Hey y’all – welcome to April and sewing for babies month! Lemme tell you – I have had SO.MUCH.FUN. borrowing friends’ and cousins’ babies to take photos for you! Today I’m sharing how to sew baby blankets – I’ve got 2 SUPER easy tutorials (with VIDEOS!) to show you how to make this baby gift staple.
First up is a lightweight summer blanket – this one is from the sweet Riley Blake Wiltshire Daisy line and it’s called Wiltshire Petals Blue.
To make this blanket, you’ll need 44 inches of your chosen fabric for a finished blanket measuring 43 inches by 43 inches.
Watch the quick video below or keep scrolling to read instructions. And hey, if the video isn’t loading for some reason, you can also watch it here on YouTube.Â
Start by pressing two parallel edges 1/4″ to the wrong side. Then press them again 1/4″ to the wrong side.
Next press the top and bottom edges 1/4″ to the wrong side, and again 1/4″ to the wrong side. Stitch around all 4 edges to secure the hems and you’re done!
I used a bit of velvet ribbon to tie this blanket in a roll for a sweet present.
Blanket project number 2 is almost as easy. For this one you’ll need 1 yard each of fleece and quilting cotton for a finished blanket measuring 35 inches by 35 inches. I used gray polar fleece and the Military Main White from Riley Blake’s Military Max line.
Watch the quick video below or keep scrolling to read instructions. And hey, if the video isn’t loading for some reason, you can also watch it here on YouTube.Â
To start, square and cut your fabric so you have 2 36″ squares.
Place the two squares right sides together.
Stitch around all 4 sides with a 1/2″ seam. Stop with the needle down at each corner to turn and leave a 3 inch opening on one side for turning the blanket right side out.
Clip the corners as shown below.
Turn the blanket right side out, press the edges and topstitch around the edges to keep them from rolling. I’m showing the gray fleece side of the blanket in the diagram above, but you actually want to make sure to place the fleece side against the feed dogs and stitch on the cotton side. This is because most fleece has a bit of stretch in it, and if you sew with the fleece side up you’re more likely to stretch it and get wrinkles.
And you’re done! I used a scrap of fabric with the edges serged as a ribbon to tie this blanket up.
Melissa Evans
Ive been doing the second version with flannel. I free motion stitch a motif onto the flannel first for a more personal touch. Heres an example. https://mahlicadesigns.wordpress.com/2014/02/08/double-snuggle-baby-quilts/
Anne
Pretty blankets! I’ve got a Craft Gossip post scheduled for later today that links to your tutorial: http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-easy-baby-blanket-2-ways/2015/04/07/
–Anne
Emily
Great graphics on this post! I loved the RST one and the scissors in the zoomed in circle one.
Jane
These are really great suggestions! We have a few babies joining the family this summer, so these are much appreciated! Thanks for all the great ideas and clear, care-filled instructions on your website.