Quilt making doesn’t have to be a huge, complex, mathematical wonder. You don’t have to cut squares, which are then cut into rectangles, which are then cut into triangles. Sure, those quilts are gorgeous and are often put on display in one’s home. But if you’d like to make your baby a keepsake quilt, and you don’t know that much about quilt making, you can easily sew up a blanket that features a nursery rhyme you – and/or your baby – love. You won’t have to put out a lot of effort in to create the quilt and, as your baby grows, he or she will cherish this quilt. And, maybe one day, you’ll see your grandbaby wrapped in it.
Decide on the size you want for the quilt. Cut ordinary squares to use as the pattern for the quilt. The squares can be small – but not tiny – or can be rather large. Keep in mind that you will be writing parts of the nursery rhyme on some squares so they should at least be large enough to write short words on them. Also, the fabric should be a type that will allow you to easily write on it with a paint pen.
Select a favorite nursery rhyme for the blanket. You don’t necessarily have to write the entire nursery rhyme on the quilt blocks. For example, if the quilt will have the theme of “Mary Had a Little Lamb”, you can write “Mary” on one block, “Little Lamb” on another, or “White as Snow” on yet another block.
Another option is to write titles of nursery rhymes on some of the blocks. Write “Mary had a little lamb” on one, “Hey Diddle, Diddle” on another, and so forth. You’ll find paint markers in a huge variety of colors and types – like glittery or metallic – so you can create the perfect look for the baby quilt.
When you’re finished writing on the blocks, sew the squares together to form the top of the quilt. Then, cut a piece of sheet or other fabric to use as the backing. Stack the backing, the quilt front, and a piece of batting, which is the same size as the fabric pieces. Sew around all four sides but leave an opening on one side – not by the corner. Turn the quilt right-side-out, and sew the opening shut. To keep the batting from bunching while laundering, take a few stitches at each place where the corners of the quilt blocks meet.
The nursery rhyme quilt is unique and lovely but you could also make a baby blanket with another theme. Write the names of animals, famous princesses, famous sports people, or other words, on the quilt blocks. You’ll be astounded at the beauty of the new quilt; your child will grow up cherishing it forever.