Quilting Corner » 2006

Creating and caring for a keepsake blanket for your baby can be one of the most rewarding quilting projects you undertake. After years of trial and error, I would like to share with you what years of experience has taught me about creating an adorable keepsake blanket that your baby and you will cherish for many years.

#1 Use high quality cotton fabrics that will wash well and won’t bleed color or fade
#2 Use cotton thread rather than polyester. Although polyester is a stronger fiber (and so you may think it will last longer), it can actually wear holes in the cotton fabric after repeated washings.
#3 Choose classic colors for your quilt rather than trendy ones so your quilt will be appealing for decades to come
#4 Use fabrics and colors that you really love. Don’t use fabric just because you have some scraps in your closet. A really special project needs to be just right.
#5 Do not over wash. If you want your keepsake baby blanket to last for years to come, you’ll want to limit the number of washings you give it.
#6 Consider hand-quilting your quilt. A baby quilt is small and relatively quick and easy to quilt. Hand quilting gives your project that special touch of time and love that makes it a real keepsake.
#7 Personalize your quilt. Embroider or stitch your baby’s name and birth date on the back or on an empty block or boarder on the quilt top. I recommend you do this before the blanket is assembled so the name and date will not appear on the back side.
#8 Label your quilt. Part of what makes a keepsake so special is knowing how made it and when.
#9 Hand wash in cold water and line dry. Machine washing and dry cleaning are not recommended for handmade quilts.
#10 Store your keepsake quilt flat. Consider laying the quilt for display on spare bed in a guestroom, or better yet, hang it over a display rod or quilt display rack. If this is not possible, periodically unfold and refold your quilt in a different manner to minimize the permanent creasing in your quilt.