Dec 3, 2010

Cozy Flannel Blanket - Tutorial!

This blanket is my most FAVORITE item I have made so far! I made it for John's for his second birthday and I hope he loves using it!

My best friend and college roommate had this fabulous flannel comfy blanket that her mom made her. She had told me how it is made and I kept it in the back of my mind as a possible project...and that was almost 10 years ago! She told me that her mom makes one for one family member each Christmas and everyone holds their breath hoping they were the 'chosen one' that year. I can totally understand why because these blankets are awesome! If you can sew a straight line, then you can handle this project. If you love doing something tedious, then you will really love this project! :)






Want to make one as a special gift? Here's how...

1. Cut 4 pieces of flannel to the size blanket you want. Mine was relatively small because it is for a toddler. I used two airplane print pieces and two blue pieces. This is only because that is what I had laying around. But you do want at least one piece to be a print that you find pretty because you will see that full piece when the blanket is complete.

2. Lay the piece you want as the top face down on the floor. Then layer the next pieces on top. Lastly, put the 4th piece face up. Then pin all four layers together in several places around the blanket to keep the layers together as you sew. I have never quilted before, but I think you could use safety pins for this part. I just used plain old straight pins!





3. Starting in one corner, sew a diagonal line from corner to corner, going through the center of your blanket. You are sewing all four layers together! (sorry- didn't get a full picture of the blanket, but you can imagine the line below going from corner to corner!)



4. Continue sewing diagonal lines one inch apart. This is where the tedious part comes in. You will feel like you are sewing straight lines for a million years. But really it is more like 45 - 60 minutes...because if you are like me you will run out of bobbin thread three times, run out of the thread on the spool three times, and break a needle sewing over a pin! FUN! ...and by the way...I totally estimated every inch, but if you are particular about measuring, you could mark every inch. I was also lucky that my material had lots of diagonal lines so I just picked a line to sewing along.



If you look really carefully, you can see where I sewed my lines in this picture...



5. After you sewed straight lines for an eternity, it is time to cut! Lay the blanket on the floor with the top piece face down. CAREFULLY cut the upper three layers in between all the lines of stitching. DO NOT CUT the 4th layer on the bottom which is your top piece! See picture below to see what I am talking about. You will do lots of cutting at this step so hopefully you have some nice sharp scissors!






6. At this point your blanket will look like it has some wavy ruffly stuff on one side. Kinda cute, but don't worry, it will look awesome when we wash it! So, now you just have to sew on your trim. I used plain bias tape which isn't super soft, but I didn't want to make my own out of flannel. If you are super awesome, you can use extra flannel to make your bias tape or you can buy satin blanket trim. Your choice!



7. The sewing is finally done! Now you need to throw it in a wash so all those cut strips can fold up and ravel slightly. When it comes out of the dryer, admire your handy work and be proud of yourself!

Front:


Back:


I forgot to do this, but I had thought of appliqueing John's name on the blanket before I started sewing the layers together. It would have been cute, but too late now! :)

Like I said, I LOVE how this turned out! I used some cheapo flannel and it is still really soft and comfortable. Just imagine how awesome it would be with some fancier flannel! I am going to be so jealous of John when he uses this...I might just have to make one for myself one day.

I think he liked it!...


If you make one, I would love to see pictures!


SIDENOTE: I was reading a fabulous blog, MADE, on Wednesday and wouldn't you know, she made the SAME EXACT BLANKET! What are the odds that I make a blanket after wanting to make it for TEN YEARS and Dana puts mine to shame two days before my post goes up?! (which, sidenote #2, don't you just love scheduling posts!!) I mean, her photos are to die for as well as everything she makes. Maybe I can just feel good that at least I could do the same project she did even if they turned out slightly different? So, if you want to see how hers turned out, feel free, but don't judge mine against hers! John loved the blanket and that is all that matters!
I link up to these parties!


64 comments:

  1. Looks really good!!! Maybe I will try that one day... or maybe I will just have you make one. Either way sounds perfect.

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    2. I LOVE your cozy flannel blanket, I wish there was a way I could download the instructions, etc…. It’s sounds strange and I don’t like telling people that tutorials are confusing and frustrating for me. It makes me feel dumb. It would be awesome if there was an option available to print the pattern. I’ve noticed more and more quilting sites are doing just that which I’m extremely grateful for.

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    3. I LOVE your cozy flannel blanket, I wish there was a way I could download the instructions, etc…. It’s sounds strange and I don’t like telling people that tutorials are confusing and frustrating for me. It makes me feel dumb. It would be awesome if there was an option available to print the pattern. I’ve noticed more and more quilting sites are doing just that which I’m extremely grateful for.

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  2. What a special gift! My little guy would have loved that when he was a baby. Great job! I would love for you to come visit me at Sew Chatty and link up to Made with Love Monday! http://sewchatty.blogspot.com/

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  3. This is great! I'm going to put this on my list things I want to do. Hopefully it won't take me 10 years to get to it!

    Thanks for sharing! I hopped over from C.R.A.F.T.

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  4. I saw the one on MADE and it's cool to see yours too. I may have to may a blanket like this one day when I feel like stitching and stitching! They really look great. Well done!

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  5. Oh my gosh! I love that! I'm totally saving this page so I can make it!!


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  6. Looks comfy! Thanks for linking up to Mad Skills Monday!

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  7. What a cute blanket! I have been wanting to make some sort of blanket (other than a quilt) and now I know what to make! Thanks for sharing the detailed tutorial!

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  8. Wow!! You did a fabulous job! Airplanes are near and dear to our hearts here (Dada and Mama both have pilot certificates) You are very blessed to be able to sew. I never learned. It is on my to do list! Kerri

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  9. Thanks so much for the wonderful idea! I have to Grandsons that want me to make a blanket for them. This is it! Going now to start putting it together! : ) Fran

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  10. I can verify that this is just a wonderful blanket. I've seen several baby blankets made and I've made myself a spring jacket using the same technique. The jacket material was 3 layers light blue, light weight denim. Absolutely awesome and wonderful to wear.

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  11. Love this quilt too. They sell a rotary type cutter to use instead of sissors.

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    1. you can't use a rotary cutter bc you'd cut through all the layers rather than just 3.

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    2. do you have written instructions for this blanket? i love it but i am not near a computer to look at all of this.thank you.

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  12. I love this idea and would love to try a blanket. I really would like to know how Anonymous made her denim jacket, did she use a pattern?

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  13. How could anyone leave a mean msg about this, what a wonderful person you are to share this with us. Like Thumper says, "If you can't say something nice DON'T say nothing at all". I can't wait to make one of these.

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  14. I love this idea. This is called chenilling, and you can buy a chenille cutter which saves a lot of time cutting. I have used this on some tote bags. I've got to make a blanket like this now, maybe more than one.

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  15. I love this idea. This is called chenilling, and you can buy a chenille cutter which saves a lot of time cutting. I have used this on some tote bags. I've got to make a blanket like this now, maybe more than one.

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  16. Jen I can hardly wait to try my hand at making this baby blanket, I hope I can get it done befoe the 28th of January because I am going to a baby shower for twins. She is having a girl and a boy so I can make a pink and a blue one I am so excited to try this and share with other sewer's

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  17. So very cute! I had to tweet about it! Great job!

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  18. So I saw your tutorial and just HAD to make one too. A friend of mine was expecting a little girl (born two days ago) and as luck would have it, JoAnn's had flannel on sale! I would love to upload a picture or two for you, but have no idea how to do that. I'm going to look for you on facebook, because I'm a lot more familiar with that than I am with blog pages.

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    1. I'm glad I'm not the only one who doesn't know how to send pics. My DIL has shown me, but unless you do it often, you forget.

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  19. gotta love those links. I linked to your facebook and posted three pictures there.

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  20. Being mean is just a waste of EVERYBODY's time. I had so much fun doing this blanket, I'm sure I'll be making more.

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  21. I did a similar technique to this but did it in 8" patchwork squares. I sewed a cross on each square and I also cut along all the edges at the back to form a fringe and when it is washed it goes nice and fluffy. It only cost me for the thread as I used old flannelette sheets to make it.

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  22. I have been so inspired by your post. I would only say that it took forever to figure out how to make really straight lines. I layed my layers on the floor. Sprayed adhesive and hand patted out the bubbles. Then i marked with my temporary pen an X on one side from corner to corner. Then sewed 1 line down the middle. Then using my long ruler that is 6 in wide i drew lines every 6 inches to "stablize" the blankett and to help prevent a lot of shifting. Then sewed every 6 inches. Then sewed every 3 in and my lines look so even. Then marked every 1/2 in between the 3 inch marks. The blanket is time consuming but so adorable!

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    1. Thanks for the tip. One could also alternate sewing top to bottom and bottom to top ()or L. to R--- R. to L. since this is diagonal, how would one say it?)

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  23. I have been so inspired by your post. I would only say that it took forever to figure out how to make really straight lines. I layed my layers on the floor. Sprayed adhesive and hand patted out the bubbles. Then i marked with my temporary pen an X on one side from corner to corner. Then sewed 1 line down the middle. Then using my long ruler that is 6 in wide i drew lines every 6 inches to "stablize" the blankett and to help prevent a lot of shifting. Then sewed every 6 inches. Then sewed every 3 in and my lines look so even. Then marked every 1/2 in between the 3 inch marks. The blanket is time consuming but so adorable!

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  24. I made one. And I love it! Thank you sew much!

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  25. I used your technique to make Christmas tree shirts for my kids. It turned out so cute!
    I linked back to this great tute.
    http://little-altars.blogspot.com/2012/12/i-made-it.html

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  26. Your trim is called binding in the quilt world. I can't believe you have not quilted before. You did a great job!

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    1. OOps I forgot to mention....You need to tell people to turn the trim/binding to the backside and either hand stitch or stitch in the ditch.

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  27. It only cost me for the thread as I used old flannelette sheets to make it. Reply ... flannelqueen.blogspot.com

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  28. It only cost me for the thread as I used old flannelette sheets to make it. Reply ... flannelsheetstwin.blogspot.com

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  29. (sorry- didn't get a full picture of the blanket, but you can imagine the line below going from ... flannelsheetsfull.blogspot.com

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  30. Cut 4 pieces of flannel to the size blanket you want. ... flannelqueensize.blogspot.com

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  31. Cut 4 pieces of flannel to the size blanket you want. ... flannelkingsize.blogspot.com

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  32. Could I use only 3. Layers of flannel?

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    1. I use 3 layers and cut half inch apart using a chenille cutter

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  33. I don't know how to post a picture :(.

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  34. wow that was amazing thanks for sharing that with us you make me see things so differently sometimes


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  37. I made one of these for my new great grandson. American flags on a white background for the top and dark blue, light blue and red for the chenielle. It is awesome if I do say so myself! Thanks for the great Tute

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  38. This comment has been removed by the author.

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