I need some help
 

I would say that just because they are in the military they don't still like things that nonmilitary personnel like, lol. Just pick a pattern that any new mommy would like. (I was in the Texas National Guard) Gina

I would pick out the fabric and quilt pattern that fits a baby girl. If you want to honor their parents commitment to the US military, I would pick up a bit of "pink camoflage" to put in the quilt.

They will love anything you make. I would make it for a little girl. Instead of something military looking. INMHO

NHWeaver's suggestion is great! Any pattern you like with some pink camouflage fabric incorporated.

Being retired military I agree. My husband didn't even like when I got our son a sailors suit to get his pictures taken in. I thought he was cute. Think like a mom/parents and don't let the job stand in the way. If they want things that are military they can go to the PX on base and get it. Make this personal. Just think of parents/grandparents/baby girl. You'll do fine; don't overthink it.

If you are concerned ask grandma if she thinks that it pink camo would be good or to go super girly. As others said just because thy are military doesn't mean they want everything to be military themed. Maybe post a pic of the fabric you choose and the pattern if you want more imput.

Super girly front with pick camo backing. Best of both worlds!

I always like to find out what colors the mother wants. Some people want bright primaries because they say babies see them best, and other want soft baby pastels. Some people love pink and some hate it. Does the grandma know how the nursery will be decorated? My DDs all wanted something different, and would not have liked it if I just made a pink quilt.

If I were a garbage collector I don't think I would want a quilt made of garbage truck fabric. It is a baby girl, not an armed forces recruit.

As an aside, I am very thankful for garbage collectors and this statement is not to reflect a bad image of them. It is just an example of how we pidgeon hole people by one little part of their lives.

When I make a baby quilt for a gift I make it in baby colors and pattern suited for a baby. As a gift I don't usually ask what the parents want. I never say I'm making a quilt as a gift, I just make it and they know when it's opened at the shower.

About ten years ago, I made a Sunbonnet Sue (all appliqued blocks, using all the dainty floral or other print, baby rickrack, 1/8" ribbon (on the hats), etc. The pattern also has instructions -- it had two distinct borders/sashing on it, separated by a varigated (pastel colors) eyelet. This is a beautiful pattern. If I had an extra copy of the book, I would send it if you wanted it, but I only have one. What I did (and of course it's not the only way to do it) , I bought some quilt-double-backed fusion material and ironed the applique pieces together, then zig-zagged it in buttonhole stitch all around every piece. I even made little bows and attached them and zig-zagged the on in the appropriate places.

First and foremost, you have to make what YOU want to make! The quilt I made turned out very well, since I was (and am) a rank amateur, but I did hand-quilt it (it took me five months to make since I was and still am working full-time), but I had a lot of fun doing it, and the sore fingers right along with it!

To make a long story shorter, the original size was supposed to be 28" x 36" (or something like that--I'm not looking at the pattern right now). In my ignorance, I said that's not a quilt, that's a lap pad. I doubled the number of blocks and enlarged all the pattern pieces and the white blocks. I'm not saying I would do that again, but it was a lot of fun!

Sorry, I guess I sound like a blithering idiot!

Jeanette Frantz

I would ask what the mother wants, what her color choices are. Although it is old fashioned, my personal favorites are the quilts that tell a nursery rhyme story in the blocks, although I think they are the hardest to do- or a Noah's ark story quilt. The appliques or the crayon colored blocks are difficult but I think the quilts are the best baby quilts and usually are cherished by everyone.

skip the military stuff and think BABY...

I agree with previous posters and say just go for a "baby" quilt and dont worry about the parent's professions. And I can say with all honesty be glad its a girl...there are sooooo many girl orientated fabrics and panels out there that I'm sure you will have a hard time narrowing it down. I am currently making two baby quilts for two different baby boys and oh my goodness boy orientated fabrics are not that plentiful!

I too like baby quilts that are interactive. Both of the quilts I am doing are the same panel but one is blue and the other is orange/green. Its an alphabet quilt where each letter has an object that starts with that letter. Everyone always says how useful they are at entertaining a child in a waiting room.

I say, do a google image search for baby quilts and see if anything you find inspires you. Afterall, the quilt could become more of a chore than a joy if you are doing a pattern that you dislike.

:thumbup:

The whole idea of pink camo fabric makes me smile. I can't think where that would work as camouflage - maybe in a flower bed?

I also agree with those who suggest getting info from the grandma about any theme or color preferences the parents might have mentioned.

I love the group-think that happens on this site all the time!

I like the idea of a bit of pink camo.

Some people don't like girly things. I would go with something you think the parents/grandparents would like. I have made baby blankets with 30s child fabric & plaid or polka dot backing. I have also used baby blocks and animals with small green or yellow checked backing. Most parents appreciate anything made with love, good luck.

Ask what the theme and/or colors of the babies nursery will be and make something along those lines. Just because the parents are in the military doesn't mean the baby's room will be in a military theme. Something girly will do just fine. I have 4 grandkids and each had a different theme and color scheme for their rooms. One was Winnie the Pooh, one was Tinkerbell, one was fairies and one was teddy bears. I am sure they will appreciate anything you make. Don't stress over it. Enjoy and have fun making it.

Absolutely -- a baby girl quilt!

I think I'd go with a red, white, & blue color scheme... bright, happy baby colors & "patriotic" to boot. Just a thought. I like the pink cammo idea, too. My nephew, who has always been WILD about tractors, had a baby girl & I found pink John Deere fabric. It actually was a rather cute quilt & they loved it.

Think outside the box maybe they would like something that would be pretty and not military as most people would know the parents are both in the military thanks to both of you for serviving our great country and congrats on the new little one

I agree with some of the other post, you are making the quilt for the baby, who is not military. Make a quilt that you would make for a baby who's parents aren't in the military.. I do like the suggestion of pink camo as a backing.

Please, please don't use camouflage on a baby's quilt. It is a tiny baby. There are plenty of lovely baby"s fabrics out there.

I would ask if the mother has a theme for the nursery.

I'm the mom of two Army soldiers. My daughter is absolutely opposed to using camo, especially differently colored camo, for any clothing. She say "Camo is not a fashion statement." Soldiers are usually VERY patriotic and have strong feelings about what they do, and many times about the uniform and what it stands for.

I think it would be very important to make sure mom and dad think pink camo is adorable or inappropriate. I also think if they are in favor, that just a little would go a long way. Maybe small hearts?

Also I'm very much in agreement with the sentiments of just making a baby quilt. The military may be their occupation but I don't think I'd want my baby having apples and chalkboards, etc. just because I'm a teacher. Think of nurses, doctors, car salesmen, secretaries as themes for quilts. Not much appeal.

I agree. I have friends in the service and even though they are patriotic, it doesn't mean they want everything in red, white and blue. Just a sweet baby theme would be fine!

I said in another thread, I never ask the parents what colors they want, I just make a baby quilt and surprise them. I've never had anyone say they didn't like the colors or wish I chose different colors. I agree with what someone else said. Don't tell them you are making a quilt. Just make one you like.

I like to make baby quilts that can be used when the child is older so no 'baby' patterns for me except when I did some hand embroidered ABC quilts. But those take a year to embroider.

Totally agree. My son and daughter-in-law are both career military. I always go with what my daughter-in-law would like - something pretty and frilly for my granddaughter. Go with what the new mom would like! Happy quilting.

Another thought would to make it a reversible quilt. Girly on one side & military on the other. That way she (they) could have the best of both worlds in one quilt.

I think I would go with super prissy little girl. The last thing I wanted to see when I came home from work was anything job related.

As a retired military wife, I never even considered military themed stuff for any of my boys or for my girl, not even for my husband!

You can't go wrong with alphabet or counting or I Spy. And those will be appropriate long past infancy.

When i made my first baby quilt it was for my daughter that was due with twins so i had to do two What i done was hand embroided mother goose nursey rymes and since i did not know if they were grils or boy's i use colors like yellow, browns and other neutral colors I put flannel on the back Now it is my morm to make the first baby for the famiy with the nursey rymes