How To Make A Simple Baby Quilt
If you’re looking for a quick handmade gift for a baby shower why not make a simple baby quilt?
And by simple, I mean three materials and bias binding if you’re feeling extra (which I’m not).
Because sometimes you want to make a baby gift (or donate something!), but don’t have a lot of time or energy for a pattern that requires any level of concentration.
So this beginner quilt is my answer.
What Is A Quilt?
But first, full disclosure: I am not a quilter.
At least not in any expert sense as it relates to quilt patterns or quilting history.
But since a quilt is a defined as a “multi-layered textile, traditionally composed of two or more layers of fabric or fiber,” technically, I have made a handful of quilts. (Source: Wikipedia),
My first couple were baby quilts.
One I tied with yarn (and really liked the look) and the other blanket I stitched in the ditch since the quilt top was a 3 x 4 grid of different fabric prints and solids.
Let The Fabric Make A Statement
Since I’m not patient enough to paper piece a quilt, or cut small squares, triangles, or hexagons to make patterns, I like to choose fabric patterns that have a common theme or bold patterns sand colors.
Sometimes I also incorporate a texture other than women cotton or flannel as my quilt bottom to add to the quilt’s aesthetic.
It keeps it straightforward but visually appealing.
Make A Simple Baby Quilt In Less Than 1 Hour
And for this quick beginner sewing project, I have simplified how to make a quilt even more.
It is constructed of a colorful pattern in cotton as the top layer, cotton quilt batting for the middle layer, and a red “tie-dye” flannel for the bottom layer.
Baby Quilt Materials
For this project you need the following materials and tools:
- 1.5 yards of cotton print fabric
- 1.5 yards of flannel that pairs nicely with the cotton print
- 1.5 yards of cotton batting*
- Yarn in a color that works with the blanket aesthetic (not pictured)
- Large needle*
- Rotary cutter and mat* or scissors
- Sewing clips*
- Sewing machine
Please note: Anything marked with an asterisk (*) is an Amazon affiliate link, therefore if you purchase a product using one of the links, I may receive a small commission.
Follow These Steps To Make A Simple Baby Quilt
To walk you through how to sew a simple baby quilt. I broke it down into easy high-level steps with a more detailed explanation below each step.
The steps are:
1. Cut fabric and batting to size.
Cut both the cotton print and flannel fabric to measure 40″ x 40″.
Cut a piece of batting that measures 40″ x 40″.
Please note: If the flannel and batting are a little over, that’s fine because we are going to trim things up as we go along.
The most important thing is to be working with straight lines while you’re sewing.
2. Layer your fabrics and secure two sides with sewing clips.
Put the print and flannel fabrics right sides together, then lay the batting on top of the wrong side of the fabric that is on top.
Use lots of clips to clip two sides of the blanket.
Again, since we’re keeping this super simple and it’s a small-sized blanket, I don’t pin the batting to the fabrics or use basting spray.
Instead, I just spread it out as flat as I can knowing that I will be trimming up anything that shifted.
3. Use a 1/2″ seam allowance to sew the two clipped sides of the quilt.
I don’t know about you, but I’m a fan of a 1/2″ seam allowance when dealing with fabrics that might pull while sewing.
This also makes it easier to top stitch through the three layers once you’ve turned everything right sides out.
Sew the two sides that you’ve clipped together to establish the overall shape.
4. Trim excess fabric from one unsewn edge, secure with clips, and sew.
Lay the quilt flat and trim up one side so that you have a straight edge and all the pieces are aligned.
Clip the edge and use a 1/2″ seam to sew the layers together.
5. Trim the excess fabric of the final edge, secure with clips, mark turning hole, and sew.
Lay the quilt flat and trim the excess fabric from the final edge.
Clip the edge, making sure to mark where you want to stop sewing to leave a 3 – 4 ” turning hole.
Use a 1/2″ seam to sew the final edge of the quilt leaving the turning hole open.
6. Turn right sides out.
Trim the corners to remove bulk so that it’s easier to have crisp corners once it’s turned right sides out.
Turn the blanket right sides out.
Press all four edges to make it easier for top stitching and to align the edges to secure the turning hole.
7. Top stitch around all four edges.
The top stitching can be anything you want.
I’m still a fan of a straight stitch that’s around 1/4″ from the edge, which I used for this small blanket.
8. Use yarn ties to finish the baby quilt.
When you finish a quilt with yarn ties, you can plan a uniform grid, or work with the fabric’s pattern for a more whimsical approach.
For this project, I used the points of the diamond shape in a somewhat standard pattern as the placement for my yarn ties.
If you know your grid pattern, cut yarn ties in 12″ lengths ahead of time.
If you’re going for more of a tie-as-you-go (as I did), just cut the 12″ pieces as you need them.
I like longer pieces of yarn because I never worry about having enough to make several strong knots.
To tie the quilt, thread the yarn through the needle then tie an overhand knot on the end several inches above the cut ends.
Poke the needle through the three layers of materials and pull until the knot stops you.
Cut open the yarn loop holding the needle to open the ends and remove the needle.
Then, tie a knot with the ends so that the knot is flush with the fabric.
Tie another 2 knots to make it extra secure.
Use the width of your thumb as a gauge for the final tie length when trimming the yarn ties.
Customize Your Baby Quilt
If this is a gift for family and friends and you want to be a little extra, consider customizing it with the baby’s initials or first name.
You can use HTV and cut something out yourself or you can create and order a DTF transfer if you don’t have a Silhouette Cameo or Cricut.
Who Will Receive The Simple Baby Quilt You Make?
This easy baby blanket should take you less than an hour to make and it’s a beginner, low-stress first quilt.
So who will receive the quilt you make?
Leave a comment below and let me know!
