Bluebird Park Car Seat Quilt {Tutorial}
The winner is #127 – kimberlee!
While I was in CA visiting Jennie and family last May, we decided to visit The Intrepid Thread ! It was a perfect day for a car ride. We were so excited when we arrived to see such a wonderful quilt shop stocked up with our most favorite fabrics {you can read a little about our trip here}.
There was so much to look at, we had to take turns to take it all in {which I am sure we still weren’t able to}. We did manage to leave with a few purchases, only a few because time and two little ones did not allow more browsing and that did cut into our purchasing. We got to meet Julie, the owner, and she is very sweet and welcomed us, Silas, Norah, a good friend of Jennie’s, Cara and her little girl, Addi, strollers and all!
While we were there, Julie gave us a fat eighth bundle of Bluebird Park by Kate & Birdie Paper Co., for Moda. It is so sweet and has really cute prints along with great colors. Jennie and I decided it would make a cute car seat quilt, similar to the one she had made for the Moda Bake Shop, it is called the “Sophie Car Seat Quilt“. I changed the quilt pattern and made hour-glass blocks instead, and I also used only fat eighths, so I pieced the back, the binding and the ties for a fresh, scrappy look. It was fun to see it all come together!
Note: Read all directions before beginning. All seam allowances are 1/4″ unless otherwise stated. Finished size is approximate 25″ x 33″.
Cut 2- 6″ blocks from 20 fat eighths, 40 total.
With right sides together draw a line corner to corner and sew a straight line 1/4″ on each side of the line. Do this for all 20 sets.
Cut on the line.
Before moving the blocks, cut from corner to corner on the opposite corners. (The pic. shows the pieces moved, but cut before separating).
Open the pieces and press seams to one side pair with another set. Select 27 pairs for the body of the quilt, set the remaining pieces aside.
Sew along the middle matching the seam lines. They will match if you press seams in opposite directions before sewing.
Open and press seams.
Next lay your full blocks on point using up all of the full squares, arranging them in the pattern you like.
Then, from the set aside half blocks, select 15 for the ends of each row.
For two of the corners you will need quarter blocks {I used the seam ripper on one half block, so I didn’t have to do any extra cutting}.
The layout of the whole quilt will look like this. Begin by sewing whole blocks into rows and then adding half blocks to each end. When all the rows are complete, sew rows together and then end two corner blocks, mine are on the two bottom corners.
I added two strips to each side of my top so that it would be the width that I wanted, they were 2 1/2″ wide.
Since I used fat eighths, I cut them and pieced them into the back. It made it more colorful and I used up my pieces that were cut from the 6″ block pieces. I made it to fit the quilt front.
Make a quilt sandwich with your front, back and use batting, or we used flannel for our quilt {so it would not be too thick for milder climates}. The next car seat quilt I make I will use batting for a winter baby. Pin and quilt your quilt as you like. I free motioned mine and then trimmed excess flannel.
The two ties are approximately 32″ long by 1 1/2″ wide, mine were also pieced from fat eighths. Cut them, iron them in half lengthwise and then fold edges toward center pressing line, the same as making bias tape or binding. Fold the ends of the ties in so they will be finished. Sew along long edges on both ties. These will go on after quilt is bound and quilted.
For binding we used 1 1/2″ strips of fabric to make a single fold binding. Measure all four edges of your quilt and add several inches for finishing. Sew it onto the front edge of your quilt, the same as regular binding. Turn toward the back, fold in half and machine sew or hand sew the same as regular binding. If you used batting rather than flannel, cut your binding 2 1/2′ wide so that it will wrap around the thicker quilt sandwich.
Quilt front with binding and ties added.
Here is the back. Now it is ready to keep your little one cozy while riding in his/her car seat or stroller.
And, because Julie really is so sweet, she’s offering a giveaway to you too! To enter to win two charm packs of Bluebird Park, simply head over to The Intrepid Thread shop and let us know a favorite fabric you’ve been hoping to play with. While you’re there, make sure to check out the Coming Soon section, which is filled with some lovely fabrics to look forward to {I am anxious to get my hands on some of the Andrea Victoria when it is re-released!}.
One entry per person, please. The giveaway will be open through midnight, September 15th, with the winner announced on the 16th.
I really would love some simply style. Cute quilt! Love the fabrics 🙂
such cute fabrics for your project. I would love to play with Field day. Love those colors.
I would love the Constellations Fabric. I have the perfect project for that.
I’m in a Holiday mood, so I’d love to have a few prints from Aspen Frost and Boo Crew!
I like Happy Go Lucky in the Jump print. Thanks for the giveaway.
well besides bluebird park, i really love Acacia by Tula Pink, the racoons are too cute.
Can’t wait to get my hand on Theodore and Izzy! It’s just so adorable. Thanks for the tutorial. This will be perfect for my granddaughter!
I have never seen the Bluebird one before now. I’m afraid I don’t keep up with all the latest, but I really LOVE it and if i don’t win it I will just HAVE to buy it. It is lush. jennylarking at gmail dot com
I’m so anxious for some Squared Elements! Thanks!
So much to choose from but I would love Dream a Little Dream and Homegrown to name just a few. Thanks for the car seat quilt tutorial. I have a 2 month old grandson and our first granddaughter will be born tomorrow (!!!) so I need to get going on a couple of these! Cold Minnesota weather is on the way!
I love bluebird park!
I want some Briar Rose Hex n Bee in Yellow!!!!!!!!!
Loving Hip Holiday. I also love the Aeroplane Bag Pattern by Sew Sweetness.
I love Bluebird Park!! My fav coming out in September is Dream a Little Dream. Absolutely adorable!! Love it! Thank you for the chance!!
I love, love, love Florence by Denyse Schmidt! Thank you everyone for the giveaway!
I’d love to get some Bungalow from her shop!
ourbusylittlebunch(at)hotmail(dot)com
The Bluebird Park fabrics and your quilt are adorable! I’m also drooling over Paloma and about a dozen other things in Julie’s shop!
Briar Rose, Strawberry in Pink is gorgeous. Thank you for the giveaway.
I just got some Koi from The Intrepid Thread which I had been looking forward to playing with for ages. Next on my list is possibly Angela Walter’s Legacy.Thanks for the giveaway.
I’ve been waiting to play with Bluebird and Sunnyside!
Beautiful little car seat cover. I think I have this bookmarked to make some day. I always enjoy checking in with your blog. I do like the Bluebird Park fabric and was so excited to find lots of Happy Go Lucky fabric when I checked the Intrepid Thread. Great giveaway.
I adore the Briar Rose Frog Pond in Blue and in Lilac – frogs are so cool, especially when they are fishing from the banks!!! Bluebird Park is awesome too 🙂 Great giveaway!!!
My absolute fav is the soon-to-be-released Bungalow by JD! such a beauty!
Poppy modern in black and white, yes please!
The Intrepid thread has a great selection. I love the Briar Rose Frog Pond fabric in lilac. It’s both beautiful and whimsical. And I love the stroller/car seat cover you made too. This would make a special shower gift. Thanks for sharing!
Bluebird Park is just adorable….and I do like Briar Rose.
what a lovely little giveaway! The bluebird park is as cute as it can be. And the sea glass fat quarter bundle…………..so nice.
Love this little quilt, thanks for sharing the tutorial!
I’m loving this Bluebird Park, which I haven’t seen yet, but I’m also dying for Kate Spain’s Sunnyside…I think it would be perfect for a Swoon quilt, another project on my to-do list!
What a great project, thanks for sharing. . I went over to Julie’s shop not that I had to I spend lots of time there anyway and have a long list of things I would love to be able to get, right now the list is topped by Acacia by Tula Pink
My favorite fabric design is the hydrangea print. Thanks for sharing the tutorial for the Car Seat Quilt.
I love the Briar Rose!
I would love a fat quarter bundle of Briar Rose.
I am loving Bijoux and Happy Go Lucky.
Thanks for the great tutorial and give away!
I love Briar Rose!
That is so sweet! I love the fabrics you used too. Julie’s shop is so awesome. I would love to play with some Sunnyside.
I love Bijoux and Happy Go lucky!
Thanks for the great tutorial and the give away!
I would love to get some Merry Little Christmas! The holidays are a’coming!
Bluebird park is my favorite at the moment – thanks for the giveaway!!
I think the Dream a Little Dream deer are seriously cute. Thanks for the info and giveaway! 🙂
Aside from Bluebird Park, I would really love to add Gracie Girl to my stash! Thanks for the opportunity to enter the giveaway!
I’ve been dying to play with the Nordika collection. I just love the beautiful prints and colors in the collection.
I would love to have some Sunnyside to play with. Thanks for the giveaway. I wish I lived near Julie’s store, but I will have to just keep buying from her online store.
I have been wanting Winter’s Lane. Just love that soft color combo.
I actually would like to play with some solids. Moda Bella Solids to be exact, so I’d have to list that as my favorite. Lucky you that you got to visit the shop, I love them on line. Thanks for the chance to win.
I really like the looks of London Calling 3 as it has some cute Paisleys.
I would l love to play with Moda’s Sunnyside collection, it’s beautiful. Thanks for the chance to win! I love the porcupines, so cute.
That’s an adorable little quilt — thanks for sharing your tutorial!
I haven’t managed to buy it yet, so I still want to play with Briar Rose. 🙂
I’ve actually have my fingers crossed that I’ll get my hands on some Hello Tokyo when it comes out later this month. Such a great fussy cut print. I definitely see some a fun quilt out of bundle of those pretties.
Briar Rose is a favorite in the shop. Thanks for the tutorial & the chance to win.
I love the Bluebird Park, the bicycles are my favorite! Thanks for the tutorial can’t wait to make one!
I love anything Briar Rose.
Winters Lane is my favorite ! Thanks for the giveaway!
Such a gorgeous quilt and a great way to use fat eighths. I would like to get my hands on some Lush Uptown – gorgeous fabrics 🙂
Wow,what lovely fabrics. Hard to choose just one! Loved Mariposa and Fun and Games.
I love those hedgehogs in Blueberry park
I am totally in love with Poppy Modern… I don’t know what I would make with it… But I simply must have it! Sometimes its nice to dream big!
Love your tutorial! I think I’d love some Alison Glass fabric! the feathers… Thanks for the chance to win!
Simply style by V & Co. Could be used in so many different projects!
Love the carseat cover you made 🙂
nordika 🙂
I like A Merry Little Christmas because I REALLY need to make myself a christmas quilt!
Twice as Nice is catching my eye…Love your little blanket, those hedgehogs and bikes are so cute. 🙂 Thanks for such a wonderful tute and give-away.
I love the fabric you used here! I also would love to add a bunch of kona solids to my stash!
I would love to use Thesaurus and Spring House and Collage. It’s too hard to decide between those three lines, I love them all! 🙂
Dying to play with some ore-cut hexies!
Love the car quilt!
I love to have heather Bailey Lottie da, and for the coming soon, I like Joel Dewberry Botanique.
Gina
Poppy modern!
Hi! What a beautiful quilt – great pattern to show lovely fabrics! I wish to get Kate Spain’s Sunnyside! thank ypou for a great give away!
I would love to play with some Florence or Gracie Girl. This is the first time I have seen Bluebird Park and it is adorable! Thank you for sharing!
I love Enchant or Ahoy matey!
I’d love a go at the Field Study Linens and I always need more constellations!
I would love to get my hands on all of her fabrics but my favourite at the moment is Thesaurus. I love text fabric at the moment and this really appeals.
Julie has such a great shop and her service is brilliant too!! Thanks for sharing this post, I love the car seat cover.
I really love the Bonjour Mon Ami range, particularly – Jeune Fleur Blue. Xxx
Thank you very much for the wonderful tutorial..
i love the Enchant Series and Thank you for a chance to win.. 😀
I really like the Bonjour Mon Ami range as it is so pretty and versatile too. The seat cover is amazing, it is great what you can do wit small amounts of fabric. Thanks for a sweet giveaway too, the hedgehog fabric is adorable.
Your block is my favorite one to work with. I would so love boo crew. Thanks for the chance.
I love Tula Pink’s Acacia line of fabrics on The Intrepid Thread’s website. Thanks!
I love Florence by Denyse Schmidt.thanks for the chance to win.
I’d love to play with some Bluebird Park and Waterfront Park.
My favorites are Thesaurus Flower Fields and Circle Grids. But also likenIn From the Cold series too. Many thanks for the great giveaway!
Such an adorable project in those sweet fabrics! Over at IT, I have my eye on Lottie Da.
so hard to choose one! I am loving the Lottie Da orchid and charcoal fabrics. Gorgeous shop, headed back to drool over more fabric 🙂
I love the Ashbury Heights. Beautiful colours!
Lovely fabrics and a wonderful project….especially for Grandmothers to give their grand-babies.
Madhuri. I would love to get my hands on some!
MMM How to choose? I love that Hello Tokyo collection! <3 thank you!
I love Bonjour Mon Ami. It’s so cute! Thanks!
I just had a baby so this tutorial will come in handy! I really like the squared elements line Julie carries.
Lovely little quilt! It would make a perfect baby shower gift, don’t you think?
I’m in love with Briar Rose and Florence. Thank you for the chance to win!
Waterfront Park!! I’m dying here for some Waterfront Park, haha. Saving up for the full fat quarter bundle is difficult but worth it ♥
I’m looking forward to Legacy coming in.
Scrumptious is just gorgeous!!
cpoot at telus dot net
I love the Briar Rose line!
I want to get my hands on some new Tula Pink Acacia. I love every fabric in the line and can’t wait to see it!
That Hedgehog fabric from Bluebird Park is adorable., Must Have!
Tula Pink’s Acacia and Anna Maria Horner’s Filed Study linens are at the top of my list right now.
So excited to find your blog. What a great project, and on my list for the next friend’s baby. I love the Intrepid Thread, and Sun Prints by Alison Glass is my current “want”. Now I’m off to explore your blog!
I would love to get some Scrumptious to make tote bags with !
legato1958@aol.com
I like the Field Study parenthetical – I’m drawn lately to the old barkcloth prints of the 40s and 50s.
I really love acacia and of course blue bird park. What beautiful charity quilts it would make. babscorbitt@ gmail dot com
Cute quilt and thanks for the tutorial. I like Moda- Simply Style.
I have actually started on some Christmas gifts and would love to add some
” A Merry Little Christmas” to my stash!
This fabric is so cute that if I don’t win it, I will have to buy it!
Hello what darling fabrics!
Thanks so much for the tutorial+giveaway!
Happy Stitching!
I love the idea of a car seat quilt – for me!!
I’d love to play with Gracie Girl – thanks for the giveaway
I love Simply Style!
What a great pattern; your instructions and photos are easy to follow. I’m liking the Collage fabric line. The colors are great and I like the patterns.
Cute tutorial … Thanks! I love wallflowers … Perfect for this time of year! Thanks for the bluebird give away!
I am anxiously awaiting Acacia by Tula Pink.
Thanks for the chance to win your adorable fabric.
There are so many cute fabrics! I think my fav is Handle with Care. Thanks!
I love the Waterfront Craft line. Thank you for chance!
Bluebird Park Fat Quarter Bundle – Complete Collection is my dream fabric – just look at those hedgehogs!
I’m loving Legacy by Angela Walters.
I went to Intrepid Thread (amazing website) and my favorite fabric was Bluebird Park because I love the colors and patterns. Thanks for the chance to win!
Love the Bluebird Park fabric! I’m also loving A Merry Little Christmas. Thanks for the chance to win!
I want Nordika really bad 🙂
I can’t wait to get my hands on some Bonjour Mon Ami!
Thanks for the chance to win!
Koi looks lovely. Thanks so much for the opportunity on a wonderful draw.
i liked ‘ dream a little dream’ it would makie a great one for our luke
I am still wanting to play with Briar Rose but I also like Bluebird Park. It looks like it would be a fun fabric to work with. Thank you for sharing.
I would agree with you, Andrea Victoria would be my favorite!
Love the Bluebird Park and the small quilt!
Bluebird Park is a favorite. Thank you for the giveaway.
Briar rose would be terrific! Gosh the Bluebird line is darling!
Right now I would love some Bluebird Park, but in the future I would love some Tula Pink Fox Field!
I did love Astrid and Winter’s Lane by Kate & Birdie’s Paper C. Thanks for the chance.
I would have a hard time choosing one. Hip Holiday would be fun, though.
I love Briar Rose by Heather Ross. Would make a gorgeous dress for my little girl. 🙂 Awesome tutorial! Thanks for the chance.
I really can’t wait to get Hello Tokyo, so cute!! TY for the wonderful quilt tutorial! I adore the bikes.
I’m ready to start on christmas decor… a new tree skirt, throw, pillows, and stockings…
I’d love to get my hands on some Merry Little Christmas fabrics.
Poppy Modern – Half Yard Bundle in Red
I absolutely love the Bluebird Park fabric!! The hedgehogs are adorable!!! Thanks!
I would get the Kona Cotton PreCut Hexies. Thanks for the Giveaway. vickise at gmail dot com
Minimalista would be my choice.
I love Briar Rose, but I also would love to play with the Kona Cotton sunrise and sunset bundles. Thank you for the tutorial- so cute!
I love, love, love Briar Rose collection – I think the Calicos are my favorites although those froggies are darn cute! Thanks for the tute – great pattern – good baby gift.
Hello. I would love to play with all of the Christmas print fabrics. I love to sew quilted Christmas gifts for family and friends
Great fabrics!
I like the look of Denyse Schmidt’s new line – Ansonia!
Oh, what a fun fabric site! I love them all, but I would have to say I would have fun with – Field Day – Bundle in Grey!
Anything by Basic grey!
I am currently in love with Bluebird Park! I already purchased one charm pack, but having two babies coming along in the family, it would be great to have a couple more and make them two baby quilts! Thanks for this giveaway!
I like the Aspen Frost – it would be perfect for a “First Christmas” quilt!! Thanks for the chance.
I would adore some Bonjour Mon Ami!!! so beautiful! I could spend hours trying to cut into it! 😀
I can’t wait for Acacia. Your quilt is adorable!
Bluebird Park is the one for me. I have a list of baby quilts to make for some special little someones (yep, a bunch of them, including twins!), and I’m going to be scheming to include Bluebird Park in each of the quilts, I think.
I really like the bluebird park!
smjohns63 at yahoo dot com
thats adorable! I love that car seat quilt!! I would LOVE some reminisce! Its so lovely!
Jessica
A Merry Little Christmas would be nice since the holidays are creaping up on us quickly. A very nice give away.
I’ve been wanting to play with a Very Merry Christmas. The colors and prints are so fun and will make a great holiday quilt.
I love this fabric! I can hardly wait to make a quilt with this fabric!!
I’d love to work with Koi. I’d love to work with any of the fabrics on that site.
I would love to play with Gracie Girl. Thanks for the giveaway.
In from the Cold is calling my name. Thanks for the chance.
I love this fabric for the give away. I like Paloma on the Intrepid Threads site.
there is so much to choose from but Sunnyside is really beautiful. Thanks for the chance to win this great fabric.
I love the Field Day collection.
I’m kind of loving Squared Elements. But that Bluebird Park is pretty darn sweet!
I love Acacia by Tula Pink but the Bluebird Park is so so cute!!
BTW I made the Sophie car seat quilt for my daughter-in-law and her sister and they love them!!
I would go nuts there and want a little of this and lots of that. I like to get FQ so I can try lots. I love circles and dots. The Christmas fabric was nice. The trees would make great postal cards.
I like Briar Rose.
I went and checked around but I have to say the Bluebird Park collection is absolutely my favorite! I would love to win it!
I’d really like to get my hands on a fat bundle of Acacia.
Thanks for chance to win Bluebird Park!
I’ve got Briar Rose on my list of fabrics I want to make a quilt with.
I really think the camper caravans in Roughing it are so cute!!
I really love Simply Style and am hoping to get that fabric collection. In the “Coming Soon”, I spotted a cute fabric called Theodore and Izzy that might make some cute things for my Grandchildren.
Wonderful Project!! Great Fabric!! Squared Elements is a favorite fabric in the shop!! Thanks for the chance to win!!
Acacia would be fun! Thanks for a chance to win.
I love the “A Merry Little Christmas”, ideal to do little presents or decorate our home. Thanks for the chance to win!
I love Bluebird Park AND Briar Rose. This shop has a lot to choose from so it was hard! Thanks for the giveaway!
I love her Madhuri circles in blue. I have a pocket that needs a dress!
Love the Bijoux collection! And the sleep sack is wonderful!
I love the Sea Glass and Sunnyside collections. And Squared Elements look like a great basic blender! I also really like the scalloped edge print in the Koi collection.
Love Tula Pink’s Acacia and I really want some of Parson Gray’s World Tour. Love the cover. Thanks.
I love the hedgehog! I am loving acacia right now
Hello Tokyo looks adorable! Thanks for the chance!
it’s actually Blueberry Park I’m waiting for! I love the rabbits and the hedgehogs. Sunnyside looks like a nice collection too and of course Scrumptious!
New quilter here, thanks for the giveaway! I love the hedgehogs and the Everyday Scissors…what a great fabric shop!
It’s always a hard choice with fabric, I love the cute Bluebird Park prints but I also have my eye on a couple of Briar Rose prints and almost all the Florence ones.
Merry Little Christmas for me. Thanks for the giveaway
Oh I love this carseat cover! Great design and great fabrics – you’ve done a great job. Thanks for sharing it with us. And thanks to you and Julie for the giveaway! I love so many of the fabrics she has in stock, but especially Glimma. There’s something so refreshing about those earthy colors!
I just love anything from Art Gallery Fabrics <3, but I really really like Bluebird Park, too.
I love them all, but the Hip Holiday collection is lovely 🙂
Love, love love the bicycles!
WOW! So much is coming out! Legacy, Dream a little Dream, Enchant, Hello Tokyo, I agree with Andrea Victoria!, True Colors!!!, and Fox field-but that will be awhile! Thanks for the chance to win. I REALLY love this fabric!
I have been hoping to play with some Tula Pink Acacia!
I would love some Twice as Nice.
loving the alison glass sun prints right now
I love the In From the Cold fabric.
I really love the Bluebird Park. I haven’t seen it before and it is so cute!
Love your tutorial too. Thank You to you and Julie for the great giveaway.
Hope I win.
I am all about Tula Pink these days, and I can’t wait to get my hands on Acacia! Love the hedgehogs on the Bluebird Park fabric too! Thanks for the giveaway!
I love all the chevron prints by riley blake
Oh yes, love Acacia!!
Oh so many lovely fabrics. I would pick A Merry Little Christmas.
Thansk for the chance!
Susanne
I placed an order with The Intrepid Thread yesterday! I really like their online shop. I keep eying the Nordika fat quarter bundle and that may be my next purchase.
I love happy go lucky! Anything from that line is my favorite right now.
I love those little hedgehogs!
Happy Go Lucky and Gracie Girl are both really cute! Thanks for the chance to win!
What a fantastic post…a tutorial AND a giveaway…woohoo!
I enjoyed looking at all the fabrics over at Intrepid and will have to get some of the Sunprints text fabrics…love words on quilts. But my fave is probably the Gracie Girl collection…yum! Happy Quilting!
Getting in the spirit of Christmas – I really like “Merry Little Christmas”. It is so festive and vintage. I love Miss Three’s new blanket, I know it will be a treasure long after she out grows her car seat. XOXO
Those little orange hedghogs! Precious!
I love what you have created…baby throw for a shopping cart!!! I would love to win this offered bundle!! I do craft fairs and it would seem cool to create something from this bundle…..or several things!!!
Thanks for the offering!
Gay ♥
I love Bluebird Park but ever since I saw Bonjour Mon Ami I have wanted to bring some home to play with.
I love the Briar Rose collection — probably the clover patterns the most.
That is so cute, I would love some Bluebird Park to play with 🙂
Julie’s shop is awesome and I just finished a quilt with one of her bundles. She’s great at putting fabrics together. I’d love to build my stash with Squared Elements. I’d love to see her shop in person!
I’ve gotten to go to the Intrepid thread a few times and it is a fun place!! I’ve spent too much money there!! 😀 I love the Dovecote line! thanks for hosting!!