I did a playtime tummy mat for my granddaughter a while ago by using 15" blocks and appliquing simple object shapes onto each one - apple, sheep, turtle, pig etc - and used all different types of textures for her to feel and scrunch up.

It was a big hit with her and her mummy. It was easy to wash in a washing machine also - very important with all that dribble or worse.

There are a lot of ideas so have fun and show us what you make please.

I might make a small, 36" square maybe or a little larger, with perhaps a squeaker inside, us the paper from inside cereal boxes for a nice noise, perhaps even in a small area, but I might take small toys secured to various ribbons of different textures for the baby to play with. The ribbons and little toys could keep the baby quite happy for some time. When someone I knew had a baby, they were given a small square perhaps 12-20", not sure of exact size, but it had all types of ribbons with all kinds of textures sewn into the sides and his baby liked it - he told me I could probably make and sell them at the fairs I attended. Didn't get to have a table this year due to medical issues, however, they have me down for the Strawberry Festival in June, so now that I'm finally home, I need to start working on projects.

Here's a free pattern that has some cute ideas. Also, the little taggies are something babies love to play with and would not make it uncomfortable to lie on.

http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/quilt-...ack-baby-quilt

GagaSmith thanks for the link I plan to add a little flip book with numbers or baby faces in it and of course taggies of all kinds of ribbon! I have it in my head now to get it to gabric and done! I am slow at getting things done! Grand ideas sometimes never materialize to fabric!

If you can get ahold of a wedge ruler --either 9 or 10 degree one, it makes for a nice circular mat--not too big. In one g-boys crib quilt I used cereal wrapper to add that crinkle, along with some other fabric textures (fleece, corduroy, etc) I didn't attach anything as I worried about it holding up to washing. Older g-son got a twin size road quilt--with a lake in the middle of the road and house, barn and firehouse pockets that velcroed down and held Matchbox cars when he graduated to twin size bed. the two oldest are getting ISpy quilts for Christmas and next year the youngest will too.

Have you heard of a quillow? It is a quilt tucked inside a pocket to make a pillow.
 

I made my nephew a quillow and He takes it to spend the night and on car trips.

A quillow is a quilt with a pocket on one side. You fold the quilt into the pocket to make a pillow. This quillow size is 39.5 x 65 . I used minke for the backside. The pattern I used came from Fons and Porter's book Fun Quilts for kids of all ages. Summer 2007. This is a great quilt to use up novelty prints you don't want to cut and piece. I saw a video on u-tube that shows how to make a quillow also. There was even a video on how to fold the quilt into the pocket.

Make blocks around the outside edges of the Quilt.. Sew on Tabs that you can sew Velcro on to hold the different soundmakers like the key rings.. That way the Baby can lay in the middle and reach out to the toys.. You could make the Blocks in different colors and textures.. You could have Pockets so baby could reach inside and pull items out- like small baby safe toys, How about a pocket for a already made crinkle sounding toy... everything must be able to go into washer... we all know that babies spit up and leak.. Just suggestions.

Like this idea too..

I made an soft alphabet book here: http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...k-t242540.html
It might give you some cute appliques to use. I used different fabrics for many of the items, so it might give you some further ideas.

I made a quilt for my great, grand niece. I made a pillow to match then put it all in a backpack I made to match. It is great for traveling. If she is stuck in an airport, she has her won clean bed I made pockets in the backpack for a book , a color book and crayons or whatever and then another pocket. It is well loved. I am now in the process of making another set for my great, grand niece who arrives in Feburary. I don't think I will ever make a kids quilt without matcing pillow and backpack.