https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/embroidered-baby-blanket • Posted by tatiana r.
The time-consuming part of this project will be the embroidery. The construction of the blanket itself is rather quick and easy. (It seems I didn't take photos of the final product! Sorry...)
The time-consuming part of this project will be the embroidery. The construction of the blanket itself is rather quick and easy. (It seems I didn't take photos of the final product! Sorry...)
First, cut out your pieces. You will have one piece for the back, my blanket was 3'x4'. For the front you'll need 3 pieces 4.25"x 3'(these will go horizontally across the blanket); 18.25" x 2.25" (sew these vertically to the main embroidered pieces); and 4 pieces that are 18.25" x 15.25" (these will be the "windows" or main squares that you embroider for the front, so pick a fabric that the embroidery will show up on). The extra quarter inch is for seam allowance. If you'd like more or less, adjust as you see fit.
After pieces are cut and ironed, start your embroidery. Embroider the four main pieces with an image of your choosing. I used cars (modeled after my favorite: Volvo 240) because I happened to have car fabric lying around, and it seemed fitting. You can free-hand a simple design like these cars, or use a pattern for something more complex. My thought was that babies puke and drool and poop on things so I wanted to make something cute, but not labor-intensive.
After embroidering your four main squares, sew the 18" x 2" pieces vertically, alternating with the main squares. (See photo) These are the thin blue pieces and yellow checked pieces.
Now sew these assembled rows horizontally, alternating with the long 4" x 3' pieces. Now your front is complete!
Use batting or an old blanket between the two layers for added softness. This is the order you will sew your layers: Front piece and back piece pretty sides together, if adding batting, cut to 3' x 4' and do not put it between the two right-facing layers, add it to the back of either piece. (front, back, batting)
Sew around 3 sides then turn blanket rightside-out. It should look like a real blanket now! Fold the edges of the last unsewn side in, iron and pin, then sew near the edge to complete.
Quilt or yarn quilt if you like. (Yarn quilting is easier, looks like the photo to the left) Give to a small person to enjoy!