FLANNEL BABY BLANKETS
So easy to make and what is more special than a homemade gift for a new little baby!
MATERIALS NEEDED:
NOTE: for the fabric: the blanket can be however large or small you choose to make it. A good receiving blanket size is about 35"x 40" (89cm x 102cm).
1. sewing machine, thread to match fabric
2. flannel fabrics
---option 1: 2 large pieces of fabric (one for the front and one for the back) either matching fabric or two different patterns
---option 2: lots of small pieces for the front to be sewn together like a quilt top and a large piece for the back
3. scissors
4. iron and ironing board
Optional items: decorative edgings---ie, rickrack, satin ribbon, ect.
embroidery thread to stitch names, birthdates, ect
INSTRUCTIONS---------read thru ALL instructions and optional decorative ideas before beginning so you know exactly how you want to do your blanket.
OPTION 1:
1. Place the right sides together of the front and back fabrics. Square up the edges of the front and back pieces of fabric and make sure they are even. Pin the edges together every few inches to hold them together.
2. With a straight stitch, sew the edges together with either a 1/4" or 1/2" seam (whatever is easier for you) all the way around EXCEPT a small opening (ie, big enough for your hand plus a bit) that you leave unsewn.
3. Once you have finished sewing around the edges, turn the right sides out thru the opening you left open (like you would a pillowcase that is inside out). Make sure the corners are fully turned out.
4. For ease of sewing: iron the opening with the unsewn edges turned under like the rest of the edges
5. Sew a topstitch all the way around the blanket edges---this can be either with a straight stitch or if your machine has decorative stitches they also look very nice. Some people even choose to use a contrasting thread for this to show up the stitches.
6. Now, take the blanket and fold it in half lengthwise and iron on that fold. Unfold it and you will see the line where you ironed it. Sew a straight stitch following the line you ironed from edge to edge.
7. Now, fold the blanket in half again the opposite way (across the width) and iron on the fold. Unfold it and sew along the line you ironed.
8. Iron the whole blanket now and you are finished!
OPTION 2:
FOR THE FRONT OF THE BLANKET:
1. Cut your fabric pieces in squares to the size you would like each to be (remember seam allowances). Make sure that when finished the top fabric will be the same size as the back fabric.
2. lay the squares out in the pattern you would like them sewn together then begin sewing them together.
3. Once finished with sewing the squares together, iron the pieced top.
4. Lay the back fabric right side up and the top fabric right side down on top of it so that the right sides are together. Square up the edges if needed.
*******Follow the rest of the directions for Option 1 to finish this. *********
OPTIONAL DECORATIVE IDEAS:
* Before sewing the blanket hand embroider the baby's name and birthdate (and whatever other decorations you would like) on the top fabric.
* After finishing the blanket, sew a decorative edging (such as rickrack or a satin ribbon) along the edge of the blanket.
GIFT BASKET IDEAS:
To add to this unique and special blanket as a gift for someone's new
---roll the blanket and tie with a ribbon or cord
---place in a cute basket that coordinates with the baby's room (or a simple wicker basket usually works too)
---add a rattle or a few little baby toys and some baby care lotions, bath stuff, ect to the basket along with a card of congratulations
---wrap with clear cellophane and pull the ends up together to tie bunches of curling ribbons or regular ribbons
---add a balloon to the ties at the top and you have a beautiful gift for any new baby that every mother would appreciate!
Hope you enjoy this project!
--Melissa
