Bonjour! A Doll Quilt Tutorial

Free Doll Quilt Pattern and Photo Tutorial

I’ve been swooning over this Bonjour fat quarter pack from Timeless Treasures ever since it arrived a couple of weeks ago. I finally made myself take a break from doll clothing to make a doll quilt, and of course, I’m including a tutorial for how to make it {scroll down to the end for the tutorial]. It’s another perfect bedding set for my daughter’s American Girl “Doll of the Year,” Grace Thomas.

I hated to cut the main prints up too small, which is necessary when making mini quilts. Instead I made this design, which allows the very Parisian scenes to stay intact, French ladies in their stylish clothes walking their puppies.

I love all the cute dogs! This one is my favorite and looks just like the type of dog I want to get [my husband does not want a dog…but he did say he’d compromise and get one if I sell 100,000 copies of my book–which I think he knows will take some time  *sigh*]

And look at all the glitter! It’s hard to get a good picture of the glitter, but the glitter is very fun and not overdone. There is a bit of silver glitter on the bicycle spokes, Eiffel towers, clouds, and what not. [Oh and of course, there’s some on the bras, too.]

The collection includes 3 main prints–all very cute. It has some great coordinates as well: tiny hearts, 2 quatrefoil prints, tossed bicycles, and glitter bras. [I’m still trying to figure out what I should make with that one.]

And for those who save selvages for “selvage projects” –Here’s what the selvages look like ♥

I designed this quilt to use with this Bonjour collection. This cute doll quilt can easily be made in a afternoon. I think it would make such a special birthday gift as well! So next time your daughter is invited to a birthday party, and the birthday girl likes 18 inch dolls, you can sew this up and have a very special gift for her to give to her friend. [my book, Sew in Style, makes a perfect birthday gift, too! ;)]

You’ll need 6 fat quarters from the Bonjour collection by Timeless Treasures. I chose my favorite print for the center block. Finished size: 19″ x 21″

Cut the center block 14″ wide by 16″ long.

From the Pink Quatrefoil cut:

2 strips 1 1/2″ X 16″

2 strips 1 1/2″ X 16 1/2″‘

From the Glitter Tossed Bicycles cut:

2 strips 2″ x 18″

2 strips 2″ X 19″

From Tiny Hearts cut:

5-6 strips 1 1/4″ wide X 18″

From the black Quatrefoil, cut the binding strips.

Sew the 2 strips 1 1/2″ X 16″ to the sides of the center block, right sides together and 1/4″ seam allowance. Press the seam allowances.

Sew the other pink strips to the top and bottom, in the same way. Trim any extra if needed and press.

Add the bicycle print in the same way. Be sure to add to the sides first, then add the top and bottom strips. Press the seam allowances.

Make a quilt sandwich and quilt the quilt sandwich however you like. I did a diamond design in the center block and just echo stitched in the borders. I suggest squaring up your quilt before you add the ruffle. It would have much easier, I’m sure.

Sew the Tiny Hearts strips together to make one long strip 1 1/2″ wide.

Use a serger, or rolled hem presser foot for your regular sewing machine, to finish the long edges. Be sure to use the rolled hem setting on the serger, instead of just serging the edges. It looks much nicer. For a really nice rolled hem edge, use wooly nylon in the loopers and a short stitch length.

Make a row of gathering stitches down the center of the long strip. Pull the bobbin thread to gather and pin the gathered strip to the quilt. Sew the ruffled strip in place (down the center, leaving the edges free).

Add the binding.

Voilá! C’est fini!

Isn’t this so adorable? I love how the ruffles makes it look even more French. And all the glitter 🙂  What little girl wouldn’t love this pretty Paris-themed doll quilt?