Hey everyone! Today you will learn how to turn big, beautiful purple blooms into a sweet baby quilt that is simple to piece and lovely to give.
Here we go.
First, let's look at this fabric
This is Au Naturel Purple Large Floral.
It comes from Wilmington Prints.
It is part of the Au Naturel collection.
It is 100% cotton quilting fabric.
It measures 44"/45" wide.
And it is sold by the yard.
The color is purple.
The pattern is a large floral.
Think large blooms in purple tones.
That scale is the whole point, y'all.
You do not want to chop those blooms into tiny pieces.
You want to give them room to show off.
Just like that.
The product notes say it suits statement floral quilts, borders, and Au Naturel coordinates.
I agree with that, folks.
For a statement, keep your cuts big.
Let the fabric carry the design.
Completely up to you how bold you go.
My favorite way here is big blocks, front and center.
The project: a simple baby quilt
We are making a baby quilt.
Finished size is about 36" x 48".
That is a handy crib and stroller size.
Big enough for tummy time on the floor.
Small enough to finish without a long, drawn-out fight.
Why does this fabric suit it?
A baby quilt gets looked at up close.
Those large purple blooms give a baby soft shapes and strong color to follow.
And for you, the maker, it is forgiving.
Twelve big blocks, four rows, and you have a top.
No tiny triangles.
No fussy points to match.
Super duper cute, and really really doable.
Simple quilts get finished, folks.
Finished quilts get snuggled.
Materials list
- 1 1/2 yards of Au Naturel Purple Large Floral for the big blocks
- 1 1/2 yards of a coordinating fabric for the backing
- Batting cut about 40" x 52"
- 1/2 yard for binding, in a coordinating solid or another Au Naturel coordinate
- Matching thread for piecing and quilting
- Rotary cutter, mat, and a long ruler
- Pins or clips, and your sewing machine
For piecing, I use a size 80/12 needle.
I set my stitch length around 2.5.
That is about 10 stitches per inch.
It holds well and rips out cleanly, just in case.
And yes, I have needed that ripper.
More than once, if I am honest.
Brief steps
Step 1: Press and look first. Press your fabric. Then spread it out and look at the blooms. Decide which blooms you want centered in each block before you cut.
Step 2: Cut your big blocks. Cut 12 blocks at 12 1/2" square. You can get three blocks across the width, so cut four strips at 12 1/2" and sub-cut each one. Take your time centering a bloom where you can.
Step 3: Lay it out. Lay the 12 blocks in 4 rows of 3. Step back and look. Turn a block if one corner feels too heavy. Move things now, not after you sew.
Step 4: Sew the rows. Sew blocks into rows with a 1/4" seam. Press seams to one side, alternating direction by row. Then sew the rows together and press again.
Step 5: Layer and baste. Layer backing, batting, and top, with the backing and batting about 4" bigger all around. Smooth from the center out. Baste well so nothing shifts.
Step 6: Quilt it simply. Stitch in the ditch between blocks is clean and easy. A gentle meander over the top works too. Or echo around a few big blooms for a sweet detail. For quilting, I lengthen my stitch to about 3.0.
Step 7: Bind and finish. Trim the quilt square. Cut binding strips at 2 1/2" wide. Sew them on, fold over, and finish by machine or by hand. Completely up to you.
Practical tips from my table
Slow down at the cutting mat, folks.
Warning right here, at the moment of risk.
If you rush a 12 1/2" cut, the ruler can slip.
Then a block comes up short.
Slow down, hold the ruler firm, and the cut behaves.
Check each block before you sew it.
I once sewed a favorite bloom in upside down.
Oh my goodness, the seam ripper got a workout.
The fix was easy: unpick, turn, and sew again.
No harm done, just a little extra time.
Travel along the seam lines when you quilt, when you can.
Tie off your threads cleanly at the ends.
That keeps the back neat for little hands.
And remember the permission beat, y'all.
It does not have to be perfect.
You are your own worst critic.
A baby will not hunt for a wobbly seam.
That baby will just love being warm.
Take your time, it is not a race.
If I can do this, y'all can do it.
We're not reinventing the wheel here.
Want it bigger? Add a row of three blocks.
That takes you to about 36" x 60".
Your quilt, your call.
Thanks for spending a little time with me today.
We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the Au Naturel Purple Large Floral Cotton 44"/45" Fabric Per Yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
