Tuesday, March 18, 2014

DIY Baby Blankets


Another addition to my pre-baby Leah-centric list was the inclusion of these patriotic place mats I, admittedly, started about two years ago. My plan was to make them in time for June because they’d be appropriate all through the summer. Well as I am a novice sewer, it took me longer than expected and I didn’t finish them in time, then the following year I was busy doing wedding related DIY projects, including sewing all the table runners for the wedding. Cut to now when I decided I wanted to make a baby blanket and I realized it’s now or never for these place mats. So before I hopped into baby-mode I decided to finish the place mats once and for all. I followed an idea in a beginner’s quilting book but adapted it for red, white, and blue. I bought two types of star-spangled fabric, cut strips of them, sewed them in an alternating fashion, then added batting and bound them with a dark blue fabric. To finish them off, I cut out stars in the leftover solid blue and used bonding adhesion to adhere them to the front of the place mat. They are definitely a beginner’s work but hey I finished them.
Better late than never!
And they were good practice for the baby blanket because I want to do a similar method. First off I looked online to determine an average size of a baby blanket, based on what I saw I went with around 30x40 inches which works well with fabric by the yard. I bought two somewhat coordinating animal fabrics, instead of cutting strips I cut blocks, with the plan of sewing them together, four blocks across in an alternating patter and then use a green and white pinstripe to back it and bind it. I ended up cutting the blocks to around 9.5x10.5, and then before I sewed them together I made sure the blocks were similar enough in size. I’m not really advanced enough to strive for perfection with either the accuracy of my cutting skills or the accuracy of my sewing skills. 

Once I cut the two different animal prints I realized I wanted to go back to the fabric store and select two more fabrics, this time a stripe, polka dot, or geometric and use one of each of these new fabrics with one of each of the animal fabrics and make two separate blankets. I have enough of the green stripe backing to make two and I figure you can never have too many baby blankets. 
I planned to use the chevron for the multi-animal print and the geometric pattern for the elephant print.  Turns out cutting and sewing blocks together is a heck of a lot easier than sewing strips together, plus my skill level has slightly improved. Now I am in no way claiming that the first blanket came out perfect, I definitely made some mistakes but overall I’m really happy with it.
I’m hoping to quickly tackle the second one since the pattern is already set and most of the fabric is cut out.  After I finish that one I am going to figure out the type of blanket to make with the adorable woodland animal print (below).  Chris had the great idea of making the crib bumpers with it but my registry research pointed out that other than breathable mesh bumpers, the AAP doesn't recommend them. But I figure I'll do another blanket maybe with a trim or a fun hem.
I'm in love with this fabric, it's so stinkin' cute.




Binky Linky

6 comments:

  1. Loving Life with Little Ones- I love the stars and stripes blanket, well done you for making your own. I have made blankets for my girls dolls and would love to make a patchwork one out of all their old babygrows, fas a keepsake for them, when we don't need them anymore. #binkylinky

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's such a great idea- to make a patchwork quilts from their old stuff! Thanks for stopping by and commenting.

      Delete
  2. I so love to sew and your projects are amazing and i want to try to do them but alas I don't have sewing machine so this is all a dream.

    #binkylinky

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Before I had the sewing machine I was able to do some sewing projects but it definitely makes so many more projects possible. Hopefully one day you can get one!

      Delete
  3. Well done for making your own baby blankets! I always admire people who can sew, its not something I'm any good at. I love your creations, you're so talented! Hope all goes well with you! #binkylinky

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, they definitely aren't perfect but I am happy with them. Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete