FINE! Back to sewing (read the comment from topher clark on my last entry):

So, now the rush is on to finish unfinished baby quilts. My sister has given birth to her fifth baby (and the last quilt she's getting!) My sister-in-law is due a month before me. And I've got to do something really spectacular for the boy!

At least Margaret's quilt is close to completion. This is the layout for the quilt top.


I chose thirties prints because, well, her name is Margaret, after my maternal grandmother. I wanted something bright and cheery. The nine patch looks a little more sophisticated with the black center squares. The binding will also be black and look sharp (I hope). I'll post pics when done.

I have sewed it together, but have to mark and quilt it still. I think I"ll quilt this one myself by machine. I have handquilted 4 out of the 9 baby quilts I've made, but I just don't have time now. Also, and I hate to admit it, if you want the children to use the quilt, machine quilting holds up much better than hand quilting! There have been times when I've snuggled with my oldest, whose quilt I hand quilted, and I've heard a few stitches "pop" as we've shifted beneath the covers. Ouch!

Some things I've learned from making baby quilts:
1. If you commit to make one for the first baby in your family, plan on keeping up the tradition, even if you siblings KEEP HAVING BABIES!
2. Use quality materials-quilt shop quality fabric won't fade over the years, Walmart and most Joann's fabric will.
3. Use traditional patterns-too trendy will look dated after a few years.
4. Keep it simple-try a complicated pattern for your own kids-you won't want to give it away if you've spend a zillion hours on it!
5. Take a picture with the baby and the quilt-'cause it's cute! Addendum: Try to make it while they're still a baby-2 yrs old and under counts!
6. Make a quilt label. I write the baby's birthday, my name, and the title of the quilt (I name them).

OR, just buy one of those really cute minkie dot blankets with a satin backing and binding because that's all the kid will sleep with anyway, even if you spend a ton of time trying to make a memorable quilt for them (but I'm not bitter!)

Happy Sewing!