Pages

Friday, February 27

Little Trip Around the World - A Scrappy Flannel Baby Quilt

Scrappy Flannel Little Trip Around the World
This little quilt is the second part of the New Baby Brother / Big Sister gift. It's made from polka dotted flannel scraps in 1 inch squares.  It has a minky backing, cotton batting, and satin binding.  (Boy those satin bindings are a bear to sew on when you have a thick quilt sandwich.)  It has been so cold, I figure  my new little cousin needs lots of warm bundling up.   It will make a nice play mat during warmer weather.

I used Eleanor Burn's method of sewing the strips into big connected loops (or tubes). The directions are in her book "Quick Trip Quilts".  This is a tiny version. I don't think I could ever make a Quilt in a Day... I sew slowly. (I feel like I'm borrowing that line from Kaja's blog, Sew Slowly)

Most of you know this: ironing the seams in one direction, alternating the direction for each row, helps a lot.  When you go to match them up with the next row, they fit naturally and want to butt up together.  It was fun to make this little quilt, but also harder than I expected.  Have you sewn much with flannel?  Flannel is actually stretchy fabric!

I quilted it by stitching in the ditch every other row.  It forms a stair step pattern on the back, but mostly disappears into the plush minky.   It is all set to go; I washed it in Dreft.  Oh my! does that scent bring back sweet memories.   Somehow, washing it made it a little wonky, with one side larger than the other.  I have no idea why that happened, but it is still very soft and cuddly. 


Close Up of Little Trip Around the World

Minky paisley backing on Little Trip Around the World

Scrappy Flannel Little Trip Around the World
Thanks for visiting!
Lara




Linking up to Cyndy's Oh Scrap! party at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework!

27 comments:

  1. This is beautiful Lara - I've made one flannel quilt and found it quite different to sew than standard cotton. I love the ribbon binding on it, now that's giving me ideas! I'm sure the baby will love this as much as I'm sure his sister will love the bag and fish ensemble :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a great gift Lara! I really love the satin binding in particular....what a great idea. Did you use ribbon or satin fabric? I'm sure the little one will sleep sweet and warm underneath it. Jen

    ReplyDelete
  3. Looks so soft! Perfect for a baby quilt.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Precious! I love the minky on the back. I haven't made anything with that, but I love your idea of a flannel quilt with that as the backing. Sewing with flannel is different, but so warm and cuddly!

    ReplyDelete
  5. It's beautiful, I love the soft colors. It's even more wonderful knowing you picked three of the more difficult fabrics to work with, did you feel the need for a challenge? LOL.

    ReplyDelete
  6. ohhhh I can feel the snuggle factor from Oregon!

    ReplyDelete
  7. It looks so soft! I've only used flannel as a backing because it is so stretchy. I be it was hard to sew such small flannel pieces!
    I never 'quilt in a day' either. I'm more of a 'quilt in 6 months' person.

    ReplyDelete
  8. This looks so cosy and cuddly! Hey, sewing satin anywhere, anytime, anyhow is a bear, and I'm being polite about it! Yours turned out super. I have to get out from under my rock; I did not know Minky came in pretty patterns! I love paisleys. I do know flannel shrinks more than cotton, so maybe it didn't play nice with the Minky? You might be able to spray mist it and pin it into a carpet to shape it better. I did a Trip Around the World colourwash bed-sized quilt many years ago, such a cool method, and oh yes, pressing is key.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Sewing such tiny squares in flannel must have been a challenge, Lara. But the result is gorgeous. You placed the different colors beautifully and the whole makes me think of one big crocheted granny-square blanket. I love making baby quilts with flannel. So soft and perfect for their fragile skin. Unfortunately, flannel tend to distort. But the quilts are not less beautiful. And who would notice when it's being used? We only notice the imperfections when the quilt is laying flat. And what child keeps the blankets/quilts flat on the bed?

    ReplyDelete
  10. This little quilt is just like a baby: sweet, adorable and very very soft! It will be well loved, just like the baby, too!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Such a lovely quilt for a little one, it looks super soft and cuddly. I have not made a quilt with flannel yet, but I really love it as backing.

    ReplyDelete
  12. A perfect snuggly gift for a new little one! Thanks for sharing with Oh Scrap!

    ReplyDelete
  13. So snuggly! Makes me want to go curl up in it!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Such a sweet little quilt! Little one-inch squares of flannel, minky back, and satin binding? You don't shrink from a challenge, do you? ;) It looks so soft, and with my mind recreating the smell of Dreft, it makes me wish I could cuddle with it right now!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Paulette, It isn't really that I don't shrink from a challenge. It's just ignorance of the consequences of my choices, LOL.
      I swear they should make Dreft scented room freshener.
      Still laughing everytime I think about your Lily Zombie and the cabin fever disclaimer! http://thewayisewit.blogspot.com/2015/02/general-silliness.html

      Delete
  15. This does look comfy what a lucky little boy.

    ReplyDelete
  16. This quilt is absolutely adorable! It makes me want to rub it up against my cheek and feel how soft it must be! You are so very patient to work with flannel in such small squares, with minky and satin!!! A labor of love, for sure!! It is exceptional!!
    Susie

    ReplyDelete
  17. Beautiful satin binding! It reminds me of some my mother and grandmother had. I always loved "petting" those bindings. Congratulations on your new cousin.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Adorable! Lovely, soft and super cuddly finish, Lara. This pattern in this quilt reminds me of those made by my mother's mother. Love the look of that satin binding. Babies love those! Your little cousin will, too!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Those are some itty bitty squares! Yikes! I bet it's lovely and snuggly... lucky baby. I haven't made a Trip Around the World in some time... you've got me thinking about them again!

    ReplyDelete
  20. This quilt looks very sweet and soft and cosy - perfect for a baby.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Very pretty. The bindng is the icing on the cake. I've never tried a satin binding, but would like to some day. Do you hand sew the back?

    ReplyDelete
  22. Your scrappy trip around the world is just perfect. I love your satin binding that you used. It will be so soft and cuddly for the new baby. I also perused a little on your blog and saw that adorable fishy purse. So cute!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Absolutely wonderful baby quilt with such soft tunes and a refined satin border that gives it a vintage touch!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Great gift. I'm going to try around the world one of these days.

    ReplyDelete
  25. This looks so cozy. I'd love to test the snuggle factor for you.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Super cute quilt! Congratulations on your finish! I no longer sew with flannel except to make receiving blankets. I just bought some satin binding, any tips?

    ReplyDelete