In this article, you will easily learn how to hand sew a baby blanket at the comfort of your own home.
Have you ever agreed to go to a baby shower but start panicking as you realized you have no decent gift to give? Well, don’t worry because you will learn how to sew a baby blanket in just four steps. Yes, it is that easy!
In just a few hours, you will be able to create a baby blanket with a personal touch. We know you are tired of spending money on cover-ups with low quality, so let’s do this!
What You Need to Prepare
Before you go out to get supplies, decide on what type of fabric you want to use for the blanket. You can choose from cotton, fleece, and silk.
Cotton is convenient to use since it is always available, comes in different patterns and designs, and is cheap! If you have extra money, you may want to make something luxurious and use silk. Although, silk is pretty hard to master, and it doesn’t fit into a baby’s messy habits.
For a warmer blanket, fleece is a perfect choice! Now, let’s proceed with the tools and materials you will need.
Here’s what you will use:
- The fabric of your choice cut into 90cm × 90cm
- A fluffy fabric cut into 102cm × 102cm (you may use fluffy cotton or other fabric if you want a thinner blanket)
- Fabric scissors
- Straight pins
- Needle
- Thread (make sure that it matches the color of your fabric)
If you want to go for a more extensive material, the rule is to cut your fluffy fabric 12cm bigger than the fabric of your choice.
Hand sewing a baby blanket
Step #1. Lay the fluffy fabric on a flat surface. Smoothen out as many wrinkles as you can. On top of it, lay your chosen fabric on the center.
Step #2. Grab the outer or edge of your fluffy fabric and fold it over the other material. The fold should be at least 2cm to ensure that there is enough grip.
Using your pins and a thimble, bind the edges. Continue doing so until all the sides are secured.
Step #3. Prepare your needle and thread. Remember to use a matching color so that the stitches will be as less visible as possible. Proceed with hand stitching.
Continue until you are done. Stop sewing an inch from the first corner. Then, snip excess fabric, fold down the raw edge, and sew it.
Step #4. For the last and easiest step, cut the excess thread and remove any remaining pins.
Well done! You have now hand-sewn a baby blanket perfect for a gift. In case you want to make things easier, you can stitch your blanket using the sewing machine.
In case you want to go an extra mile
If you want more personal touch to your handmade baby blanket, you can add some letterings to it! It is such an adorable way to level up the game and win the ‘best gift’ award on the baby shower.
You can embroider the name of the baby, cut it out, or buy some letters. Stitch the lettering on the blanket before you start sewing. Make sure not to put it too close to the edge.
If you want something easier, you can grab some patches and iron them on your blanket. A few cute little butterflies, bees, and flowers will indeed look good!
For the final touch, you can do some little tricks on the folding and add a cute ribbon to spice up the look. Aside from going the extra mile on the aesthetics, be sure to be on a higher level of safety.
Avoid using accessories like glitters or any small and detachable materials to avoid harm to the baby. A safe gift will always be the best gift.
Choosing the right blanket size
Aside from a suitable material, it is also essential to choose the right size for a baby blanket. You wouldn’t want the baby to use it just for a month or two because it’s too small— or maybe just have an adult use it because it is too big.
For a small baby blanket, 18 × 20 inches should be enough. For a bigger one, you can do something that is 24 inches on each side. Usually, an average baby blanket for a newborn is at 28 × 34 inches or 30 inches on each side.
However, if you desire something that can be used for a longer time, you can add at least 5 inches on the average measurements. Just keep in mind that blankets that are too bulky or big are suggested to be kept away from infants. That is why it is still better to just go for the right size.
Conclusion
Mastering how to hand sew a baby blanket is that easy. This craft is a great way to stock up some decent gifts, kill time, and of course to save some money!
It will be priceless to see the parents’ eyes light up as they see the baby blanket you made. All the hard work will surely pay off!