Looking for a Valentines gift you can make for your Valentine? You can't go wrong with this quilt. It is easy enough for guys to make and the love of your life will be proud that you showed off your feminine touch. Everyone loves a cuddly quilt.

Have you ever had an old pair of shoes or clothing that you could not part with because they were so comfortable? Those old shoes and clothing are often favorites because they are soft and have been broken in. My mom used to make appliqued and pieced quilts. Over the years she has made some beautiful quilts, but the ones that all of us kids talk about are the thrift store sheet quilts. We loved them because they were amazingly soft and cuddly. In fact I have been collecting old washed cotton sheets so I could make some for everyone I care about. These are quick and cheap to make. The secret to the fabrics softness is because they have been through so many wash cycles. These types of quilts make great gifts for children and the elderly because they are so soft.

Everyone appreciates the charm of a home made quilt. I have been making quilts for years and every once in a while, I will receive an email from someone that I have given a quilt to. They tell me they still use it to cuddle with.

Step 1: What You Will Need

You may use any size of sheets, it will not change the way they are sewn.

2 Contrasting flat sheets the same size.
Batting I prefer using 1 size larger than the sheets because I use batting for a lot of things.
Matching thread.
6X6 piece of cardboard for a template.

Step 2: Tools

Iron and ironing board
Scissors
Sewing needle
Matching Bias Tape 1/4 inch
Matching Yarn you will not use a full skeen
Ruler or straight edge
Seam ripper
Pins
Tailors chalk
Marker
Very large eye needle for the yarn
Label to sew on the quilt that says Was made with love for . . . . . .optional these are nice to use if it is a gift.
Sewing machine optional
Long folding table optional
Washer and dryer optional

Step 3: Terms

The bottom sheet will become the back of the quilt.
The top sheet will be the pretty side of the finished quilt.
The batting is the filler that goes between the 2 flat sheets.
The boarder is the edge that goes all around the quilt to form a frame around the quilt.
The top end of the sheet is at the head of the bed.
The bottom end goes toward the foot of the bed.
The sides are the sides of the quilt.
The finished edge has been turned down so it forms a nice edge that won't ravel.
Hand tying is a way to finish a quilt so the batting does not ball up when it is washed.
Bias tape is type of embellishment that will help form a finished edge.
A seam ripper is a tool that makes it easier to remove stitches.

This quilt is made by sandwiching batting between 2 flat sheet layers.
Then we turn down a finished edge to form a frame around the perimeters of the quilt.
Hand tie the quilt to secure the batting.
Hand sew the frame around the quilt.
The picture will show the layers and how we turn under 1/2 inch at the edge and fold it over the top layer and pin it in so it is hand sewn at the edge.
The pins also show how to pin the layers to carpet to secure the layers while you remove the wrinkles before pinning in the edges to be sewn.

Please note: This quilt can be machine sewn however I have had best results hand sewing the frame and hand tying it. I bought a
part for my sewing machine that will be helpful in quilting it by machine but I need to practice before I try it on a real quilt.

Step 4: Removing Seams

Remove all the seams using the seam ripper.
Remove all the loose threads.
Machine Wash and dry.
Press the open seams

It helps to press the entire sheet for the best results.

Step 5: Attaching the Bias Tape

Choose which side will be the top of the quilt.
Turn down 1/2 inch of the top edge of the bottom sheet.
Press well.
Open up the bias tape so half of the bias tape will be on the wrong side of the sheet (bottom side of the quilt)and the remaining of folded edge of the bias tape extends beyond the sheet (bottom side of the quilt) to form the finished edge for the quilt top (later on).
Place the edge of the bias tape under the folded edge of the sheet allowing the bias tape to extend from the edge of the quilt top as shown.
Machine stitch across the top of the sheet as shown.

Step 6: Marking Center

Fold the bottom sheet that will become the back side of the quilt in half.
Using the chalk mark center at both ends.
Next lay the sheet wrong side up ( down on the carpet or bed as square as possible.)
Using the straight edge and chalk make a line down the center of the sheet.
You will need to mark center at the top and bottom of the batting and top sheet as well.

Step 7: Layering the Quilt

I have always made my quilts by laying the sheet on the carpet and pinning the sheet to the carpet to keep it straight and secure. However we no longer have carpet so I had to use my bed.
Spread the bottom sheet out on a bed or carpet keeping it as square as possible with the wrong side facing you.
If using carpet pin it in place.
Lay the batting evenly over the sheet removing the wrinkles. See bottom note.
Next lay the top sheet or quilt top over the previous layers evenly right side facing you.

Please note: It is much easier to pin the sheet layers to carpeting. A bed will work but you need 2 people to pull against the sheet layers to remove the wrinkles so the boarders can be pinned.

Step 8: Pinning the Edges

Next turn under 1/2 inch on both sides of the quilt.
Turn under the sides again this time the width you want. See bottom note.
I like to make wide boarders for my quilts if I have plenty of fabric.
Pin the sides to secure.

Trim some of the batting off if you think the edge is too thick, but be careful not to trim off too much.
It is best to make the boarder the same width all the way around but I have done this many different ways depending on the amount of fabric I had and how large I wanted the quilt. The smaller the boarder the larger the quilt. Mine was turned down different on the sides and bottom because I did not have enough batting to make it the way I wanted to. I wished I would have had king size batting so I could have made this larger. I have a king size bed and these were queen sheets. I decided it would be Ok for adding an extra blanket in the winter on colder nights. So I did not go buy larger batting.

Step 9: Pinning the Top and Bottom Edges

Turn the bottom sheet over the top sheet to form the finished top edge. Make this as wide as you want or need.
Pin into place to make the boarder.
Repeat this step for the bottom of the sheet or quilt.

Sometimes you will need to cut off some of the batting because it is too bulky when you turn under the boarder. But be careful not to trim off too much.

Step 10: Placing Quilt on Folding Table

This part works easier if you have 2 people.
Carefully remove the quilt from the carpet or bed and lay it over a long folding table or kitchen table centering the quilt on the table.
You want one end of the the quilt at the edge of the table so you can start tying it.
Both of you can work your fingers under the quilt to pull the wrinkles out of the center until it is smooth enough to start tying.

Step 11: Hand Tying the Quilt

Make a template for tying off the quilt by cutting out a 6X6 piece of cardboard.
I marked the cardboard's center at an angle as shown.
Center the template over the center of the quilt and mark all 4 edges with a piece of chalk.
Repeat marking the points across the quilt (after you tie the 4 points with the yarn as shown.)
I marked and tied each square at a time.
Using the template as a guide finish all the hand tying leaving the boarder alone.
I tied the ties in a double knot and trimmed the excess to 1/2 inch.

Because of the design in the sheet I decided to make the yard puff on the back side of the quilt. You can do this either way.

Step 12: Hemming the Boarder

Next you simply hand stitch all around the boarder securing the edges.
You can use a sewing machine but I prefer hand sewing.
If using the To label, sew it to one corner of the quilt.

Step 13: Sunshiine's Final Thoughts

Sheet quilts are fast, easy, and cheap to make and the best part is they are appreciated by everyone that receives one. Seriously you can't go wrong by making these to give someone especially for Valentine's Day. My daughter loves to shop at the thrift stores. She told me the other day that you can see how well a piece of clothing or sheets will hold up to washing them and wearing them if they still look fabulous enough to buy them used. You can find a lot of high thread count sheets at thrift stores. The best part is when you buy them used, you know they won't ball up. I hope you will make one just to see how wonderful they are. If you do make one please do post a picture or link so we can see what yours looks like.
Thanks so much for stopping by and please have a super day!
Sunshiine