Mint Baby Quilt Tutorial

Hi Everyone, I just finished making a baby quilt for my friend’s daughter. She just turned two and for her birthday I decided to make her a quilt. Quilts have always been a huge part of my family. To this day we all have at least one cherished blanket that’s been around forever. Because quilts have been kind of a tradition for me, I love sharing them with those who are a big part of my life with the hope that they will also become a special part of their life. Today I thought I would share how I made the quilt and give you all a little peek into my quilting process.

Baby Quilt Tutorial:

Step 1.

Pick out your fabric. All the fabric I have chosen for this quilt I got at Joann’s.

The pattern calls for 6 different fabrics for the blocks (>1/3 yard each). However, you can chose however many you would like to us. I chose 11 fabrics.

Fabric for the inner border. (1/4 yard)

Fabric for binding. (3/8 yard)

Fabric for backing (> 1 & 3/8 yard). This will vary on the size of your quilt. I made the quilt the same size as the pattern was for which is 30″ x 38″.

Batting (> 36″ x 44″)

Step 2.

Wash all your fabric & iron them.

We recommend washing your fabric before you make your quilt so it prevents shrinking and distorting when you wash it after you are done making your quilt.

Step 3.

Cut your fabric.

• From each of the 6 or more different fabrics you have chosen for your blocks you will need to cut:

1 strip (4 1/2″ x 42″); crosscut into 6 squares (4 1/2″ x 4 1/2″) which will leave you with a total of 36 squares. Also cut 2 rectangles (2 1/2″ x 41/2″) leaving you with 12 total.

1 strip (2 1/2″ x 42″) cut into 2 equal lengths leaving you with a total of 12. 

• For the inner border you will need to cut 3 strips (1 1/4″ x 42″) and 8 rectangles (1 1/4″ x 2 1/2″)
• The backing fabric should be cut to 36″ x 44″
• Binding fabric cut to 2 1/2″ x 42″

Step 4.

Make the blocks.

• Pair your fabrics strips that are 2 1/2″ x 21″ into sets each with different fabrics. Sew each set together and then iron pressing the seams in one direction (preferably to the darker fabric of the two). Then crosscut each strip set into seven pieces that are 2 1/2″ wide which should leave you with 42 two-patch pieces.

• Pair together 24 different 4 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ squares. Sew the pairs right sides together to make 12 larger two patch blocks and then press the seams to one side.

• Next start placing the pieces together and start forming the blocks. To do this you just randomly pair the large and small two patch pieces and then add a large square. This should form one large square and you should end up with 12 blocks.

Step 5. 

Assemble the Quilt Top.

• After you have decided on your twelve blocks, arrange them in four horizontal rows of three blocks each.
• Rearrange and rotate them until you are happy with the layout. My tip here is to place the blocks so the fabric is going in all different directions (i.e. upside down, side ways). Don’t try and keep all the fabric facing one direction. Also don’t worry about trying to place the same fabrics (either pattern or color) next to each other. It’s hard to make sure nothing is too close to another so just do your best and don’t worry about the same pattern next to each other. Let it be random and fun.
• Next, sew the blocks together into rows. Then iron and press the seams in opposite directions from row to row. (this is important so remember to make sure to iron correctly)
• Sew the rows together and then press the seams in one direction.

Step 6.  

Create the borders

• Sew the inner border strips to the quilt top. I started with the shorter horizontal sides first then did the longer vertical sides second.
• Layout the quilt top and arrange the remaining two patch pieces, the 2 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ rectangles, & the 1 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ inner border rectangles around the quilt to make the pieced border. (it is okay if you have extra pieces here)
• Sew the border sections together to form their own strips, press the seams to the right.
• Sew the pieced borders to the side of the quilt top, do your best to align the seams of the pieced border to seams of the quilt center. When ironing press the seams toward the inner border.
• The next step is to square off your quilt top to make sure everything is even and lined up.

Step 7. 

Sandwich your quilt.

After you have sewn and pieced your quilt top together your quilt top should be finished. Next tape your backing fabric to a clean large surface. Your quilt should be able to fit completely on the surface. Place your batting on the backing fabric followed by the quilt top. I like to sometimes use a quilting glue spray to help hold the quilt top in place to the batting. After the three pieces are sandwiched together and smoothed out completely start pinning the three pieces together. This will help ensure your fabric doesn’t move during quilting. I like to place a pin about every 3″.

Step 8.

Quilting.

The pattern you choose to use for quilting is personal preference. I did stitch in the ditch for the center of the quilt around the blocks and around the inner border. I then did an “X” pattern in each block as well. After you finish quilting, trim off the excess batting and backing and you’re ready for binding.

Step 9.

Binding.

After your quilt top is finished, you quilt is sandwiched & quilted, the last part is to sew on the binding. I like to do the binding half machine sewing and half hand stitch. I first sew the one side of the binding to the whole quilt then I hand stitch the other half. I prefer this method because it helps hide the stitches and gives it a more finished looked.

Step 10.

The finished quilt.

Now that you have quilted your quilt and finished it off with the binding. All that is left is to enjoy your beautiful creation!

Thank you so much for joining me and I hope that you enjoyed this baby quilt. If you do create your own quilt I hope that it gives you a sense of home and provides you with the love and comfort that mine have done for me and my family. If you do make quilts of your own, tag me on Instagram & Facebook! I’d love to see your creations as well!