Did you see me? This is where I was hiding!

Here's another project pulled from the closet of doom and finished.  I made the top back in February.  Yesterday evening I did the quilting and applique and tonight I finished the binding.

Here's a detail of the quilting.

Here's a shot of the giraffe-print Minky on the back.  (It's soooo soft!)  When I'm making these baby quilts with Minky backs, I only quilt through the top and batting layers.  Then, I lay the quilted layer on top of the Minky and hand baste two rows of stitching around the edges of the quilt, so the Minky doesn't shift or stretch while the binding is being sewn on. 

The giraffe applique is chocolate brown Minky.  I thought that, with all the busy patterns on this quilt, it would be best to keep the applique simple.  The only real embellishment is a wool felt eye. 

The finished quilt is pretty small -- about 32" square, but a good size for stroller or carseat.  Now that Gus' quilt is done, I just have to finish the one for his twin sister, Poppy!  As I mentioned in my previous post, I'm doing two giveaways this week.  The second is for a little kit to make a quilt top like this one.  It includes nine squares to make the crazy nine patch blocks, one half yard giraffe print fabric for sashing, and a Minky piece and wool felt scrap to make the applique.  If you'd like to enter to win, just comment on this post before midnight (Pacific) Friday, May 2.

How To Make the Quilt:

Here is a template for the giraffe: Download giraffe_template.pdf.  Directions for making Minky appliques can be found in the Bunny Applique Tutorial in the sidebar.

To make the crazy nine-patch blocks, start with nine different 10" squares.

Stack the squares and make a diagonal cut through all layers.  Once you've made the cut, take the top piece on the right stack and move it to the bottom.  Stitch each square back together, making sure to put the finished squares back in the same order.

Repeat the same process on the left side.  However, this time you'll move the top two pieces to the bottom of the stack.  Once again, stitch the squares back together, keeping them in the same order.

Next, make a cut across all of the blocks.  Because of the thickness, you may need to cut a few at a time, using an already cut piece as a guideline.  This time you'll move the top three pieces to the bottom of the stack.  Again stitch the squares back together, keeping the squares in order. 

Note:  Because of the angles involved, you will not be able to match all seams.  Don't try.  It's a crazy nine-patch after all.  Just keep the overall block as square as possible.

Last cut!  This time across the bottom.  This time you'll move the top six pieces to the bottom of the stack.  Sew the squares back together.  At this point, once that last seam is sewn, there is no need to put the blocks back in the same order.

Trim all finished blocks to 8.5" square.

Et, voila!  The finished crazy nine-patch squares.  To finish the quilt top, add sashing cut from 2" strips of fabric (for 1.5" finished sashing).  If you're using my method of adding a Minky back and quilting only through the top and batting, I suggest doing the quilting before you add the applique.

Happy Sewing! 

Comments

[Katie]

I love this quilt---love, love, love it! And I very much appreciate the tip about quilting with Minky. I love how it feels for a baby quilt, but I hated working with it so much that I haven't been able to even think about trying it again (and the quilt that I made caused my normally supportive sewist mother to laugh out loud, it was that puckered and stretched!). I am now itching to try it again with the adorable giraffe applique, even if I don't win the kit. Thanks!

[Alice]

Last night I just started a baby quilt that I plan to back with minky. I was going to search the internet today to figure out how to quilt it and here you have it. I had never thought of quilting only the batting and top before adding the minky. Thanks for showing me how!

[Amy]

So cute! I love the crazy nine patch blocks!

[Joy Humphries]

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful quilt. My quilt group is currently making Stack and Slash quilts and the appliqué idea is great! It is perfect for the quilts we make for the local children's hospital.
Joy

[Lauren]

Oh, I just LOVE this!! That giraffe is so cute- what a great idea for a baby quilt!

[carrie]

great idea! love the giraffe--thanks for sharing!

[Rose]

Aww man! I love giraffes, I wish I'd had this quilt as a kid. Gus is a lucky, lucky boy.

[jackie]

This is darling. Thank you for the tutorial and the giveaway!

[Carrie]

What an adorable quilt! Thanks so much for the tute. I've only recently found your blog and I LOVE all of your baby quilts. I've never worked with minky fabric before, but after seeing your quilts I'm inspired to make some for my two little ones.

[Carol]

LOVE the quilt! I am eager to try the crazy 9 patch for a quilt for my new grandson.

[anna w]

Oh dear! Another give-away! You are too generous - I love it! I'll have to think of something clever to give away on my blog - any ideas?
I love the little baby quilt, and thanks so much for the tut! I have grand plans to make a nice big quilt for my wee one, but they might get downsized to a baby-sized quilt :u)

[Somer]

Wow! What a post, eye candy, tutorial and a giveaway! Thank you.

[Katie]

It's beautiful!! I think I am currently becoming giraffe obsessed. Happy May Day/ KY Derby/ Cinco De Mayo!

[Shelly]

Awesome quilt and awesome giveaway! I have wanted to do quilts for my kids for years. I keep saying this is the year! thank you for the instrutions and inspiration!

[Patty]

This is just darling! You have such good ideas for quilts.

[Luckyknittter]

How Cute! I love the fabrics you chose. My nephew would love a quilt like that. Thanks so much for the tutorial. I found you through SMS, and enjoy reading your blog.

[punchanella]

okay, novice question...

how do you get the edging to look so nice? is it the standard bias tape they sell in stores? i am using amy karol's tutorial to sew it right which *helps* but i still get bunchiness... i just want to make my little one a blanket. :(

[Elizabeth P.]

That's adorable! I'd love to win the materials to play around and make a little one of my own. :)

[Penny]

It's wonderful!! thank-you for taking the time to post this tut!

[jennifer shingledecker]

I absolutely LOVE your quilt! Thank you for including directions to make one! I'm SO incredibly inspired by this quilt to make one for my baby boy due in August! I really hope I win your give away too!
jennifer j. s.

[Heather]

Oh that quilt rocks!! Thanks for sharing the pattern, this is definetly in my to do list for upcoming babies!!

[Larici]

Gorgeous quilt. Thanks for all the info. I never though on not quilting through the back.

[Christina]

Shame on me for not checking blogs yesterday! This is a perfect quilt for our little Brice. I love the quilt - but I commented on Flickr so i'll keep this short. The tutorial is great - my girlfriend (http://sarahbearlove.blogspot.com) is just learning to sew and wants a good charm pack quilt. I told her a crazy 9-pach would be a good idea. I'll forward this on to her. Thanks!

[Regina]

beautiful!!!

[Rebekah]

wow! This is such an adorable baby quilt! The giraffe is so cute. Thanks for posting a tutorial on how to make the blocks. I'm definitely going to try a crazy nine patch like this soon!