The Big Star Baby Blanket! Free Pattern!

Do you all remember that sneak peek I posted last week? Well, the pattern is finally up! Head on over to the Sewing Rabbit to get the tutorial.

I'm excited about this blanket/quilt. It's a great introduction to piecing, matching seams and half square triangles-- all while creating a classic quilt design. Sigh... I love the 8 point star!

 The quilt is actually not quilted at all-- it's turned and topstitched (which is also called 'birthing a quilt'). This eliminates all that basting, batting and binding that can sometimes intimidate beginners.

 I also tried something new on this quilt-- I used a white on white print for the background. It's barely visible in the photos, but it add a lot of depth to the quilt in person.

The blanket also has another secret-- Since I used an oh so soft and thin cotton voile for the backing, I sandwiched in a old, loved, worn, (but extremely clean and thoroughly  washed) flannel receiving blanket from my kid's baby years. The blanket was printed with stars, so if you look very, very, very, carefully, you can see tiny stars showing through the  grey backing.

I'm ashamed to say, that sometimes when I make quilts or bags as gifts; I get a bit attached. It's hard to let go! This blanket is going to a very, very dear friend who is expecting her first little one-- and I'm so pleased to say that I don't have even a twinge of regret. I can't wait to give it to her!

If you'd like to make your own-- or just see more about how this blanket was made, pop on over to the Sewing Rabbit for the full pattern and tutorial!

Oh-- and a huge thank you to my husband for being a 'quilt model' and helping me take all these photos!