| Making a baby clothes quilt is such a wonderful way | | | | seams open. |
| of preserving those cute baby clothes that were a | | | | Quilting Your Baby Memory Blanket |
| gift from special friends or family members or even | | | | Applique: Adding a name to this baby clothes quilt can |
| something really special you bought for your new | | | | be done at this time by appliqueing the letters |
| baby. Most of these clothes haven't really been worn | | | | directly on top of the clothing or appliqueing the |
| out as they are used for such a short time. Put some | | | | name on a strip of material and then sewing the strip |
| thought into it ahead of time by taking some pictures | | | | between your rows. |
| of your baby in some of the outfits you will be using | | | | Squaring the quilt: After the pieces have been sewn |
| in the baby clothes quilt and using the pictures to | | | | together take a couple of measurements on the |
| incorporate into the quilt or on the label that you | | | | upper half and lower half of your quilt. They should |
| might want to attach to this keepsake. | | | | be the same. Also take a couple of measurements |
| Planning Your Baby Memory Blanket | | | | the other direction. If they are the same you should |
| Clothes to use: Start with clean items. Besides the | | | | have an evenly proportioned quilt. |
| baby clothes you can use bibs, caps, socks, | | | | Quilting your blanket: Place your quilt top on your |
| Halloween costumes, blankets, linens, special curtains | | | | backing trying to make sure that the seam (that you |
| and nursery items. | | | | ironed open) are laying open on your backing. Place |
| Quilt Sizes: Decide how large of a baby clothes quilt | | | | safety pins about 6 inches apart all over the quilt. |
| you would like. It can be as small or large as you | | | | Then quilt by either the tying or machine quilting |
| would like. | | | | method. This will keep your quilt top and quilt backing |
| - 28"x 28" quilt will take about 20 articles of clothing | | | | together. |
| - 36"x 36" quilt will take about 30 articles of clothing | | | | Embellishments: Now is the time to add some of the |
| - 50"x 60" quilt will take about 50 articles of clothing | | | | special items like hats, socks and bibs. Either attach |
| - Twin size quilt will take about 70 articles of clothing | | | | them by hand or machine stitching them on. |
| Quilt Backing: When you have gathered the articles | | | | Edging: Decide how much of an edge you would like |
| that you would like in the quilt, lay them out and you | | | | around the quilt. For flannel trim the backing to |
| should be able to see a prominent or favorite color | | | | 2inches from the quilt edge to be folded over twice |
| that can be used for the backing of the quilt. I would | | | | making a 1inch finished edging. For fleece trim the |
| suggest either fleece or flannel. Add an additional 3" | | | | backing to about 1.25 inches from the quilt edge to |
| onto your figure for each side to make sure that you | | | | be folded over into a 1inch finished edge. Fold the |
| will have enough fabric to turn over for the edging. If | | | | sides of your edging over first and sew it down with |
| you will be using a separate edging you could get by | | | | a straight stitch or use a decorative stitch. Next fold |
| with less. (Fleece comes in a 60" width, flannel 44" | | | | the top and bottom edges over making sure your |
| width) | | | | corners are squared off. Then sew these edges |
| Cutting the clothing: Most of the articles should be | | | | down. Another way this could be done is to cut off |
| ironed (without stretching it) to get an accurate cut. | | | | your backing even with the top of your quilt edge. |
| First take a scissor and cut out as much of the flat | | | | Using this method, you can sew on a separate |
| area of the article that you want to use on the quilt. | | | | edging such as satin blanket edging. These are |
| Next lay this piece of material on your cutting board | | | | especially nice to use on baby clothes blankets that |
| and cut out a square or rectangular piece. Then sort | | | | are 40"x 40" or small as that is the amount of satin |
| these pieces into same sized piles. Sew these similar | | | | edging that comes in a package. |
| sized pieces into a horizontal row (as wide as your | | | | Quilt label: A quilt label can have important information |
| quilt will be). Next put this row on your cutting board | | | | related to why and when (date) this baby clothes |
| and trim the top and bottom edge so they are | | | | quilt was made. Labels can be different shapes such |
| straight. Iron the seams open. | | | | as a heart, square or oval. Include a picture of the |
| Lay out of the quilt: Lay the quilt backing out on a | | | | infant possibly wearing one of the outfits that are on |
| flat surface (such as a bed) and then place the rows | | | | the quilt. Choose a spot on the backside of the quilt |
| sewn together on top of it. This way you can visually | | | | to put your label. Hand or machine stitch it to the |
| see how long to make your rows and also see how | | | | quilt. |
| you would like to arrange these rows. After you | | | | Enjoy: You know there will be a smile on the face of |
| have decided - sew these rows together. Iron the | | | | the recipient of this baby clothes quilt keepsake! |