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When my daughter asked for something that looked old and vintage-like for her new baby’s quilt, I started my search.  Vintage roses set in small squares with very simple quilting seemed to pop-up everywhere. 

Those of you that know me, have figured out I don’t use patterns.  So here’s what I developed.

I like to make my baby quilts a little larger than most.  This pattern will make a quilt 40 x 52. 

Supplies required:

•  8 fat quarters in different patterns and colors (see below on choosing    fabrics)
• ½ Yd of coordinating fabric for binding.
• 1 ¼ Yd of 60” wide minky or fleece for backing.
• Coordinating thread  
• Crib size batting (optional).  Because minky or fleece is heavier, I do not use batting, however, you may do so if you wish

Choosing your fabric

I used Hopelessly Romantic by Deborah Edwards for Northcott Fabrics.  I had to fussy cut the large roses, therefore, I ordered a ½ yard of each to ensure I was able to cut 28 beautiful roses. 

Unfortunately, the Hopelessly Romantic collection has been retired but you may want to check out one of these collections.

UPDATE:  I made a second Simple Squares Quilt using Beach-Themed Fabric.  To see how it worked out – CLICK HERE

UPDATE 2: December, 2019 – these new fabrics were recently released and would look fabulous made into this quilt! Click the picture to buy!!

When choosing your fabric, I recommend using a three-color palette (I used pink, beige, aqua). Choose 2 Large prints (Roses), 2 smaller prints, (smaller roses) 2 geometrics such as stripes, dots, waves, etc. (Ivy) and 2 blenders (Paisley).

For more on choosing fabric, check out this post 

Cutting

From 5 of the Fat Quarters cut 28 – 3 1/2” squares

From 3 of the Fat Quarters cut 27 – 3 1/2” squares

From the binding fabric cut 5 – 2 ½” strips

Sewing the quilt top

Using a ¼” seam allowance, sew squares together using the layout chart found here 

Sew the 13 squares across the row first, then sew the rows together.   You may find it easier to add a row at a time, so you are not confused about which row is which.  For example, sew Row 1 and 2, then sew them together.  Next sew Row 3 and sew it to Row 2, sew Row 4 and sew it to Row 3 and so on.

Quilting the quilt

Once the quilt top is complete, place the front and back together, wrong sides together.  If you plan on using batting, sandwich the batting between the front and back.  Leave extra fabric around the edges.  These will be trimmed once the quilting is complete.

Quilt as desired.  How you quilt your quilt is a matter of personal preference.  The choice of thread also contributes to the look of the quilting. To keep the vintage look, this quilt was quilted very simply using an off-white thread.  The off white was chosen to look like an aged white.  The quilt was stitched at a 4.0 stitch length, ¼” on each side of the “ditch” in rows and columns.   

Once your quilting is complete, trim to square the quilt and bind.  For a great tutorial on how to bind your quilt, click here.  

I hate hand sewing; therefore, I sewed the binding onto the BACK of the quilt and then turned to the FRONT to do a blanket stitch.

This is probably one of the prettiest quilts I have made, and it was so simple!!

I look forward to you sharing photos of your creation.

 

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