All Star Baby Boy Quilt - A Tutorial

Note #1 - If you are looking for the Slice Applique Machine Giveaway you can find it here :)
Note #2 - Today is the last day to get my new The Way The Crow Flies Pattern on Sale :)

Hello quilting friends.  I am so excited to share this fun little tutorial with you today.  My sweet SIL asked me to help her make up an "all boy" quilt for her sister but she wanted it to be something easy and simple.  I thought, everyone loves a good go to easy baby quilt so I took some pictures along the way to share :)  And here it is . . . the All Star Baby Boy Quilt, a quick, easy, and adorable quilt for a little wee one :)

So, here is what you will need to make one:

              56 Charm Squares or 5" x 5" squares.  We are using Emily Herrick's Hall of Fame line.

              1/2 Yard of coordinating print for applique strip and binding

              1 1/4 Yard for Backing

   

Start by selecting (3) 5" squares and cutting them in half as shown.

Lay out a row of charm squares 7 charms long and then place one of your half charms at the beginning and end of the row.  Sew the row together.  Just place the first half charm onto the first charm in the row and sew a 1/4" seam.

Continue repeating the process adding one charm at a time and sewing a 1/4" seam.  No need to pin, just align as you go.  When you are finished with the row press all the seams to one side.

Repeat the process to make a total of 3 rows.

To make the alternate rows, simply lay out 8 charm squares in a row.  Sew the row together using a 1/4" seam.  If you are not worried about the order of the row, just sew groups of 2 charms together and then turn them into 4, and then 8.  If you want a certain layout, sew the row together the same way you did the previous row adding one square at a time.

Repeat to make a total of 4 rows.

You now will have 7 rows.  Lay them out as follows alternating the 2 different rows.  Move the rows around until you have a layout hat is pleasing to the eye.

Sew the rows together.  I like to do this by sewing Row 1 and 2, Row 3 and 4, and Row 5 and 6.  Sew a 1/4" seam along all the groupings.  Press.  Then sew Row 1/2 to Row 3/4 and Row 5/6 to Row 7.  Lastly sew the 2 halves together.

Note - When you go to sew the rows together, they will not line up perfectly because of the half blocks.  Simply overlap the solid rows by 1/4" on each edge and then pin the row in place to sew.  This will be trimmed to even it up.

Now your rows are all sewn and be sure to press all the seams nice and flat before trimming.

Using your ruler, trim the sides of the quilt so they are even.  You should be trimming about a 1/4" from every other row, but if you had a few that weren't quite even, you can trim those even as well.

Now with your square top, you are ready to add the applique row.  From your applique strip yardage, cut a 6" x WOF strip.  Align the strip along the bottom of your quilt top and trim it to the width of your quilt top.

Add your desired applique to the quilt top.   To see a detailed post on how to do this applique you can see yesterday's post on Applique with the Slice.  You can also see my Applique Basic's Video that will walk you through all the steps of machine applique ;)

Lay your applique strip along the bottom of your quilt with right sides together.  Pin and sew a 1/4" along the pinned edge.  Press towards the applique strip.

And your quilt top is done!!  Isn't it just so cute :)  Now you just have to finish it up.  Baste it, Quilt it, and Bind it.  I know, I make it sound so easy.  If you are new to quilting, you can see my Video Tutorial Series on the basics of finishing a quilt :)

Now just sit back and enjoy your adorable little All Star Baby Boy Blanket.  It came together quick, easy, and it so fun!!!   And at 36" square it is the perfect size to hand above the crib or throw in the car seat :)

Just a little quilting detail.  I started with a star in the center of the quilt and then continued out using my walking foot.

 And on the applique strip I used dense pebbling to really make the applique pop :)

And that's about it.  I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial  and if you make your own All Star Baby Boy Quilt I would love to see it!!  You can add it to my Happy Quilting Flickr Group :)

Have a Happy Quilting Weekend!!

Linking up to Amanda's and Sarah's