An archive of sewing tutorials and inspiration

     

Making a Concerto Crib Quilt

This weekend I finished my first quilt of the entire year. I used to bust out about 12-15 quilts a year, but this is my first completed quilt in 2015!

If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook you may have seen all the videos and photos I posted as I worked on a Concerto crib quilt for a baby gift. But, for those of you who did not see the posts I figured it would be nice to share my progress making the Concerto quilt here on the blog too.

First, I starched, pressed, cut all my fabric, and laid the rows out. The mom-to-be picked out such a wonderful sophisticated color palette for her little boy.

Time to start piecing this crib size #concertoquilt for a gift. They chose very sophisticated boy colors.

A photo posted by Alyssa Lichner (@pileofabric) on

Next I got to work labeling and glue basting all of the rows.

What are you working on this holiday weekend? I don't get a ton of time to sew these days so I'm hoping to sew a lot this weekend. I'll share a few quick videos this weekend so you can see my projects in progress. Project 1: Making a #concertoquilt I already cut and layed out my quilt. Now I'm #gluebasting my rows to prepare for chain piecing. #memorialdaysewing #sewingwips

A video posted by Alyssa Lichner (@pileofabric) on


Then I was able to quickly chain piece all of the blocks in each row together.

Project 1: Making a #concertoquilt Next up chain piecing all the rows! #sewingwips #memorialdaysewing #chainpiecing

A video posted by Alyssa Lichner (@pileofabric) on


Then I set and pressed my seams.

Next up making the #concertoquilt I press the seams. First I set the seam by pressing once on the sewing line I just stitched. This takes longer but it really does help, because it flattens the threads and makes the seam lay flatter. Then I press the seam to the side. I'm pressing each row in alternating directions. You will see that I have tape labeled with numbers and some with stars. If it has a star I know to press toward the label. If it doesn't have a star I press away from the label. #pressingseams #sewingwips #memorialdaysewing

A video posted by Alyssa Lichner (@pileofabric) on


With the rows pressed in alternating directions I glue basted the rows together, one at a time.

Next up making the #concertoquilt I am #gluebasting my rows together. Sometimes you can glue baste more than one row at a time but since I am only glue basting in between each seam I'm only doing one row at a time. Starting at the center of each row, I put a small dot of glue between each block, nest the two seams together and heat set with my iron. #sewingwips #memorialdaysewing

A video posted by Alyssa Lichner (@pileofabric) on


Next step making the #concertoquilt is sewing the rows together. #sewingwips #memorialdaysewing

A video posted by Alyssa Lichner (@pileofabric) on


Within no time I had a pieced quilt top ready to be quilted.

And there you have it a #concertoquilt pieced quilt top ready to be basted and quilted. #sewingwips #memorialdaysewing

A photo posted by Alyssa Lichner (@pileofabric) on


I knew if I stopped there I might not have time later on to finish the quilt, so I continued on. I decided to use a soft minky back. I chose to quilt basic straight lines outlining the seams to keep the quilt very sophisticated.

I'm quilting some basic outline straight lines for this #concertoquilt I want to keep the quilting pretty spaced apart so the quilt is super snuggly for the baby. #sewingwips #memorialdaysewing

A video posted by Alyssa Lichner (@pileofabric) on

Not perfect, but this minky back is super soft for the little baby boy. Time to bind it! #concertoquilt #sewingwips #memorialdaysewing

A photo posted by Alyssa Lichner (@pileofabric) on


Only took me two days to make a finished Concerto quilt!

I started cutting fabric yesterday and finished today! Thanks everyone for following along as I made this baby quilt. My Concerto pattern is available in our shop and can be made in wall, crib, throw, twin, queen, or king. #concertoquilt #memorialdaysewing

A photo posted by Alyssa Lichner (@pileofabric) on

Quilt Details

I was asked quite a few questions while posting the progress of this quilt, so here are some extra details about the project.

Quilt Pattern

The quilt pattern is my first pattern from years ago called Concerto. I made the 51.5" x 57" crib size.

Fabric Used

I used the following fabric from my stash. Blues: Kona Cotton in Windsor and Nautical, Crisscross in Blue, Geo Braid in Navy, Dottie in Jean Jacket, Pointelle in Navy, XOXO in Nightowl, and Dumb Dot in Navy. Greys: Triangularity in Stardust, Crosshatch in Shale, Confetti Dots in Stone, Eyelet in Grey, Heath in Metal, Confetti Dots in Charcoal, Sketch in Ash, Kona Cotton in Ash, Iron, and Silver. Golds: Netorious in Goldilocks Silver, Dottie in Goldilocks, and Opal in Gold. Low Volume: Lightning in Blue, Cuneiform Script in Aged, Remix Crisscross in Gold, Heartfelt in Snow, Laced Remains, Remix Crisscross in White, Branches in Ash, Handdrawn Lines, and Symphony in Natural.

Sewing Machine and Table Used

I used my Juki TL-2010Q, which sits in my absolutely favorite SewEzi table.

What iron are you using and do you like it?

I am using a Rowenta Travel Iron. The handle on my iron is broken from accidentally dropping it, so I am due to get a new iron. I love how hot this iron gets and that it is lightweight and small, but I have had three students in different classes tell me they had this iron and it caught fire or started smoking. Since then I have been meaning to start trying out new irons. I plan to post about my findings when I do.

What is Glue Basting and what tip are you using?

You can learn more about glue basting in my past tutorial here. I am using a Fineline® Glue Applicator Tip on a bottle of Washable Elmer's School Glue.

Is the Concerto quilt good to make as beginner quilter?

Absolutely! In fact when I teach a beginner quilting class this is the quilt the students make. 

I hope you enjoyed watching the making of this Concerto quilt. Feel free to comment or email me with any further questions!

Alyssa

Alyssa Lichner

Alyssa Lichner

Creator of Pile O' Fabric

Alyssa Lichner is a graphic designer turned avid sewist. She writes modern quilting tutorials and shares techniques and inspiration on her blog, Pile O’ Fabric. Alyssa has a passion for exploring different techniques and applying them to modern designs. She is thankful to have the opportunity to share these techniques, through her tutorials, patterns, and classes with quilters around the world. She always encourages her readers and students to challenge themselves to try new things and to approach quilting with a fearless attitude.

Questions/Comments