How to, easy quilt for family ?

Question

I want to make a quilt for my baby cousin. I really no experience of making quilts or sewing really. I really want it to be cute or handsome because my cousin is boy. I want it to look nice but it needs to be sort of simple because I am not that smart. So can any one give me advice on how to make a quilt or can any one give me a website that shows you how to make one. Also can you tell me what type to make. I really know nothing.

Answer 1

The easiest thing would be a pre-printed panel, with a couple of borders sewn to the edges if you wanted to personalize it a bit. If you'd like to try something a tiny bit more creative, you could do a strip quilt. You would cut strips of fabric and then sew them together side by side, sort of like this:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/187/46195...

You can buy pre-cut strips at many quilt shops and online, which would make it much easier. They're often called Jelly Rolls.

If you wanted to take it a step further, you could cut those strips into smaller segments and sew them together in columns, then add plain columns of fabric between, like this:

http://vickiwelsh.typepad.com/photos/unc...

This one started with charm squares, which are pre-cut squares of fabric. You can buy charm packs so you'd have a wide variety of fabrics without having to buy a lot of yardage. This style is called Chinese Coins, and here are some instructions:

http://www.quilterscache.com/C/ChineseCo...

When you finish your quilt top, you need to sandwich it together with batting and a backing fabric then fasten the layers together. You could sew straight lines on it with your sewing machine, or you could sew free motion patterns (probably beyond your skills right now, but something to consider in the future), or you could tie the layers together every few inches using yarn or embroidery floss. With the strip quilt, you could actually sew the layers together as you sew the strips together. It's called "quilt as you go" and here's a simple tutorial for it:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3036/2682...

Finally, you need to bind the quilt. Here's instructions for binding:

http://heatherbailey.typepad.com/photos/...

There are a lot of quilting resources out there - here's a list of links that you may find helpful:

http://piecemealquilts.wordpress.com/qui...

Answer 2

At a fabric store, or the fabric department of WalMart, you can buy a pre-printed "panel" of fabric.  It could have a teddy bear or a train or something cute on it.  Then buy another piece of fabric (the same size or larger) that looks good with your panel.  That's the backing.  Ask the clerk to help you purchase the right amount of batting and the right amount of quilt binding for the edging.  When you get home, cut the backing fabric to fit the front panel.  Then, cut the batting to fit them both.  Carefully put them together (right sides out so you can see them) and sew all the way around the edge.  Read the package of the quilt binding.  It should tell you how to put it on.  If it's hard to understand, read it aloud to yourself.  (That's what I do, anyway. It helps tons.)  If it doesn't have instructions, ask on here again or use Google to look up "instructions for using quilt binding."  That might be faster.  

Once it's done, take embroidery floss and a needle and sew through all the layers of the quilt and tie a pretty knot.  Do this in 10-12 places around the blanket.  Make sure all your knots are on tied the front of the quilt.  

Answer 3

I love to make baby quilts.  I have a site all about quilting.  I have several applique baby quilts as well as traditional quilt patterns.  You can make any pattern into a baby quilt by using the right fabric.  Take a look at my site for some ideas.  Also I would be very glad to help you if you get in touch with me at my site.  My site is http://www.appliquequiltdesigns.com

Answer 4

Printed panels are the easiest . Also  maybe a local quilt store for a class or 2 ;)))