Wish Upon a Quilt Blog

My brother and sister-in-law just had a new baby this month. I don’t know why I’ve waited this long to work on a baby quilt. I had nine months but they just flew by.  My niece had to be born to throw me into high gear making a baby quilt. I love making quick and easy baby quilts. This project only took me a weekend but it came out adorable. I used a Tina Givens Fairy Tip Toes panel and a minky like fleece for the back. I try to use minky on baby quilts as a ploy to make it the baby’s favorite. Many young children are attracted to the tactile softness of the fabric.

I often use the pillowcase turning method of sandwiching my baby quilts since they are small and I don’t usually feel like messing with binding on such time pressured projects. (They have to be done before the baby is no longer a baby! ) In this case I pinned my panel to the fleece and stitched a 1/4 inch seam around and left a 10 inch opening for turning on the bottom side. I then used my pinking blade on my rotary cutter and eye balled a 1/2 inch seam on the minky. The fuzzy plushness of the fabric makes it difficult to tell if you have gotten it in a 1/4 inch seam so I cut it a little larger to make it easier to stitch the seam closed later.

 I also added 3 inch strips of various ribbons to the sides of the quilt. I folded them in half and pinned them in place before stitching those seams. I thought it would give the final quilt a boutique look and add another tactile stimulus to the quilt. I then turned the quilt inside out and stitched a 1/4 inch around the edge of the quilt; making sure I sealed the 10 inch opening in the bottom.  I pin basted and quilted it.(Click on the pictures in the gallery below for more detailed instructions on the project and descriptions.)

 Baby quilts are a great way to practice machine quilting on your home machine. Their size is manageable and they are meant to be serviceable – so mistakes and irregularities in stitches can be over looked. You don’t have to present your best work for a quilt that is meant to be dragged in the mud and cuddled till it’s thread bare.

I’ve found that the fleece and minky scraps from this project make great burpee clothes for the baby too.  They look boutiquee, feel lovely, and coordinate with the quilt!  Mom (or Dad) and baby can step out in style with quilt and a handful of coordinating upscale burp clothes! (Warning, I have a hard time putting these burp clothes down because the minky is so soft and they are guaranteed to get passed around the baby shower because others find it irresistible too. )

Wish has just gotten some cute minky quilt kits in. They each have three different minky soft fabrics. They have a suggestion on how to assemble the materials into a quilt. But you could make several burp clothes out of them or even make a blanket with coordinating burp clothes if you add some adorable quilting cottons into the mix. The OH Boy fabric line by David Walker would pair nicely with the kits for a boy and Lilly Pond by Wendy Slotbloom for a girl. Wish has so many cute fabrics for kids! Be sure to check them out and tell us what you think the cutest baby fabric is.

You can get more great gift ideas from Alex Anderson’s Baby Quilts with Love book and Warm Welcome by Mary Hickey.

Thanks for all of the great comments on our holiday quilts, we appreciate the feedback!

Drum roll please…..the winning quilt is…..FIGGY PUDDING by Moda pieced by Holly Cox, quilting by Three Bears Quilting.

And the winning entry is #89, Larinda from Tampa Bay. Larinda’s choice was the Sizzlin Sixties Table Topper, so she will receive a 1/2 yard cut of Majestic Yule.

I stopped by Wish last Saturday during the special Christmas event. It was lots of fun. There were yummy treats to eat, raffles, lots of pretty new quilts hanging, and lots of fabric bolts flying! Thanks to all of our great customers for making it such a special event and thanks to the staff for being such good sports and adding to the fun! (here’s a blog tip- if you click on the pictures in the gallery you will be taken to a larger view with the detailed description/caption. You can cycle through the whole gallery this way. It’s a great way to see up close and get more information about the project or picture – try it!)

Don’t forget to vote in our viewer’s choice contest…we will be drawing a winner from all of the comments on Monday, July 20th. Have you started any Christmas projects yet?

We had a such a great time last Saturday at our first Christmas in July event. Thank you so much for your overwhelming support of our event. We appreciate it very much!

 Santa has delivered some great fabric and the Wish staff did a fabulous job on finishing their holiday quilts before the event!  To continue the fun, we would like to know which quilt is your favorite? Post a comment to let us know and we will draw a winner for a 1/2 yard of fabric from your favorite quilt on Monday, July 20th. The Wish employee that made the winning quilt will get a special gift from me as well as bragging rights until next year’s event. 

If you missed our event, we have a special candy cane coupon for you in the shop for the remainder of this week. Stop by and see these beautiful quilts in person and don’t forget your candy cane

First up, two great wallhangings using the Crazy8 by Sandy Gervais for Moda collection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Nancy Halvorsen’s I Believe in Santa collection, three beautiful projects:

Nancy Kennedy’s quilt on the left used the Shadow Box pattern by Mountain Peek Creations. Cindy Massey used Nancy Halvorsen’s book I Believe to create this great Christmas card holder. One of our customers, Grace Lents, loaned us her quilt for the day from the Believing Tree book.

Looking for a quick project? Kris Harris sewed up these stockings and little bag that are perfect for secret pal gifts, gift toppers or hanging on the tree!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hollie used Moda’s Figgy Pudding by Basic Grey to create this quilt. FREE Pattern here. This beautiful quilt was quilted by Three Bears Quilting.

Oooohh…our Quilt Market purchases are starting to arrive. Picnic Parade by Jenean Morrison is a new group from Free Spirit. These summer colors make me happy! Take a look at Jenean’s blog for some great ideas for children’s clothing using this collection. I also like these fun purses. 

Of course, this collection is great for quilting also and here is a FREE pattern to get you going. Leave a comment and tell us what is on your design wall. Happy Summer! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Look at these great quilts our customers have made! So inspiring!

We would love to see what you are making! Stop in or send us an email.

It’s time to bring June’s finished blocks in to collect July’s sizzlin hot, sparkly pinwheel block. The perfect block for July! You have until the 10th to collect your kits. After the 10th there will be a small late fee.

Please feel free to call or email if you have questions.

Here’s the video demonstration for this month.julybom-demo