Hey everyone. Today you will learn how to make a sweet baby quilt with big, easy squares that really let a fun print shine.
Here we go.
Meet the Fabric First
This is the Galaxy Shooting Stars Blue from Oasis Fabrics.
It is a quilting cotton. One hundred percent cotton quilting fabric.
The width is 44 to 45 inches. That is standard quilting width.
It comes from the Galaxy collection. The color is blue.
And the print is pure fun. Shooting stars streak right across a blue galaxy.
The product notes say it suits space-themed quilts and kids' sewing, and Galaxy coordinates. For a baby quilt, I like it all on its own. Big squares. Lots of stars. Super duper cute.
The Project: A Sweet Baby Quilt
A baby quilt is a smaller quilt, made to be used hard and loved well. We fold them over a stroller. We wash them again and again. So we keep the piecing simple. No tiny points. No fussy seams.
Why does this fabric suit it so well? Three good reasons.
First, the shooting stars need room. Cut them too small and you lose the streak.
Second, that blue ground is cheerful without being loud. It works in just about any nursery.
Third, quilting cotton is easy to sew and easy to wash. That matters for a baby quilt, folks.
We will aim for about 36 inches by 42 inches finished. That is a nice crib and tummy-time size. Want it bigger? Add one more row. Completely up to you.
Materials List
- 1 1/2 yards of Galaxy Shooting Stars Blue Cotton 44"/45" Fabric Per Yard for the top squares
- 1 5/8 yards of a coordinating quilting cotton for the backing, pieced as needed
- Crib-size batting, at least 45 inches by 60 inches, trimmed to size
- 1/2 yard of a coordinating quilting cotton for binding, or use leftover Galaxy fabric
- All-purpose thread to match
- Rotary cutter, ruler, and cutting mat
- Sewing machine with a walking foot and a universal needle, size 80/12
- Safety pins or basting spray for layering
Here is the math. Cut 42 squares at 6 1/2 inches — six across, seven rows down.
With a 1/4-inch seam, each square finishes at 6 inches. Six times 6 is 36 inches wide. Seven times 6 is 42 inches long. Just like that.
From a 44-inch width, you can cut six squares across one strip. Seven strips give you your 42 squares.
Brief Steps
Step 1: Press and cut. Press your fabric flat first. Then cut seven 6 1/2-inch strips, and subcut each strip into six squares. Take your time. Straight squares make straight rows.
Step 2: Lay it out. Arrange the squares in six columns and seven rows. Turn a few squares a quarter turn if you like. The stars can streak in different directions.
Step 3: Sew the rows. Join the squares in each row with a 1/4-inch seam, stitch length about 2.5 mm. Press seams in one row left, the next row right. That helps the corners nest.
Step 4: Join the rows. Pin at each seam join. Sew the seven rows together. Press flat. If one corner is a hair off, do not panic. Babies do not carry rulers.
Step 5: Layer and baste. Lay the backing wrong side up, smooth the batting over it, then center your top right side up. Pin or baste well.
Step 6: Quilt it simply. Stitch in the ditch along the rows, or echo each seam about 1/4 inch away. A walking foot really helps. Go slow over the thicker joins, or the layers can creep on you.
Step 7: Bind it. Cut five binding strips at 2 1/2 inches wide. Join them, press in half lengthwise, and sew around the edge. Fold to the back and stitch down. Tie off your ends neat and tidy.
Practical Tips From My Table
It does not have to be perfect. Truly. You are your own worst critic.
A baby quilt gets washed, dragged, and loved. That is the whole point. A tiny wobble in one seam will not matter one bit.
Pre-wash or not? Some folks always pre-wash quilting cotton. Some never do. Pick one way and be consistent for the top and backing. Completely up to you.
Want the quilting to stand out? Try a simple diagonal grid through the squares. It echoes that shooting-star streak really, really nicely. We're not reinventing the wheel here.
And label it if you can. A name and a year on the back makes it extra special later. 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 Galaxy Shooting Stars Blue Cotton 44"/45" Fabric Per Yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
