Hey everyone. Today you'll learn how to cut and sew a sweet baby quilt with clean, confident little cuts.
First, let's talk about the blades. These are the 28mm SKS-7 Replacement Rotary Blades, and you get 2 pieces in the pack. They are meticulously crafted from the highest quality Japanese steel. Famoré says they kept the same high-quality standards as their Professional Tungsten Carbide Rotary Blade.
Now, let's be honest here. These blades are not as heavy-duty as tungsten carbide. What they do offer is durability similar to the standard blades you're accustomed to using in your day-to-day cutting tasks. For everyday quilting cotton, that is exactly the lane we want.
The size matters, too. At 28mm, this is a smaller blade. Smaller means easier turns. Easier detail work. The tags on this one say it plain: detail cutting, curved cutting, trimming, and fabric cutting. And like all of their products, Famoré proudly offers sharpening services for these blades. I like that. A good tool should keep working for you.
I reach for a fresh blade before a gift quilt. Every time. A dull blade drags and chews. A sharp blade glides. You feel the difference in the first cut. Just like that, the whole project gets calmer.
The project: a gentle baby quilt
Our project today is a baby quilt. Finished size, about 36 by 42 inches. That is a lovely stroller and tummy-time size. Big enough to grow with baby a bit. Small enough to finish in a weekend.
Why do these blades suit this quilt? A baby quilt has lots of small pieces. You will trim little squares. You will square up small blocks. You may even add a gentle curved appliqué shape or two. That 28mm size helps you stay precise without wrestling a bigger blade around tight corners.
We are keeping the design simple. Big, soft squares. No fussy points to match. We're not reinventing the wheel here. We are making something sweet, safe, and washable for real life.
What you will need
- 28mm SKS-7 Replacement Rotary Blades 2 pcs., loaded in your 28mm rotary cutter
- About 1 yard total of quilting cotton for the top, in 3 or 4 soft prints and solids
- About 1 1/4 yards of fabric for the backing
- A batting piece at least 40 by 46 inches
- Thread, a machine needle in size 80/12, and pins or clips
- A cutting mat, a clear ruler, and an iron
Brief steps
Cut your top fabric into 6 1/2 inch squares. You need 42 squares. That gives you six across and seven down. Lay them out first. Step back. Move the busy prints apart.
Sew squares into rows with a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Set your stitch length around 2.5 millimeters. That is roughly 10 to 12 stitches per inch. Press each row as you go. Press seams to one side, then nest them when you join the rows.
Layer backing, batting, and top. Smooth from the center out. Pin or baste well, about a hand's width apart. Then quilt it simple. Stitch in the ditch is perfect here. A soft echo around the seams works, too. Completely up to you.
Trim the edges square with that fresh blade. Go slow on the corners. Bind with 2 1/2 inch strips. Sew the binding on, fold it over, and finish it down securely. Babies tug. We want those edges strong.
Tips from my table
Change the blade before you cut, not after you struggle. I have made that mistake, y'all. I pushed a dull blade, got a skipped thread here and there, and had to recut. Put in the fresh blade first. Save the fabric.
Slow down on curves and small trims. That is my warning at the moment of risk. A small blade will turn nicely, but rushing still makes wobbly edges. Take your time. It is not a race.
Keep fingers clear and close the blade cover between cuts. Every single time. Make it a habit, especially with little helpers nearby.
And here is your permission beat, folks. If a square lands a hair off, it is okay. You are your own worst critic. Baby will not measure your seams. Baby will just be warm. If I can do this, y'all can do it.
Thanks so much for sewing along with me today. We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the 28mm SKS-7 Replacement Rotary Blades 2 pcs. at Linda's Electric Quilters.
