Thursday 25 August 2011

Quilting help

I can't remember if I told you all or not, but I'm going to be an aunty!  Technically, I already am as Mr CA's sister has 2 kids, but this is my brother's first baby and I'm really excited!  They're 14 weeks along and will find out the sex in about 6 weeks time.  I'm dying to know the sex and the nursery colour scheme so I can get sewing and crocheting and making ready for the baby.  

I'm going to make a baby quilt.  As quilts aren't used for babies in this country it will be more of a playmat so I don't think it matters whether it fits in with the nursery or not.  I could wait to find out the sex, then choose the fabric, but no, I've chosen and ordered it already!  I'm going with Sunkissed by Sweetwater for Moda.



See the full range here.  Clearly, I wont be using the pinks.  Now I need to choose a pattern and I really can't decide.  I don't want to go for just charm squares, I want something a little more challenging, but not too challenging!  I've taken some examples from my bookmarks to show you.  You have to try to imagine these quilts in the Sunkissed pallette, not how they're shown.  I'd really appreciate some help in choosing a quilt and I know a lot of you have loads of quilting experience, so, please tell me - which of the quilts do you like?  Are any of them too hard for me?  Will any of them look wrong in the fabric? 

If you've seen pictures/tutorials of any baby quilts around that you think I might like, please add a link in my comments, it can be your own quilt or someone elses, I just want to see the possibilities!



This is the Snuggly Squares Baby quilt by Melissa at Happy Quilting.  There's a tutorial on Moda Bake Shop. )





This is the Zig zag Quilt by Crazy Mom Quilts, including a tutorial.



This is Garden fence at Hyacinth Quilt Designs.



The design for this one is Flower Show, the beautiful quilt was made by Libby at Handwash Only



And finally this is Lemon Bars on All People Quilt, designed by Cori Derksen and Myra Harder of Blue Meadow Designs.

So my lovely readers, please, please leave a comment to help me or to add more designs to the mix, even if you've never commented before, I'd love it if you would speak up now!  Remember, this is my first quilt so I want to make the right decision! 

13 comments:

Chrissy said...

Oh, Fransson has just released a free baby quilt pattern that looks quite straight forward, that is based on charms, but also has instructions for other fabric options. It's posted here. http://www.ohfransson.com/oh_fransson/2011/08/charm-squares-baby-quilts-new-classes-and-updated-pattern.html

Libby said...

I think any of those would make a great baby quilt. and I sure do love Sunkissed!
The quilt that I made was super quick and easy but I dont know, I have always wanted to make that zig zag quilt too!
Good Luck! Whichever you choose will be beautiful!
Libby

pausina said...

Among this I like the most "Hyacinth Quilt Designs"!
I think it's what you are looking for ...... challenging but not too much! And I think it can turn out really good with sunkissed!
Happy stitching!

Candace said...

I love Sweetwater fabric for hexagon based quilts. The prints are tight and small enough for you to still capture the essence of the fabric in a little hexagon.

Here are some gifts that I have done that weren't hexagons:
http://southerngirlquilts.blogspot.com/2010/11/baby-gift-fleur-de-lis-crib-quilt.html & http://southerngirlquilts.blogspot.com/2010/06/baby-gift-knots.html (Lover's Knot Square - I can walk you through this block if you need help)
http://southerngirlquilts.blogspot.com/2011/02/wedding-quilt-kerrs.html
http://southerngirlquilts.blogspot.com/2010/12/wedding-quilt-fraysures.html (this one was great and made from nothing but charm squares)

Sarah said...

I like the garden fence the best. but it looks like a lot of work. Have you seen the criss-cross quilt by MOM? I think that one is fun for a play quilt. http://madeonmaple.blogspot.com/2011/05/baby-quilt-tutorial.html

Good Luck!

Joysze said...

Wow, those are some beautiful quilts. Can't wait to see yours and congrats on the baby, Auntie. :D

Fiona said...

Congratulations... there are so many wonderful ideas you will want to make hundreds of baby quilts... I have a new grandbaby due and I am planning a coin quilt made with charm squares ... I like both of these ...
http://www.modabakeshop.com/2009/02/stacked-coins-baby-quilt.html
and
http://www.psiquilt.com/2010/07/oh-baby.html
Good luck with the decision making...
Hugz

Nancy Lee said...

Congratulations!
Babies don't get quilts in England?
I made one for both my kids, but I cheated and used a pre-printed panel. I stitched around the design to quilt it. It was low tech, cheap and cheerful.
The next one I did combined embroidered nursery rhyme blocks and simple sashing. I am not a a serious quilter.
I like the strips alternating with solids. For one thing, it looks easy and for another thing, it looks easy.
Babies do a lot of spitting up, and horrid other things, so I'd go for simple and highly washable.
:-)

Allie said...

Well congratulations! Ok - I like the second from the bottom best. And I'll tell you why. I think it would look great in your fabric choice, and since this is your first quilt, it wouldn't be too hard. If you start with something a little easier, you won't get so frustrated that you give up quilting forever. However, I do think you'd need a strong contrast color, for where she used the black.

My favorite quilt to make for babies is a Disappearing 9-Patch - it's fast, easy and looks great in any fabrics. It's my go-to pattern.

Nicky said...

You've got some great quilts shortlisted there...... I really love the Garden Fence one, the top one with the baby sleeping is also cute. I agree with Allie also about the Disappearing 9-patch, it's so quick and easy for a first quilt. Good luck!

The Dotty One said...

I really like the zig zag one. I've been thinking about making it myself but I'm a bit scared it will be too difficult!
Have you seen the mini quilts series on the purl bee website: http://www.purlbee.com/the-purl-bee/category/mini-quilts
Obviously not all of them would fit with the fabric you have ordered but the flying geese or masking tape ones could be good.
Let us know what you decide!

Sandra :) said...

Congratulations to your family - it's a lot of fun being an auntie! That fabric line is gorgeous - it'll work well with whatever design you choose. My favourite of the quilts you posted is the first one :) In general, I prefer simple quilts - strips or strings or scraps - one patch designs like a windmill or whirlygig - informal and happy. Have fun - I'm sure your brother + wife/SO will love whatever Auntie Wendy makes the new babe!

Sara said...

An aunty! It is so much fun. And what a lucky baby to have a such a crafty aunty. Wishing you a happy weekend.