Hey everyone. Today you'll learn how to turn a pretty floral plaid into a soft, simple baby quilt that finishes at about 40 by 50 inches.
The fabric is the Aubergine Floral Plaid from the Lost Gardens of Heligan collection. It's by Henry Glass & Co. The designer is Michelle Yeo. It's 100% cotton quilting cotton. It runs 43 to 44 inches wide.
The color is aubergine. That's a deep, warm purple. It feels rich without feeling heavy. Over that color sits a floral plaid. So you get the structure of a plaid. And you get soft florals woven right in. Just like that, one fabric does a lot of work.
This is standard-width quilting cotton. That matters here. It cuts clean. It presses flat. It plays well in patchwork. And for a baby quilt, cotton is the fabric I reach for first. It washes well. It softens with every wash. It feels good against skin.
The project: a baby quilt
A baby quilt is one of my favorite makes. It's small enough to finish. It's big enough to matter. This one finishes at about 40 by 50 inches. That's a good crib size. It's also a great tummy-time size. And later, it becomes a favorite drag-around blanket. You know the one.
Why does this fabric suit it so well? The plaid gives you a built-in guide. You can follow those lines when you cut. You can follow them again when you quilt. The florals keep it sweet for a baby. The aubergine keeps it from feeling too pastel. Folks, that's a nice balance. It's a quilt a parent will actually want out on the couch.
We're not reinventing the wheel here. Big, simple blocks let this print shine. Cut it too small and you lose the plaid. Keep the pieces generous and the fabric does the showing off for you.
What you'll need
- 1 1/2 yards of this Aubergine Floral Plaid for the top and binding
- 1 1/4 yards of a coordinating solid or soft print for extra blocks and backing, or a single wide backing cut to 44 by 54 inches
- Batting cut to about 44 by 54 inches
- Matching thread for piecing, and a soft thread for quilting
- A size 80/12 needle, and about 8 to 10 stitches per inch for quilting
- Rotary cutter, ruler, pins or clips, and a warm iron
How it comes together
First, press your fabric well. Then cut six large squares at 12 1/2 inches from the floral plaid. Cut three more squares the same size from your coordinating fabric. Nine blocks total. Nice and easy.
Next, lay them out in three rows of three. Alternate plaid and solid. Take a picture before you sew. Trust me on that one. I have sewn a row in backwards more than once. The photo saves you.
Sew the blocks into rows with a 1/4-inch seam. Press the seams to one side. Then sew the rows together. Your top should finish near 36 1/2 inches square at this stage. Add a 2-inch border all around if you want that 40 by 50 finish. Completely up to you.
Layer the backing, batting, and top. Baste it well. Then quilt it simply. Stitch in the ditch along the block seams is perfect here. Or echo the plaid lines about 1/4 inch away. Slow down at the intersections. That's where layers get thick.
Last, bind it. Cut your binding strips at 2 1/2 inches wide. Join them, press in half, and sew them on. Take your time around the corners. A neat miter is just a fold and a pause. You can do this.
Practical tips
Prewash if the quilt will be washed a lot. Baby quilts usually are. Wash it like the family will wash it. That way there are no surprises later.
Keep your quilting spaced no more than about 4 inches apart. That keeps the batting stable through many washes. Check your batting package for its own guide, too.
And here's your permission beat. It does not have to be perfect. A baby will not check your points. A parent will remember who made it. You're your own worst critic here. Take your time. It's not a race. If I can do this, y'all can do it.
Add a small label on the back. Name, date, and who it's for. Years from now, that label is the sweetest part. Super duper simple, and it means a lot.
Thank y'all so much for sewing along with me today. We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the Aubergine Floral Plaid Lost Gardens of Heligan Cotton 43"/44" Fabric Per Yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
