How Do You Make Letters and Numbers Blocks for a quilt
 

I want to make a quilt for my 1 year old great niece that has the alphabets and numbers on it in a quilt block form. How can I make the letters and numbers?

What I did was to get some graph paper and color in the squares that would form a letter - that way I could make the letters from 1" squares.

You can piece them or applique them. There are numerous patterns out there for pieced blocks. I know the book The Cats Meow by Janet Klime has instructions as well as numerous wonderful cat block patterns.
https://www.amazon.com/Cats-Meow-Pur...=the+cats+meow

Here is a blog I found that has downloadable patterns for the alphabet as well. She mentions numbers 1-9 but I didn't see a link for those.
https://fabricfrantic.myshopify.com/...block-patterns

And as Artsy one suggested you can certainly graph your own with graph paper. The beauty of that is you can make them any size you want and aren't limited to already made patterns.

What I've done is make the letter in Publisher or Word, print it out and use that for my applique pattern. Use a chunky font and make it as big as you want. Tape it onto a window, so the right side is facing out, which makes it backwards. Then trace it onto fusible web.

've done this when I needed to make a stencil with lettering for a sign rider. Did this on contact paper was perfect. Works great for any stencil or lettering need including embroidery.

I paper piece letters and numbers for a child's quilt. Fusible and applique don't last as long if the quilt is washed a lot.

Here's a link for free paper pieced alphabet. Haven't found free numbers.
http://www.thequiltercommunity.com/Wc2ce335890b27.htm

for an autograph quilt I bought cardboard stencils from a hardware store and traced in reverse on fusible and then machine appliqued.

Consider buying an ABC panel. It will hold up better than the fusible alternative. It's also lots easier. This is a search for "abc panel quilt"
https://www.google.com/search?q=abc+...m3afW9c-RMTXM:

bkay

On the FANDOMINSTITCHES.COM site in the Harry Potter section, there are all the alphabet letters and also on CRAFTSY.com are more alphabet.

Here is an idea for you: Look at Children's Coloring books ... maybe you can find one with Alphabets and Numbers, Check Dollar Tree in the School section they might have the numbers and letters there too. Bulletin board supplies in a Teacher's Supply Store. other wise you might have to print out from online fonts.

I found some nice fat letters ( like a teacher might use on a bulletin board) at the dollar store. I traced the letters I needed then appliquéd them to a bib I made. It worked out great. There were 3 sets of letters in the package and only a dollar.

Went to the dollar store and bought a number/letter stencil. WonderUnder on back of fabric. Trace whatever you need...make sure it's reversed. Cut out, press and appliqué. Easy peasy.

Jaybird has a new book out just for this....it's called Alphabet Soup, she also has numbers... here is the link.
http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/2017/04/alphabet-soup.html

I'ts a fun book as I have it.....actually I have almost all her patterns....she also has free stuff to go along with this book.

A faster way instead of paper piecing, but still sewn in the quilt, is to use the method in the book Fat Quarter Fonts.

I agree qshorttimer! I have used such stencils forever (I was a teacher for 38 years.) I have many sizes in my pattern box.

quilterscache.com has both letters and numbers that are pieced and are boxy looking. I think you can have the choice of the size block you would like.

You could also paint them; I recommend "Aunt Martha's ballpoint" fabric paint tubes. My grandmother used these paints to make doll faces and also to paint cartoon characters onto quilt blocks; even after years and years of washings, the paint still looks really good.

Pattern
 

Here are letter patterns

https://www.fatquartershop.com/moda-...fabric-booklet

And a quilt I made from them

Alphabet
 

I made a Scrabble chemo quilt for my sister. She loved it but never used it while getting chemo infusions. She draped it across a chair in her spare bedroom so visitors could admire it. She died this past July 27. I miss her terribly. But I feel better about her passing when I think of how she admired the quilt. I simply looked for letter images on the internet. When I found what I wanted I taped a piece of tracing paper to the top of my monitor and traced it out. Some adjustments are needed. For instance if you will use the needle-turn applique method you will need a seam allowance. Just one many ides you will hear from the very talented people populating this board. Good luck.

feline fanatic,

To get the numbers click on the 0 and scroll down. Download the zero and you download 1-9.