Holy Bat-mania Baby Quilt

There is nothing like a new baby in the family to spark your creativity. To celebrate my new Great-Nephew who arrived at the end of December, a Batman-themed quilt was the only way to go.

The darling, colorful superhero words fabric from Joann's was a great beginning, offering up many colors to include. And, of course, a bat symbol applique had to be center stage.

I like to embroider the baby's name and birth year on their quilts. The year had already been embroidered on this quilt top when he finally made an appearance a week beyond his due date on the 29th. (Tommy, come out of the bat cave!) By then I had decided if he waited until 2016, the 5 was going to be X'd out and a 6 embroidered next to it.

Welcome to the world, sweet baby boy, Thomas Maverick. Aunt Janie loves you!

Dotty Disappearing 9-Patch Baby Quilt

A sweet new baby girl has arrived in the family -- welcome, Nova Jade -- and her special quilt has been completed. The pattern is a Disappearing 9-Patch made with 5" charm squares of Classic Dots from Connecting Threads. Each center square was plain white before cutting. 

This quilt was so much fun to make, I think the Disappearing 9-Patch is going to become a favorite of mine. I used 96 polka dot charms and 12 white charms to make a dozen 9-patches. After cutting each into fourths, the yield was 48 6-1/2" blocks. Used 45x60" crib sized Warm & Natural batting and finished size was approximately 40" by 53" with binding.

To honor baby Nova and personalize her quilt, I replaced one 6-1/2" block on the front with a variable star block. Her name, birth month and year were embroidered on it in light green thread. I made the star points with the colorful backing fabric to bring it to the front and make the star pop.

On the extra block, I embroidered label information and attached it to the lower back along with my Handiworking label made by Lilla Lotta.

I figured why stop the dottiness now and bound the quilt with mini dots white-on-black fabric. Since I prefer not to prewash my quilting fabrics, I did wash and dry the quilt to clean and crinkle it up before sending.

Congratulations and much love to Nova's momma, daddy and super big brother!

So many projects, never enough time!