How to Make a Baby Quilt

Making a homemade quilt for a baby is a keepsake for many years to come. It makes a beautiful gift for any baby. The baby quilt can be special made or ordered.

Okay, decide what fabric to use for the front and back of the baby quilt. Use another material for the banding or edge of the quilt. It is best to choose something that matches the other materials for the edge. The measurements of the homemade baby quilt, without the border should be 45 inches by 60 inches. Now, the top cloth will need be cut into 5-inch squares then placed together to make the baby quilt. The homemade baby quilt will look much better if placed together in different patterns. It will take 9 squares for the 45-inch side and 12 squares for the 60-inch side. Cut the border into 4 1/2 inch strips for the width and length. Fold the banding evenly; iron the good sides outward on the fold, ironing the crease in good. It will take four strips total for the border.

Now, these are the other items needed to make a baby quilt, straight pins, needle, thread, filling, edging cloth, and a sewing machine. Stitch the squares together with a sewing machine or by hand. Use the same material for the bottom unless you decide something different. If using the same cloth for the bottom, cut it into squares. If using a different fabric, cut in squares or keep complete for the bottom.

Next, place the squares in the pattern that you want, stack in a pile. Use a stickpin to hold them together. Continue to do this until you have nine stacks pinned together. Now start sewing the squares, one square together at the end or side depending on which way it is going. Be sure to turn the good sides to meet each other. Do this along the width or length using the needle/ thread or machine. Continue the same sewing method until the strip is finished. After placing one square together with all nine or twelve squares attached, sew each strip together. Then iron the edges of the squares down as you sew that strip.

Then, attach the back together. If choosing a whole piece of fabric, it will only need to be place on the back. If squares are cut, they need to be attached together just as the front side. When both front and back are finished lying flat on a table, then place the filling down evenly on the backside. Then lay the other piece on top of the filling. Use straight pins at the corner of the squares. Next, using a needle and thread, tack the front, filling, and back together. Place the stitch on the corner of the squares, do this every other square. As the fabric is tacked, removing the pins as you go. Tack stitch all the way through the baby quilt.

After sewing the homemade baby quilt together with the banding ironed, open it to place along the edge of the quilt. Be sure the border's crease is firmly against the edge of the quilt. Then turn raw edge of banding under 1/8 inch, now pin to secure. Make sure the edging meets on both sides, when pinning it altogether. Now it is time to attach it. Again, do this by hand or machine, if using the machine be sure to sew slowly so that there is a straight stitch. After the sewing and ironing down is completed the baby quilt is finished.