Years ago, I sat in a hospital room with Hannie who was 18 months old at the time. She had gotten a horrible stomach virus and wasn’t keeping anything down for days. I remember when I took her into the doctor they sent us straight to the hospital. It was a scary 24 hours….and I vividly remember she didn’t even flinch when they stuck the IV needle in her. That was the moment I knew she was pretty sick.
After a couple of hours on IV’s she began to stabilize and I could see the coloring coming back into her face. It was hope for me as a mom. And hope for her came later, when a sweet nurse brought her in a soft, comfy blanket and a little handmade stuffed toy that someone had made and donated. I remember she smiled and cuddle both of those sweet gifts as she drifted in and out of sleep.
Because of that experience, I wanted to make some blankets and some cuddly soft things for children who also need some hope (the doll tutorial is coming next week ;). I am making my blankets to donate to two places–a local children’s hospital and a crisis center that a friend once stayed at. Both places are near and dear to my heart.
Here is the tutorial for the baby blankets…..
Step 1
Cut 2 squares of fabric–one 40 inches square and one 30 inches square.
Step 2
Find the middle of each sides of the square and place in pin in the middle spot. Matching the center pins in each square (with right sides together) pin the smaller square to the larger square.
Step 3
Continue pinning all the way around. At the corners you will have something that looks like this.
Step 4
At each corner, mark 1/4 inches in from each side (where the dot is). Then stitch all the way around the blanket using a 1/4 inch seam. Be sure to leave an opening to flip your blanket.
Step 5
After you have sewn around the perimeter of the square, fold your corners like the picture shows above. Mark a 90 angle from the bottom and stitch this line meeting your 1/4 inch seams at the top. You will want to cut off the corner after you stitch (you can always flip your blanket before you cut to make sure your mitered corners are correct.)
Step 6
Turn and flip your blanket right sides out. Press your blanket and corners well.
Step 7
Using a decorative stitch, stitch around smaller square to enclose your opening and keep blanket together.
And you are done!
~Elizabeth
What a wonderful idea! And so straightforward!
What type of fabric did you use?
I never understood how to do this! Looks easy enough. Thank you!
Love your fabric choices! I’m planning on making one of these for a brand new nephew!
I used both quilting cottons on this particular blanket…but I use flannel all the time for babies (or half quilting cotton and flannel for the back)
Thanks for posting this. You make it look so simple! I will have to try it-I hate binding blankets the regular way.
This is fantastic! I just have one question: How do you cut large squares precisely? I’ve tried before and failed, so I really would appreciate some tips. Thanks!
I usually fold each piece in fourths (think like a men’s handkerchief) and then cut 15 inches by 15 inches for the smaller one and 20 inches by 20 inches for the larger one. I do use my large cutting mat and rotary cutter…hope that helps!
I was just thinking about doing a beach blanket like this! Thanks!
Amazing idea! I made one yesterday but actually put in batting and quilted after seaming and turning inside out. It took some thinking about and math to get it all figured out right, but once I did, it was sooooo simple! Love your construction on this. Thank you so much for the idea. I will be making tons more.
I love this so much! I have always wondered how these were made. Is there a “Pin It”button somewhere or is it just not showing up for me?
Thank you for this tutorial! I am looking forward to trying it.
Love It
Is there any way to add batting to this blanket, as I’m making it out of cotton and want it a bit thicker? We have such a hard time finding flannel in Kuwait.
YES! Just cut your batting the same size as your smaller square and make the blanket the same way. You might want to do a bit of quilting in the middle of the blanket to keep the batting in place–but it will be so soft and comfy! (I have done it with straight line quilting…)
Excellent tutorial & worked a treat, thank you
Just sent you a question about adding batting and then I read all the comments and see you have already answered my question!
I love these! I have made 2 with all flannel, and two really fun ones using a map of the world fabric panel sold at my local
Joann’s. The map panel is rather long (east to west), but smaller in the north/south, so you do need a good chunk of the backer flannel. Turns out super cute and more of a toddler/young kid size. Thanks for sharing this!