Does anyone here quilt?

Of all my crafty skills; quilting is really my unknown.  I'm more confident on my use of power tools. 

But for Christmas this year I'm trying to build DD (and maybe DS) doll beds with little quilts.  I found an excellent tutorial for the beds on pinterest.  It's absolutely adorable!! (From the blog I originally found the inspiration on: http://fromdahliastodoxies.blogspot.com/2012/01/diy-doll-beds-and-miniature-quilts.html)

But the sewing has me nervous because DH can't help with that.    My BFF is awesome making clothing; but quilting is out of her comfort zone too.  I have a sewing machine and all the basic tools.  My mother has never quilted either.  So I'm afraid to commit to making 2 beds.  My kids are 5 and 3 and they are really into playing with babies.  Actually DS uses his favorite stuffed animal. But he has designated a smaller stuffed animal to be his favorite stuffed animals baby.  I'm thinking he would enjoy having a bed too. But maybe not miss it if he doesn't!     The improvise now as it is. I couldn't find any beds for sale that I liked the price on or were in the style I want.  I want them sturdy enough to LAST!  DD had a plastic cradle.  It fell apart constantly and eventually got put in the recycling... It was that bad.  

Can anyone give advice on quilting?  Even though the blogger put instructions; i'm afraid to mess it up.  

Oh Quilting has always appealed to me too. Please post pics of your work in progress once you get started Sorry I can't help you...but I'll definitely be cheering you on from the sidelines :lol3:

My sewing machine has been dead for years, and I keep not getting around to getting it fixed

I'm sure you could find a suitable baby blanket somewhere.  Costco currently has small sherpa blankets w/a stuffed pillow.  I like these for my cats.

My sister made a blanket for my oldest.  She found fabric with a large pattern, Snoopy, I think.  She just sewed around the figures and it looked quilted and lasted forever.

My MIL is a talented quilter and she did spend a weekend teaching me. unfortunately I haven't attempted it again despite investing in a cutting board and rotary cutter. as we decided that my sewing machine is not strong enough and I can't afford a new one, you really need a proper full size sewing machine, I only have a little one. Quilting is a lot easier than it sounds especially if you're doing it for dolls cos they will be smaller. There are plenty of youtube videos, and loads of magazines, I recommend Quiltnow. Honestly just give it a go, what's the worst that could happen, I used to scraps from my quilt to make a cushion form my grandma which she loved.

I have a decent size sewing machine; so that shouldn't be a problem.  

I spent a long time (and my sanity) in the fabric store last night picking out fabrics.  I could have been there all day if I hadn't had my kids with me.    My best friend put me in contact with her friend's sister-in-law who is a big quilter.  She sent me a couple videos and links to things on craftsy.  I have one project I need to get finished first; because it's a gift I need to mail.  But after that I'm going to have to get going.  

I would love to be able to sew.....period. Let alone quilt. (It's all I can do to sew buttons on shirts.) Please post pictures of your blankets.....I'd love to see them and I'm sure they'll be beautiful. 

Good luck!

This is my first quilt finished,

Its been a month since I started this thread; but I finished DD's doll quilt last night!! (Actually around 4 this morning. :lol3: ) Its not perfect and it came out smaller than I planned; but I love it! I did it all in one day. I found some good videos on youtube to reffer to that kept it simple. I used the paisley fabric for the back. I intended on doing pink binding (edging) but I was on a roll decided the darker pinks print wouldnt look as nice.


I need to put the varnish on the bed and make the mattress and pillows. I wanted to varnish the bed today but the stain is drying too slow in the suddenly cool temperatures!

I'm VERY impressed That looks great. I bet your DD will just love it. Good call on the blue binding too :nod: Pink just wouldn't have looked as good, imo anyway

My aunt showed me how to do it. She was a wonderful quilter. My effort was a small quilt. She cut the squares and helped me to it. All of it is done by hand. I am not sure if I would remember now how to do it as I never made anything else. This small quilt is a wall hanging in one of my bedrooms.

Oh, how pretty!  Now, if I can find the pattern for Drunk Love in a Log Cabin, I might have to take it up!

Thank you!  Pink is DD's favorite color.  I fell in love with the paisley fabric and tried to pull all the colors from there.  The back of the quilt is also the paisley fabric and I used pink to do the quilt stitching.  The blue i used in the binding and quilt has a metallic pattern to it.  So the fabric I chose for the sheets is white with metallic silver dots.  I'm hoping I can make a few decorative pillows for the bed too.  We will see!  I need to make that a bit lower on the Christmas priority list!  I hoped I wouldn't be up all night Christmas Eve wrapping gifts again.  But it's not looking good! 

Here is the finished product!


You can kind of see the little decorative pillows are double sided so she can mix and match the look. One is on its side here.

DDs baby doll spent the afternoon napping in it yesterday. Its wide enough to fit 2 if she wants. I am very pleased with how it turned out!

That is just BEAUTIFUL! I bet your DD was thrilled. What a lucky girl

Thank you.  Tonight as I was tucking her in we were talking about it.  I guess in the rush of yesterday we didn't tell her that DH and I had made it all for her.  That really got a sweet reaction out of her!  I asked if she remembered when we bought wood at Lowes and when I bought all that fabric in the fabric store (torture to her practically).  She said she did.  it was a very sweet moment to see her delight over where it all came from.  

The only problem that we have had is she is struggling between wanting her baby to sleep in the bed all night and wanting her baby to sleep with her in her bed like normal.    

Your quilt is gorgeous! What a wonderful gift....she will treasure it. Great job!