Handmade Textile Quilt

October 22, 2009

Handmade Textile Quilt

Doug and I have recently decided to add just one more to our brood. I'm a bit surprised since I was convinced I didn't want any more but now that Bijou is into her second year of preschool, I sort of miss having a baby around. Plus, a few close friends are pregnant right now and a few more have confessed that they will be trying soon so now seems to be as good a time as any. Before I chicken out and change my mind, I've decided to tell my Mom and all my friends and now you so there is no backing down. I also went as far as to make a baby quilt. From the looks of it, it may seem like I'm shooting for another girl but I think I'd prefer a boy this time to help balance out our family.

To make:

Cut 2- 45" x 60" rectangles of linen.
Cut 1- 45" x 60" rectangle of wool batting.
I chose to make my own textile by cutting rubber stamps, stamping them in red fabric ink and stamping them onto the linen. Other printing techniques can be used or you can skip this step all together.
Let the ink dry and then iron the ink with a hot iron.
Lay the printed piece of linen face up on a smooth surface. Lay the plain linen on top, face down. Lay the batting on top.
Pin the layers together.
Sew a running stitch around 3 sides of the quilt leaving one of the shorter sides open.
Turn right-side out.
Sew a blanket stitch along the open side to close up the blanket.
On the back of the quilt, mark every 4" across and 6" down with a water soluble fabric pen.
Thread yarn through an embroidery needle and make a stitch at each mark. Tie off the yarn into a double knot and cut yarn to 1/2". This step is a good one to do when you are watching Oprah.
Iron quilt.