Introduction: Tummy Time Baby Quilt

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In order to decrease the risk of SIDS, babies are being laid on their backs to sleep. Because they spend so much time on their backs, babies also need "tummy time" daily to develop strong neck and arm muscles and learn to crawl. This quilt provides a safe, stimulating place for baby to develop and play. Finished size is about 36"x36".

Materials: 64 colorful fabric squares 4.5"x4.5", backing material 40"x40", quilt batting 40"x40", binding material cut into four 2"x40" strips.

Equipment: Sewing machine, iron, rotary cutter and mat, large safety pins, needle, thread.

Difficulty level: Easy to Medium.

Step 1: Lay Out Quilt

The 64 squares may be laid out in any design. When you are done, pick an end to be the top, and use sticky notes or bits of paper to label it with numbers.

Step 2: Stack the Blocks

Starting from the top, stack each column down, as shown:

Step 3: Sew the Columns Together

Take piles 1 and 2, and sew the first block from pile one to the first block from pile 2, right sides together. Use 1/4 inch seam allowances throughout. Without breaking the thread, sew the next two together. Always keep the block from pile one on the bottom. Continue sewing until you have finished both piles. They'll look like this:

Step 4: Continue to Sew Columns

Now, take pile three, and keeping the already sewn squares on the bottom, sew one square from pile three to each square from pile 2, without breaking the thread. Continue with each pile, until you have eight rows (A-H), connected with thread, as shown below. Press seams.

Step 5: Sew Rows Together

Now sew rows A and B, right sides together, then rows B and C and so on. Continue to use 1/4 inch seam allowances. See picture.

When the quilt top is sewn together, press from the back and front a final time. Lay the backing fabric face down, place the batting to top of that, then the quilt top on the batting face up. Smooth out any wrinkles and secure with large safety pins. Machine quilt in any pattern, hand quilt, or tack with yarn. Trim edges with rotary cutter.

Step 6: Bind the Quilt

Sew one piece of binding fabric to each side of quilt, right sides together, using 1/4 inch seam allowances. Press binding out, then sew binding to top and bottom of quilt. Press binding out, as shown below. Press under 1/2 inch of binding all the way around. Turn under again, and tack to back side of quilt by hand or by machine.

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