Nicole told me that she might decorate the baby’s room in owls. Owls? She sent a link to a comforter and all the baby accessories with an owl theme and it was really cute. I immediately began searching for an owl pattern for a baby quilt and found one, along with another pattern I thought I might should get.
Both are from Brandywine Designs. Aren’t they adorable?
I guess I’m going to have to figure out how to do applique. I think I’m supposed to use some kind of fusible. Do I zig-zag the edges? Blanket stitch? Regular thread? Matching thread in the bobbin or will a neutral Bottom Line type thread in the bobbin work? I’ve done it before but it’s been ages and ages ago and I can’t remember what I’m supposed to do!
Regina says
My great niece’s room is in owls – it turned out so cute! Lots of great owly quilts out there!
Diann Smith says
C and T make fusible applique sheets that are WASH AWAY when you block is finished. 25 per pkg. Just put your finished block in water and it goes away. Doesn’t have to be pulled out like freezer paper if you iron that on. Practice the buttonhole stitch on the outside edge of your shape when you apply it to the b’ground. That’s my fav. method though zig zag will work. Practice on that to get it to the thickness you like. Think you love your child? JUST WAIT till you get the grand. Those bumper stickers that say “if I had known how wonderful I would have had the g’children FIRST” weren’t kidding. Best wishes.
Debbie R. says
Oh Judy the things you will learn in the next few years… babies supplies are so different. Owls are the in thing.. lots of owl options… So many new things in the baby world…..
Donita Q says
I use Steam-a-seam2 and the blanket stitch on my Bernina. Does a great job. I had a comment this month from a quilt show judge about how even the stitches were.
Cathi in Texas says
I used Steam-a-seam on a hand applique project & it got sticky gunk on my needle! I won’t use that again.
Michelle says
Welcome to applique…lol…the easiest way to do it is with steam a seam, then iron those puppies or owls in this case on there…you can use normal thread and it is best to use the same in the top and bottom..you can use whatever stitch you want. I personally think if it is going to be loved and washed alot using a zig zag stitch works (small one) but you can use the blanket stitch as well… there is also an adorable pattern in a kiddo book that has the cutest owl quilt in it…it is jelly babies by patchwork place and uses strips as well…
Hope this helps…enjoy…
Roberta says
Love the owl pattern!!! Do it fusible, heat and bond lite works with donut hole fusible, that way the piece isn’t stiff. Then just buttonhole with thread matching the applique. OR if you want it to show a bit, then slightly off color. I use cream or other light thread in the bobbin, turn my tension so the top threads shows a tiny bit on the bottom, won’t show after the top is quilted. Easy peasy!!!!!!
Hugs!!!!!
Audrey says
I get the feeling that you are more than a tad excited. I think we should be taking bets about how many quilts this baby is going to have.
Audrey
Jill says
I used wonder under and satin stitched (really close zig zag on your sewing machine) the edges. It turned out great and is holding up to many washes very well. I have a tutorial on my blog for my method. Congratulations on the coming grand baby!
SusanC says
My granddaughter’s nursery is done in owls and I found a cute pattern for her quilt in the book “Jelly Babies”. Since then I have seen numerous patterns and fabrics with owls, it’s very popular right now. I use Steam-a-Seam 2 for the applique and cut the center out so only the edges are fused (it’s softer that way) and stitched it with a machine buttonhole stitch. She is 6 months old now and it has survived numerous washings and last weekend was the playmat for her and her seven month old twin cousins! (By the way, her nursery is the same as Regina’s great niece’s nursery since Regina is my sister!!)
Ruthie says
That’s the way I would suggest, also. I have a Janome and I use the blind hem stitch, adjusted to my preference. it has 2 short zig-zag stitches and then one long.
bingo~bonnie says
JUDY!!! Congratulations!!! I hadn’t read your blog for a couple of days and this was the first post I saw today – and needless to say I had some catching up to do! 🙂 Also congrats on your book going to 2nd printing!
I recently did some googeling for applique techniques b/c my guild’s monthly activity next month are blocks that are appliqued flowers… I found this link to be helpful
Those owls are toooooo cute. I’ve bought cute owl fabrics at Joann’s for pillowcases – maybe you can find some you like for the backing. 🙂
Happy weekend & Love from Indiana! ~bonnie
Carol Victory says
I have a lifetime supply of baby quilt patterns and my kids are done so now I am waiting for my nieces to start popping out some little ones. My only suggestion is that you use some sort of tearaway on the back when you are doing the buttonhole stitch around your applique. It makes it very even and helps it stay flat. Congratulations! Grands are so much fun.
Denise :) says
My daughter’s first baby’s nursery was done in owls. It was very precious. Owls can be lots and lots of fun, I think…you do Pinterest, right? Do a quick search on “nursery owls” and you’ll be amazed! 🙂
Susanne says
Hooterville is VERY cute!!!!!! Have fun with it.
Shirley Albertson Owens (sao) says
I use Steam a Seam Fusible and do that blanket stitch……applique is fun! The owl quilt is wonderful!
sao in Midlothian. VA
LadyBaltimore says
http://www.acornquiltandgiftcompany.com/catalog.php?item=98
Judy, here’s another darling owl baby quilt from Acorn Quilts and Gifts for you to consider. Tell you what, if you decide you like this one (I already have the pattern) send the top and your applique fabrics to me and I’ll do the applique (needleturn) for you.
I am so very happy for you and Vince. Congratulations! You will be the BEST grandmom!
pdudgeon says
definitely agree, LOT’S of owl patterns out there for nurseries.
Sharon Spingler says
I use school glue. That way I don’t end up with quilts that are stiff as a board and hard to quilt.
Beth says
There’s a gal that lives in manor, TX that has CUTE owl patterns
http://Www.buttonsandbees.com
She has a cute new book of different animal quilts too
quilterbee says
Judy,
When is the baby due and do they know if they are having a girl or boy? I am very excited for you and Vince and Chad and Nicole.
Liz says
The Hooterville pattern is cute, but somehow I sense that that outer blue border will be replaced with some different border options. Gees, I know I’ve seen a book recently that discusses borders 😉
Liz says
Judy, rowhousecreations.com has a cute owl quilt pattern.
Pat says
There are actually quite a few owl fabrics I’ve seen in the past year or two. A quilting friend of mine is an owl “nut” so we are always seeking owl stuff for her.
Robin says
I love owls!! I just made a challenge wall hanging for our guild quilt show using part of the Night Owl pattern from the Buttons and Bees pattern Night Owl/Day Owl. They have another owl pattern that is cute also.
happy quilter says
Just couldn’t wait to start those baby quilts. What fun you are going to have, Judy. That baby will have quilts galore, all special.
Mel Meister says
I use Transweb for the applique and machine stitch whatever decorative stitch I think will enhance the design! Your 1230 has a lot of stitches. Spend a little time and stitch them all out with different widths and lengths and see what you like.
Remember to trace any designs in reverse and fuse to the back side of the fabric. Email me privately if you want/need more information. I do a lot of raw edge applique.
terri says
I made the bear love quilt 6 yrs ago for my grandson, loooved it. Was soo much fun and can you say cute? I machine appliqued it, if I were doing it today, I would hand applique, since I now have really learned to enjoy it. I also made a bear claw, 3″ blocks, can you say small pieces? Lol As a result his nickname became “bear”, by everyone who loves him.
Linda S says
Owls are all the rage now, Judy. You should hear my little great nephew Logan saying, whoooo, whoooo! He’s just over a year old. I use Sharon Schamber’s applique fiber technique. It involve a lot of glue, but it all washes out and you don’t have to take the fiber out, like you would if you just used freezer paper. I then zigzag the edges down with mono. Works great and you can’t even tell it’s not needle turn. I’ll be teaching a class on it later this summer if you want to come up! 😉
Diane S. says
I use fusible all the time. I like “Heat-n-Bond Lite” best. I either use a narrow zig-zag or a satin stitch matching the top thread with the subject (not the background) and since the bobbin thread is going to be hidden by the batting and backing, use the same color bobbin thread as the top thread. That way, if your tension is just a little bit off, it won’t show! Have fun making those baby quilts! They’re fun!!
June Piper-Brandon says
Judy, that is so adorable. I’m working on baby quilts for Skip’s niece and great niece. I posted them on my facebook today. I found this fabric and it was so gosh darned cute I couldn’t resist it. I am making 2 with frogs and 2 with daisies (that has yet to come. You’ll have to check out Pat Sloan’s website and blog for fusible applique ideas.
Angie SoCal says
For the cutest owl quilt around, go see Sue Daurio’s for her DGB at http://suedaurio.blogspot.com/
My sweet DGB loves his owl and so his room is slowly becoming all things owly. He’s 17 months.
You’re going to have fun!
Ruth Anne says
When you use fusible, I always cut out the middle and just beyond the traced line and that way it is still soft like the rest of the quilt. Almost all appliqué teachers at Paducah in the last 8 years suggest this, unless you do needle turn which does not use fusible. In other words, trace motif on paper side. Cut out about 1/4 inch beyond the line and again inside the line. That way only the outline of motif is fused. Magic! I have done it both ways, and it is really better to cut away most of the fusible as it is glue.
Linda in NE says
A baby can always use more than one quilt.
Bonita says
I have made the Love quilt 4 times! Everyone loves it. I use Lite Steam a Seam 2. I zig zag the edges. Works great!!
Congrats Grandma!!
Bonita
Lynne in Hawaii says
I’ve used heat and bond (light). You can reduce bulk more once you have traced the pattern, cut out the center leaving approx. 1/4 outline of your owl or applique. I have used machine satin, blanket stitch and zigzag over the years. All work well. I like the appearance of blancket stitch or satin stitch best. I have done matching threat and contrasting thread depending on the look I wanted. There are lots of easy ways to do it.
Linda says
Kim Gaddy also has some really cute owl patterns. I love the one that has a night version and a day version. Her website is http://www.buttonsandbees.com.
Judy, I really enjoy your blog. You always make me smile!
Mary says
Mom has made that owl quilt but Becky didn’t like how the trees were the focus point so I found an Owl quilt in a Debbie Mumm book that Mom and I are going to make but in the meantime, I just had to piece one of my quick Strippie quilts with owls!
http://blog.maryquilts.com/2012/04/22/the-owl-strippie/
JudyCnNC says
How did I miss this??? – a baby!!! So much excitement around your house and the patterns your ordered are precious – I made a wonderful little sailboat quilt as a surprise for great grandson , only to find out he loves tractors, so I had to make another quilt of tractors. Glad you know the theme up front – right now it is what the mother and father want, later the child defines the theme. Happiness on your new adventure – it is a wonderful time. Judy C
Dawn says
If the baby is anything like my niece, they will love the quilt to pieces. My niece who is 19 STILL has and LOVES her baby quilt. LOL too funny.I would applique with needle turn method but if you want quick and easy I agree with the fusible “window’ method where only the small outside outline of about 1/4 inch is fusible. that eliminates stiffness and quilting issues. have fun!
Dawn in MA
Bev in MI says
I use the same applique sheets that Diann mentioned (comment 2), but not according to the directions. The glue is lighter than any of the fusibles I’ve tried, and I like the look of the edges turned under whether I finish it by hand or machine.
I cut the shape out of the sheet and put it on the wrong side of the fabric with the glue side up. Then I just iron the fabric edges over as with the starch or glue stick methods but no mess or waiting for it to dry. If you make a mistake it’s repositionable while it’s still hot.
After it’s washed, it gets very soft, like when you line applique to keep the background from showing through. There’s not a trace of the glue left, and I don’t cut the middle out like with a regular fusible.
vickie van dyken says
Lots of good posts here !! The only thing I would add is don’t limit yourself to blanket or zig zag stitches!! I have a Pfaff that does lot’s of fancy stitches. I love to use them to hold down applique on baby quilts. Stars, flowers, whatever your machine has. I like using variegated threads, bright ones. I also like couching fuzzy yarn (I have heard you have some of that lol) Baby’s like the feel of those couched threads, as well as the color 🙂 oooooohhhhhhh you are going to have soooo much fun!! Making baby Quilts are my favorite things. Oh and a Owl mobile…that would be cute. You have your work cut out for you. Our job is to be spoilers…It is the BEST job in the world!!!
Barb says
My friend made up “Hooterville” using steam a seam 2 and machine blanket stitch. It turned out so cute. Any way you do it will be wonderful.
Kristin says
Yes– owls are VERY trendy in the baby world right now. I’m hoping to make this quilt for my friend’s 2 yr old son. http://www.amazon.com/Dare-Square-Quilting-Block—Block/dp/0307462366/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1336322119&sr=1-1
Brandy M. says
I love love LOVE the owl quilt! So very cute!
Here is the thing I LOVE about machine appliqué – you can do it however you want! There are no real rules. Everyone likes to do it different – blanket stitch vs. zig-zag vs. sew just inside the appliqué piece, then matching thread vs. different colors (than the fabric), etc… I think that’s the really fun part – you get to decide what will be super cute.
Have FUN, Judy. I’m sure it’s going to be fabulous & amazing! Baby is SURE to love it!