 2 1/2" strips (not on bias) of your favourite fabric, then fold in half lengthways. Sew raw edge to the raw edge of the quilt, then fold the folded edge over to the other side of the quilt and hand-stitch it down. Plus the two layers in the binding helps it to last longer.
Good for you in being brave and trying something new!
Thank you Nessa, I'd never even thought about using different thread in the bobbin, great idea. Good tip on the binding too :)
DeleteLove the combination of fabrics you've chosen Kerry, perfect for a baby. I used batting from M is for Make, I think it's the extra wide stuff and it was fine, not too bulky. My only tips are to use trillions of safety pins when you sandwich it together. And a walking foot to stop the layers shifting. You can borrow mine if you don't have one as they're quite pricey. Good luck, it's going to be lovely! x
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm going to have to look into a walking foot, sounds like it could save some stress.
DeleteLovely! That's a gorgeous mix of fabrics. I would always use cotton wadding.
ReplyDeleteI made quilts for my sons before they were born. It was a lovely project to do and I embroidered there names, date of birth (twins!) and the date I finished the quilt in one corner.
Have fun.
xxx
Your quilts sound lovely, like the personalisation you added.
DeleteLove your fabrics for this Kerry, it'll be the perfect baby play mat! We recommend two types of wadding for baby quilts: soft & bright(£7.99m) - a polyester wadding that is baby safe and won't pull through the cotton, its easy to wash and reacts well to the cotton or warm & natural (£14.99m) - which is 100% cotton and has all the same properties as above, although I think it may ne slightly warmer/heavier. I've always chosen to use soft & bright as it's what our quilting expert recommends. Both are extra wide at 90"/228cm, if you come into the shop one of the girls in haby should be able to advise you on both. There are similar alternatives I've seen in hobbycraft but they aren't as nice in quality. Hope that helps? x
ReplyDeleteCheers Hazel, I'm thinking of popping in to Mandors this weekend for some advice and to get wadding and binding fabric.
DeleteYum it is so pretty. I use rayon batting for babies - behaves like cotton, is fire retardant and washable, but I LOVE cotton first and wool second and Hazel's advice is also very sound.
ReplyDeleteYou will need a walking foot or you will stark staring bonkers trying to quilt it. Instead of in the ditch, which rhymes with what it is to do (a B****), because if it isn't perfect it looks awful- try stitching so the edge of the presser foot is against the seam on one side of each row and column, and you get a nice simple offset grid that won't betray you if it is a tiny bit wonky sometimes.
Use curved safety pins if you can find them, and pin in the middle of every square. The idea is to leave them all open until you are happy with your pinning, then go around and close them all at once - with the handle of a teaspoon. Much easier on the fingers! If you pin in the middles then you won't have to remove pins as you quilt because they won't be in your way.
I bind my quilts exactly as Nessa described but I only cut 2 inch strips because I use 1/4 inch seams. This method of binding is so darned clever, eliminating all that hassle of raw edges and having to fold them under, like normal one layer binding. I use it for all the binding I do now, even bias.
Super helpful as ever MrsC. I know that my stitching will be wonky so will try your idea about the offset grid. And also get some curved safety pins...
DeleteI'm loving your quilt. I'm planning to make one with all my scraps, but i've not even started yet!
ReplyDeleteThanks Claire, I'm hoping a scrap quilt will be my next one
DeleteI haven't made a quilt so have no advise to offer, but wanted to say this is a lovely selection of fabrics! I especially love that wavy yellow, white and blue one. I have a fat quarter of the boys and girls playing in the sand too. No idea what I'll do with it, but it was too cute not to buy!
ReplyDeleteIncidentally, my mum made me a cot sized quilt when I was pregnant. I never used it for that purpose, but my son plays with it regularly an he's nearly 3 (picnic blanket, bed for teddy, snuggled up on couch etc etc) so definitely worth making!
Thank you Helen, I hope my quilt gets as well used and loved as your son's quilt.
Deleteaww thats sweet... its highly addictive once you start. I would recommend bamboo cotton. Its more expensive, wash well and although doesn't give the "puff" look, its more condense texture.. its very soft.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rachel, will look into the bamboo cotton.
DeleteAwww hello Dot! I love those fabrics but can't offer any thoughts on quilting - something that's always scared me a bit! Can't wait to see the finished article x
ReplyDeleteYeah I've been scared of quilting for ages! Been meaning to start for so long.
DeleteI would love to be able to quilt one day, it's something I've got a book on but never had the time for. :(
ReplyDeleteWow, this looks awesome! What fun fabrics!
ReplyDeleteThe fabrics are lovely and it will be a great baby quilt. Although I doubt your cat will give it up quite so easily as all that - she looks pretty cosy there. On a quilt like this, you could always try diagonal line quilting, corner to corner of the quilts which can add some nice texture once the quilt is washed. You could draw the lines on with a washable marker and then it shouldn't go too wonky. The walking foot is a great investment too...
ReplyDelete