Some of my friends have been wanting to know how to make a no sew blanket. I had one to make for my best friend's son Will, so I took pictures along the way. Here are the steps.
STEP 1: Buy 2 pieces of coordinating fleece. The size that you need may vary based on what size blanket you are making.
The sizes are:
Infant: 45" x 58" (1 1/4 yards)
Toddler: 54" x 58" (1 1/2 yards)
Throw: 58" x 72" (2 yards)
Adult: 58" x 90" (2 1/2 yards)
Bed: 58" x 108" (3 yards)
If I am making a baby gift I make the toddler size and for everyone else, I make the adult size. But that's just me.
STEP 2: Lay out the fleece with the good sides facing out on a large surface and cut off the salvage from both sides. Try and make the fabric line up best you can, but you are going to cut and tie the edges, so you don't have to be crazy perfect here. Close is good enough.
(I take the salvage pieces that are left and braid and tie them. They make GREAT dog toys.)
STEP 3: You need to cut a 4 inch square out of a corner. I have a piece of cardboard that I use as a template so that I don't have to get out a ruler all the time.
STEP4: Cut the fringe. Now we need to go around the entire blanket and cut 4 inch long, 1 inch wide strips. Scissors...no way. I have a rotary cutter, a mat and a plastic template. Using these tools, you can have an adult size blanket cut in less than an hour. The template is nice because it stops the rotary cutter at just the right spot.
Notice that I have the 4 inch mark lined up with the fabric. I do that all the way around. Every time I get to a corner, I cut a 4 inch square.
STEP 5: Tie all the ends. Some people try and do fancy knots, but I have never found that necessary. I just tie them. I do make sure that the fleece ends up on the side of the coordinating fleece. Just looks cooler that way.
Pointers:
- Every time I move the template to make a new set of cuts, I tie one set of ties. That way when I am done, The blanket is secure and when I move it to tie all the ties, it stays put.
- It seems like when I get to the corners, even though I already have a 4 inch square out, the cuts are too close together. I often end up cutting off the last two ties at the corners. When you tie it, it turns out just fine.
- when all the cuts are made and you are ready to tie, hold the blanket up and shake it out. There will be lots of fuzzies from the cutting.
- As you tie, two sides will ties and the fabric is solid and will tie easily. The other two sides are the salvage sides and they will have stretch to them. Just be careful not to stretch them out too much when you are tying them.
- As you tie, the blanket will start to bunch up around the edges. After I am done tying the whole blanket, I go around the whole thing and stretch the fabric back out. Sometimes it even sounds like it's ripping somewhat. It's fine. I like mine to be flat as possible.
- These blankets are so warm and can be just thrown in the washer and dryer.
- Fleece comes in all kinds of patterns including sports. But it can get expensive, so if you are going to do this, watch for sales.
1 comment:
Thank you for taking the time to share this, Sandi! I especially like all the tips.
Jane
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