Hi everyone!
It’s mid-autumn — the perfect time to cozy up with a sweet new project!
Today, I’m so happy to share the Baby Girl Version of my beloved Small Steps quilt pattern, now in cheerful purples and pinks. I also simplified the design, leaving only a pair of tiny footprints — making it even more beginner-friendly!
The Story Behind the Small Steps Quilt
The Small Steps quilt has been part of my quilting story from the very beginning — over a decade ago, when I was expecting my first child. I was inspired by the tiny newborn footprints on a hospital card. At the time, I hadn’t made my first quilt yet, and appliqué felt too intimidating. Instead, I created a simple patchwork quilt with a trail of nine-patch blocks. But the idea of a quilt with baby footprints stayed in my heart.
A few years later, when my cousin asked me to make a gender-neutral quilt for her firstborn, I finally brought that vision to life. The original Small Steps quilt was born in soft gray and yellow — with a trail of footprints symbolizing a person’s journey from baby to adulthood.
Later, I made a Boy’s Version of the Small Steps quilt with a trail of single-size baby footprints, using teal and gray fabrics. It turned out to be such a sweet version — calm and modern, made from fabrics with soft geometric prints that gave it a clean, timeless look.
And now, it feels only right to complete the collection with a Baby Girl Version — inspired by a charming butterfly fabric in pinks and purples. This new version features just one pair of tiny baby footprints — the simplest and most beginner-friendly of all three designs. 
Updated Small Steps Quilt Pattern
Alongside this new version, I’ve also refreshed and improved the Small Steps quilt pattern itself. Over the years, I’ve learned what quilters enjoy most (and what sometimes causes a little frustration!), so I’ve rewritten the pattern to make it as clear and enjoyable as possible — especially for beginners.
Here’s what’s new in the updated Small Steps quilt pattern:
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Three delightful design options — a trail of growing footprints, a trail of baby footprints, and a single pair of baby footprints.
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Step-by-step instructions with clear schematics and cutting guides that take the guesswork out of patchwork.
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Extra support for tricky parts — tutorials for appliqué, adding borders, and machine binding, plus helpful tips for those tiny baby toes.
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Fabric inspiration tools — a color guide and a printable coloring page to help you design your own version before you begin sewing.
This pattern is designed to be fun, simple, and satisfying — giving you everything you need to make a quilt you’ll be proud of, whether it’s your first or your fiftieth.
Meet the Baby Girl Version
This Girl Version is sweet and scrappy, with a charming mix of butterflies, flowers, and soft geometric prints. For this quilt, I leaned into curves and playful textures — combining small and large prints in white, rose, and purple.
To finish it off, I made a bold decision: a colorful butterfly binding that adds even more coziness and whimsy. The result? A warm, scrappy, joy-filled quilt featuring one tiny pair of baby footprints — a perfect keepsake for a little girl’s nursery.
Why I Love the Small Steps Quilt
The Small Steps quilt combines adorable appliqué with vibrant patchwork, creating something both beautiful and meaningful. Every time I piece the blocks together and see the footprints appear, it feels magical — a quiet reminder that every quilt, like every life, begins with small steps.
Curious How This Quilt Was Made?
If you’d like to peek behind the scenes, I filmed the process this time — from layout decisions to appliquéing tiny toes, adding a clean white border, and finishing with beginner-friendly machine binding. You can find the full story and tutorials in my behind-the-scenes post.
If you’re just starting your quilting journey, let this little quilt be your first step. Don’t worry about perfection — each stitch you make is part of your story, a quiet reflection of care and patience. Small steps truly lead to beautiful things.
Happy quilting,
Rugilė
from Magic Little Dreams Quilts
