Simple and Easy Baby Quilt Pattern

Learn how to make a cute quilted baby crib quilt.  This is an easy baby quilt project and is a beginner quilting project.  Our tutorial will give you step by step instructions, so keep reading!

Soon my first great-grandchild will be here.  For the baby shower, I was asked to make a quilt.  The theme for the baby's room is Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit.  After an Internet search, I found a cute pattern called Garden Tales by Quilting Treasures that would be perfect except the quilt was too large and the Peter Rabbit panels were no longer available.

After more searching, I discovered I could purchase some Peter Rabbit panels which were very cute but not the same size as specified in the pattern from Spoonflower. After receiving the panels, it was time to design a baby crib quilt pattern using the Spoonflower panels and the ideas from the Garden Tales pattern.

Besides this baby quilt, another traditional quilt for a baby is a pinwheel quilt.  Check out our Windy Pinwheel Quilt.  Are you interested in making more items for your baby or to give as a gift?  Needlepointers.com has more free sewing or quilting projects for baby.

Learn how to make this adorable baby quilt using panels or fussy cutting fabric as an accent in the blocks by watching our video or keep reading this post for a step-by-step photo tutorial. 

PLANNING this Easy Baby Quilt Pattern

This crib quilt can be made in a different theme. All you need to do is purchase cute panels or fussy cut fabric into 5 1/2" squares.

The quilt is made with nine 9" finished blocks with sashings and a fence border at each end.  You can plan this quilt in different color options.  For instance, the blocks can be all the same color or as many colors as you wish.

Fabric yardage is based on 42" of usable fabric width.  

Since this is a baby quilt, you should wash the fabric to remove any sizing.  Sometimes when you wash the fabric it will fray.  Our video tutorial will explain a technique for reducing fraying when pre-washing fabric. 

Use an accurate 1/4" sew allowance throughout.

Easy baby quilt pattern INSTRUCTIONS

STEP 1: PATTERN

To revise the Garden Tails pattern and draft my own version, I used graph paper.  Above is my original pattern.  Graph paper for quilting is a great tool. It can be used for drawing your own pattern or for making quilt templates.  You can purchase it inexpensively or download free graph paper at various websites and print it with your printer.

At the top of the sheet, I wrote the normal size of a crib quilt - 36" x 52".  Then, I worked with this measurement to design my pattern.  If I sewed with the exact design, the finished quilt would have been 38" x 55".  However, when I made the first fence post, I didn't like the size so I revised the measurements.  NOTE: On the pattern, I have a notation to make it a little shorter.

On the pattern sheet, I wrote the amount of yardage of fabric I thought I would need.  After completing the quilt, I had some leftover fabric.  I measured the unused fabric and readjusted the amount of yardage necessary for this quilt with the correct yardage listed in the fabric requirement section.

STEP 2:  PIECING THE BLOCKS

To the 5 1/2" center square, sew a 2 1/2" x 5 1/2" strip to each side.

Press both seams allowances toward the new strips.  

Next, sew a 2 1/2" x 9 1/2" strip to the top and bottom sides of the quilt block. Press seams.

The finished block should resemble the above picture.  Make a total of nine blocks.

STEP 3: ASSEMBLING THE QUILT BLOCKS

For sashing between and around blocks, cut the following pieces from sashing fabric. In my quilt, this is the dark green fabric.
6 - 1 1/2" x 9 1/2" sashing rectangles
6 -  1 1/2 " x 29 1/2" sashing rectangles

Lay the blocks on the work surface in an attractive arrangement.  Carefully bring one row of blocks to the sewing machine in the order you want them sewn together.   Sew two 1 1/2" x 9 1/2" strips between the three blocks.  Press seam allowances toward the sashing strip. 

Make a total of three rows.

Sew a 1 1/2" x 29 1/2" sashing strip to the top and bottom of each row.  Press seam allowance toward the sashing.

Time to add the wide sashing.  Cut 4 pieces of sashing fabric 3" x 29 1/2".  For my quilt, this was the light color fabric.  Referring to the above photo, sew these strips to the top, bottom and between each of the block strips.

You can stop here and sew a 1 1/2" border strip to each side.  And then add a 3" border strip to each side.  Layer the quilt, quilt it and bind the quilt.

However, since I am making a Peter Rabbit themed quilt, I wanted to add a fence border to the top and bottom of the quilt before adding the side borders.

STEP 4: MAKING A FENCE BORDER

Lay the marked 2" x 2" square atop the 3 1/2" x 2" rectangle.  Refer to the above photo for placement.

Stitch along the marked diagonal line.  After stitching, trim the seam allowance to 1/4".  Press the seam allowance toward the background fabric. 

Add a second marked square to the opposite end of the rectangle.  Refer to the above photo for placement.  Again, stitch along the marked line, trim the seam allowance and press seam allowance toward the background fabric.

The finished top of the fence post will look like the above photo.

Time to add the bottom section of the fence post.  With right sides together, place the top fence post piece on top of the 3 1/2" square piece and stitch together.  Press the seam allowance toward the 3 1/2" square.

The fence post will look like the above photo.  Make a total of seven fence posts.

How to piece the fence rail

To make the fence rails, cut the strip set into sections as follows:
6 pieces 1 1/2" wide
2 pieces 1 5/8" wide

The 1 5/8" pieces will be on each end of the fence border. The 1 1/2" pieces are placed in the middle.

Set aside the rail strips that are 1 5/8" wide. 

Referring to the above picture, sew together the 1 1/2" rail strip to the fence post matching the seam. Continue adding fence posts and fence rails together. 

Then, sew a 1 5/8" fence rail strip to each end.  One fence border is completed.  Sew the fence border to the quilt top.

Repeat the above steps to make a second fence border and sew it to the bottom of the quilt.

STEP 5: FINISHING THE QUILT TOP

STEP 6:  FINISH QUILT

Layer quilt top, batting, and backing.

Quilt as desired.

Bind the quilt with the same color fabric as you used for the 1" sashing fabric using your favorite binding method.

Use our binding calculator to figure out the number of strips to cut for creating the binding for this quilt.

MACHINE QUILTING THE EASY Baby Crib QUILT

To machine quilt this quilt, I used straight line quilting and stitch-in-the-ditch.  If you look carefully at the following photos, you will see how I quilted it.

We hope you enjoyed this simple and easy baby quilt pattern tutorial and consider making a baby quilt like this one.  Use any themed panels or even a feature fabric and make a fabulous baby crib quilt.

Another easy baby quilt pattern by Diary of a Quilter is available through the link.

HERE ARE A FEW HELPFUL QUILTING TUTORIALS

• How to Add Binding To A Quilt - This is a quick and easy way to add binding to a quilt that requires no hand sewing.
• How to Make A Quilt Sandwich and Pin Baste - Learn how to layer the backing, batting and quilt top together and then pin baste in preparation for machine quilting.
• Pillowcase Method of Finishing Quilt - This method is appropriate for small quilts, such as baby quilts, and quilt hangings. It is a quick and easy way to finish a quilt.
• Strip Quilt Tutorial - This quilt is a quick, easy and time-saving way to whip up a quilt and is the ultimate quilt for beginner quilters.
• Sailboat Quilt Tutorial - How to make a charming sailboat quilt which is the perfect addition to a nautical themed bedroom or nursery, a beach or lake house or as a gift for someone who enjoys sailboats and sailing.
• This fast 3-yard quilt is perfect for a baby quilt.

Additional Panel Quilt Ideas

• Pieced Border Panel Quilt with Free Pattern
• Collection of Panel Quilt Ideas - we have rounded up panel quilt ideas from around the internet.
• I Spy Quilt - A fun playmat made with a panel by Robert Kaufmann fabrics.
• American Pride Quilt - This quilt features a patriotic panel but the layout would work with many different panels.
• Baby Safari Panel Quilt - This quilt features a panel with one single border added to it.
• Covered Bridge Panel Quilt - For this panel quilt, the panel is cut apart and sewn back together to form a window pane effect.