So, someone close to you just announced they were pregnant!
The gift is easy right? We’re obviously going to be making them a baby quilt. No questions asked.
Baby quilts are quick easy presents that are always cherished by new parents and saved as a keepsake for the baby to hold on to as they grow up with it.
And most new parents will tell you, quilts are like diapers, you can never be gifted too many of them because they will get dirty just as quickly! They will be used, abused, and loved indefinitely.
For those of us making them, they are also great excuses to practice our skills in piecing and machine quilting with absolutely no pressure since they will be used so frequently, perfection is not required or expected. The parents are just happy to have something clean to use to set the baby down on for some much needed tummy time!
Today I’ve put together a list of baby quilt kits that you can buy to get you started quick on the road to getting that baby quilt made and off to the new parents.
Why Baby Quilts Are Perfect for New Quilters
Whether you are new to quilting or experienced at it, baby quilts are great easy projects that are a perfect entry projects to the world of quilting.
They projects themselves are small so even if you get overwhelmed with the process, the scope is quite small. You haven’t decided to tackle a king size bead, you’re looking at something the size of 3’x3′. Perfectly managable, and because you are so limited on size, the designs of the quilts are generally very simple to match.
Although I’ve included a few throw size quilts in here for variety a traditional baby quilt design is a simple checkerboard pattern, or even a whole cloth quilt that has no piecing to it at all. Quick and easy to finish just in time for the baby shower no matter what experience level you are.
The following quilt kits are all available on Etsy at the time of this posting and some of my favorite options for baby quilt kits.
Baby Quilt Kits for Beginners
The following two options are both whole cloth quilts which are perfect options for the crafter looking to break into quilting with a baby quilt project.
A whole cloth quilt does not use any piecing, all it is is two pieces of fabric sandwiched with batting, quilted and bound.
Some even bypass the batting if there’s a softer flannel or minky type fabric being used for backing.
I love a neutral black and white whole cloth like this, it’s a very high end look despite the whimsy in the actual fabrics.
Camping itself is definitely a gender neutral activity so this one will go well with any outdoors-y themed nurseries you might find yourself shopping for.
Harbor Fabric Company
Woodland animals is such a huge nursery theme right now, I’ve seen three in the last two years! This whole cloth quilt is a great gender neutral option and who doesn’t love those little faces!
You can find this one on Etsy Here!
Baby Boy Quilt Kits
If your expected baby is a boy, you’ll love the next two options. Dinosaurs and darker fabric choices for the new little man, even the new dad might get jealous.
Dinosaurs Quilt Kit Assembled by PinkChihuahuaFabric
This Dinosaurs quilt by Elizabeth Hartman has been a popular design for a child’s quilt for a few years now. And how could it not when kids often go through dinosaur phases. This pattern comes in a couple different sizes that you can grab directly from Elizabeth Hartman’s website, however the PinkChihuahuaFabric Etsy store was kind enough to put together a precut quilt kit for this pattern that you can buy!
Although you will have to purchase the pattern and the kit separately, having baby quilt kits available for more complicated patterns such as the Dinosaurs allows you take advantage of the convenience of a quilt kit no matter what level quilting you like to work at.
You can find the Quilt Kit here.
Suzy Quilts Shining Start Quilt Kit by Global Fiber Shop
Suzy Quilts is fantastic for her fabric choices, so much so that she has a few options on this list.
This black and white one is a fun wonky star quilt that would look good in any nursery, but especially most baby boy nurseries with darker colors to it.
I’m loving the Dr. Suess vibes in this one!
This quilt kit can be found on Etsy here.
Baby Girl Quilt Kits
Suzy Quilts Glitter and Glow Quilt by Global Fiber Shop
Something about soft pastels I just love. This glitter and glow quilt pattern by Suzy Quilts is great for a parent who you know is very particular with how their house looks.
Neutral calm colors and a simple design, this one will be a win every time.
Buy either the blue or pink quilt kit on Etsy here.
Mountain Fabrics
Another pink pastel perfect for a baby girl, this one has a similar scrappy feel as the first, however its an easier assembly as its just squares and rectangles.
This one is a quick and easy assembly that’ll have you out the door with a finished quilt in less than a weekend.
Gender Neutral Baby Quilt Kits
Peony Pedal Quilts
With the blues and reds of this quilt kit, this one has a very traditional farmhouse feel to it. Opt for square or rectangle checkerboard layouts for a quick project.
Wilderness Quilt Kit
This Wilderness Quilt Kit by The Sunny Path Fabrics has a fun mountain theme to it that incorporates some half square triangles in order to get a speckled look to the mountains and sky. This quilt kit is a fantastic option for a baby shower for any type of wilderness, forest, adventure, or woodland themed nursery planned for the new baby.
Shop this Quilt Kit on Etsy Here.
Experienced Quilter Quilt Kits
I didn’t forget about the seasoned quilters here. If you’re looking for a quilt kit but want something a bit more complicated than a checkerboard quilt top, you’ll like the next couple options.
Patchwork and Poodle’s Nordic Star Quilt Kit by Global Fiber Shop
Nordic Star quilt pattern is a fun star quilt pattern that comes in a small lap or baby size quilt.
This one will require a bit more time than the others on this list, but if you like something a little more involved and have the time, this is a great option. Star quilts are a great traditional quilt design that never goes out of trend.
Get this quilt kit on Etsy here.
Deco by Lo and Behold Stitchery
For the quilter who loves maximum effort, a deco baby quilt will sure to impress the new parents, and is a great option for either gender.
This one is not necessarily a weekend finish, it’ll require a bit more time for sure, but if you have the time and are one of those quilters who are more about the process than the end product, this is a great option.
If you commit to this one just be aware of who will be using the quilt and what its intended use will be. This one is a bit more involved so remember its going to be used and abused regardless of how much effort you put in. I’m one who loves the process more than the finished product, so taking on something a bit more fancy for a baby quilt is right in my wheelhouse. If you’re good with it too, this one is a fun one!
How to Machine Quilt Baby Quilts
Baby quilts are meant to be simple, so we want to be careful not to overwhelm the project with the machine quilting, opting to keep the machine quilting simple.
Remember this thing is going to get loved but abused, likely being stained, washed, and thrown around constantly. Consider whether you want to put a bunch of hours into custom free motion quilting it under those conditions.
Many quilters opt for a straight line quilting on baby quilts because it’s a no fuss way to finish the project, however I love a good simple pantograph for some variety when I’m all straight line quilted out. I can still practice my free motion quilting with no pressure, without spending the time committing to a full custom quilting plan.
For some variety in your baby quilt machine quilting, don’t forget to grab our free Machine Quilting Pantograph Stencil that can be used with a normal domestic sewing machine.
The simple design can be used with both a walking foot and a free motion foot and is a great alternative to straight line quilting. Never used a pantograph template before? Click here to see my full tutorial!
Personalizing A Baby Quilt
Many quilters like to personalize their baby quilts with tags and embroidery that document the details of the baby’s birth. Whether its working in the baby’s name or birthday into the quilt top, or a quilt tag dedication on the backside.
Other ways you can consider personalizing the quilt include choosing fabrics or patterns that align with the theme that the parents used for a nursery, or if you know the parents love a certain color or theme.
Your machine quilting can even be used to personalize the quilt using fun whimsical designs that fall under those same themes.
Personalization is a step that is not necessary though, so if you are strapped for time or materials, don’t feel like this aspect is required. The new parents will be happy with whatever you create!
Essential Tips for Making Baby Quilts
There are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind when it comes to making your baby quilt that you’ll want to keep in mind.
Choose Baby-Friendly Fabrics
Soft fabrics that will wash well are what you’re after. Cottons are always a good choice, soft fluffy minky fabrics are common choice for backing, as well as flannels.
Best to stay away from higher end fabrics, laces, linens, that don’t wear as gracefully over time and washings.
Consider Baby Quilt Sizes
A baby doesn’t stay a baby forever and even a 3’x3′ quilt will be grown out of relatively quickly. Consider what purpose you are aiming for the quilt to be used for.
If its just for something soft and clean that mom and dad can lay the baby down on the ground on top of, 3’x3′ will be perfect. If you are thinking this will be something that the baby grows up with and keeps around for a long time, consider something a little closer to a throw quilt in size.
You’ll still be able to find plenty of quilt kits geared towards throw sizes
Batting Considerations
When looking at batting choices, you’ll have to weigh a few things.
A cheaper poly batting is great because it’ll withstand a ton of washings, and not hold messes quite as readily. Wool is a bit thicker and will be softer for the baby to lay down on but more expensive. Cotton might be a happy medium in quality and folds up fairly small as it is a thinner material than wool.
Hypoallergenic qualities to your batting might also be something you want to consider.
Getting the kit pre-cut
Did you know you can actually get the entire quilt pre-cut for you? I mean all the individual pieces you’ll need to assemble the quilt.
This is convenient for those who struggle with cutting fabric or those who are very short on time, however the price will go up for the added effort of cutting the pieces as opposed to a quilt kit that is just the yardage required to complete the quilt in a certain color scheme.
When buying your quilt kit, be sure to check what style it is so you don’t end up with something you didn’t intend to buy.
Are Quilt Kits Worth It?
Many of these baby quilt kits can be found for similar prices that you would buy the fabric directly off the bolt for. The best part is that you are only getting what you need for the pattern so you will end up with less waste or leftover fabric to store at the end.
They are also great for beginners because the precut quilt kit options cut out much of the need to purchase cutting supplies right at the beginning. Since all of your quilt pieces are already cut, you can start right away on the sewing and skip that step altogether.
The one downside to quilt kits is that if you are looking for a fully precut quilt kit, you’ll be hard pressed to find them in more advanced patterns, especially with odd shaped quilt pieces. The time it takes to cut out odd shapes is hard to justify in a price that is competitive enough for shops to offer. More often than not you’ll be limited to patterns consisting of mostly squares.
The less work the store has to complete in order to create the quilt kit, the more variety you will find. If you don’t mind cutting the pieces and just want someone else to pick the fabric colors, you will find many more pattern options to choose from.
Regardless of which type you choose, quilt kits are fantastic options for a quilt project. If you want a quick project, or struggle with fabric color selections, quilt kits are a phenomenal solution that you may find you love using.
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