Wednesday, January 23, 2013

mitered baby blanket...AKA super cute

I have made my sister three mitered baby blankets now.  One for each of her children.  She has taken them to the hospital with her each time and each time she has gotten raves about them.  Where did you get that adorable blanket?  My Sister made it.  I must have one...where can I buy that?  You can't.  You have to make it.


So, you get the idea.  This little blanket is a big hit!  It is a bit complex though, so I would say if you are a beginning sewer, go for it...but be prepared to have to pay a lot of attention to the pattern...or you can do what I did, and take a class.  I am very happy with this blanket and best of all, there is a free tutorial where you can get all the details on how to make it.  Click here for the free pattern.


I will say this about the measurements...the bigger you make it, the longer you can swaddle your baby in it.  So, if you take a normal piece of fabric, the biggest square you can cut out of it without sewing anything is about a 40" X 40" square.  If you feel like making it a bit bigger, you can, you will just have to sew a panel on to make it bigger.  45" X 45" would be a nice size, because then you would only need 1 yard of your inner fabric.  Saving money on fabric is always a good thing.  Ummmm...I would like to point out, in case you might not have noticed in the upper left hand corner of this picture...is a nude Ken doll.  Dolls in this house never seem to wear clothes for very long...righty then.

Also, it is very important, you need to become aware of grain of fabric.  There's a Crosswise grain and a lengthwise grain.  Lengthwise grain doesn't stretch if you tug gently.  Crosswise grain does stretch.  So, if you are going to make it larger, make sure you sew lengthwise to lengthwise or crosswise to crosswise so that the stretch is the same across the entire piece.


I don't know what I was trying to tell you in this picture.  We'll just go with...PEACE!

I was probably trying to say that you have to line up two sides of the blanket to make that flap in the corner because you are going to sew a 45 degree angle on that flap then cut off the rest.  It's quite adventurous to chop a flap of fabric...it's thrilling really...because what if you cut wrong?!?!  OHHHHH the horror!


See, you draw on your line, then pin the fabric together so you don't get shifting and then...


That's right.  CHOP!  Better pray you had your angle correct!  Cause that piece of fabric ain't coming back.

mitered flannel baby blanket girl

Here it is in all it's glory.  You can see that you have the two fabrics with the larger of the two coming around from the back and making a cute border for the front.  My Youngest helped me choose the kitty cat fabric.  Choose something VERY VERY soft.


The two individual pieces of fabric can come apart in the wash, so I sew lines through the middle.  This one I went from corner to corner, across the middle and down the middle in the shape of a giant asterisk.  I think it turned out good.


My cute back fabric.


Thanks for reading!

Shared here:
Feather's Flights


Heather

16 comments:

  1. Oh that is cute! measuring is not my strong point, the Chop scares me. That's going to be one snuggled baby - maybe you should make one for Ken, he might be a little chilly :)

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    1. Mel...the chop is totally scary! But fun too! And ken...yeah, he needs a lot more than a blanket. I am pretty sure he no longer has any clothes to speak of.

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  2. Omigosh that is a gorgeous blanket - I want one! For me!!!!

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  3. Heather I love this blanket! I'm never going to sew one because...well..you know! But I love that you did!

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    1. Thanks Danni. I love making these for the babies in my life because they're unique and so cute and useful! That's the best baby present if you ask me.

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  4. Dirty baked Ken! This blanket is amazing and my new baby is so warm and cozy in it. Baby is very lucky to have a super sewer..uh..sew-we..uh sewing Ho Ho to make it for her.

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  5. I think you mean....naked Ken :) he is pretty tan so maybe you did mean baked. Glad you like it!!

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  6. I love the blanket!!! Thanks so much for having me over at the Inspiration Cafe! I've had so much fun! I'm your newest follower! ~Tammy

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    1. Thanks Tammy, it's a fun one to make! We loved having you!!

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  7. I noticed a dollar on the floor by the naked Ken doll. interesting…. On topic! I am making one of these for Callen's preschool teacher. I was just thinking of it yesterday, and that I have to call you. BUT, HERE IT IS! Thanks, very convenient.

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    1. :) :) :) uhhhhh...why yes there does happen to be a dollar next to naked Ken....ahem....I think I better talk to the weens about what they can and cannot play....and male stripper is on the can't list. I'm so glad I made it easy for you! Have fun making this!

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  8. What an adorable blanket! I love the idea of having a "signature" gift to give newborn babies. I keep thinking that mine would be hooded blankets. I love the hooded blankets I received when my daughter was born, especially the hand sewn ones. I'm sure the blankets you've given your nieces/nephews will be treasured for years to come. So special...

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    1. Sharon, I think that would be a great signature gift. I do like having it as my special thing. Thanks for reading!

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  9. I have always loved blankets like this, but have never known how to make them and didn't want to take the time to figure it out. Thank you for this tutorial! It's great!
    Thanks for linking up!

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  10. All my dolls were naked. When company would visit my mom would explain that I was "baptizing" them......I still hear about that to this day!

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Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. Love ya! XOXOXO

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