About

Cost: $ $ $ $ $

Difficulty: • • • • •

Time: 5h00

Quick and cute
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...)

Posted by tatiana r. • Published 20th December 2012 • See tatiana r.'s 5 projects »

Print • Embed

Step 1
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.
Step 2
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.
Step 3
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.
Step 4
Now sew these assembled rows horizontally, alternating with the long 4" x 3' pieces. Now your front is complete!
Step 5
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)
Step 6
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.
Step 7
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!