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I needed a fast baby blanket for a girl. Saw a heart quilt from charms last night and since I had so many 5" squares cut I thought it would work. It was very fast but now it seems small. It's a 36" square. I could add a small pink border and a 3" green border to make it 44". What would you do? I'm not usually this indecisive but I think because this worked up so fast I'm feeling like it needs something more. If the baby were here, I'd know the name and I'd add a border just to applique the name on it. Decisions, decisions!
Evelyn

I like your quilt very much. Also your idea for the 2 borders. If you think it is on the small side now, you'll think that after you gift it and see the baby using it. I say do the borders. Pat

I seem to have an aversion to perfectly square quilts. I would concentrate on making it a rectangle by adding wider borders to the top and bottom,while adding smaller borders to the sides. It wouldn't take much. I'd probably shoot for at least 44 x 48...With that lovely heart you have done...a checkerboard across the top & bottom and solid border on the sides would be cute.

How about adding a border with cornerstones (green cornerstones and pink as the main fabric). When you quilt, you could write the baby's name on two borders and the birthdate in the other two borders--something that would show up to personalize the quilt. You could also use one of those "wordplay" books and piece letters or do some type of applique. You could also write something with quilting in the large center heart and quilt additional hearts in a large border. You could also add more color to the center by appliquing a few hearts of different colors on the green background of the center. If you did this, then you could add a narrow border followed by a pianokey border of multiple colors. ....these are just a few ideas for you to play with--you have a nice start already!

I like the idea of adding the borders as you described. I actually think square when I think of baby quilts! (Sorry May!) I do prefer rectangular quilts for every other use. Make sure you post your final choice!
Really did love the dust bunny quilt you posted on Sew & Tell. Very cute!
Susan

It might be fine for immediately after the baby is born, but it will very quickly outgrow it at this size. So I'd vote for making it larger somehow.

I vote for the borders you described as well.

I think 44 x 44 would be a great size for a first baby quilt, and then you could do something larger when you know the name and birthdate and have a little more time to think it through.

When I used to go to baby showers, I didn't buy 'baby' things. I looked to the future. They grow so darn fast.

I would opt for something along the lines of TcMay's suggestion. Make the quilt longer so it can be used for a while afterward.

I made a 'baby' quilt for DGS #2. A couple of years later DDIL asked me why I'd never made a quilt for him. He grew so quickly, it got put away and she forgot about it.

You made a very nice quilt, why not have it around for awhile?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: paus4quilts,

Thank you, ladies. You all agree it should be a bit bigger. You're right that toddlers get the best use of quilts so newborn size is silly when it's so easy to enlarge it now. Got to check my stash to see what I have. Thank you so much for taking time to express your ideas. I LOVE this experienced group! I'll post when I get it done. Working on a tote and will finish it first

I can't wait to see it done, such a woundful start.

I'd finish it up to your likes as most moms look for a smaller blanket to tuck in aound the child in the car seat or carrier. Cute quilt.

I ran to the gym with only 45 minutes to workout. (I do dislike the gym!) Then I came home with every intention to clean up my mess before finishing this baby quilt. But the pink and green charms told me it was time to make another tote bag. This time I changed her method and sewed a seam in the bottom of the lining to leave an opening to turn the tote. I did a zipper pocket, quilted the outside and still got it done in one short evening. The second time is always much faster. When I sewed my own clothes I always planned at least three outfits with the same pattern. Some of my favorites were used many more times. I bet this tote pattern will be used over and over too.

Oh my, love that tote!

Very cute quilt,how about smaller heart corner sq's in your border,I like the idea of being able to use longer.Love the tote.

Love the quilt, and I think making it longer, A rectangle will give it more use throughout the years...how about that small pink border all the way around, and several rows of the squares on each end (perhaps with appliqued or pieced hearts here and there on the green squares) then finish with pink binding.

Love that tote!

Repeating the hearts would work well. Plus using some in the quilting would be nice. I knew y'all were a clever group. Got plenty of squares even after the purse. Thanks to everyone for the compliments and the suggestions.

BTW the morning at guild they auctioned one of my small finished heart quilts and it brought $80. I was astounded but pleased that the money is going to the QOV. I've got three in my immediate family who are career milit@ry.

Sounds as if you have your quilt squared away. It will be very pretty.

The method you used for lining your tote and turning it, is the same one I use. I absolutely hate finishing the outside edge so leaving an opening in the lining is great for me, either the bottom or one of the sides.

OOPs congrats on the sale of the quilt.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: paus4quilts,

Your baby quilt is cute - post a pic once the borders are on