First steps – The pattern and project ideas

It’s here! First Steps, my latest quilt pattern, is live!

🚀 Get your copy here! 🚀

This little astronaut would love to be the next crib quilt you’re making for a very special little boy or girl!

About the pattern

The whole quilt is traditionally pieced and although there are nearly 40 different pieces, it comes together quite fast as it’s essentially a one-block quilt. The name First Steps was my husbands idea and I find it couldn’t be more welcoming, encouraging and inspiring! I hope you love it as much as I do!

The pattern is for a crib quilt but you can easily make a larger version by increasing the size of the sky sections or by adding a border, for example incorporating other space-themed elements, see last section of this post. In addition, the pattern includes instructions for a single astronaut block (9″ by 9″ finished) which I turned into the pillow cover shown above.

Some background

Rockets and space and everything related are really popular in our family. We have wooden toys, puzzles, several Lego sets, and I have thrown space themed birthday parties. My rocket cake template is still by far my most successful Pinterest pin. The space obsession eventually entered my quiltiverse a little over two years ago when our then three-year-old requested a rocket quilt (read all about it here).

When I sat down this summer to write a pattern for these rockets and UFOs though, I couldn’t help but add more space party folks! 😉

I had so much fun sewing the samples but also soon realized how complex a pattern for all of them would be. So instead I decided to start a space-themed quilt pattern series – Space Shenanigans – and slowly work my way through them. Like First Steps, the astronaut pattern, each of these patterns will include instructions for a whole quilt, but also for a single 9″ block, which can all be combined as the patterns become available – hopefully over the course of the next year or so. Here’s a glimpse of what’s awaiting you…

Project ideas

Writing quilt patterns can be difficult at times. And yes, that is because giving clear instructions on a complicated process is in itself a challenge. But another thing I struggle with is that I never want to limit the users’ creativity – and I find step-by-step instructions tend to feel restricting. So here I am trying to give you some extra ideas on how you can vary the pattern and what projects you can use the single astronaut block for.

Whether you are making the crib size quilt or the small 9″ astronaut block, you can fill up the night sky with appliqued planets and quilted stars. Look at these amazing planets and constellations Rebecca (@rebeccanewstead19) added! Just magical!

And check out this cool visor Gretchen (@goodquiltco) made for her astronaut! Isn’t that little reflection just so perfect?!

Or add more embroidered facial details, like I did on this wall hanging (more details about this project can be found here in a separate blog post).

If you are looking for inspiration what to use the small 9″ astronaut block for, here are some project ideas:

• Make a quilted tote bag or a zipper pouch! Or what about a drawstring pouch for your little one’s toys?
• Turn your quilt into a wall hanging for your class room or your little one’s space-themed nursery!
• Make a placemat or a big mug rug!

And lastly, if you are looking for other space-themed quilt blocks to combine your astronaut with, here are some ideas.

How about Amy Friend’s (During Quiet Time) “Confetti Star”? These wonky stars are foundation paper pieced and the pattern is free (find it here)!

Just last weekend, Berene Campbell (Happy Sew Lucky) released this cool shooting star quilt block. Find the foundation paper piecing pattern here.

Or what about these fun rockets by Steven Krueger (find the pattern here)?

And then I simply HAD to share this solar system quilt I stumbled across on Pinterest. I couldn’t find the actual maker, but follow the link for some first hand tips by quilter astronaut Karen Nyberg about quilting in space! Yes, you heard that right!

Anyway, I hope you are inspired enough to make your own First Steps quilt! If you would like to share your projects, please use the hashtag #FirstStepsQuilt! I’d love to see them and add your ideas to this list!