doll bedding tutorial

This past weekend while we were traveling, I was able to finish up two doll quilts. I thought I would share a few measurements/directions on how to make these. It's not rocket science, by any means, but when you are in a time crunch, it's nice to have someone else do the math for you. (At least I think so.) I'm making a few sets of these for gifts for some special little people for Christmas.

This quilt measures 12" x 16".

The squares are 2.5" cut, and 2" finished.

I stippled it and bound it like all my larger quilts.

This one measures 14" x 18".

For the red, make a piece of patchwork that measures 18" x 2.5"

Cut 2 pieces of aqua fabric:

9.5" x 18" and 4" x 18".

Sew together using a quarter inch seam and quilt as desired.

For the pillows:

cut the fabric 4" x 6", sew on all 4 sides, but leave an opening for turning and stuffing, then sew the end shut. Easy peasy.

For the pillows, I used vintage cotton ticking that came from my grandma's house.

She bought it in 1978, when I wasn't quite 3 years old! It's high time that someone is using it.

I'm so glad that I'm the one who is. :)

For the pillows cases...

cut 2 pieces of fabric:

the one on the left is 3.5" x 9"

the one on the right is 5.25" x 9"

sew together using a 1/4" seam allowance

press the seam toward the smaller piece of fabric (in this case, to the left)

pin 2 sides and sew, again using a 1/4" seam

turn over the raw edge about 1/4", press

fold the end down to just cover the seam line

then press

this part is tricky because it's so small, but after a few, you'll be a pro (hopefully).

stitch around the cuff using a slight seam allowance.

turn the pillow right side out, and you are done.

seriously, how cute is that?

I was squealing with delight while I was making these.

And of course, the more you make, the cuter they are!

I have a feeling that the ones that are staying at my house are going to get a lot of use. :)

Christmas coins

The Christmas coins quilt is done-and just in time-the silent auction is tomorrow night. I finished it on Saturday night, actually. And I washed it last night.
The top is made from all scraps and my favorite background fabric ever-Quilter's Only cotton fabric in the color parchment (purchased from JoAnn's).

I stippled it in a larger pattern than I usually do, but it still has that crinkly texture to it, which is key.

The quilt measures 67" x 74". It is a little more squarish than I originally had planned, but that's what happens when you just start sewing with a slight plan. :) Even though that wasn't the original intent, I do like the shape of it.

For the back I used an apple green polka dot. It's a tad brighter than the greens on the front, but it was the best I could do from my stash. I actually like that it isn't an exact match. I quilted it with cream thread.

Last night, when I washed this quilt, I washed it with my Christmas charm quilt and I added a shout color catcher in the wash, just in case. The charm quilt still bled. The deep red squares and the deep teal squares were the culprits. The parchment fabric that I used on the back seemed to absorb the dye, and the color catcher didn't seem to help at all. :( I was able to scrub most of the excess dye out of the back of the charm quilt...there is a slight remnant of dye on it still. There was one patch on the Christmas coin quilt that also turned half red but I scrubbed that out as well, and it seems to have faded the stain significantly. It almost makes me want to start pre-washing....except for the fact that I wouldn't have pre-washed my charms anyway, and they were the ones that bled. At least the quilts aren't ruined for good...they are just slightly imperfect now. Just like the rest of the quilts I make. :) So if you are making a Christmas charm quilt you might want to pre-wash the red and blue charms in your sink and save yourself a little heartache.