Directions to make a 5-Layer Baby Quilt/Blanket:
First of all, choose 5 coordinating fabrics and cut a yard from each and wash them. Lay them flat on top of each other and trim so they are all the same size. Pin edges together. Draw diagonal lines with pattern-tracing marker or pencil about 1.5 - 2 inches apart. (I used a piece of 2x2 wood as my gage because it was heavy and made straight lines easier to draw and I didn't have to measure every space.) Pin then sew along each drawn line. Cut the top 4 layers between each sewn diagonal line. Try to keep your scissors evenly spaced between the sewn lines. Top stitch 1/4 inch away from the edge all the way around making sure the fabric layers are flat. Pin and sew on blanket binding around the edges. Now that the blanket is assembled, wash it a bazillion times. Just kidding. The pictures show the quilt after only two washings and I plan to wash it at least four more times. It gives it the shabby chic look. Plus it makes it easier for young moms to wrap up their little ones in the now-comfy blanket.
Changes I would make after making my first quilt:
I wasn't very happy with the fabrics I choose and would now make these changes.
*Consider the fabric you buy for the back to be a flannel that shows the print on both sides...mine is a light blue and white stripe for the back of the quilt and I turned it so the print would show on the back. Unfortunately, the 'front side' of the quilt now shows the white backing of that piece of fabric and I don't like it.
*One of the flannel layers is quite thin and I would only use a heavier flannel in the future. I think this thinner layer will end up not giving the quilt 'the look' I was after.
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| Front of quilt |
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| Front of quilt |
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| Front of quilt |
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| Back of quilt |
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| Back of quilt |
*I also used four layers of flannel instead of five because a friend recommended that I not use five. She said cutting through the four layers would be too hard. I would use five layers next time. It was hard to find flannels that were the color for a baby boy. I'm going to give this quilt to my daughter and recommend she just leave it in the car because it is heavy and will be warm. I'm going to make another one though and hope it will turn out more colorful.
