In early March I realized I needed to just stay at home. But what to do?
My cupboards are filled with quilts; my walls and furniture are covered with quilts. I simply don’t need any more quilts and my children have all said, “Please Mom. No more!”
But since quilting is one of my favorite activities and since I don’t need any more quilts myself, what I decided to do was make baby quilts. I didn’t at the time know what I was going to do with them and I now have 16 completed (and still don’t know what I’m going to do with them), but the fabrics are so adorable and such fun to work with.
A baby quilt gives you a chance to shop for fabric (online, for now), decide on a pattern or design something new, make that first block that we are all so eager to see finished, BUT you don’t have the repetition of making dozens more in order to complete a bed quilt. In fact, just a few blocks and you are ready to put them together with sashing and borders. The top can be finished in a day or two.
I have always sent my quilt tops to a long-arm quilter for the quilting.
(If you aren’t a quilter, what I was describing above is the piecing which results in the quilt top. The quilting is the part where the quilt top, quilt back, and the batting in between are sewn together with fancy quilting stitches by hand or by machine.)
I decided to use this opportunity to learn how to do some simple quilting on my own. And that provided another ‘stay-at-home’ activity which had the added benefit of learning something new.
I still don’t know what I’m going to do with my baby quilts. I’ve thought about perhaps opening an Etsy shop. For a moment I thought about selling them on my website, but then I realized that most of my followers are quilters themselves and make their own baby quilts. Now, a craft table somewhere would be my venue of choice because quilts need to be touched and cuddled. They just lose so much in a photograph. But for now, that’s not an option.
So I’m just going to send along some pictures so you can see how I’ve been spending my ‘at home’ time.
So that’s about it for now. I just wanted to share these with my friends, readers, followers…all of whom I consider friends. Please don’t forget that I love hearing from you. You can leave comments below, but if you write to me at QuiltingCozy@gmail.com you can include your own pictures and let me know how things are going for you during these unusual times.
I hope everyone is doing well. Please let me hear from you.
My very best wishes,
Carol
A Quilting Cozy Series - Carol Dean Jones 
Carol, I LOVE all of your quilts. They are definitely eye candy and made with love and skill. They are perfect for children, for lap robes, and also as wall hangings. If you don’t have a pattern, you draft a pattern and create a design you like. I am impressed by all that you do. We met at a retreat in 2013 and have been friends ever since. I am so grateful and thankful for that. I love your books also. Will there be another after #12? Enquiring minds want to know! Take care my friend, stay safe and healthy in these uncertain times. This too shall pass. Love, Joyce
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I have had the blessing of being friends w/Carol for many many years. She truly is a real gem.
I was recently able to visit her outdoors. She brought out all her beautiful baby quilts. They’re museum quality. She’s a gifted artist. Love u Carol, Barb
Thank you, Barb. Such a lovely compliment. Would you believe we’ve known each other more than 50 years — long before I picked up a needle and thread! I treasure our friendship!
Hi Carol! What lovely eye candy you’ve shared with us today. So many of my favorite patterns and some on my to-do list. Isn’t it nice that we can still be busy creating in the safety of our own homes. Thank you for the inspiration and encouragement! ~smile~ Roseanne
‘Eye candy.’ I love it!! I don’t know what I would have done without my quilting. I’ve been home with my dogs and haven’t been in a store for seven months! (But Amazon has grown to know me very well!). But having a hobby like quilting gives me lots to do and the time flies by. And who needs stores with such great online quilt shops!
Thanks for your note. Take care.
Carol
Love these pictures, Carol! I made a pinwheel baby quilt almost identical to yours (primary colors) about 40 years ago! Now you’ve inspired me to look at my stash. I’ll bet the women’s shelter would take some and maybe our church would know about some mothers who don’t have a lot and would love one for their child.
Thanks for the inspiration! I need to do something different too.
Wanda
I think I’m going to make more using the pinwheel pattern. There’s something joyful about it and great for children’s quilts. It also occurred to me that these quilts might be the right size for a lap robe for folks in wheelchairs. I’ll have to check that out.
Good hearing from you, Wanda. Hope you and yours are doing well.
They are all just beautiful!
Thank you, Cindy. They were a joy to make!
Sister dear – these are beyond precious and donating them somewhere is a wonderful idea. Everyone needs a “comfort” blanket or something to just hold on to and love in these tough times. Babies, older children and adults are in need of unconditional love and what’s more unconditional than a “companion quilt” ? I know you make everything with LOVE – that will be passed on and on. Hugs……………..Pam
Thank you, my dear baby sister. I do make them with love — I love the fabric, the designs, the softness, and the idea that they will be treasured by a child someday. You know how attached children get to their first quilt.
Love you!
Look for a program in your area that helps teen moms. Those organizations are often looking for baby supplies.
That’s a great idea. I will certainly look into that. I mentioned to one of other commenters that it also occurred to me that they might be the right size for a wheelchair lap robe. Seniors would love the bright cheerful colors. Thank you for your note.
Carol
You could donate them to the Linus project, Where kids get a quilt in foster care. I would love to be able to do it.
I have read all of your books hope you are working on a new one..
Oh yes! There was a program some years ago where policemen carried quilts in their cars for those times when they had to remove a child from his or her home…a soothing gift for a traumatized child! thank you for the idea.
Carol
Is there a crisis nursery near you? They might be able to use baby quilts. Or a children’s hospital – or women’s shelter.
I think that’s an excellent idea. I suspect these will become donations. Thank you for the ideas…I would particularly be interested in persuing the women’s shelter idea. These are also comforting for toddlers and young children in crisis, not just babies. Best wishes and take good care during these uncertain times.
Carol
I agree with Dianna. These are beautiful! and so darling. Precious. What a wonderful hobby and skill you have, and yes, you are very talented. Thank you for sharing with us.
Thank you Carolyn. I’ve been quilting for many years but this is turning out to be the most fun I’ve had with it. I think it’s the adorable fabrics and I’ve been putting flannel on most of the backs so they are also very cuddly. Take care.
Carol
Oooh! I love that kitty quilt! You are so very talented (just like your sweet sister!)
I’m sure you would have no problems selling those beautiful quilts.
Thank you Dianna! I love making baby quilts because the fabrics are so adorable. I don’t think I mentioned that I’ve been putting flannel on the backs and they are so snuggly. My best to you and your family. Stay well.