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    Bricks Baby Quilt Tutorial

    Last Modified: January 26, 2022 by Amy · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 35 Comments

    I’m excited to share a new, simple baby quilt tutorial! I love simple quilts – especially because they are a fun way to show off  cute fabric as well as pull together a great baby gift in a relatively short amount of time. This one is Fat Quarter friendly or perfect for using stash you’ve already got on hand.

    Bricks Baby Quilt Tutorial by popular quilting blog Diary of a Quilter: image of a various shades of blue bricks baby quilt draped over a crib railing.

     

    This quilt is based on my popular Bricks quilt tutorial, but scaled down for a smaller size quilt. The information in this tutorial contains affiliate links.

    This crib size quilt finishes at 42″ x 54″, but it’s very easy to modify the size by adding or removing bricks. 🙂

    Bricks Baby Quilt Tutorial by popular quilting blog Diary of a Quilter: image of rotary cutter on top of various fat quarters quilting fabric.

     

    Baby Quilt Tutorial

    Fabric Requirements:

    • Bricks: 7-8 Fat Quarters OR 8 strips of fabric 6 ½″ x 42″ (Width of Fabric – WOF)
    • Background fabric: ¾ yard
    • Binding: ⅜ yard (if you’re cutting bias strips like I did you may want ½ yard)
    • Backing: 2 ½ yards for a pieced back OR I used 1 ¾ yards + left over front fabric bricks to piece my back (see below).

    [If you would prefer not to piece a back, and you are careful when quilting, you could leave off a row of bricks and get away with 1 ¾ yard piece for a 39″ x 54″ quilt.]

    Bricks Baby Quilt Tutorial by popular quilting blog Diary of a Quilter: image of various fat quarters and strips of fabric.

    For this quilt I’m using Deena Rutter’s latest collection, Joey, from Riley Blake Designs. I love the color palette – perfect for a boy quilt – and the Koalas – and even a few charming Sloths – are so cute.

    Bricks Baby Quilt Tutorial by popular quilting blog Diary of a Quilter: image of various fat quarters and strips of fabric.

    For this design to really pop, I suggest using colors that have a lot of contrast – so I mostly went with the darker prints to contrast with the cream colored text print I used as my background fabric. But, as you can see, I still threw in a couple of the light prints – or at least they read light when I stepped back and looked.

    Bricks Baby Quilt Tutorial by popular quilting blog Diary of a Quilter: image of two strips of fabric on a cutting board with a rotary cutter lying on top.

    One of the reasons I love this design is that it’s really easy to strip-piece and cut multiple blocks at once.

    Cutting Instructions:

    From the assorted prints: cut 14 pieces 6 ½″ x 21″ – you can easily cut two from a Fat Quarter, or cut them from assorted yardage. (I used 14 different prints in this quilt and cut them from regular ¼ yards)

    From the Background Fabric: cut 7 strips 3 ½″ x WOF (width of fabric). Cut them in half on the fold to get 14 strips 3 ½″ x 21″. (I used the cream text print for my background fabric.)

    Bricks Baby Quilt Tutorial by popular quilting blog Diary of a Quilter: image of two strips of cut fabric on a cutting board with a rotary cutter lying on top.

    Piecing the quilt:

    Sew a 3 ½″ x 21″ background strip to the top of a 6 ½″ x 21″ print strip. Press seam toward the print strip. Carefully trim off the end to square-up the outside edge. (This Strip Piecing Basics post has helpful tips on accurate strip piecing and cutting if this is new to you.)

    Measure over 3 ½″ and cut a 3 ½″ x 9 ½″ Brick Unit from the strip set. Continue cutting 3 ½″ units. You should be able to get 6 units per 21″ strip set.

    Repeat with 13 remaining strip sets to get 84 total 3 ½″ x 9 ½″ Brick Units.

    Bricks Baby Quilt Tutorial by popular quilting blog Diary of a Quilter: image of a various shades of blue bricks baby quilt draped over a crib railing.

    A note about directional prints: This fabric collection contains multiple directional prints, including the text print I used for my background. Using this strip piecing method, you will be rotating fabrics and they won’t all face the same direction. I chose to not worry about that.

    If you want all of your prints to line up the same direction you’ll need to cut individual 84 individual 3 ½″ x 3 ½″ squares and 84 individual 3 ½″ x 6 ½″ bricks.

    Bricks Baby Quilt Tutorial by popular quilting blog Diary of a Quilter: image of two strips of pieced quilting.

    For each row, layout 14 Brick Units, alternating directions. You will make 6 rows of 14 Brick Units. I recommend laying out the whole quilt so you can play with the overall color and pattern.

    Bricks Baby Quilt Tutorial by popular quilting blog Diary of a Quilter: image of pieced brick units quilting.

    Sew 14 Brick Units together to make each row. Press seams to the left on the odd rows (rows 1, 3, 5) and to the right on the even rows, (rows 2, 4, 6) Bricks Baby Quilt Tutorial by popular quilting blog Diary of a Quilter: image of woman pressing seams together on two bricks units.

    Pressing the seams in opposite directions on adjoining rows will make the seams allowances but up against each other, helping to match up corners and keeping rows straight.

    Sew six rows together and press seams one direction.

    Bricks Baby Quilt Tutorial by popular quilting blog Diary of a Quilter: image of a various shades of blue bricks baby quilt hanging on a wall behind a baby crib.

    And that’s it, folks! It’s such a simple quilt. But I love what a great modern variation it is on tradition patchwork.

    Bricks Baby Quilt Tutorial by popular quilting blog Diary of a Quilter: image of a various shades of blue bricks baby quilt hanging on a white ladder.

    If you’re interested in help to finish this quilt, check out this post for how to quilt your own quilts and How to Finish a Quilt for tips on Binding a quilt.

    Bricks Baby Quilt Tutorial by popular quilting blog Diary of a Quilter: image of the backside of a bricks baby quilt displayed on a wooden floor.

    Here is how I pieced my quilt back. I had a 1 ¾ piece of yardage and leftover remnants from the fabrics I used for bricks. So I made one vertical cut in the yardage about 20″ from one side. (I wanted it slightly off center). Then I cut the brick fabric remnants into strips 8″ wide x a variety of different heights. After that I sewed them together into an 8″ x 63″ long strip and sewed that strip between the two pieces of yardage. I love a pieced back for using up remnants from the quilt top.

    Bricks Baby Quilt Tutorial by popular quilting blog Diary of a Quilter: image of a various shades of blue bricks baby quilt draped over a crib railing.

    I had Melissa from Sew Shabby Quilting quilt mine using the modern Apartment Windows pattern.    

    For my binding I used another fabric designed by Deena Rutter – this Edie Jane navy sketch plaid.  

    You can find Joey fabrics available on Etsy.

     

    And there you go! Feel free to Pin this image to help you easily find this tutorial any time.

     

    I have created a printable PDF version of this baby quilt tutorial pattern, combined with the Throw Size Easy Bricks Quilt pattern as well. You can find it here for $1.50.

     

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    Related

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    Filed Under: baby, Baby Quilt Tutorials, Quilt Tutorials, quilts, Sewing for Your Home

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Pam

      August 30, 2019 at 3:54 am

      Just checking…..you said you would show the pieced backing and I didn’t see a “back-of-the-quilt” photo! Would love to see it! And LOVE the quilt….I have one more “Grandma’s house” comfort quilt to make for my last grandbaby and I think this is the perfect pattern. Thank you for sharing!!!

      Reply
      • Amy

        August 30, 2019 at 1:11 pm

        Thanks for checking, Pam! I just added the pictures of the pieced backing. (Sorry, I didn’t realize I’d forgot to take those until I was writing late last night.) Thanks for your patience and the reminder!

        Reply
    2. Little Quiltsong

      August 30, 2019 at 5:08 am

      Love this pattern – thank you so much for sharing Amy. My scrap baskets are overflowing – especially my 3.5 one. I just might have to make a scrappy one first :)!

      Reply
      • Amy

        August 30, 2019 at 8:17 pm

        Ooo! I’d love to see it!

        Reply
    3. cindypete8

      August 30, 2019 at 5:34 am

      I love this! Thanks for the great tutorial. This one is definitely on my to-do list. The sloths are the cutest!

      Reply
    4. Susan

      August 30, 2019 at 7:20 am

      Very cute! This is perfect foe a fat quarter bundle that I won a few years ago. Thank you for sharing your pattern.

      Reply
    5. Mary Bee

      August 30, 2019 at 7:26 am

      Thanks for this sweet, simple baby quilt. The Joey fabrics are precious – I ordered some of each fabric in the collection in anticipation of your tutorial. Your photos are so helpful, especially to illustrate light/dark placement. I can’t wait to get started!

      Reply
    6. hopflower

      August 30, 2019 at 7:27 am

      What a charming little quilt! Love the attention to the little sloths as well. This is a great simple project for a new baby; or anyone who needs some lovely new fabrics to wrap up in!

      Reply
      • AshleyP

        February 26, 2021 at 9:08 pm

        Hi Amy,
        Thanks for this pattern! I just finished making one for my niece. I appreciated your notes on pressing the seams and squaring of top.
        I took a suggestion and did a pieces back (one of your other posts).
        Thanks for all the photos- they were very helpful!

        Reply
    7. Patricia Hanna

      August 30, 2019 at 8:25 am

      Lovely! Thanks for this quick-to-piece project. I actually have a boatload of 3″ strips left over from a previous project, and I can easily adapt this pattern to make good use of those.

      Reply
      • Amy

        August 30, 2019 at 8:17 pm

        Perfect! Don’t you love putting leftovers to good use?

        Reply
    8. Karen Seitz

      August 30, 2019 at 6:59 pm

      I’ve made your bricks quilt and love the idea of scaling it down for a baby quilt. I also love the Joey fabric! Thanks for sharing this project.

      Reply
    9. Christine Sherman

      August 30, 2019 at 7:13 pm

      So great, thanks for sharing! I hadn’t seen this fabric yet, so cute!

      Reply
    10. Vicky

      January 29, 2020 at 8:14 pm

      Very cute baby quilt! Is the fabric used for the backing the same as the one used for the top? The backing looks gray and the fabric used on the top looks mint colored. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Amy

        January 29, 2020 at 9:07 pm

        Good eyes – that print comes in both gray and mint green. The backing is gray, but the print in the cutting photo is mint green. 🙂

        Reply
    11. linda ehrhardt

      March 03, 2020 at 7:27 am

      Thank you for sharing Amy. I made this (my first quilt) for a friends daughter’s baby shower. It turned out great. It’s not perfect but it’s perfectly adorable.

      Reply
    12. linda ehrhardt

      March 03, 2020 at 6:20 pm

      Thank you Amy….. I made this quilt for my friends daughter’s baby shower. It’s my first quilt so it’s not perfect but its perfectly adorable and I hope she loves it for years to come.

      Linda

      Reply
    13. Rebecca TomanRebecca Toman

      April 15, 2020 at 5:53 pm

      Amy, love this quilt. It’s hard to tell on the computer. Is this fabric you used flannel or quilting cotton? Thanks.

      Reply
      • Amy

        April 16, 2020 at 2:15 pm

        It’s quilting cotton. 🙂

        Reply
    14. Amanda Elam

      September 02, 2020 at 1:25 pm

      I’m making this for my next baby with all my fabric from my stash, my husband said I couldn’t buy more fabric, guess I have too much. This will be the third one and everyone have been an inspiration from your tutorials. They are the best and easy to follow!

      Reply
    15. Suzie

      February 21, 2021 at 6:48 pm

      Hi Amy I loved your design and used it to create a beautiful quilt for my grandson Theodore. Your instructions were clear and very simple to use – great for a novice like me (with one hand) Im very pleased and proud of my finished quilt. Thanks for posting your design and instructions. Suzie

      Reply
      • Amy

        February 22, 2021 at 10:02 am

        I am so glad!

        Reply
    16. Coralee

      June 25, 2021 at 2:10 pm

      Love your quilt! I may have missed it, but what are your seam allowances?

      Reply
      • Amy

        June 26, 2021 at 12:45 pm

        Good question, I should state that more clearly on tutorials. The standard seam allowance on all quilting patterns is 1/4″. 🙂

        Reply
    17. Lorraine

      November 04, 2021 at 11:25 am

      If the pieces are 21 inches and then you trim the end, how can you get 6 pieces that ate 3.5 inches wide? After washing, my fabric is slightly less than 42 inches wof so am tight with yardage to begin with so can’t afford to trim. Looks like I will only be able to get one 21″ piece from the wof (ugh). Thanks for the tutorial!

      Reply
      • pdxsimmons

        September 12, 2022 at 10:44 pm

        I was just reading through the comments because I ran into the same issue. My background fabric was EXACTLY 42′. Once it was washed and the selvage cut off, I was left with a 20″ piece and a 21″ piece. I wasn’t sure what to do so I have just made 5 bricks on the 20″ strip. Not sure how it will work out, but will update when it is done.

        Reply
    18. Tina Lilly

      December 10, 2021 at 5:08 pm

      Hi Amy, I pinned this so long ago and I just finished it! This was a great project. Thank you so much for the pattern and inspiration.

      Reply
      • Amy

        December 11, 2021 at 1:44 pm

        Awesome! I’m so glad!

        Reply
    19. Nancy White

      January 05, 2022 at 10:02 am

      I am using some jelly rolls for this project. Would you think adding 2 more rows would be enough or should I add in more? Thanks for your help

      Reply
      • Amy

        January 05, 2022 at 12:34 pm

        Without seeing what you’re doing, it’s hard for me to say. I’d recommend sketching it out on paper so you can get a visual of the finished size you want. That always helps me a ton. 🙂

        Reply
    20. Jena C.

      January 30, 2022 at 6:04 pm

      Hi! I love this pattern and have this pieced together for a baby quilt. I know someone else quilted it for you but I love the quilting design from what I can see of it in your pics. Any chance you have a link to the quilting pattern as I cant find it anywhere based on what you called it – modern apartment window. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Amy

        January 31, 2022 at 9:03 am

        Here is a link to the digital pantograph: https://www.urbanelementz.com/city-windows.html

        Reply
    21. Suzanne

      March 06, 2022 at 6:40 am

      Hi! I found your blog through Pinterest, and after years of quilting blankets that didn’t look quite right, my latest creation looks professional thanks to you!! I got the right tools and followed your post step by step. I can’t believe how good my project looks and wanted to say a big heartfelt thank you. I can’t wait to choose my next quilt 🙂

      Reply
      • Amy

        March 07, 2022 at 3:42 pm

        Hooray! I’m so glad and excited for you!! ❤

        Reply
    22. Wendy

      March 16, 2022 at 12:20 pm

      I made this today for a new baby boy coming soon! One of the best quilt tops ever!!! Thank you for the free pattern!

      Reply

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