Easy Scrappy Stratus Improv Baby Quilts
A new scrappy improv quilt pattern is available and perfect for making easy and fun baby quilts! The Stratus quilt pattern is a fantastic way to dip your toe into improv piecing, and also a great way to use fabrics from your fabric stash. If you want to try out wonky improv strips, then Stratus is great for you!
You can use Fat Quarters, 1/3 yd. cuts, or even scraps to make this wonky improv quilt. Grab the Stratus quilt pattern to get started on this easy baby quilt!
This article contains affiliate links to some of my favorite quilting tools; the affiliate links allow me to make a small commission on purchases made after clicking on the links, but does not alter the shopping experience for you!
Fabrics for these Scrappy Improv Baby Quilts
I made both of these wonky strip baby quilts using fabrics from my stash! Pairing quilting cotton solids, blenders, prints, and chambray add a really fun texture to the designs.
I made the scrappy green version using blenders and solids from Riley Blake Designs:
- Large Hashtag Teal
- Mini Hashtag Aqua
- Confetti Cottons Sea Glass
- Kisses Vivid
- Confetti Cottons Bear Lake
- Confetti Cottons Scrubs
Here are some similar fabrics to the ones I used in the neutral monochromatic version:
- Gingham Play in Grey by Michael Miller Fabrics
- Solids from Connecting Threads (a few different tan/cream shades)
- Windham Fabrics woven chambray
Backing Baby Quilts with Minky Fabric
The backing on nearly any baby quilt I make is Cuddle fabric! It’s always so cozy, soft, and baby-approved!
The green quilt is backed with Shannon Fabrics Cuddle® Dimple fabric in Mallard. I backed the neutral monochromatic quilt in a custom woodland minky print from Joann’s.
Tips for Backing a Quilt with Minky
As I mentioned above, these Stratus baby quilts were both backed with minky fabric, which is my favorite way to back a baby quilt! I often get asked what kind of batting I use with minky or if I even use quilt batting at all! I do prefer to use batting, but a thin lightweight batting is perfect (especially because I live in a warm climate!) My quilt batting of choice is Quilter’s Dream Orient batting which is a bamboo blend and has amazing drape. You can learn more about different types of quilt batting in this article.
Backing a quilt with minky fabric can have really amazing results but it can also be a bit more tricky than backing a quilt with normal woven cotton fabric. You can see all my tips and techniques about backing a quilt with minky over on this post. The most important tip I have is to use spray adhesive to baste the quilt. I love spray basting because it keeps the fabric from sliding, stretching and creating puckers while you are stitching the quilting.
Quilting Modern Scrappy Baby Quilts
I quilted both of these baby quilts on my home sewing machine, using a walking foot! I actually have videos showing you some of my best tips and tricks for both of these techniques!
First off, if you haven’t learned about my top 3 quilting hacks, you’ve gotta check out this blog post or this youtube video. That video shares all the basics for successfully quilting straight lines.
If you struggle with keeping your lines straight or would like a more care-free approach, I’ve got you covered too! Check out this reel on Instagram to watch me quilt the green quilt using organic wavy lines. It’s officially the EASIEST way to quilt a quilt – so fast, so fun!
More options for the Stratus Quilt Pattern
I’d like to invite you to learn more about the Stratus quilt pattern. This pattern includes instructions for making this pattern in 4 different sizes! The pattern also shares 2 different options – either using scraps like I did in these baby size quilts, or an ombre block layout!
