Baby Quilt Size
 

I want to make a quilt for my niece's new baby and would like to know what size you prefer for making baby quilts? I'm sure the quilts are too big when the baby is born, but I'd like to have the quilt usable as the baby grows. What size do you recommend?

I make them around 40" wide, so I can use a length of fabric for the backing. The length depends on the pattern or block I'm using. Anywhere from 40 to 60 inches.

That is the size I like too.

I usually make a 50 x 60 (or something close). I don't use baby fabric or patterns because I want them to love it as they get older and not feel like it too babyish. That's why I make a bigger size quilt too.

If you want to use the width of fabric for backing then keep the quilt around 40". I use that size for charity quilts. One I am working on right now starts with a panel and by the time I add borders it will tell me what size it wants to be. I prefer rectangular quilts to square and don't really keep a specific size in mind. The quilt has to be the right proportion.

I usually do something like 36 inches by no more than 40 inches...like others have said to possibly not have to piece the backing.

To me there's a happy medium between too small to use for long and too large to use.

I'm the odd-person out, I guess. I like 65x65". I used to make them smaller, but found that unless I put a hanging rod, parents really weren't using them much when the little one was first born. The larger size gives more room for tummy time & is large enough to serve as a nice lap quilt all the way through to college. But, then again, I make heirloom quality quilts that I expect to last for at least 20 years.

I've always made one yarder quick-turn baby blankets for folks expecting. I pick fabric that I know mom and dad would enjoy. Everyone seems to love them and use them for tummy time, strollers, car seats, changing pads, etc as they get to be toddlers I've seen them being dragged around for playing. If I'm good friends with them, around age 4 they're usually asking for something a bit larger and I'll then consult with the little one on colors and themes. Love making blankets for little ones.

I belong to a Quilt Ministry and we make baby quilts to donate to our local hospital's at-risk baby nursery. We make them 40"X40" so that we can use the 90" batting and just cut it 45" in length and then cut it in half. There is less scraps this way.

I usually do around 45x54 so it can be used on a bed quilt eventually. for a floor quilt I aim for 40x40.

I make square tummy time quilts. Depending on the pattern, they end up somewhere between 36-48 square.

I keep baby quilts easy and never make anything bigger than the width of the backing fabric. So 40" square is my top size for babies.
peace

Are there specific patterns for baby quilts? Is there a popular design?

I make somewhere between 42 or 45" by 50 x 60" and I make the top the way that the mother wants or it is very baby like (monkeys, princesses, animals, etc.) however, the backside is always made so that it can be used for years - squares, diamonds, stars, nice blocks etc and not a babyish at all)

depending on who the quilt is for, I often will use a panel and add to it. I personally like them to be at least 40" wide and 54" long, but generally will go a bit larger so they can use as toddlers, too.

When I make rag quilts I make the squares 7" and use 6 of them in a row. That makes them about 38" to 40" square.

Guess I'm the odd one out. I'd suggest looking at the batting you prefer to use (I use Quilters Dream cotton) and see what size their crib size is, letting that measurement be your guide. Quilters Dream crib is 46" x 60."

Jan in VA

Thanks to all of you for your input. Love reading everyone's responses. Always start my day with the quilting board. Happy New Years to all of you.

Hi
i am a first time quilter.
I am trying to make one from my granddaughters clothes.
I dont see a site to help me get stared.
Any suggestions ? Thanks

Guitarmama60,
Welcome! You'd probably get more responses by starting a new thread ... but generally making a quilt from clothes is one of the most difficult kinds of quilts to make because those fabrics are designed to have some stretch in them (which is great for clothes, but needs to be stabilized in order to use in a quilt or it will become distorted). I would suggest maybe trying a simple pattern using "quilter's cotton" -- you can buy the good stuff at a quilt shop or in the designer section at JoAnn, or just make a basic one out of the cheapy fabrics that are typically found on the walls at JoAnn like Calico Corners brand or their broadcloth solid fabrics. If you search for "T-shirt Quilts", "Memory Quilts" or "Baby Clothes Quilts", you will find many examples of layouts you can use with your granddaughter's clothes, but again, I'd recommend holding off on that challenge until you've practiced a bit of piecing & quilting with basic cotton fabrics & cotton thread.