Quilts...
Material used for quilts could include cotton, cotton blends, knits, polar fleece, flannel, etc. Any and all types of quilt battings are suitable. In the past we have used high loft, low loft, regular, all cotton, thermolam, down, and polyester batting. We have even used old blankets, towels, and old bedspreads for the middle of quilts when we ran out of regular batting. We prefer to use new batting but we will not let a baby go cold simply because we temporarily ran out of batting. Try to use something that washes well, will stay soft and not be stiff or too heavy.
We are thrilled when we receive pieced quilts, they are so beautiful and they really show the love and effort that went into them. We also love the whole cloth quilts that are so cuddly, warm and quick to make. It is your choice as to what you would like to make. Newborns in Need makes many different types of quilts for the babies at our monthly work meetings.
Instructions for "pillowcase construction" quilt.
Place top fabric and bottom fabric right sides together with batting on the bottom. Top, bottom and batting should all be the same size.
Stitch around all four edges leaving a gap of approximately 8 inches unsewn.
Turn quilt inside out with the batting now in the middle (some people call this the pillow case way of making a quilt).
Whip stitch the opening closed.
Sew approx. 1/2 inch topstitching around the edge of the quilt to stabilize and secure all three layers.
You are now ready to hand quilt, tie, or machine quilt the quilt.
tied quilts - ties should be no farther apart than 4". Ties should always be a square knot, never just a stitch or a knot that will come out, hospital laundry is really harsh. Ties should be 1 to 1 1/2 " depending on what you are tying with.
hand quilted quilts - try to keep your stitches fairly uniform and smaller. Tiny fingers can catch "loops" of thread.
Use quilting thread for strength.
Machine Quilted Quilts
A walking foot for your machine is nice but not necessary. Quilts can be tacked, sewn in a grid pattern, or any other design. Make sure there is enough sewing to hold the three layers together securely without the batting shifting after repeated washings.
There are many quilt patterns that are available on the market. Wal-Mart carries patterns that have full layette patterns in them as well as quilts.
Newborns in Need
serves the needs of newborn babies...
Newborns in Need
National Office
3323 Transou Road
Pfafftown, NC 27040
(877) 231-5097
nationaloffice@newbornsinneed.org
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