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Next time you have a baby shower to go to, make a baby quilt! It's not as intimidating as it sounds. Since it's a small project, it goes fast, especially if you keep the design simple.
Three feet square is a good size. It's huge for a newborn, but will cover a child until they're about three. Many years should come out of something handmade. Of course, it may be a doll blanket later on.
You can fill this space with nine blocks that are each one foot square. There are three rows of three blocks. Each block can be identical. Log Cabin is an easy pattern to mass produce. By making each half of each log cabin square a contrasting color, you will create a separate pattern when they are sewn together. Other block patterns good for this idea are Double Nine-patch, Bear's Paw, and Sawtooth Star, or any star pattern.
Another idea for this layout is to make the center block and the corner blocks the same patchwork pattern, and the alternate blocks solid colors. A variation of this is to make the center and corners solid, and the remaining four blocks a patchwork pattern.
If you're feeling more ambitious, you can make this same size with 36 6" squares. There are six rows of six blocks. Good patterns for this layout are Fence Rail, Spools, Sawtooth Star, Pinwheel, and Kaleidoscope. Not every block has to have patchwork. They can alternate with a solid square, creating a diagonal overall pattern, when the rows are also alternated. This is a good way to use up small scraps, too. This is truly a patchwork quilt. Sew strips of 6 6" plain squares together, then sew the six strips together.
Colors for baby quilts do not have to be pink or blue anymore. Any pastel is pretty, soft, and delicate, like a new baby. Yellow and green are favorites.
Seasonal colors can also be used. Blue/white for winter, red/green for Christmas, Easter egg colors for spring time, bright colors that imitate flowers for summer, and brown, orange, red and yellow for fall.
Hearts are a nice applique pattern for a baby quilt. The overall color scheme can be shades of red/pink/white, or blue/white, or even purple/white. Hand embroidery around the outline of the heart makes it extra special. It will hold up in the wash if done properly.
Tying a baby quilt through all the layers makes finishing it go quicker. But hand quilting makes an heirloom. Remember not to adorn it with buttons or beads, because babies DO put things in their mouths. It is a choking hazard.
This hand made gift of yours will be treasured for years to come.
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