Need a quick and easy football-themed baby quilt? In this blog post, I'm breaking down how I turned the Free Fourth Down pattern into a baby quilt for my cousin's new baby
boy!
When I was writing the Fourth Down pattern, I knew it would also be perfect for a baby quilt. The pattern is quick and easy and with the Chenille-It as the laces and binding, it was a no-brainer for cozy texture little ones love.
For this baby quilt, my color theme was black/white/yellow for the intended recipients.
Since it was for a newborn, I opted to use black and white prints for the majority of the quilt since black and white high contrast images are what babies can see when they're newborns. It ended up being the perfect cozy resting place for tummy-time!
I hope you enjoy this tutorial and I'd love to see yours! Tag me on Instagram @jessicasteeledesign or use the hashtag #fourthdownquilt to share.
Fourth Down Baby Quilt
Finished Size = 36.5" x 42.5"
For this baby quilt, you will need the free Fourth Down quilt pattern.
Fabric Requirements
42 - Template A pieces in the fabric of your choice (in this example, I am using Starry by Alexia Marcelle Abegg)
21 - 7" squares (I am using various scraps of black and white fabric)
7 yards - 3/8" Chenille-It Blooming Bias* cut into 84 - 3" pieces
42 - Template A pieces in a lightweight fusible interfacing (I am using the HeatnBond brand for this example)
3 yards each - Backing fabric and batting
3/8 yard - Binding fabric (5 strips of 2.5" WOF) <OR> 18 yards - 5/8" Chenille-It Blooming Bias* for binding
*Note: 3/8" Chenille-It is sold in approx. 25 yard rolls and 5/8" Chenille-It is sold in approx. 40 yard rolls.
Making the Quilt
To make your quilt, simply follow the instructions on pages 4 and 5 of the Fourth Down pattern to complete 42 blocks with one exception:
For the baby quilt, use TWO 3" strips of Chenille-It Blooming Bias layered one on top of the other per football, for extra coziness.
Once your blocks are complete, arrange them together as shown below with 6 blocks for each of 7 rows.
Sew blocks right sides together into rows. Once rows are assembled, press seams for each row in alternate directions (example: press seams on odd numbered rows to the left, and even numbered rows to the right).
Sew completed rows together, nesting seams and press open.
Piece your backing fabric if necessary.
Baste and quilt as desired. (Note: I used my longarm and an E2E pantograph on this quilt. If you plan on doing the same, opt to use a less dense quilting design to avoid too much stitching across the Chenille-It pieces. A little extra stitching across is fine, the Chenille-It will still bloom.)
Add your binding as desired or to use 5/8" Chenille-It Blooming Bias, follow this tutorial.
When finished with your quilt, simply throw it in the wash, dry and enjoy the "bloom" of the Chenille-It Blooming Bias! Be sure to follow the care instructions on the packaging. I generally add a Shout Color Catcher to the load to be on the safe side with color transfer depending on the color of Chenille-It Blooming Bias and/or fabric.
See below for a before and after of the Chenille-It Blooming Bias!
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and don't forget to share your Fourth Down baby quilt! You can share on Instagram using the hashtag #fourthdownquilt or feel free to email me a photo of yours at hello@jessicasteeledesign.com! I'd love to see it!
Until next time, team!
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