Question about baby quilts

[Michelle C.]

It's been a long time since we've had a new addition to our family, but
just found out today that my younger cousin is pregnant. Naturally, I'm
getting excited about a baby quilt. For the life of me, I can't think
what size baby quilts usually are. Help! :-)

Thanks!
Michelle in Nevada

[Jennifer in Ottawa]

Sometimes it is easier to decide what size by thinking about whether
to piece the backing or not! I have made baby quilts measuring
anywhere in width from 40" up to 60"plus and length according to the
design. Store bought baby quilt batting is usually 45"x60" and lap
quilt batting is 60"x60"so decide on your design and think about
finished size later. I always think that a bigger size is good for
the floor during playtime or as a mother/baby lap quilt at story-time
- depends how the parents will want to use it. jennellh

On Nov 26, 7:54 pm, "Michelle C." <michelle_of_the_des...@ATyahoo.com>
wrote:

[Michelle C.]

Thanks Jennifer. That helps a lot!

Best regards,
Michelle in Nevada

[Polly Esther]

Jenn's right. So much depends on how the mama uses the quilt. I begin with
something under width of fabric square for newborns. Otherwise, they're
really too big to be much use until the little one is a toddler. You can
always make a 45 x 60 or so when it's time for use as a SpiderMan cape or
tent. Also, Michelle, do make the quilt really, really sturdy. Quilts for
newborns must be laundered constantly. Polly

"Michelle C." <michelle_of...@ATyahoo.com> wrote in message
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[Michelle C.]

Thanks Polly. Yep, sturdy will definitely be part of the plan! This
baby will be the mama's first, so she'll need "everything". I don't
know if there are any quilters on her side of the family (my blood
relative is her husband). Now, I'm thinking I may need to do two
quilts--one for when the baby first arrives, and a larger one for later.
What size would you make a quilt for a newborn?

Thanks!
Michelle in Nevada

[Dee in Oz]

Any size that you want to make them Michelle

Thats really helpful isnlt it .......LOL

Dee in Oz

"Michelle C." <michelle_of...@ATyahoo.com> wrote in message
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[Michelle C.]

LOL! Thanks Dee. :-)

Michelle in Nevada

[Sherry]

On Nov 26, 6:54 pm, "Michelle C." <michelle_of_the_des...@ATyahoo.com>
wrote:

They are a lot of sizes. (I've learned this from the baby quilt phase
I've been in for six
months!) Two kits I did were 45X45, so that must be a popular size.
But one pattern
that said "crib quilt" was 45X60. One was 38X58.
Have fun! Baby quilts are great. You get to look at lovely colors
while working with
so much less bulk. I ran out of babies long before I ran out of ideas!

Sherry

[Polly Esther]

Join us, Sherry. (You sound like a person we are looking for.) There's just
never ever such a thing as running out of babies. The Salvation Army's
domestic violence centers, Project Linus, and Newborns in Need always,
always need a baby quilt. You just make them; there's a little one that
needs a hug and probably has nothing except a disposable diaper and a paper
shirt. We can't cuddle all of the needing babies, but we will hug all that
we possibly can. Polly

"Sherry" <wrote>They are a lot of sizes. (I've learned this from the baby

[Steven Cook]

Michelle

I agree. Mine have been 45" x 60" also. The back doesn't have to be
pieced, no fabric wasted, proportions are right, not too big so it won't
take too long to make. All positives.

Steven
Alaska

"Michelle C." <michelle_of...@ATyahoo.com> wrote in message
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[Sherry]

On Nov 26, 9:47 pm, "Polly Esther" <Polly...@cableone.net> wrote:
> Join us, Sherry.  (You sound like a person we are looking for.) There's just
> never ever such a thing as running out of babies.  The Salvation Army's
> domestic violence centers, Project Linus, and Newborns in Need always,
> always need a baby quilt.  You just make them; there's a little one that
> needs a hug and probably has nothing except a disposable diaper and a paper
> shirt. We can't cuddle all of the needing babies, but we will hug all that
> we possibly can.  Polly
>

You know Polly, I have thought about that. There is a Salvation Army
in OKC, and
an organization called "Infants in Crisis" that I think is what I'm
looking for. I need to
call and ask. There's a homeless shelter much closer to my town too;
and a battered
women's haven. Surely there would be a need there, too.
I have a few finished with no home and a couple of tops done. I sold a
couple others.
I learned from that experience that you can never recoup the expense,
the time, and the
love that goes in those baby quilts with money. So I'd about rather
just gift the quilt and
get the "feelgood" that goes with it.

Sherry

[Dee in Oz]

Okay here is a sensible answer.
I have made 4 this year
1) - Stella-Yellow brick Rd crib size 36 x 48 I think
2)- Ella- 44 x 48
3) -Judd 1- 36 x 48 I copied Nanns christmes Ribbons idea
4)- Judd 2 - 48 x 48 because 1 colour ran in Judd 1

Dee in Oz

"Michelle C." <michelle_of...@ATyahoo.com> wrote in message

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[Roberta]

Anything up to lap size. Lots of my baby quilt recipients have told me
that the 40" square ones are especially useful -bright washable layer
for the bottom of play pens, portable clean surface to put the baby
down when out visiting, etc. And they often become grafted to the
child as the favorite blankie.
Roberta in D

[Roberta]

Want to hear a shocking story? The church where we rent meeting space
has a very active ministry among asylum applicants, who get very
minimal allowances from the state until their applications are
approved, but do get "housing" = a tiny room with bunk beds in a sort
of barracks. They often have small babies, and with no money to buy
diapers, their solution is wads of toilet paper inside a plastic
shopping bag with the bottom corners cut off for the child's legs.
Roberta in D

[Sandy]

In article <hen809$eg5$1...@news.albasani.net>,
"Michelle C." <michelle_of...@ATyahoo.com> wrote:

I've made baby quilts of lots of different sizes from 36" square on up,
and including rectangular shapes, too. Go with what works for you!

--
Sandy in Henderson, near Las Vegas
sw.foster1 (at) gmail (dot) com (remove/change the obvious)
http://www.sandymike.net

[Michelle C.]

Thanks Sherry. I appreciate knowing the size ranges. I'm looking
forward to making this quilt (or possibly quilts!). It's been several
years since we had any new babes in the family.

[Michelle C.]

Thanks Steven! 45 X 60 sounds like a practical size (except for when
the baby is brand new perhaps), and so much easier to work with.

Best regards,
Michelle in Nevada

[Michelle C.]

Thanks Dee! This gives me something to go by. :-) Although I did
enjoy your first response. :-)

[Michelle C.]

It's great to hear what size has worked well for the moms. Thanks, Roberta!

Michelle in Nevada

[Pat in Virginia]

I like a square quilt for a baby. I tend to do it about 39" square, as that
means no seams in the backing.
Pat in VA/USA

"Michelle C." <michelle_of...@ATyahoo.com> wrote in message
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[Michelle C.]

Good thinking on the size relative to no seams in the backing. :-)
Thanks for the tip!

Michelle in Nevada