NeedleCraft Plus/needlecraftplusvolume1.iso/quilt/quilting/q-baby.txt

Text File | 1997-01-06 | 10KB | 199 lines

> > information below
> > collected by:
> > Monica Thomas
> > [e-mail]
> > Columbia, Maryland
> >
> > ---------------------------------------------------------------
> > From: JUDY CARROZZINO <[e-mail]>
> >
> > I like to make baby quilts about 3x5 feet approximately so they will fit
> > nicely in a crib.  A lot depends on the pattern being used as to the
> > finished size.  I have seen some small ones that would fit in a bassinet
> > and feel that they grow out of this size too fast for the amount of work
> > put into the quilt.
> >
> > ---------------------------------------------------------------
> > From: [e-mail]
> >
> > Any size you want. I usually make them 3 x 4 or 4 x 5. Basically you want i
t
> > to be big enough to fully cover the crib mattress AND be big enough to cudd
le
> > in. Make it very sturdy and use a batting that can stand many repeated
> > washings. Making it 3' wide will allow you use a 1 peice backing as fabric
is
> > 44" wide.
> >
> > ----------------------------------------------------------------
> > From: "Jane Moore"  <[e-mail]>
> >
> > Monica--I let the design dictate the size.  My baby quilts are never larger
> > than 43" wide so that I can use 45" wide material without a seam for the
> > back (laziness on my part).  Sometimes I do squares, other times I'll do
> > a rectangle, so it's longer one way....but it almost always depends on the
> > design of the quilt.
> >
> > ------------------------------------------------------------------
> > From: [e-mail] (Nellie P.)
> >
> > For me, it depends on the pattern.   The size of the block you're using
> > can determine, in part, the size of the quilt.  Does it work better
> > square, or rectangular?  What size borders look best?  (I almost
> > *never* think about the border size till I'm done with the rest of the
> > quilt!)  I've got a 36"x36" quilt from my sister which my two-year-old
> > still uses in bed (it's a little small); I've made quilts for babies up
> > to about 4'x5', I think (I haven't kept very good records).  I also
> > made a hexagonal quilt once -- I think it was about 40" across.
> >
> > One question to think about is how you'd like the quilt to be used.
> > Any size quilt *may* end up on baby's wall, even if you insist you made
> > it to be used!  A thin/flat quilt that seems rugged may get toted
> > around, along with all that other baby paraphernalia (sp?), and used to
> > cover baby in the car, in the stroller, or wherever.  A larger, "fluffy"
> > quilt will be more likely to end up in baby's bed.  A quilt might even
> > turn out to be a "play area" on the floor for a baby who's not yet
> > mobile.
> >
> > I've never yet known any parents who had too many baby blankets or
> > quilts for their kids.  Have fun!
> >
> > -------------------------------------------------------------------
> > From: [e-mail]
> >
> > Hi Monica, I've made many baby quilts, and the size can vary, as you
> > say.  It depends on the pattern, the time you have available for the
> > project, etc.  I think, though I prefer quilts that will just about be
> > crib sized: say 36x48 or so.  This is big enough for covering a baby,
> > small enough to drag around without leaving a winding trail of blanket
> > for others to trip over.  Ann in Richmond
> >
> > --------------------------------------------------------------------
> > From: Patricia willingham <[e-mail]>
> >
> >   My 4 boys all have baby quilts measuring about 45 x 60 inches.  These
> > just fit a full-size crib, and are large enough to transfer to a "youth"
> > bed.  The 7-yr-old still sleeps with his every night.  Daddy borrows it
> > when he is sick and sleeps sitting up in his lounge chair.  It is the
> > perfect size for a child of any age :-)  All 4 of these were made with
> > cotton flannel both top and bottom, and bound with flannel.  They are
> > wonderfully soft and cozy, and the boys will not part with them.
> >
> > ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> > From: [e-mail] (Cynthia Parsley Baehr)
> >
> > I recommend a bigger quilt if you want it to be used.  My son received a
> > quilt from a friend of mine when he was born that he is still using at
> > 4 yrs, 11 mos.  I usually make them about 40" by 50", or the width of the
> > backing fabric, by the length - I usually use about 1.5 yrds.  Check the
> > size of a standard crib quilt batt, and use those dimentions.
> >
> > --------------------------------------------------------------------
> > From: optimg![e-mail] (Kathy Whitver)
> >
> > I don't think there are any really hard and fast rules about
> > size.  A crib mattress is about 36 X 52 so you can use that
> > as a guideline, or a quilt about 5 foot square is nice for
> > playing and napping.
> >
> > No matter what the finished size, your gift will be treasured!
> >
> > ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> > From: [e-mail] (Amy Heather Bowers)
> >
> > I don't have any children either, but I guess I have
> > a bunch of fertile friends because I've made a bunch
> > of baby quilts.  I always make mine 45"X60" (at least).
> > Parents seem to like that a lot because the babies
> > grow so fast.  With a larger quilt, the kids can
> > drag them around when they're toddling and even
> > later.
> >
> > ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> > From: [e-mail] (Lara Nolan)
> >
> > As a quilter and a new mom -- I'd say that that range is just about
> > right. ;-) Seriously, different sized quilts are useful for different
> > things and at different stages. Right now, my baby is 6 weeks old.
> > Her "favorite" (ie. the one I use most) is roughly 3x4' -- a pinwheel
> > design in bright shades of fuschia and purple (with a lot of
> > contrast, so she likes looking at the shapes). It's tied, with a fatt
> > batt, and the backing is a wonderful batik of purple seagulls on
> > fuschia. It's the perfect size for use in her pack-n-play (a portable
> > crib/playpen) or the stroller; it's plenty large enough to be put on
> > the floor for her to play on when we're out.
> >
> > The quilts for her normal crib are about 45x60" -- which would also
> > work on a toddler bed (many parents "transition" kids from a crib
> > into a pint-sized bed that uses the crib mattress and bedding; so
> > most crib quilts are a little larger than the actual crib to
> > accommodate a toddler bed.) Many parents don't actually use a crib
> > quilt in the crib until the baby is older... while they're still
> > little, there's a risk of getting their head under it and not being
> > able to breathe. Alex's crib quilts are hanging on a rack near the
> > crib for now, although we'll start using them when she can move
> > around more.
> >
> > Finally, she's also got a few larger quilts (60x60" is my favorite)
> > that I fold up when I use them at this stage, and will provide a
> > larger cuddling/spreading out area when she's bigger.
> >
> > Basically, any size quilt would be useful! I've even got some
> > light-weight blankets that are about 26" square, and they're quite
> > nice for while she's little -- although she will be outgrowing them
> > soon! ;-)
> >
> > -------------------------------------------------------------------
> > From: "Heidi S-Farnbach" <[e-mail]>
> >
> > My mother insists on making quilts that perfectly fit a crib (~32x40).
> > As a mother, I say the bigger, the better (within reason of course).
> > My favorite quilt of my son's is 40x52. Like everything else, it is a
> > matter of preference.
> >
> > --------------------------------------------------------------------
> > From: [e-mail] (bperry)
> >
> >
> >    I have made a lot of baby quilts for the ABC Quilt project.  They
> > range in size from 3X3 to 4X4 feet.  If you want to make a quilt for the
> > baby to drag around, this is a good size.  If you want to make a quilt
> > for the crib you might want to make it a little longer and narrower -
> > say 3X5.  I hope this helps.
> >    By the way, be sure to overstitch or quilt about 1 inch in from the
> > edge, and quilt or tie closely.  Baby quilts get a lot of wear and
> > tear.  I have not had good luck with those pretty satin bindings around
> > the edge.  They wear out quickly.
> >
> > ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> > From: Andi Reynolds <[e-mail]>
> >
> > Monica asked what size a bay quilt should be and I laughed right out
> > loud -- must have hit a nerve! I, too, don't have any children, but in
> > myobservation -- they all GROW UP! I plan the baby quilts I make in
> > colors that I think will please these little people long after thay
> > have been babies beneath them, and don't worry about the fact that
> > they are 2 x 6 12 inch blocks with sashing. I guess I mean to say that
> > quilts can be any size you like, that babies come in all sizes, even
> > from the beginning, and anything you make will surely be appreciated
> > by the parents, guardians, and future quilt collector (the baby). Andi
> > in Tallahassee
> >
> > -------------------------------------------------------------
> > From: [e-mail] (Janet Ulrich)
> >
> > The size that I love using (2 children, 9yr. & 3yr.) and making are about
> > 40"x70".  Thats 2 yards of backing, batting, and top fabric.  These are
> > simply tied about every 4".  The top fabric is your design.  These are
> > easy to make, machine washable/dryable, and hold up extremely well.  They
> > also make great "floor mats" for the young infant to play on when you don't
> > want to put them directly on the carpet.  These are much softer and washabl
e,
> > too.
> >
> > Have fun, any size will work.  These are only my preferences, though all I
> > have made them for have loved them as well.  Oh, they make up in 1 day or
> > 2 evenings, so make great shower gifts.  I have made one with a pieced Trip
> > Around the World top that looked great, but took about a week of evenings t
> > make.