Another baby quilt using the Free Simple Squares Pattern

Seems like a lot of babies have come into my life lately, which means lots of baby quilts to be made.  This baby quilt was made using the Simple Squares pattern.  I love the pattern, because it is quick and easy and the simplicity of the quilting keeps it vintage looking.

I actually have a confession to make.  After spending my time this week writing up my scheduled blog, I realized I did not have the photos!  

I spend my winters in Costa Rica away from my sewing machine which is why you will see me crocheting during those months.  In October, before we came to this tropical paradise, I was busy sewing projects to blog about.  Although I am armed with the tutorial photos, I have no photos of the finished project UGGHH!  So Plan B developed – the story and photos of the By the Sea Baby Quilt.

This year, we went home for Christmas and while I was there, I made this gorgeous baby quilt for a friend here in Costa Rica.  Yes, it is that easy and simple!  

Upon arriving here in Costa Rica for the winter, a good friend announced the upcoming birth of her baby girl.  Mabel was due to be born in February.  Now, for those that know me, I make a baby quilt for each special friend upon the birth of their precious one.  

As luck would have it, we went home for Christmas to meet our new granddaughter (the recipient of the first Simple Squares baby quilt).  I hit my local quilting store and found this fabulous fabric

I loved the beachy theme for a baby quilt made for Costa Rica.  To keep it light, I used double gauze for the backing and did not use batting.  

MAKING THE BABY QUILT

SUPPLIES REQUIRED

• 1/2 yard each of 4 colors for the squares
• 1 1/2 yard of 60″ backing
• 1/2 yard of binding fabric
• Coordinating thread
• Download of the Simple Squares pattern

The Simple Squares pattern uses 8 different colors, while this baby quilt was only going to have four different fabrics.  To make the baby quilt using four colors is easy, peasy.   You will simply make Squares 1 and 5 out of Color A, Squares 2 and 6 from Color B, Squares 3 and 7 will be Color C and Squares 4 and 8 – Color D.  

The instructions on sewing the Simple Squares baby quilt can be found here.

You will need 56 squares of Color A and 55 squares of each of the other three colors.  To make this quilt go quicker, you can do a bit of speed sewing.  To do this cut your fabrics into 5 – 3-1/2″ strips from selvage to selvage (WOF). 

Using 3 of these strips, sew one strip of each color together.  Watch the order – make sure the fabrics are in order.  Color A, then Color B, Color C and finally Color D.  These are called strip sets.

Press your seams, then cut each piece  into 12 – 3-1/2″ strips across the four color strips.   This will make 36 sets.    From the 4th strip of each color, cut the strips 25 inches long.  Sew the four strips together as above and cut another 7 sets. 
You should have 43  strip sets.

The remaining fabric will be used to make 13 squares of Color A and 12 squares each of Color B,   Color C and Color D.  

Following the pattern guide, sew these sets together using the additional squares to complete the row.  For example,

• Row 1 uses 3 sets plus one additional square of Fabric 1. 
• Row 2 starts with Square 2, Square 3, and Square 4 followed by 2 complete sets, then Squares 1 and 2.
• Row 3 starts with Squares 3 and 4, followed by 2 complete sets, then Squares 1, 2 and 3
• Row 4 starts with Square 4, followed by 3 complete sets. 
• Row 5 is the same as Row 1, Row 6 the same as Row 2, etc.

Continue following the pattern until all 17 rows are complete.  Add backing and quilt as desired.  Once again I used a simple straight stitch 1/4″ from the seams of the blocks.  

Little Mabel arrived a month early and I think she will love her new baby quilt!  Her Mommy does!

Unfortunately, the Give me the Sea fabric is very hard to find.  These other fabrics would look fabulous as a baby quilt made with the Simple Squares pattern. 

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As I mentioned in my Choosing Fabric post,  the fabric makes the quilt.  You can also check my Pinterest Board Quilt Colors for more inspiration.

Good luck making your baby quilt.  I would love to see what you made using the Simple Squares baby quilt pattern.  

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