Autumn Stars: Why Make Baby Quilts?

This week I finished making a cuddle quilt for my one-year-old nephew, and it turned out just as envisioned it would before I even sewed a stitch. As soon as I saw the package of Jolly Bars, I knew I wanted to make the Autumn Stars pattern and back it with a fluffy white fleece. (This was truly a “drop everything and make it” project!) Here it is, looking so soft and snuggly.

teddy bear wrapped in quilt

Rather than add batting to make a quilt sandwich, I chose a double-faced fleece backing that would provide loft and warmth without additional weight. To attach the backing, I stitched in the ditch along the edges of each rectangle. Then I rolled the backing toward the front of the blanket and stitched along the edge to form a fluffy binding. Now the blanket is bundled up and ready to deliver this weekend.

blanket roll

This was a fast finish — a great project to kick off 2019. If you’re looking for an easy baby or toddler quilt pattern, I recommend trying one of the patterns from The Jolly Bar Book.

Jolly Bar Book

Why Make a Baby Quilt?

In my last blog post, I explained one of the main reasons I choose to make quilts: It’s a mental vacation! Here are a few more reasons why I like making crib-sized quilts, and hopefully you’ll want to make one too.

  • Making a quilt is a labor of love. Even a fast project like this one takes time that could be spent elsewhere. So, the most important reason to make a quilt is the desire to blanket someone with your love.
  • You can probably buy a quilt for less money than it costs to make a quilt from quality materials. However, when you make a quilt, you can customize it, choosing colors and prints that bring delight. I customized this quilt by choosing the special fluffy backing and binding.
  • New moms or grandmas often make a quilt as they anticipate a baby’s arrival. The process of making a quilt helps pass the time spent waiting for Baby with a creative, purposeful activity.
  • Newborns generally like to be swaddled in a blanket and cuddled, especially during chilly winter days and nights. Older babies often lie on a blanket to play.
  • A baby blanket is small, so it makes a great first quilt project. And a baby doesn’t care if seams don’t match or the quilting stitches are uneven. They simply feel the love of a person holding them or covering them to keep them warm.

If you feel inspired to make a quilt, but you aren’t anticipating a specific arrival, consider making a quilt and donating it to Jack’s Basket. Babies born with Down Syndrome receive a blanket or quilt and other helpful gifts to celebrate their arrival. These blankets are small, usually only 36-inches square. You can enjoy the process of making the quilt and blessing a newborn baby.

Joyfully,

Tracie

Today I’m linking up with Sandra at Musings of a Menopausal Melon and Patty’s One Monthly Goal Finish and with Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict. Check out the linkup party for lots of inspiration!