Ruffle Trimmed Faux Patchwork Baby Blanket Tutorial

I made this sweet little blanket for our November Project and it was such a simple sew that turned out so pretty, I wanted to share with you in case you'd like to give it a try. This is a smaller blanket to accommodate the smaller sizes requested by our NICU. You can use the same method for any size you would like to make though. 

I've used the Hello Tokyo patchwork print I purchased from Contemporary Cloth Inc. 

Simply measure 1 yard of fabric and cut in half the full length. 

Now, with my patchwork print pinned to a layer of batting, I began stitching across the patchwork squares to create a quilting effect. You can also stitch length wise to give it a real patchwork feel. I was going to wait and do this step at the end to incorporate the backing fabric into the quilting, but it wanted to bunch up since the borders were already complete, so I left it off.

To make your ruffle trim, I measured 4" x WOF (width of fabric) strips. For the size of blanket I was making, I needed 4 strips. Sew the short ends together to create one long strip. Iron seams open. Then, fold & iron the strip in half with wrong sides together. Now you are ready to ruffle your strip using your ruffling foot or favorite ruffling method, find my favorite HERE.  

Pin your ruffle evenly around the outer edge of your blanket matching up raw edges. Carefully round the ruffle at the corners if you would like your finished blanket to have rounded corners. Stitch or baste ruffle in place.

With right sides of patchwork fabric and backing fabric together, pin your backing in place. Stitch all the way around your blanket, leaving a 6-8" opening at the bottom edge for turning. Trim your seams, especially at the corners and turn your blanket right side out. I have used a soft, coordinating flannel print for the back of mine. 

Neatly push out the edge to make sure all is even. Pin the opening closed. Top-stitch around the entire edge of your blanket being sure to stitch closed the opening left for turning. 

There you have it! A precious little "Ruffle Trimmed Faux Patchwork Baby Blanket" perfect for gift giving or donation!  

 My finished blanket is approximately 24" x 38.5"

If you give it a try, I'd love to see! 

Baby Quilt Tutorial from Sew BitterSweet Designs!

Today, my friend Melissa from Sew BitterSweet Designs has a tutorial to help you make a quick & simple baby quilt using a panel.

Drop by her blog HERE for all the details!

We'd love to have you use this or any of your favorite sewing/quilting tutorials to join us in our giving efforts this month. Find out all about our November Project HERE!

GIVEAWAY! WinchesterLambourne Clip Art Bundle!!!

This is going to be FUN!!!!

You may remember a few months ago when I shared some new sewing labels I had received from Ananemone Labels. She had made some of the sweetest, personalized sew-in labels for me using a darling vintage sewing machine image. The images were designed by WinchesterLambourne and today, I have a very fun giveaway for you from them!

WinchesterLambourne provides unique and playful clip-arts, digital papers for scrap-booking and custom graphics that can be used for your shop/blog banners, business cards, labels, stickers, stationary, party supplies and MORE! There is truly something for everyone!

The images can be used for personal & commercial use, meaning you can make items for sale using the images, like the labels above, but you of course can't sell or share the images themselves.  

Her shop is bursting with possibilities for every occassion!

I personally have many favorites that are sure to be showing up around here, but her sewing theme set is a for sure at the top of my list! 

WinchesterLambourne is offering 1 lucky reader their choice of 10 Clipart Packs! That's a regular retail value of about $40!!!

This giveaway is open to all eligible, so if you'd like to enter, simply follow the Rafflecopter prompts below. Winner will be announced and emailed 11/25/13 and expected to respond within 48 hours or an alternate winner may be selected. Prize will be emailed to winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you for this wonderful opportunity and creative designs to work with WinchesterLambourne!

Have fun looking through all of the clip-art possibilities in the WinchesterLambourne shop and GOOD LUCK! 

Mid-Month Reminder!

Not sure if it's the time of year making things move even faster or what, but we are ALREADY at the mid-way point for our November Project!!!!

Several beautiful donations added to our Project Album and more on their way! :)

Would love to have you join our efforts! Find out more HERE.

Let's Talk Textiles - Understanding Batting

  Kim from Fabric Outlet is back today for our "Let's Talk Textiles" series with some great information about batting options. 

    In my shop we sell a variety of batting choices and our customers very often do not know the difference until they see and touch it.  You also might not know which one would be best for your project so here are a few suggestions!

   If you are making a large quilt for your king size bed you should use a needle punched batting. This type of batting is very easy to work with  because the fibers that hold it together also help it from being slippery.  They come in some choices, there is the all cotton or mostly cotton type, the best known brand is Warm and Natural. The only drawback to this type is that it is so dense it is hard to stitch through.  There are blends, such as Hobbs 80/20, an 80% cotton and 20% polyester mix.  These usually look and feel very much like an all cotton batting but are lighter and therefore easier to stitch through.  And then there are all polyester types in different lofts, or thicknesses (or puffiness, if you will).  If your doing a baby blanket or a puffy pattern type quilt you might opt for this type.  Warning, it is slippery to work with but a little more forgiving then needle punched types if your quilt gets a little skewed.  

  Now, for the quilting "purists" there are some other options, such as bamboo or silk but that is very pricy!  

R to L - Warm & Natural Cotton Needle Punched, Medium Loft Polyester, 80/20 Blend

  Unless a baby has a known allergy or Mom is a naturalist, the polyester medium or high loft is a good choice for a baby comforter.  For a blanket type quilt you should stick to a needle punched type and personally I would suggest an 80/20 mix.  Its easiest to work with and will create maximum warmth for the baby.

In support of our November Project, Kim is offering a special on Pre-Cut Crib Size (36x45) batting in the Hobbs 80/20 for $6.75 or Medium Loft Poly for $4.75 plus shipping. She also has lots of great baby quilt panels and quality quilting cottons. Simply message her with your order or any questions.

Find Fabric Outlet and all of Kim's great selection and prices HERE! 

Thanks Kim!
You can search "Let's Talk Textiles" in the sidebar for other textile learning opportunities from Kim! 

Baby Girl Gift Set with Babyville Boutique!

 I had so much fun creating these sweet "Cowgirl" sets to be delivered as part of our November Project donations! They are super cute and simple to make, so I thought I'd share a tutorial for those of you that might like to give it a try. Ready? 

I've started with some of the adorable new Babyville Boutique Ruffle Elastic and Ribbons.

 If you are making these for your own child, you will want to start by measuring her head, otherwise, a quick google search for "baby headband measurements" will provide some averages for you to work from. Once you've determined your size, cut the Ruffle Elastic accordingly and sew the cut ends together to create your headband. 

Next, you will make your bows. For mine I have used THIS TUTORIAL and made 2 bows for layering.

  

 Once your bows are secured together, cut an extra piece of the Ruffle Elastic 3-5" in length, and use this to tie the bow to the headband, covering the stitching. 

Now you are all set! Quick & easy huh? And fun to make! Find a little model to show off your creation and enjoy making another. :)

 Here's the second headband I made following the same instructions above. 

 Using some of the remaining ribbon and Ruffle Elastic, I also made a sweet security blankie to complete my donation sets. 

I rolled the little blankies and used the stretchy headbands to wrap around them. I hope the little Cowgirl Princesses that receive these, and their parents, love them! :) 

Find out how you can join in and be part of our November Project, "Baby Love" HERE!

*****BONUS!!!!*****
Babyville Boutique is providing you with the chance to win your own surprise bundle of  their new ribbons and Ruffle Elastic so you can make your own adorable headbands! Simply follow the Rafflecopter prompts below to enter! (Open to US entrants)

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Winner announced and emailed 11/15/13 and provided 48 hours to respond and claim prize or alternate winner may be selected. Thanks!

See the great selection of Babyville Boutique elastics & ribbons at BabyvilleBoutique.com !
Thank you Babyville Boutique and good luck to you all!

Quilt Panel GIVEAWAY for November Project!

Melissa & I have teamed up to offer those of you interested in sewing along this month a special giveaway! We each have a quilt panel that would be perfect to make a quick baby quilt with this month, and we'd like to send them to 2 of you! :) 

Fabric Outlet provided me with several panels to use for our project this month, and this is one of them. Isn't it darling!?!?!
Thank you Fabric Outlet!

If you'd be interested in sewing up one of these sweet panels for a donation to our November Project, then follow the Rafflecopter prompts below to enter. US shipping only please due to the time limits of our project. Thanks!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winners will be announced this FRIDAY, November 15, 2013. Please respond within 48 hours so we can get the panels on their way to you, with time enough left to sew them! :)

Get all the details about our November Project HERE! 

Oh!! And stay tuned! Melissa will be sharing a quilting tutorial later this week using a panel!