Puppies on Parade Baby Quilt

A Special Quilt for Babies

Shadow applique is my favorite method for making baby quilts not just because it's super easy and fun to construct, but also because I can get cartoon-like templates and end up with multiple textures. This means the quilt ends up having a tactile experience that keeps a baby interested in exploring it. Plus the multiple textures invite teething babies to chew and the quilt is sturdy enough to withstand it!

I can make almost any "picture" using shadow applique. For instance, the background image of this blog is of a "Secret Garden" style quilt I donated to Hibiscus House of Vero Beach, FL for Children in Crisis. I call it my "Ladybug Quilt" because I used a ladybug print for a lot of the templates underneath the sheer fabric. I also created a Scripture for this ministry quilt.


This style of construction is called shadow applique, where a shape is cut out and overlaid with a sheer fabric, without folding under a seam allowance, then the shape is attached to a ground fabric with stitches through all 3 layers (ground, template and sheer).

The best part for me is that this is constructed as "raw-edge" applique (I don't have to fold under the edges to make seam allowances!) This is a super fast and easy method of construction, despite the fact I hand-stitch everything (twice around each template! Once to attach and again to quilt!) Click on the photos on this blog to zoom in and take a closer look at this double stitching technique.

Puppies on Parade (WIP / July 2016)

Puppies on Parade had finished dimensions of about 40" square and will sell at the FVUMC (Fuquay Varina United Methodist Church) Fall Festival missions fundraiser quilt sale in October, 2016 (Halloween weekend). All sales are on a first-come basis so get to the church early if you want to buy this quilt. They might have some on display as early as Friday that weekend.

If you miss your chance to buy this exact one, not to worry. I can easily do another one in similar colors or in a color scheme of your choice.  This Puppies on Parade design (5 puppy motifs and about 40" square finished sized) is priced at $120 plus s/h. Email heirloominthemaking@gmail.com to request yours today!

I plan to do another pattern for donation to the 2017 FVUMC quilt sale in a theme of "Under the Sea" so follow this blog and/or "like" my Facebook page to see pictures of it as it happens (it sold quickly!)

If you'd like a baby quilt done with Shadow Applique and want puppies, fishes, kittens or even an assortment of animals (or non-animals baby shapes like a rattle or stars and hearts etc.) please just email heirloominthemaking@gmail.com to request yours today!