Easy Baby Quilt Ideas

This layout variation of the brick path pattern is usually done in offset rectangles. Instead, I really like the mix of bright side-by-side batik charm square blocks splashed across this little quilt. The background really emphasizes the diagonal steps of the brick path pattern. This simple layout can be sewn together very quickly since all the blocks are the same size. Plus using precut charm packs eliminates the cutting time!

Get your Free PDF Pattern Download for this Easy Charm Square Brick Path Batik Baby Quilt.

Batik Charm Square Brick Path Baby Quilt Fabric Selection

Instead of using the design wall to plan my quilt, I wanted a random mix of colors.  I simply sorted my batik charms into three color piles. Then as I sewed the blocks, I pulled the top fabric from one of the three piles. In some cases, similar colors are next to each other, but there is enough variation in the batik prints that it all works very well.

The quilt is assembled with the chain piecing method which is how most all my quilts go together. Starting from the top left corner, two fabric blocks are sewn together. Then the first two blocks in the next row are sewn together. Once there are nine pairs of blocks chain-stitched together, I start adding another row from the top down. When all nine rows have nine blocks each, it’s nearly finished. Simply sew the rows together, being sure to nest those seams, and you’ll have a beautiful batik baby quilt with one afternoon of sewing.

Easy Baby Rag Quilt

Don’t miss the Best Rag Quilt Tip Ever!

Traditional Baby Rag Quilt Updated with Ruffled Borders

Another easy baby quilt idea is this green & pink rag quilt. Any size rag quilt is perfect for a beginning quilter. It probably takes more time to cut the fabric and do all the clipping than it does to sew it together. But rag quilts are also a wonderful option for experienced quilters in a time crunch. If you need a little quilt in a hurry, here’s the perfect go-to! This one took me an afternoon to complete.

Replace Batting With Flannel

There are some basic rules to quilting in order to call a quilt a quilt. My first easy baby quilt idea takes that definition to the limit. Quilts need to have three layers. Traditionally, the quilt top and backing have a sandwich layer of batting between them. This makes your quilt nice and warm, and also gives your quilting some visible surface dimension. While this little gem has three layers, there’s no batting included.

Easiest Method to Make A Rag Quilt

The easiest method to make a rag quilt is to use flannel as both your middle and backing layers. There are a couple benefits in doing this. First you create and nice soft, lightweight quilt that can hold up to being washed repeatedly. The second, and my primary reason, is that extra layer of flannel makes for a much thicker rag edge. I love how soft the rag edges are with all that flannel sewn together.

This method is even easier to cut since all the blocks are the same size. You don’t have to cut the middle layer smaller with flannel like you do if you’re using batting. Simply cut the flannel the same size as your top and bottom blocks and sew as you normally would. What’s doubly fantastic about this method is that you don’t have to trim all that quilt batting into smaller sized squares, nor do you need to sew the ‘X’ across each square. The middle layer of flannel is held in place by the block seams.

How to Use Flannel Instead of Batting in A Rag Quilt

Since the middle flannel layer is the same size as the block, it’s sewn right into the seam. That’s right, everything is sewn together at once. This is such an amazing time saver! Then of course there are the Ruffled Rag Quilt Borders. I absolutely love them! Since I saved time using flannel instead of batting, the border was a must have. If you haven’t seen my recent Ruffled Rag Quilt Borders, be sure to check it out soon. It’s a fun addition to any rag quilt.

Learn How To Sew Rag Quilt Seams Easily With My Secret Tip

There is one more step to making the easiest rag quilt ever. Eliminating matching seams for every block is such an advantage. First, it’s so much easier to sew a row of rag quilt blocks without getting stuck where the seams join. Plus, clipping the seam allowance to get the frayed edges is much more manageable without all that bulk at every seam.

Instead, offset your rag quilt rows so the borders do not line up. This is such an easier way to sew rag quilt blocks together. This amazingly simple adjustment is all you need and sewing your seams will be easier and quicker.

How To Offset Your Rag Quilt Seams

When laying out your rag quilt the odd number rows will have six full size blocks. Then the even number rows will begin and end with a half size block. In this quilt, the full blocks are cut 7” wide but the end blocks are each 4” wide. That way when the rows are sewn together, the seams fall to the center of the block in the previous row.

Now you can avoid the struggle of sewing through thick seams that may tend to jam or even break your needle. Plus, when you get ready to clip your seams, there is far less bulk to work with in any one seam.

This is a huge time saver that will make your next rag quilt so much easier. All that’s left is to add a ruffled border. Then once the seams are cut, the quilt will be washed and the frayed edges will bloom into soft rows of fluff.

Want to Learn More About Rag Quilts?

Be sure to sign up for my Free Rag Quilt eCourse.  I’ll send you a daily email for a week that outlines everything you need to know about rag quilting. It’s a great way to learn some new & helpful rag quilt tips & techniques!

Easy Double Rail Fence Baby Quilt Pattern

Download your Free Double Rail Fence Quilt Pattern

Simple Double Rail Fence Baby Quilt Pattern

This easy double rail fence baby quilt idea is a simple rail fence pattern. This pattern has been used for over a hundred years and still has plenty to offer. It probably even has over a hundred variations to choose from, too. What’s nice is that every piece of fabric is cut the same size. Even easier is that it can be pieced in long strips and crosscut into individual blocks. Another huge time saver if you like to use precuts!

Remember back in the ‘90s when watercolor quilts were all the rage? That was the first time I ever saw precut quilt fabric packaged for sale other than for quilt kits. They were 2” strips of various floral fabrics and each package usually had a group of light, medium and dark fabrics included. Well, I finally had a chance to use some of them in this quilt. The watercolor quilt process didn’t work well for me back then. But now I’ve found the perfect way to use up those strips.

How to Combine Multiple Prints in One Quilt

This sweet floral double rail fence baby quilt pattern is adorable. All the floral strips used have at least a little pink in them which gets plenty of attention next to the bright pink rails. That’s usually the best way to combine so many different prints and not have a chaotic mess. Once you pick a primary color, or color family, just make sure a bit of that color is in each print. There are some other factors to consider too, such as design size and style. Since pink is so prominent this this quilt, color was my determining factor in choosing which prints to use.

Download your Free Double Rail Fence Quilt Pattern

More Rail Fence Quilt Ideas

Rail fence quilts come in so many different variations. I’ve easily made over a hundred of just that pattern alone. My favorite became the triple rail fence. The three different rails give you a great opportunity have fun with your color selection.

Look at the plethora of fabrics in this Pink Patchwork Rail Fence Quilt that takes you a whole new level. Technically it’s a 3-rail block but two blocks are pieced into a patchwork layout. Using smaller squares in place of the rectangular rails gives you a wonderful opportunity to use many more fabrics. What a great way to put those bits of fabrics to good use.

My Wild Rails quilt is a modern take on the traditional rail fence pattern. It’s a triple rail but due to my fabric cutting mistake, the pattern had to be modified. One rail had to be cut narrower for the blocks to fit together. That became part of the design by using a bold, focal fabric as the narrower rail. You’d never know it was a mistake! The moral of that story is to never give up. There’s always a way to fix a mistake. You might even like the results better.

More Easy Baby Quilt Ideas

Since I still have plenty of those 2” floral watercolor strips, I may try a log cabin baby quilt next. That’ll take a bit longer to sew, but it’s a fun pattern to work with and will give me an opportunity to use up some fabric.

Hopefully you now have a few new ideas for future baby quilts. I’d love to hear what your favorite baby quilt patterns are. There’s still a pile of fabric I need to get through and could use some suggestions.

Find More Quilting Inspiration Here:

• Pink Patchwork Rail Fence Quilt
• How to Make a Crib Size Rag Quilt
• How to Quilt with Batik Charm Squares
• How to Quilt with Charm Squares
• What Are Low Volume Quilts and Fabrics
• Easy Fat Quarter Quilt Using High Contrast Fabrics