A Baby Sized Communique Quilt Design
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One of my lovely readers recently asked about making the Communique Quilt in a baby or crib sized version. So, because I love creating layouts for quilts, I’ve come up with an altered version of the original throw pattern that is perfect for a baby quilt.
For this design, I started with my original Communique Throw pattern. It was 12-inches too tall, so the height was easy to fix, by simply removing a 12-inch tall section from each side.
The width change took a bit more work, as I was only removing 12-inches. I took 6-inches from the left side of the quilt and 4-inches from the other. When I did that, I had some strange partial blocks, but those were quickly broken down into basic square blocks.
The biggest change to this pattern is that the 12 and 16-inch blocks have been removed. With a baby quilt, such large blocks felt out of place in the design, so I broke them into smaller sections, giving the design – what I hope is – the same feel as the larger quilt designs, but at a more appropriate scale.
What You’ll Need
To try to make your experience putting this together a little easier, I’ve counted up the number of blocks and strips you need of each size. This should help you when you are picking out block designs and fabrics you want to use. **Please remember that all blocks are listed at finished sizes. Be sure to add you seam allowance when cutting.
Blocks
Along with the number and size of the blocks, I’ve made some recommendations for the type of block that works best for that size, but don’t feel like you need to follow these recommendations. My King-sized quilt is all solid blocks and log cabins. Use your imagination. Whatever you decide on will be amazing – I promise!
| Block Size |
Number of Blocks |
Recommend Block Types |
|---|---|---|
| 2″ |
34 |
Solid – This block is so small that I don’t recommend piecing it … unless of course, you’re a masochist. |
| 4″ |
37 |
Solid or Simple Piecing – This block is still pretty small, so I would stick with a solid block or something simple like a Half-Square Triangle or Pinwheel |
| 6″ |
21 |
Simple or Moderate Piecing – This block size lends itself to simple piecing like Half-Square Triangles and Pinwheels, along with moderately more complicated or “busy” blocks like the Log Cabin or Friendship Stars. |
| 8″ |
8 |
Moderate to Complicated Piecing – Blocks this size should either have interesting piecing or a fabric pattern that lends itself to the larger size, such as a larger fussy-cut print. |
| 10″ |
4 |
Moderate to Complicated Piecing – Blocks this size should either have interesting piecing or a fabric pattern that lends itself to the larger size, such as a larger fussy-cut print. |
Strips
These are a great use for leftovers from a recent jellyroll project, but can easily be cut from yardage.
| Strip Size |
Number of Blocks |
|---|---|
| 2×8″ |
2 |
| 2×10″ |
10 |
| 2×16″ |
3 |
| 2×18″ |
1 |
Download Your Copy
You can download your copy of the FREE PDF pattern now. Or get copies of all the patterns here.
Used it?
I’d love to see your finished project! Share a link in the comments, or use the hashtag #CommuniqueQuilt on Instagram. I’m hoping to make one in this size soon, so look for it here, or on your favorite social network.
Sharing over at: Homestead Blog Hop
This is awesome! Thank you for all your gracious response to all the quilters!!
I am always happy to help!
What a great idea! I love that you can choose different blocks of different sizes and blend it! Thankyou, Andrea – it’s a ‘definite’!
Yea! I’d love to see what you come up with. Feel free to share your finished quilt by using the hashtag #CommuniqueQuilt on Twitter or Instagram, of if you blog, you can always share the link with us here.
Hi Andrea, Thanks so much for this quilt pattern, It was exactly what I was looking for. I’m counting up all my squares before I start cutting but I keep coming up with a different number than you have, For the baby quilt I count 10 2″x10″ squares but the pattern says there are only 8 2″x10″ squares. Can you help me please. I don’t want to have the wrong number of squares cut. Again, thank you for the pattern and any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated. Sandy
Apparently I miscounted. There are 10. I will update the post to reflect that. Thanks!
My nine year old granddaughter just asked for her next quilt to be a mixture of different size squares and rectangles. This pattern is perfect! Can’t wait to get started on it. Thank you!
You are very welcome. Just remember, the blocks are listed as finished sizes, so you will want to add a 1/2-inch for your seams when you cut the fabric.
I am going to give this quilt a try. Seam allowance would make the blocks 1/2 in bigger right?
Yes, add a 1/2″ for your seam allowance.
Andrea, where would I find the original pattern that you did before breaking this one down?
I thought this would be a great quilt to make in baseball fabric.
I also did this quilt layout in a throw and a king size. You can find them all here — http://mouseinmypocket.com/making/quilts/communique-quilts/