Ok, so long story short, my brother's girlfriend is pregnant. I have not spoken to them since my brother dropped the bomb in June. This week my mother finally cornered me and I guess I've finally come to terms with this pregnancy and their decision to keep it... By the way, it's a boy! I still haven't spoken to my brother, but my mother thinks they want to ask us to be the godparents. I had planned on making an I spy quilt for when the baby is born, but I will probably have to come up with some kind of shower gift too. I have no money (saving for my wedding) and don't want to give them something dinky or lame, but I figure I can make some kind of quilt anyway.
This is where you folks come in... WHAT do I make them? I was thinking of using flannelette fabric, but I saw this really awesome original winnie the pooh cotton fabric at work (my second job is at a fabric store...DANGEROUS!) but I just don't know what to do with it. I'm open to suggestions for block patterns, anything, really.

I'm starting to collect fabric for the I spy quilt, I think I've finally decided on a theme.

ETA: Ok, sorry, that was supposed to be short, but even the abbreviated version is long!

You will be an awesome aunt! This baby will learn lots of creative stuff from you. From seeing your prior pictures, there will be a spark in you and there will be another beautiful quilt in production. I don't have any specific pattern for you, but do suggest that you don't make the pieces too small or many. The reason being, baby blankets end up being washed alot due to the nature of the little beasties, and the less seams that can come apart the better :)

just my own 2 cents, but i think it's fabulous they decided to welcome the unexpected life into the world and commit themselves to loving him. :-)

i don't think there's any such thing as too many binkies for any baby. get one or two coordinating solids to go with the pooh fabric. make a top from simple, long strips of each fabric. add one border the same width as the strips. quick; easy; and they'll love it. :wink:

You're right, it's really not my decision to make, that's why I haven't spoken to them. My beef is that it is totally and completely irresponsable of them, becuause my brother is 20 years old, has a criminal record, can barely keep a job (because he's irresponsable, not because of the record) he changes girlfriends like he changes his underpants, and I can see them hitting up my parents for cash left right and center. My mother cannot afford to raise another child, she shouldn't have to be stuck taking care of this one, just because my brother would rather chill with his buddies instead of taking care of a family he created. It's not his fault she decided to keep it, but he has a LOT of growing up to do in the next couple of months. However, this is not my problem, thank God. We're planning on getting married and having kids soon, but we're making sure we can handle things on our own... I think it's unfair that my parents have to be new parents again, instead of happy, unstressed grandparents. ok, rant over, lol, sorry :)


I think I will use the pooh fabric, it's just toooo cute!

Use the search function up top. A few weeks ago, there was a thread about making baby stuff with lots of links to free patterns.

I absolutely LOVE this quilt...

Maybe Winnie could be in it?

http://quickquilts.com/kidscorner/kc...ern/index.html

You will be a fantastic Aunt!

And it's ok to vent here :wink:

I have a 32 year old step-daughter who has 3 girls by 3 different men, was into drugs and lost custody of her children last year. She now has them back but we are all just holding our breath. The girls are so confused and the sad part is they have no idea of what it is to be part of a normal 'mom-dad' family. They break my heart.

Sometimes it is little hands that help us the most. Maybe this is what your brother needs for a wake up call.

Good luck and give his girl friend all the support you can.

Your quilts are lovely, how about a scrappy one from your left overs in pastels?

This sort of thing always requires major adjustments.
And a lot of them are just plain hard to deal with.

Good luck to all concerned.

This is one that I made last year and it went together really fast. If you want I'll look up the pattern for you. I know that I printed it off the web.

Melanie, is ok to be upset and your point of view is my point of view but there is nothing you can do about this situation so just be the best Auntie you can be for this little boy that is coming.
I ditto what sewnsewer said you make beautiful quilts so use materials that you already have and make a gorgeous quilt for you nephew.
Baby girl everything is going to be ok so try not to stress over it.
(((((((((HUGS)))))))))))

Another option ... and one that would buy you some time is to give a certificate for a signature quilt with the signatures of all those who attended the shower. You will need to provide the parameters of what you want: material, size, marking pen, etc. and then provide them for the party goers. It would really be appreciated by the parents.
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Sorry I can't find a picture of one that I really liked. It was a selection of Winnie the Pooh fabrics done with the square in a square method, it was very effective. Here's a picture of the only one I've tried with Winnie the Pooh fabrics.

thanks for all the kind words and suggestions, guys, and I really like this pattern, and the one below too!
I'm going to have a hard time deciding!

I always seem to recommend the Warm Wishes pattern. It's really easy, goes together quick. You could use the winnie fabric in the squares. Good luck to you auntie. Being an aunt is pretty fun!

Hello Melanie, from me in England. My what crosses we have to bear sometimes. Have you thought of getting a cot qyult panel. all you need do then is just sandwich it and quilt, either by hand or machine If you are stuck on Pooh Bear you can get some panels like that. I do hope all goes well.

Congratts. Try and forget the issues involved and start to enjoy the joys of being an Aunt. :D

I am going to be making a baby quilt for my S/Os cousin using the udder cowboy fabric from Moda. It will be a 5' block then a 4 patch block rag quilt.
Since it is going to be a boy....

I know this is an older thread, but for my first baby I was given beautiful burp cloths and bibs which were quilted. I am sure if you googled it, you could come up with an easy pattern.

I hear where you are coming from Baren... went through it with my oldest son, first car lead to first girlfriend who introduced him to his anatomy and along came baby. Was I angry? I was LIVID, I made it very clear that I would not be raising any extensions to my kids relationships.

Babies don't ask to be born, and they don't ask to be born to stupid parents. Maybe this is a wake up call for your brother and he will step up to the plate, grow up and provide a loving home for his son.


You will be a wonderful Auntie, enjoy your nephew. :)