Tidal Wave Baby Quilt
This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share a commission.Baby quilts are always one of my favorite quilt projects to make as they are usually fast to make.
Tidal Wave Baby Quilt
I received two Kaffe Fassett charm packs from Missouri Star Quilt Company and used them to make this cute baby quilt. You can find the Tidal and Royal charm packs on their website by just searching for Kaffe Fassett.
I also had some leftover cream backing fabric that I used. I did run out of that and then just substituted another cream fabric.
Kaffe Fassett baby quilt
Do you like working with bright and colorful fabrics? Kaffe’s collections are always so beautiful but sometimes it can be hard to figure out how to use them in a quilt. I think adding in a solid fabric really helps.
40 inch x 40 inch baby quilt
Economy Quilt Block
The Economy quilt block is a great block to use for charm squares. Here is what the pieces for the quilt block look like. The quilt block will finish at 8 inches.
Making the Quilt Block
Many times I just cut as I go when making quilt blocks. With these fabrics I just picked two prints that I like together and then made the block. Here is what you will use in each block.
- One charm square cut 4 1/2 inches square
- One cream square cut 5 1/4 inches – sub cut as shown
- Two charm 5 inches square – sub cut as shown
Press Centers
Fold the pieces and press to mark the center. Then match up the centers of the 4 1/2 inch charm square with the centers of the cream pieces. Sew with a 1/4 inch seam allowance.
Trim
Press and then trim the sides of the quilt block leaving 1/4 inch of the cream at the points. Your quilt block should measure 6 1/4 inches square.
Add more
Next add the two 5 inch charm squares that were cut into half square triangles. Fold each and press so you can match the fold to the point on the cream fabric.
I have a 8 1/2 inch square ruler that I use to trim this size of quilt block.
25 Economy Quilt Blocks
I was able to make 25 economy quilt blocks with the two charm packs. Here are a few of them.
I made a square quilt that is 5 rows wide and tall for a 40″ x 40″ baby quilt.
Quilting
I quilted the baby quilt using my vintage Singer 15-91 and a tan thread from Missouri Star Quilt Company. For the border I just used some of the cream fabric for the binding.
Quilt Backing
I looked through my stash and found a teal print and a teal solid and pieced those together for my backing. I used this backing on my latest Stacks quilt.
Making the Tidal Wave Baby Quilt
Here is what I used to make the Tidal Wave baby quilt.
- 2 – 5 inch charm packs (42 squares)
- 1 1/4 yards cream background fabric for blocks and binding
- Backing fabric – 1 1/4 yards
- Batting
Make 25 quilt blocks – each one uses 3 of the charm squares and one 5 1/4 inch cream square.
Make 5 rows of 5 quilt blocks.
- One charm square cut 4 1/2 inches square
- One cream square cut 5 1/4 inches – sub cut as shown
- Two charm 5 inches square – sub cut as shown (same print)
Rusty
I think Rusty approves of this quilt! He has been feeling good, we take shorter walks and he still gets a few treats which makes him very, very happy.
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About Connie
Hi, I’m Connie Kresin Campbell, the quilter, writer, and photographer behind Freemotion By the River. I enjoy inspiring others with my quilt tutorials and patterns. You’ll also see my sweet adopted dogs from time to time.
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Great quilt. Love the colors. Rusty has some very unique facial expressions. He is such a sweetie.
I love your quilts and I purchased the two charm packs from MSQC so I can make one also. You have worked wonders with Rusty. He has come a long way and he looks vey happy. I just wanted you to know I finally found all the batiks i wanted to make the table topper you showed on your deck with the pelican, I found the pelican also. Now I just have to learn how to send a picture to you from my Ipad. Happy Sewing and keep up the great work. Lois
Thank you, Connie, for sharing your delightful Tidal Wave baby quilt pattern!! I am now so inspired to make a quilt from your pattern for my new granddaughter, born almost 2 months ago.
Gratefully,
Margaret Burnett
Your Tidal Wave Baby quilt is beautiful. Rusty looks so handsome posing on the quilt.
Good morning Connie,
I just wanted to chime in and let you know how much I enjoy your posts…sitting down with my morning coffee and reading about quilt designs, and your sweet pups is a great way to start my day!
Maria
Maine
Beautiful quilt!
This quilt pattern is great! I’m making some lap quilts for our local Hospice and this would be very easy to add blocks for the size I need. Thank you!
Rusty is so cute. I’m glad he approved your quilt. My inspector is Joey.
Good morning Connie. I just love this quilt. I will be trying this one soon. Thank you for sharing.
Nice Tutorial. Easy to follow. Great quilt from difficult fabrics
I really love these prints together and how the blocks create a secondary block when pieced together…I will definitely have to try this one! Thank you so much for sharing this easy tutorial.
Thank you for the new pattern. 40″ square is also great for nursing home lap quilts and wall hangings. Plus I love Kaffe fabrics. Have a wonderful day.
Hi Connie, I love the faster projects as i am easily distracted with other ideas🙄 the bright colors of the Kaffe fabrics are perfect, and I agree…the solid makes them pop! Just gorgeous!!! Rusty looks quit comfy on the gorgeous quilt! 🥰 I have joined the Michigan Shop Hop with my sister and her quilting friends this year so I will keep this beauty in mind when I over do it…😆 is there such a thing?
Happy quilting,
Danielle
Hi, Sweet Rusty! Everyone loves you!
What a pretty little quilt!
I love that baby quilt, it couldn’t come at a better time. I have to make a quilt for a baby girl who was just born last week. I have a fat quarter that is cats. I think I will use that.
Also since I gave you my new email address and I try to comment It tells me wrong email. So I have to send it with the old email, which will be cancel out by the end of the year. I don’t know what gives with that, do you?
What a beautiful baby quilt. I’ve just had a fabric buying spree and would love to make a baby quilt with some of the colourful pieces I have acquired.
Thanks for sharing the design and the instructions for making it.
Rusty is so gorgeous when he poses for your photographs.
Wow, I love this quilt, the fabrics, the design is perfect. Fabulous, Connie!!
That’s beautiful, Connie. Those fabrics are so pretty and fresh looking. Great block tutorial too. Rusty looks very pleased with it.