It Happens in a Blink

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Home
  • Crafts
    • HandPrint the Alphabet Preschool Series
    • Kids’ Crafts
  • Cricut Tutorials and Projects
  • Gardening
  • Southeast Travels
  • New? Start Here
    • Welcome!
    • Contact Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure Policy
  • Blog

December 3, 2013 by: Melanie

Child’s Silhouette Quilt

I am SO excited about today’s post. I labored, sweated, and even shed a little blood over this project (hey, pin sticks hurt!). After completing the boys’ Monogram quilts, it encouraged me to try another quilt. I’m not a quilting expert, but I like the heritage aspect of a quilt- to create a unique piece that can be handed down to generations. So my Child’s Silhouette Quilt was born!

Silhouette Quilt from It Happens in a Blink

If making a quilt intimidates you, let me say one thing. If you’re making a quilt with your kiddos precious heads on it, how can it be messed up? Even if you make a mistake, just knowing your sweet little baby heads inspired the quilt makes it special, no matter how many stitches that might not be perfect. In my opinion, this is a beginner quilt. It takes more patience than experience. I consider myself an intermediate seamstress and finished this quilt in about ten days, so there is still plenty of time to work on one for a present. The quilt size will be a little larger than a crib quilt.

Supplies:

  • 1 layer cake (20 squares)- I used Moda Windsor Lane by Bunny Hill Designs that I purchased from Fat Quarter  Shop
  • Coordinating thread
  • 1 package double sized Quilt batting
  • Fabric for back of quilt (I needed about 64″ of fabric)
  • Fabric for quilt binding (about 1/2-3/4 yard)
  • Coordinating fabric for strips between rows (about a yard, depending on the number of rows you have. See Step Three for more info on this.)
  • Coordinating fabric for circle (about a yard, depending on the number of circles you have. See Step Three for more info on this.)
  • Black fabric for silhouette (about a yard, depending on the number of silhouettes you have. See Step Three for more info on this.)
  • Scissors
  • Rotary cutter
  • Sewing machine
  • Pins

Step One

Get out the layer cake and separate the squares into light and dark squares. There should be ten that are lighter colored in nature and ten that should be darker.

Silhouette Quilt from It Happens in a Blink

Silhouette Quilt from It Happens in a Blink

Step Two

Now cut the squares diagonally. I have found this is easiest to do by placing a ruler diagonally and then cutting along the ruler with the rotary cutter. This step is very important. The more precise these cuts are, the more exact the entire quilt will be.

Silhouette Quilt from It Happens in a Blink

Once cut, leave the triangles in the light and dark piles.

Silhouette Quilt from It Happens in a Blink

Step Three

Here’s where a little math comes into play. I have four kids, so I knew that I needed to organize the quilt layer cakes squares into five rows of four squares per row. This way, I would have four strips in between, one for each kiddo. If you have less then four kids, then you can change things up and do four rows of five squares, etc. For the purposes of this tutorial, I will explain the process the exact way that I made the quilt for four kids. Keep in mind that if you decide to change the number of squares, the instructions regarding the number of squares/rows may be different.

Step Four

Lay out the fabric triangles to form a square. Each square should consist of a triangle from the light stack and the dark stack. Do this for each row. See the below picture to get a better visual of how I arranged these.

Silhouette Quilt from It Happens in a Blink

I had four of these rows.

Step Five

Time to sew! Sew each triangle, right sides together, to form squares using a 1/4″ seam allowance.

SIlhouette Quilt from It Happens in a Blink

Silhouette Quilt from It Happens in a Blink

Step Six

Iron the squares open. Now sew the squares, right sides together, to form a row using a 1/4″ seam allowance.

Silhouette Quilt from It Happens in a Blink

Do this until all the squares in one row are now all together.

Silhouette Quilt from It Happens in a Blink

Continue this until all the squares in the rows are sewn together.

Iron the rows so they are nice and crisp!

Silhouette Quilt from It Happens in a Blink

Step Seven

Measure the length of one of the rows. Cut four strips of coordinating fabric this length x 3″. (Remember, if you chose to do less rows, you’ll need less strips!)

Step Eight

Place a strip with right sides together on top of  the first row of the squares. Stitch with a 1/4″ seam allowance. Iron the seam open.

Step Nine

Now take the second quilt row and place it, right sides together, on top of the strip. Stitch with a 1/4″ seam allowance. Iron the seam open. Continue down the quilt until all the rows and strips are sewn together.

Silhouette Quilt from It Happens in a Blink

Step Ten

Now cut the circles and make the silhouettes. I used pretty much the same method used in the Monogram Quilt Tutorial from Riley Blake Designs, with a few changes that I found accommodated the silhouette addition better. I first cut a fabric circle using a larger cardboard circle, about 13″ in diameter.

Silhouette Quilt from It Happens in a Blink

Next, I took each child’s photo from the side using a digital camera. I uploaded these photos on the computer and enlarged them in a Word document until they filled almost all of an 8×10 page without making the head shape out of proportion. Print the head shapes out in black/white to save on ink. Cut the silhouettes out– they will be used as the templates.

Pin each head silhouette to the black fabric and cut.

Silhouette Quilt from It Happens in a Blink

Pin the black silhouettes to the middle of the fabric circle.

Silhouette Quilt from It Happens in a Blink

Use a zigzag  stitch to sew the silhouette to the fabric circle.

Silhouette Quilt from It Happens in a Blink

If you have an embroidery machine, now is the time to add the child’s name, etc., to the circle.

OK- if you’re still with me, now take the fabric circle to the ironing board. I cut a smaller circle to use for this step.

Silhouette Quilt from It Happens in a Blink

Using a gathering stitch, hand sew a row of stitches around the edge and gather the fabric circle around the cardboard/paper circle.

Silhouette Quilt from It Happens in a Blink

Using starch, iron the edges of the circle crisp and flat. Remove paper insert.

Step Eleven

Carefully pin the circle on the quilt, centering the circle in line with the first strip of fabric. Sew the circle on using a zigzag stitch.

Silhouette Quilt from It Happens in a Blink

Continue this process with all the silhouettes and circles for the rest of the strips.

Silhouette Quilt from It Happens in a Blink

I also embroidered the year on the bottom of the quilt.

Step Twelve

Iron the quilt one more good time.

If you have any uneven edges, cut these so they are straight. See the example below- how some of the rows aren’t lined up with the others? I cut these so they were straight.

Silhouette Quilt from It Happens in a Blink

Step Thirteen

Combine the quilt backing, batting, and top. Lay the backing fabric, right side down. Lay the batting on top of this. Lay the quilt top on this, right side up. Cut the fabric and  batting, leaving a little excess on the sides. I like to do this to make sure everything is stitched together properly.

Pin the heck out of the quilt, catching all three layers.

Step Fourteen

Now quilt the quilt top and layers together. This step is definitely NOT my strong point. I usually just sew along the straight lines of the fabric. That’s what I did here. For more reading, see Amy’s (Diary of a Quilter) post about Machine Quilting.

Step Fifteen

Time to bind the quilt! Once again, I’m going to refer you to Amy from Diary of a Quilter. She has one of the best binding tutorials out there- no need to repeat it!

Snip all those loose threads, and the quilt is done! Perfect to keep as a sentimental item for yourself, or to make as a Christmas gift or maybe Mother’s Day gift!

Silhouette Quilt from It Happens in a Blink

How to Combat Holiday Cousin Rivalry- a #Motherfunny post for Nickmom #shop
Discounts and Freebies for Moms of Multiples

Comments

  1. Melissa says

    December 3, 2013 at 12:27 pm

    That is beyond cool! Makes me wish I had a fancy machine like that!

  2. Aleya Bamdad says

    December 3, 2013 at 4:16 pm

    What a great project! It’s something that you can hold on to for the future, something that the kids will love in the future and a great gift.

  3. Meegan says

    December 3, 2013 at 5:01 pm

    Your silhouette quilt is absolutely adorable and a keepsake. I am so glad to have found it.

  4. Stephanie Pass says

    December 3, 2013 at 10:18 pm

    So pretty! I love how easy it looks to do the silhouettes!

  5. Susan says

    December 4, 2013 at 5:55 pm

    This is so beautiful. I’m learning to quilt and I’m pinning so I can make special quilt for me! (so far I’ve onlymade them for the kiddos)

    • Melanie says

      December 4, 2013 at 7:59 pm

      Thank you, Susan!

  6. Adrianne at Happy Hour Projects says

    December 4, 2013 at 8:47 pm

    Melanie, it turned out beautiful. I’m with you, quilts were actually one of my first true loves of crafting, but I hardly have the time anymore – I haven’t made my son one yet and he is already 4 months old. By this age, I was already plotting out the second one for my daughter!

    Really lovely, I love the colors and the silhouettes are classic!

    • Melanie says

      December 4, 2013 at 8:51 pm

      Thanks, Adrianne! I tried to make a quilt that would be an heirloom, and I really feel like it turned out that way!

  7. Sarah says

    December 4, 2013 at 9:27 pm

    Amazing! I can see all the love you put into this quilt. I am inspired to do one for my children…now I just need to learn how to sew/quilt 🙂

  8. Tara @ Suburble says

    December 5, 2013 at 3:35 am

    Melanie- this is so gorgeous. I cannot believe the effort and patience that went into this. You have created an heirloom!

    • Melanie says

      December 5, 2013 at 3:40 pm

      Thank you….so sweet of you to say!

  9. Kathryn says

    December 5, 2013 at 10:34 pm

    This is so sweet! What a beautiful keepsake!

    • Melanie says

      December 5, 2013 at 10:40 pm

      Thank you!

  10. claire says

    December 7, 2013 at 4:20 pm

    Great project !!

    I would love you to come and share @ Craft, Create & Inspire linky party !!!

    Look forward to seeing you there 🙂

    http://livel0vecreate.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/craft-create-inspire-linky-party-9.html

    Claire x

  11. T'onna says

    December 9, 2013 at 10:34 pm

    Beautiful quilt! I love the fabrics and the color scheme! You did a wonderful job!

    Navy Wifey Peters @ Submarine Sunday Link Party

    • Melanie says

      December 9, 2013 at 11:01 pm

      It was a labor of love, so your compliment means so much!

  12. Marilyn says

    January 7, 2014 at 11:09 am

    This quilt is AMAZING, Melanie! PINNED!

    • Melanie says

      January 7, 2014 at 11:10 am

      Thank you! It was truly a labor of love!

  13. Desiree says

    February 9, 2014 at 9:59 pm

    Thank you so very much for posting this tutorial! You are very generous. I hope to make a similar pattern using your design for a dear friend who is having her first baby- but switch up the silhouettes to be her matriarchs and sisters! Thanks again for your gracious share!!

Trackbacks

  1. The Project Stash and 5 Party Perfect Christmas Desserts - It Happens in a Blink says:
    December 4, 2013 at 8:00 pm

    […] After HOURS of work, I finally finished my Child’s Silhouette Quilt! […]

  2. Friday Finds: Cuddle Up with 10 Great Quilts, Afghans, and Blankets says:
    February 7, 2014 at 6:01 am

    […] Silhouette Quilt at It Happens In A Blink […]

  3. Featured: Child's Silhouette Quilt Tutorial | Go To Sew says:
    February 18, 2014 at 7:33 am

    […] This project is a little time consuming but definitely doable for an advanced beginner. You’ll find the step-by-step tutorial over at It Happens in a Blink. […]

   
   
    The Best SVG & DXF Cut Files For Crafters at CraftBundles.com  
DISCLAIMER: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and effectiveness of all information on this website, It Happens in a Blink, LLC, makes no guarantee to the procedures shared here. It Happens in a Blink, LLC, is not responsible or liable for direct, indirect, or consequential damages or personal grievances resulting from the use of any information on ItHappensinaBlink.com. This website is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a professional.
    I love sharing my ideas and projects, and I love when others like them enough to want to share them too! If you would like to share a pattern or project, please refer to my Terms of Use for copyright details.This is a personal blog written and edited by me. If you have any questions, you may always contact me. I take great pride in maintaining the integrity of this site and building it as an honest and reliable source of information and inspiration for my readers. Please note that no photos of my children are to be republished on another blog under any circumstances. Read my full Privacy Policy Here: https://ithappensinablink.com/privacy-policy/ Read my full Disclosure Policy Here: https://ithappensinablink.com/disclosure-policy/

Crafts

Pony Bead Christmas Tree Ornament

Pony Bead Christmas Tree Ornament

Do you enjoy crafting Christmas ornaments? We do at our house! Here's how to … [Read More...]

Blog Partners

Recipes

Easy Christmas Simmer Pot

Easy Christmas Simmer Pot

Have you noticed how popular a Christmas Simmer Pot is on social media? I'm not … [Read More]

Kid’s Crafts

Jingle Bell Craft

Jingle Bell Craft

Jingle bells are fun for Christmas crafts! We like to use them for ornaments, … [Read More...]

© 2023 · ithappensinablink.com