How to Make a Hand-Tufted Comforter

A soft hand-tufted comforter for a baby is a great napping mat. The thickness of the comforter makes a great cushion, and mom will be able to keep an eye on the baby and be close if needed. A baby comforter does not need to be very big, and a hand-tufted comforter will allow the baby to explore with texture and finger manipulation. Making a comforter is simple to do. You will want to make several to use as backups while others are being laundered.

Measure and cut five 12-inch squares from the color 1 fabric. Measure and cut four 12-inch squares from the color 2 fabric.

Lay your squares on a flat surface in a nine patch or checkerboard design that is three squares across and three squares down.

Sew the top row of squares together. Place the right-hand square on top of the middle square with the right sides together. Sew a 1/4 inch seam allowance along one side of the squares. Open the stitched pair. Place the left-hand square on the middle square with the right sides together. Sew a 1/4 inch seam allowance along the opposite side from the first seam. Press the seams open.

Repeat step 3 for the remaining two rows.

Place the top row on top of the center row with the right sides together. Pin the rows together along one long side, matching the intersecting seams. Sew the rows together using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Open the rows and press the seams flat.

Place the bottom row on the center row and repeat the procedure from Step 5.

Place the high-loft quilt batting on a flat surface. Place the backing fabric right side up on the quilt batting. Center the comforter top, face down on the backing fabric. Pin the three layers together. Sew a 1/4 inch seam allowance around the comforter using the comforter top as a guide. Leave a 6-inch opening on the bottom of the comforter.

Trim all layers 1/8" from the seam. Turn the comforter right side out. Press the seam edges and sew the opening closed.

Place a straight pin in the center of each comforter square and in each intersecting seam, pinning all three layers together. These are your tufting points.

Thread a tapestry needle with yarn to measure 12 inches when doubled. Starting on the top of the comforter at a tufting point, push the needle through to the back. Leave a 6-inch tail on top of the comforter. On the back of the comforter, insert the needle a 1/4 inch away from the first insert and bring to the front a 1/4 inch away from the 6-inch tail. Remove the needle and tie the ends into a knot while pulling the layers together to complete the hand tufting.

Repeat the hand tufting at each pinned tufting point.