" May I " for the May Off Season Project Quilting Challenge!

I needed to make a baby quilt this month for a special couple. I decided I could make it work for the "May I"  Quilt Challenge, but what I did not know, is that it would fit perfectly! 

The couple is having a girl. I gathered my pink new and vintage fabrics and some vintage chenille fabric to add a soft texture to the quilt. I cut them into 3 1/2" squares and 2 inch squares to make some 4 patches. I had in mind spring flowers when I selected the soft pink fabrics.

It is ready to quilt!

I started longarm quilting with loops and swirls.

Then I quilted it again, following the loops and swirls to give it a ribbon effect.

I added a heart where I will add the name of the baby.

I zipped it off my quilting machine until I can get the name of the baby from the couple....

I selected to use double batting to give it more fluff as I want this quilt to be quilt to lay on the floor for tummy time. (Poly batting on the top and 80/20 batting on the bottom)

I found out the baby's name this weekend, so Tuesday I zipped it back on the rollers to stitch in the name.

Stella Mae Schmitz!   See it fits the "May I Quilt Challenge" perfectly!

I took a few extra photos in lighting at different times of the day.

My daughter says my granddaughter loves the textures of the soft chenille and the stitching on her quilt. Plus they love that I added the double batting for extra fluff!

The backside is a super soft Moda flannel!

I am linking up over at Persimon Dreams for the "May I Quilt Challenge" for Project Quilting.

I love the quilt challenges! 

I am sponsoring the Off Season Challenges for Season 8 with prizes of a PDF Pattern for each entry.  Everyone who enters will send an email me and select a pattern from my Craftsy Store and I will email it to them directly.

Each month, Project Quilting will have another quilt challenge. 

Try it you will LOVE it!

Be inspired to create!

Check out all the entries and information about the quilt challenges at Persimon Dreams (Project Quilting).

Enjoy your day!

Marcia

Splashy Fish

It's definitely a BRIGHT one!
I created a "Splashy Fish" Baby Comfort Quilt this week for the Project Quilting Challenge.

I started with this arrangement....

Then I swapped out a few blue squares and added in some minkee squares.

I started sewing it together row by row. 3/8" seam allowance works best for me with all the different fabrics.

After the quilt top was assembled, I pressed it. I use a press cloth as the heat of the iron melts the minkee fabric. I use steam to press through the press cloth to flatten the quilt top. A piece of flannel fabric is a perfect choice for a press cloth.

I made tabs or taggies for the edges of the quilt. I stitched them closed. I make an odd amount (9 or 11) in assorted sizes.
They can be made by pressing the raw edges inside or sewing a tube and then press in half and stitched closed.

I stitch the raw edge of each tab to the raw edge of the quilt top. See the photo.

Next, lay the poly batting on the bottom with the backing fabric and quilt top right sides together. That way I can see that I have everything lined up as I stitch through all 3 layers. I pin the layers together and then stitch all the way around leaving a 6 inch opening on one end, where there are no tags. 3/8" seam allowance.

Trim the corners to take out some bulk.

Here's the opening.

Turn right side out through the opening. Poke the corners out. Flatten and smooth with your hands.

Then press with a steam iron. Important: I use a press cloth as the heat of the iron will melt the minkee fabric. I use steam to press through the press cloth to flatten the quilt.

I pin with safety pins so the layers don't shift while I quilt it.

First I stitch the outside edge.

Next I stitch (quilt) it. I didn't use a walking foot, but that probably would make it easier to quilt. 

My finished baby comfort quilt measures 16" X 22".

It's the perfect size for in the car or in a buggy. Babies love the soft fabrics and the tabs on the sides. 

Backside of the baby quilt.

I created my quilt for this week's project quilting challenge. I am linking up at Persimon Dreams Blog. Hop over and check out all the colorful quilts created this week.

I created my baby comfort quilt for a customer.

I created this baby comfort quilt and matching bib for a customer too. I used vintage chenille.

This one and the next one were for customers too.

Thanks for following along!

Marcia