Anthropologie Inspired Toddler Bed Comforter Tutorial

In case you missed my tutorial over at Me Sew Crazy as part of Jessica's New Years ReSEWlution series, here is my Anthropologie inspired toddler bed comforter.

As most of you know my husband and I just recently finished renovating 5 rooms in our old farmhouse. So now we have a lot of empty, undecorated rooms that echo like crazy. Yes, I have a HUGE to do list right now. First on my list was to make matching bedding for my three little ones that still share a bedroom. I wanted to make each of their bedding a little different and personal, but still use the same fabrics. So after seeing this duvet from Anthropologie I knew that at least one or both of the girls bedding would be similar in design but with a few added touches. My middle child right now just turned 3 and loves to button and unbutton things. She will spend hours buttoning and unbuttoning anything in sight. So it made perfect sense to make her bedding with some fun little flowers that she can play with. Maybe I'm just hoping that these buttons will keep her busy a few extra minutes at naptime so that I can spend a few extra minutes sewing. But whatever the motive, I am loving these sweet little interactive flowers.

So let's get started.

Anthropologie Inspired Toddler Bed Comforter Tutorial
(allow 4+ hours to complete)

Materials Needed:

*1 twin flat sheet

*One 46" x 60" piece of batting or terry cloth (purchase about 2 yards)

*One 46" x 60" piece of minky fabric or any backing fabric of choice (purchase about 2 yards)*Cut 12 pieces of fabric that are 12" x 4". (These strips will be attached to the flowers and are needed if you want the flowers to have the ability to be buttoned and unbuttoned.)

*Assorted small scraps for flowers (about 1/2-1 yard of fabric total)

*6 buttons

Start by printing the template above. Go here to print template. Take two small scrap pieces of fabric and place right sides facing. Trace around template onto wrong side of fabric.
Sew right on top of marks. Trim excess fabric. Cut a little slit in the middle of the top layer. Make sure you cut just the top layer. Use this hole to pull fabric right side out. Don't worry you will not see the hole once the flower is finished.
Pull fabric right side out and iron flat. Make sure you push out all of the edges neatly. Repeat with another piece of matching scrap of fabric. (You are going to end up making 12 of these single flowers to make 6 double flowers.)
Take 2 small scraps of fabric and place right sides together. Trace the larger or smaller circle onto the wrong side of fabric. (I made two sizes of circles just in case, but ended up just using the larger circle.) Sew around marks, trim excess fabric. Cut a small slit in top layer and pull fabric right side out through opening.
Take 2 of the 12" x 4" strips and sew the two together with right sides facing. Leave one end open to pull right side out. Iron flat and top stitch on sides. You should now have this. You may want to zig-zag or top stitch the flowers for a little added detail. If so, do so now.
Start by taking one of the flowers with the slit side up and place the strip on top of flower. The end of the strip should cover up slit in flower.
Take the other flower and place it slit side down on top of strip. Then place the circle on top and pin in place.
Zig-zag or straight stitch around circle. You will want to repeat this 5 more times to give you 6 flowers with strips attached.
Cut button holes into the flowers.
Use more scraps to make your buttons or use whatever you have on hand. Now set flowers and buttons aside and gather sheet, batting and backing fabric.
Lay sheet flat on floor. Place batting on top of sheet. Line up the side of the batting to side top of the sheet, minus the large finished edge. Cut sheet to the same width as the batting. Do not cut the length of the sheet at all.
Now determine how many rows you want. Take that number and divide by 46". That will tell you how far apart to make your rows. I made 5 rows at about 9" apart. Draw the rows in the whole length of the sheet.
Now you need to change the settings on your machine. Set the tension of your machine to the highest setting and the stitch length to the highest setting. This is a little trick I learned from these gals a few months ago and love to use it to ruffle. Of course if you have a ruffle foot you can use that instead.
Start sewing on top of marks. Now I decided to double my rows to cause the fabric to ruffle more. If you want the fabric to ruffle even more, sew a third row.
The top of my comforter all ruffled.
Now take the batting piece of fabric and lay it on top of ruffled top piece of fabric. Draw a line across the length of the ruffled fabric where the batting lines up.
Now before you trim off the excess fabric sew little stitches across the top of the stitches you just made to ruffle the fabric. If you don't do this the threads used to ruffle the fabric will come out over time.
Now trim off excess fabric. Just make sure not to cut off little stitches just sewn in.
Save that fabric to make a little pillow with.
Assemble quilt like so. Batting on bottom, backing fabric right side up and then ruffled sheet right side down on top. Pin together...a lot. At points you will need to fold and ruffle edges by hand. Don't get too picky on the edges, just make sure they line up all around. Now decide where you want your flowers to be. Pin them on the top of the sheet in desired locations. Line up the edge of the strip with the edge of the sheet. Pin flowers on right side up.
Layered like so.
Top stitch all around leaving a 8" opening to turn right side out. Turn right side out and stitch opening closed.
Now fold strip and flower over onto top of comforter. Make a mark in the center of the button hole.
Attach button on mark.
Top stitch the straight strip in place for about 5". This will allow the flower to be buttoned and unbutton but still safe and not allow too much room between the strap and the button to harm little ones. This step should not be skipped if using for a toddlers bed! Remember safety first!
And that is it. A cute little Anthropology inspired toddler bed comforter.

Now use your left over scraps to make some matching pillows.

Or a stuffie or two...or in my case three.



Thanks for having me Jessica and for inviting me to be part of your New Years ReSEWluation Series. At least now I have one project checked off that HUGE to do list!