This cute doll blanket is a very quick and easy sewing project that is great way to use up fabric scraps from other projects.
Materials
25 5" squares of various scrap fabric
23" square of fleece
Seam Allowance
I used approximately 1/2" seam allowances. They were probably somewhere between 1/4" and 1/2" because I just lined up my sewing foot with the edge of the fabric. For this project the size of the seam allowance is not as important as making sure that the same seam allowance is used for all the seams.
The Blanket Top
The blanket top is made up of twenty five 5 inch squares. I tried to arrange mine by varying lights and darks and also small patterns and large patterns. Because this is from scrap, there are not a certain amount of pieces of each fabric. Just use what you have!
Arrange the squares until you are satisfied with how it looks. With right sides together, sew together 5 strips of 5 squares.
Iron the seams so the strips lay flat.
With right sides together, sew the strips together. Line up the seams and pin to keep the seams in place while sewing.
The blanket top is finished!
Sewing the Front to the Back
Lay the fleece out on a flat surface. (I had a piece of scrap fleece that was big enough).
Lay the blanket top on the fleece and cut the fleece to the same size as the top.
With right sides together, sew the top to the bottom, leaving an opening on one side of about 6 inches for turning right side out. I sew with the blanket top on top.
Cut the extra fabric from the corners.
Turn the blanket right side out through the opening. If you don't have a tool for pushing the corners out, chopsticks are a great substitute!
Using a low temperature on the iron (so the fleece doesn't melt), iron along the seam so it lays flat.
Fold in the seam allowance in the opening and iron.
Sew the opening closed very close to the edge of the blanket.
To Finish
Top stitch around the entire blanket to give it a finished look and to keep the seam in place. The fleece likes to stretch so a few pins help to keep the fleece in place.
Great tutorial. I've never thought to use a chopstick! Great idea.
ReplyDeleteCurious...have you ever washed something like this? I'm wondering how the cotton might shrink up with the fleece on the back? I don't pre-wash most of my fabrics...and especially if I use charms...so figured I'd ask...I like the fleece option and have a couple baby gifts to make shortly. Thanks if you know. =)
Anita, Depending on the cotton it could shrink. Fleece is very forgiving and it might not show but I wouldn't take a chance. My fabric is always pre-washed so my scraps are already washed also. I would rather be safe than sorry. I hope you get to make one!
DeleteThat is a great idea to use fleece! I have some fleece on hand that I should use up, too. Thanks for the tutorial!!!
ReplyDelete