To prepare for fashioning baby blankets and children’s quilts, simple blanket and Quilt Guidelines can mean the difference between a cherished heirloom and a rag suitable for the dog’s bed. Following a few basic guidelines should help you enjoy the process, and be proud of your creation.
The most crucial option to think about as you get ready to sew a blanket will be the fabric type and quality of the fabric. The material should be soft, warm, and lasting, while also being hypo-allergenic, safe, and easy-care. Selecting quality materials will result in a quality blanket. In addition to the usual quilter’s cottons, you can consider heavy weight cotton flannel, fleece, warm waffle knits, heavier weight tee shirt fabrics as well as other soft, natural materials. You cannot use materials which may prove allergenic (no down, feathers, fur, etc.). Be sure not to purchase the cheap, discounted fabrics for use in blankets. This fabric is not durable and won’t be worth your valuable time.
You’ll only need a small yardage of the fabric of your choice for a baby quilt and since better quality cotton flannel runs from $1.89 to $6.99 a yard, therefore even buying the “good stuff” is not expensive. A good rule to consider would be – if you’d utilize this particular fabric to create a blanket or quilt for your own child, then it is the right material for your project.
If you think of this blanket as the only quilt this baby may own then you will understand how appreciated your efforts are. If it is the only quilt the baby will have as he grows, you’ll want it warm, soft, and cozy. If you intend to create a quilt, please be sure it is securely put together and most importantly, that it contains no buttons, snaps or other decorating features which could be a hazard to children if they are pulled off the quilt, or sucked on. Appliqués are welcome, if they are attached to the quilt securely. Please don’t rely upon fabric glues to attach your decorative applique – glues can be a simple start, but please finish the decorative applique by securely sewing it to the blanket. Simple, colourful, soft and warm is what you’ll be aiming for!
If you like your project easy, and super-soft, think about printed fleece panels. These can be bought in many colorful printed patterns, are very easy to finish by serging or by zig zag sewing the edges. One pretty fleece panel makes a warm blanket for a child or teenager, or can be tucked into the seat of a car seat or around the sleeping body of a child. Solid colored fleece (without a printed pattern) is regularly purchased on sale and results in a tremendous blanket too, whether for an older child, or cut into smaller blankets for babies. Two layers of fleece can be lightly quilted to make a specially light, soft and cozy blanket.
For quilts, you could purchase quilt tops with baby themes and they will in general be approximately 43” by 34” when completed. You can also sew your quilt tops from fabric squares, strips, or any other design you desire, to use up your leftover fabric pieces. Just make sure the fabric you select is pre-washed, durable, and soft. We suggest you buy commercial quilt batting for the lining in your quilt, but as long as the material is washed and in excellent condition, you can also use mattress pads, large towels, or older blankets as stuffing inside your quilt. For warmth, you could purchase a standard bed-sized blanket and cut it into baby or toddler sized blankets to use as your quilt lining. Again, make sure the material you use is not allergy causing – do not select an old wool blanket, for instance, as the middle layer inside your quilt.
Remember, the most important guide lines to follow for your blanket and quilts are safety of the baby, allergy free nature, cleanliness, and that the fabric be high quality, soft and warm. If you would like it for your own baby, then it’s the perfect fabric for your blanket or quilt.
