• 11 Baby Quilt Patterns to Celebrate a New Arrival

    Posted by Cathy Cooper

    11 Baby Quilt Patterns to Celebrate a New Arrival

    A baby quilt is an ideal gift for your own new arrival or someone else’s—after all, it can become a beloved heirloom that stays in the family for generations.

    Baby quilt patterns have particular appeal for new quilters or those wishing to learn a new technique; their small size lets you experiment more freely. (And finish more quickly!)

    If you’re looking to welcome a new baby, have a look at these delightful baby quilt patterns. We’ve tried to include a variety of techniques on this list, for all skill levels, so you’re sure to find something you’ll enjoy making and giving.

     

    A note about safety

    Baby quilts make an ideal addition to any nursery, but you’ll want to avoid certain techniques.

    It can’t be said enough, for example, that you should stay away from beads, buttons and other small embellishments; the risk of them coming loose and creating a choking hazard means they’re not appropriate for a baby quilt.

    Don’t forget, either, to make sure all seams are secure, and that the finished quilt doesn’t have loose strands of thread that could become entangled in hair or wrapped around little fingers or toes.

     

    Pinwheel quilt

    With lively colours on a fresh, white-on-white background, this free baby quilt pattern is ideal for any new arrival. This charming take on the traditional pinwheel pattern uses traditional piecing methods and has a border or dimensional prairie points for added interest. Simple triangle blocks and straightforward assembly make this pattern a good challenge for an intermediate quilter.

     

    Colourful striped ombre quilt

    This might be the easiest pattern on our list; simple strips of colour are easily assembled and quilted, but the end result looks anything but speedy. Use the rainbow colour scheme shown here, or choose your own to create a customized piece for the nursery.

     

    Baby bright

    You’ll take one look at the vibrant colours and patterns that make up this delightful piece and fall in love. But infants and toddlers will adore checking out the lively patterns, too. We love this cleverly constructed piece, which combines simple piecing with applique and is ideal for beginners.

     

    Modern confetti quilt

    More contemporary than most, this stunning piece makes an amazing impression, but is surprisingly easy to make. Simple shapes and easy applique construction will help you make the most of your fabric selections and to match virtually any colour scheme.

     

    Oversized chevron baby quilt

    Big bold swaths of colour add up to style and ease. This delightfully fresh quilt allows you to create an elegant and appealing gift with enduring appeal.

     

    Simple, elegant squares baby quilt

    This fast and easy design packs a big punch, and is an ideal way to showcase some of your favourite fabrics. Simple strip piecing and basic shapes allow you to whip this piece up in a hurry; it is ideal for a handmade but last-minute baby shower gift.

     

    Embellished baby quilt

    Big, bold three dimensional flowers appeal to baby’s senses—and are fast and easy to add to this charming quilt. Showcase printed fabrics and try a few new techniques when you complete this fast and easy baby quilt pattern.

     

    Super-fast scrappy top

    It only looks like it takes forever! This “one-hour baby quilt” assembles in a hurry using strip piecing techniques; once the top is complete, simply layer your batting and backing, then stitch in the ditch to finish.

     

    Monogrammed baby quilt

    Welcome baby by name with this attention grabbing, but surprisingly easy pattern. Simple applique techniques allow you to work this up quickly but still add a personal touch.  

     

    Sweet log cabin

    Log cabin blocks are fast and easy to make—and they’re addictive, too! Whether you choose the colours shown here or come up with your own unique spin on the log cabin baby quilt, this classic is sure to please.

     

    Puffy baby quilt               

    This fun technique is as easy to get hooked on as it is easy to complete. The puffy blocks are fun to make and assemble, but yield a stunning finished result. Combine your favourite fabrics or colour schemes and this innovative block technique to come up with a fresh and lively piece baby will love.  

     

    Grandmother’s flower garden

    Don’t let the name fool you—the flowers here are hexagons and can be used for boys or girls! This piece uses traditional English paper piecing for the hexagons, and since these components are created first and then assembled, you can take them along wherever you go. If you haven’t tried paper piecing before, then a baby quilt is a great place to begin with this fascinating and time-honored technique.

     

    With all these baby quilt patterns, where will you start?

    The fabrics you choose for your piece make all the difference and allow you to create a stunning baby quilt that is totally yours. Fortunately Runaway Quilting has hundreds to choose from.

    Need quilting supplies or notions? You’re in the right place.

     

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  • From Chevron to Pinwheel: 9 Easy Quilt Patterns to Try

    Posted by Lukas Kowalewski

    9 Easy Quilt Patterns to Try

    Break out your betweens and grab your low-loft batting because you're going to love these deceptively easy quilt patterns.

    From a classic mid-century chevron motif to an artsy kaleidoscope design, they only look complicated. You won't believe how much fun you're going to have creating your family's next heirloom treasure.  

     

    Chevron

    There are as many methods for piecing a chevron motif as there are spare bobbins in your sewing box, but this easy quilt pattern for the classic chevron, found over at KelbySews, is a keeper.

    We love it because it shakes up the “usual” chevron construction and features a combination of large and small squares. Collect the prettiest fabrics you can find—and don’t forget to keep your iron handy to press open the seams—and you can easily create a visual masterpiece that echoes the vintage pop of the 1950s.

     

    Hunter's Star

    The Hunter's Star quilt block may look difficult, but we like it a lot it because it's really a simple 16-patch that utilizes two uncut blocks in each row. All other blocks are simple half-square triangles pieced together to form the design. You'll find an easy Hunter's Star pattern and tutorial by Janet Wickell, quilting expert, at About.com. One tip, though—not unlike the chevron design, the Hunter's Star requires a little extra attention to detail to ensure all the points line up precisely.

     

    Kaleidoscope

    A relatively modern design, the Kaleidoscope quilt wasn’t seen much before the mid-60s. Why? The colours and designs of fabric required in specific amounts to create this motif wouldn't have been feasible in the early days of quilting. Unlike more traditional motifs that made good use of whatever fabrics the lady of the house happened to have on-hand, the kaleidoscope is an art quilt that evolved as quilting became more pastime and less necessity.  

    To make yours, see the Kaleidoscope Pattern by Janet Wickell available at About.com.

     

    Log Cabin

    A favourite for quilters of all skill levels, the Log Cabin may be the most versatile patch in our repertoire. We love it most because it's an easy quilt pattern for using up small strips and pieces. Then, we love it all over again for its versatility. 

    The Log Cabin can be arranged to form a variety of designs. Make a traditional block, like this one found over on QuiltSocial.com, or go wild with zany-coloured strips to form a diamond or zigzag quilt. A simple and easy quilt for sure, but still quite satisfying.  

     

    Attic Window

    An easy-to-handle technique for piecing the multi-dimensional Attic Window block can be found on Straw.com. One of our favourite easy quilt patterns when done correctly, the Attic Window forms a breathtaking optical illusion, yet it's deceptively simple to make.

    This block sometimes utilizes a single square of print fabric in the middle of each window pane—forming the view from the attic. When the quilt is complete, the illusion is striking.

     

    Rail Fence

    Easy enough for beginners, the Rail Fence pattern over on About.com gets done quickly when you use strip-piecing techniques to create your squares. Once pieced and cut to the appropriate sizes, blocks are simply placed in alternating vertical and horizontal positions to form a zigzag motif.

    We love the Rail Fence because it's super simple, and there are no pesky points to line up.

     

    Pinwheel

    Straw.com offers up a whole page of easy quilt patterns dedicated to the traditional Pinwheel, ranging in difficulty from easy cut-and-piece to designs that use paper-piecing. If you like the whimsical Pinwheel pattern, this link is a jackpot of fun and fabulous ideas.

    We love every variation on the classic Pinwheel, because each one creates dynamic movement and flow.

     

    Bear's Paw

    Using a combination of half-square blocks, uncut blocks and strips, the Bear's Paw makes a lively motif that adapts well to quilts of all sizes. Easy to cut and relatively easy to piece with minimal attention to point placement, the Bear's Paw pattern is big on tradition.

    We like it because it's a classic design. You'll like it because it's a cinch to construct—and it looks much more complicated when you’re done.

     

    Four-Patch

    No list of easy quilt patterns would be complete without the most basic one of all: the Four-Patch. Use uncut squares, half-triangle squares or a combination of the two to create an assortment of simple or complex designs that go together to make surprisingly intricate patterns.

    We love the Four-Patch block so much we couldn't leave it out.  We're sure you're going to love it too.

     

    Easy quilt patterns: because who needs the stress?

    When it's time to bust out the rotary cutter and rifle through all your favourite fat quarters, don’t forget these nine easy quilt patterns. Whether you’re impatient and want to get started in a hurry, or you’ve got a reason to quickly construct a beautiful quilt, these patters will help you whip up a work of textile art in record time.

     

    Ready to get started? Runaway Quilting has everything you need

    Need quilting supplies or notions to get started on your easy quilt patter? You’re in the right place.

     

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