| Beginning Quilters' Common Mistakes & How to Avoid | | | | detailed instructions and all the fabric you will need for |
| Them | | | | your baby quilt. |
| Quilting is a great way to express your creativity. | | | | 3. Making Mismatched Rows When Sewing a Quilt |
| Handmade baby quilts also make great baby shower | | | | Top Together |
| gifts. The down side is, few of us are "perfect", | | | | The easiest baby quilt to make would have a baby |
| especially when we try something new. But everyone | | | | quilt top as one piece of fabric. However, most of us |
| has to start somewhere. Here are a few mistakes | | | | require a lot more of a challenge and like to piece our |
| beginning quilters sometimes make and tips to avoid | | | | baby quilt tops together. The most difficult thing about |
| them so you can make the best possible first time | | | | making a baby quilt top from pieces of fabric is lining |
| baby quilt that you can make. | | | | up the seams on the different rows. The bottom line is, |
| 1. Attempting to make a baby quilt using a baby quilt | | | | fabric stretches. Therefore, no matter how accurate |
| pattern that is too difficult or trying to "figure it out" | | | | your pattern pieces are cut, and how careful you are |
| without adequate instructions. | | | | to make all the seams the same size, you will always |
| Some of us have great imaginations. We use the | | | | have rows that just don't match up. To fix this problem, |
| most interesting design when we make a baby quilt. | | | | you need to 1) be aware of it and 2) stretch a piece |
| This is fine, just not on your first baby quilt. For your | | | | of fabric here and there to make it match up. It is best |
| first baby quilt, choose a baby quilt pattern that is | | | | to determine at the beginning of sewing each row |
| pretty simple. If you must try a more difficult baby quilt | | | | together, where you will need to stretch which row. |
| pattern, make sure you have good instructions and/or | | | | This way you can stretch it before it is too late. |
| an experienced quilter to advise you (preferably both). | | | | 4. Forgetting to Backstitch |
| 2. Not getting enough fabric, especially for binding your | | | | Backstitching is what keeps seams from coming |
| baby quilt. | | | | undone. A backstitch is needed at the beginning and |
| There is one important thing to remember when | | | | end of every seam. Also, if we cut a seam, we need |
| purchasing fabric for your baby quilt: It is better to have | | | | to backstitch it to keep it from coming apart. If a baby |
| too much than not enough. You can always trim off | | | | quilt top is too large for some reason, it is always |
| excess fabric, but you can't magically make it bigger if | | | | better to use a seam ripper to take off rows than to |
| it is too small. The same goes for the quilt batting or | | | | cut the baby quilt top smaller. This way we don't cut |
| any fabric, lace, etc. you get for binding the baby quilt. | | | | through seams and we don't have to go through and |
| So, when in doubt, get extra. It is ideal, especially on | | | | backstitch them all. |
| your first baby quilt, to use a baby quilt pattern with | | | | Remember these four tips, and you will have a lot |
| detailed instructions. These should tell you how much | | | | easier time making your first baby quilt, as well as a |
| fabric etc. you will need, allowing for a little extra, just in | | | | beautiful quilt for that special baby to enjoy! |
| case. Baby quilt kits are ideal, as they usually contain | | | | |