The Cutest Baby Quilt Tutorial.....(Part1)

Happy Tuesday!!!  When Melissa and I started talking about doing tutorials I figured that I would just link to other really creative blogs.  I am so excited that I haven't had to do that yet.  This job has got my creative juices flowing!

I grew up in the west and went to college in Idaho and Utah.  Those are two of the craftiest states I have ever lived in!  One of my favorite baby gifts are blankets that have a crocheted border. Most of the quilt shops in Utah and Idaho sell them in kits.  The kit includes a burp cloth and a flannel blanket that has been hemstitched around.  All you have to do is is crochet around them.

I assumed that you could buy these anywhere, but when we moved to Iowa they were nowhere to be found.  I decided that there had to be a way that I could make them.  I figured it out and while I still stock up when I am out west, I make a lot of my own.  I am going to put a new spin on these.  They are usually made with two pieces of flannel hemstitched together.  I decided that I would make this kind of like a whole cloth quilt and instead of putting on a traditional binding I would crochet around it with chenille yarn.  Here is what you need.

2- one yard cuts of fabric. (you can make it bigger or smaller depending on what size you want to make.
1- piece of batting a little bit bigger than your fabric
coordinating thread
hemstitch needle
crochet hook
chenille yarn

Here is a picture of a blanket made I made using flannel and the chenille yarn.

These are the fabrics that I am using for the whole cloth quilt with chenille binding.

Isn't it going to be cute?  The fabric is Crazy Love Priscilla Orange by Jennifer Paganelli and
Crazy Love Cecilia Pink by Jennifer Paganelli. I love them!

Step 1- Layer your quilt (back, batting, top) and baste.  I like to use a spray baster but some people prefer to use safety pins

Step 2- Machine quilt.  You can straighline quilt it, free motion, or you could even tie it.  You just have to make sure that the fabrics are securely fastened together.

I know that you are dying for the rest of the directions so tune in next Tuesday for the 2nd installment of The Cutest Baby Quilt Tutorial.
Have a great week!!!
-Stephanie