CREATE A CHILD-INSPIRED QUILT

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For some fullness and a three-dimensional effect, add a little stuffing under the larger pieces of appliqué. Also, since every decorated square will be different, you can bring harmony to the quilt by sticking to a few basic materials and colors ... always keeping in mind the hue of the fabric that will form your comforter's border.

PUT IT ALL TOGETHER

The strips of material that create a frame effect around each picture (and border the quilt itself) are cut 4" wide, and—of those—you'll need nine 15" strips, four 65" strips, and two 55" strips. (These measurements allow 1/2" seams all around.)

Before you stitch the bedcovering together, lay out all the patchwork pictures and decide which ones look best next to each other. Then sew 15" strips between squares to make three vertical groups of four. Next, stitch the 65" strips between—and along the outer edges of—the three vertical pieces (each of which, of course, consists of four squares). The last 4"-wide strips to be added are the two 55" pieces at the ends of the quilt, which will join with the borders already in place to create the corners.

The middle "padding" layer of the quilt can be cotton batting or a not-so-beautiful (but still-serviceable) blanket. However, since you're using cotton material, make sure your inner filling is fairly light, so it won't put too much stress on the stitching. The three layers of the quilt—the colorful top, the center, and a 55" X 72" cotton backing—should then be tied together in every corner of each block with crochet thread ... before you turn the coverlet's outer edges in and stitch 'em shut.

It's almost impossible for an adult to create designs that have the natural simplicity, composition, and color of children's artwork, so your needlework quilt will have a very special, unique, childlike quality ... that's sure to be cherished for years—and maybe even generations —to come!

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