Hey everyone. Today you will learn how to make a sweet baby quilt that lets big, pretty blossoms do the smiling for you.
Here we go.
The fabric is the Aviva Bright Blossoms Lilac Cotton 44"/45" Fabric Per Yard, from Windham Fabrics.
Let us break that name down slow.
First, it is cotton. Quilting cotton. The width of fabric is 44"/45".
Second, it is from the Aviva collection. It was made by Windham Fabrics by Whistler Studios.
Third, look at the print name. Bright Blossoms. Lilac.
Aviva blooms with life and elegance. It has airy watercolor textures. Lush bouquets. Delicate sprigs. And graceful foliage.
The palette is soft pinks and lilacs. Sunshine yellows. And rich sangria. The tags call out pink and purple, floral and flowers, and multi color.
So picture a blooming garden at golden hour. Timeless. Joyful. Full of grace. That is this fabric, y'all.
Today we are making it into something small and loved. A baby quilt.
And if I can do this, y'all can do it.
Why a baby quilt suits this fabric
A baby quilt is a small quilt. It gets draped, tucked, and laid on the floor for tummy time.
Ours will finish at about 36 by 48 inches. That is a good crib and stroller size. Not too big. Not too small.
Here is why this fabric suits it so well. The blossoms are the show.
If you cut them too tiny, you lose the bouquet. So we will cut big squares. The flowers stay whole. The watercolor texture stays soft.
The lilac ground is gentle for a nursery. But those pinks, yellows, and sangria notes keep it cheerful.
You have options, too. Use this print for every square for a bold garden look. Or mix half print squares with half soft solid squares to calm it down. I like the mixed way. It gives your eye a place to rest.
Completely up to you.
Materials list
- 1 1/4 yards of this Aviva Bright Blossoms Lilac cotton — that covers sixteen 9.5-inch squares for a 36 by 48 inch top, with room to fussy cut your favorite bouquets
- Optional: 3/4 yard of a soft coordinating solid if you want to alternate print and solid squares
- 1 1/2 yards of backing fabric, cut a few inches larger than the top
- Batting cut 40 by 52 inches
- 1/2 yard for binding, cut into 2.5-inch strips — you need about 180 inches of binding
- Thread to blend with the lilac, and a fresh 80/12 needle, set to about 2.5 mm stitch length for piecing
- Rotary cutter, ruler, pins or clips, and a hot iron
Brief steps
Step 1: Cut big and choose your blooms. Press well. Cut your 9.5-inch squares slow. Turn a square a little if a bouquet sits prettier that way.
Step 2: Lay it out. Arrange four squares across and four down. Step back. Move any squares that feel too close in color. Take a quick photo. Your phone will show you the balance.
Step 3: Sew the rows. Sew squares into rows with a quarter-inch seam. Press seams in opposite directions from row to row. Then sew the rows together. Just like that, your top is done.
Step 4: Layer and baste. Backing face down, batting in the middle, top face up. Smooth from the center out. Pin or spray baste every 4 to 6 inches.
Step 5: Quilt it soft. Start in the center. Stitch in the ditch along the big seams is a sweet, simple choice. Or echo a soft curve around a few blossoms. Or meander freehand all over. Completely up to you. Slow down near the edges or the layers like to shift.
Step 6: Bind it. Square the quilt first. Then add your 2.5-inch binding. Turn it and finish by hand or machine.
Super duper cute.
Practical tips from my table
Test your quilting on a small scrap sandwich first. Same fabric, same batting. Check the tension on the back. Two minutes now saves real time later.
Here is my honest mistake to save you one. I once cut every square fast, without looking at the print. Half my best bouquets landed right on a seam line. Now I fussy cut the hero squares. Lesson learned.
And please hear me on this one. It does not have to be perfect.
You are your own worst critic. A baby will not check your corners. A family will see a soft quilt made with love, in pretty lilac blossoms.
Take your time. It is not a race. We're not reinventing the wheel here.
Alrighty. Thank you so much for sewing along with me today. We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the Aviva Bright Blossoms Lilac Cotton 44"/45" Fabric Per Yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
