Sweet Summer Quilts | Family Economics

By Cathe

As the weather warms from spring to summer, some nights all you need is a light to medium weight blanket to keep you comfortable. Here is a simple summer quilt project for you to make for your bed, hammock or porch that offers the coolness of cotton sheets with a bit of weight to fend off a late night chill.

Materials:
• Two colorful patterned same-size, flat, cotton sheets, twin or full (I prefer to mix rather than match the patterns of the sheets.) Launder all before sewing to allow for shrinkage. Look for sheets sold on clearance at department stores. If you purchase the sheets in sets, use the fitted sheets for smaller quilts by trimming away the elastic.
• One inexpensive, but new, painter’s canvas drop cloth for a medium weight quilt or an additional solid light color sheet for a lightweight quilt.

How To Make:
• On a large surface or floor space, lay out the patterned sheets, one on top of the other with color patterns facing in. Lay the painter’s cloth or middle sheet on top of the patterned sheets and trim to size.
• Pin along all layers of fabric and around all edges with a 2-inch seam allowance, leaving an opening of about 18 inches.
• Turn the entire piece right side out and press opening edges in and iron seams flat. Stitch around the quilt again 1-inch from edge to finish.

Additional Uses for your Summer Quilts:
• Fold and place on an ottoman to use as a blanket for reading or TV watching.
• Use as a thin blanker-turned-cushion on your porch swing.
• Keep one folded in the back of your vehicle for passengers on cool night drives or an impromptu picnic blanket.
• Keep a few on hand for overnight sofa guests or slumber parties.