Fast n Easy Reversible Baby Blanket


I love to make baby blankets- it's so much fun to customize everything about them, from the colors, to the size, to the the materials used. Here's a fast, easy way to make them, and you can even make burp cloths out of the scraps.


You can use flannel, regular woven cotton, fleece, or a combination. I used flannel for both sides of this blanket. I made it 32" square, but you can make any size blanket you want. Just allow an inch (total) for seams: if you want a 32" blanket, you'll need two, 33" squares of 42" wide fabric; a 36" blanket will require two, 37" squares, etc. Get a little extra fabric if you want to make matching burp cloths or bibs.

(Note: Most baby flannel and woven cotton comes 42" wide. Check the information on the end of the bolt. Fleece can come in different widths).


What to do:
  • Wash and dry your fabrics. You want them to shrink now, not after your project is completed. 
  • Put your two fabrics, opened up with no folds, right sides together, on your cutting surface. Get them as smooth and evenly layered as you can. 
  • Measure and mark the size you want- I wanted a 32" blanket, so I measured a 33" square. Mark with chalk or a washable/disappearing fabric marker.
  • If you want rounded corners on your blanket, trace around an upside down bowl in each corner.

  • Cut out the squares.
  • Pin the edges all the way around so the fabric doesn't shift while you carry it to the sewing machine.
  • Sew around all the edges, using a 1/4" seam allowance, leaving a 6" gap on one side (not on a corner or on a curve) to turn the blanket through.
  • If you put curves on your corners, clip your curves. If you kept square corners, trim the ends of the corners.
  • Turn the blanket right side out and press. Press carefully- this is what will make your blanket look really nice. (The next step will be to permanently sew those seams into place with top stitching, so pressing is an important step). Turn a 1/4" seam allowance into the gap where you turned the blanket and press. At this point, I usually slip a 6" long piece of narrow iron-on adhesive hem tape in the turning gap and just press it closed (follow directions on the package). Or you can slip stitch it closed.
  • Top stitch around all the edges of the blanket with a 1/4" seam allowance, and your blanket is finished! 
Topstitching


Coordinating burp cloths

Fast n Easy Baby Blanket may have been taken to some of these fun parties, and was inspired by Quilting in the Rain and Freshly Handmade.


You may also enjoy
Make a Travel Pillow:

and



Subscribe to Yesterfood by email:

http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=YesterfoodCreatingConnectionsThroughTimeWithFood



39 comments:

  1. Love this Joy and admit I never quite knew how this was done, but thank you for sharing today. Pinned for a great Baby Shower idea for sure :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is so sweet. I love the fabric and the matching burp cloths!! I tried making baby blankets for my older girls and did such a bad job that my neighbor offered to finish them for me. I think that's when turned to no-sew projects. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. awesome tute! Appreciate the step by step on how to make an easy reversible baby blanket! I purchased a bunch of cloth recently to make some blankets for Newborns In Need so this tutorial is right on time to get me motivated to get them made!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love the whimsical fabric in this one, Joy! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. My daughter loves to sew and this would be a fun project for our churches' next baby shower!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Joy,


    You are truly talented with your sewing. This baby blanket is precious. I love the details on the burp cloth too.
    Thanks for sharing!
    Blessings,
    Diane Roark

    ReplyDelete
  7. Very nice! I like adding the burp cloth to make it a total package. I also like that it seems to be a simple project to make!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks so much for sharing this tutorial! I already make burp cloths, so adding a matching or coordinating blanket is a great gift idea!

    ReplyDelete
  9. We are having a new grandbaby in May. No time like the present to get started on things like this blanket. Thanks for stopping by What'd You Do This Weekend.

    Linda

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh, i want one for myself! It would be so cute and cozy to drape over chilly toes!!! ~

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wonderful idea! Love how you can personalize it for anyone! Thanks for sharing at Inspire Me Mondays!

    ReplyDelete
  12. What a darling pattern. I love how you personalize!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. These are the most adorable blankets and burp pads! What a terrific idea to personalize them and I love the tutorial. Stopping by from Teach Me Tues Blog Hop. Carrie, A Mother's Shadow

    ReplyDelete
  14. Joy...Oh, how perfect! I have a niece due in October and this would be a great gift for the new wee one. I'm so glad you shared this pattern at Monday's Musings. Have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love this tutorial.Thanks so much for making this project approachable. I love to sew, but the projects have to be simple or I get all mixed up. Thanks for this post.
    MommyCrusader.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Joy, I love this blanket. I can't wait till I have grandchildren to make these for. I have been making some small quilts for children in the hospital, I bet these would work for those too! Thanks for sharing at the In and Out of the Kitchen Link Party!

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a lovely and personal baby gift! Your tutorial was great, and your finished blanket looks so nice and professional. Thanks for the tips - I would have never thought of using the hem tape on the opening, but that would really help keep things neat.
    Thank you for sharing at Wake Up Wednesday!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Love the fabric! I want to make a larger one for myself - LOL Pinned

    ReplyDelete
  19. Those are so sweet and what little baby (and Mommy) wouldn't want one that is completely unique and made just for them.

    ReplyDelete
  20. How creative, I love it. Thanks for linking up at the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Clever idea to add hemming tape to the opening, Joy. A sweet little baby blanket!!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Love this! Pinned. It is so fun to party with you. Thank you. I hope to see you at our party on Monday at 7 pm. http://loulougirls.blogspot.com/
    Happy Saturday! Lou Lou Girls

    ReplyDelete
  23. The baby blanket is really nice Joy. You are amazing. I wish I have seen this post before my son was born. It is okay now I can present to some friends. Thanks for sharing with Hearth and Soul blog hop. pinning. and tweeting.

    ReplyDelete
  24. What a lovely blanket! I wish my girls were still babies so I could make one for them, although I'm sure they wouldn't mind to snuggle with now.
    Thank you so much for sharing at Project Inspire{d}! Hope to see you again.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I have made these before and they are so easy and fun! Love the fabrics that you used and the matching burp cloth is darling! Thanks for sharing them with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

    ReplyDelete
  26. What a darling little blanket. I need to do something for an upcoming baby and I love this idea. Thank you so much for sharing at Share It One More Time. Cathy

    ReplyDelete
  27. You are so creative. Cute blanket and great tutorial. Thanks for sharing at #theWeekendSocial. Love having you here. Hope to see you again Thursday 9:00 PM EST. Pinned

    ReplyDelete
  28. How cute...I'll be crocheting a baby blanket soon...found out I'm having another grandbaby :) Wonder if I can do a reversible in crochet?

    Thanks so much for linking up to Teach Me Tuesday last week. We hope to see you again there this week. Our party would not be such a growing success without you :)

    Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Thanks for the tutorial. I like to make quilts, but they take so much time. This will be great to make for my kids' beds.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Great instructions! I love simple, quick projects.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Love this! I've always wanted to make one of these, and never have had the mindset to do it. Maybe now I will.

    ReplyDelete
  32. What a wonderful, personal gift to give a new mama! Great tutorial!

    Thank you so much for sharing your creativity with us at Show Me Saturday! Please join us again next Saturday morning at 7:00 am EST!

    {big hugs}
    ~ Ashley

    ReplyDelete
  33. Congratulations on being featured on Wake-Up Wednesday.
    Check it out here- http://tanyaanurag.blogspot.com/2014/10/before-we-party-wuw-linky-party.html

    ReplyDelete
  34. Hi Joy, I love making them too. Nice tutorial! Thanks for sharing at the party. Pinned. Hope to see you this week.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Those are so adorable Joy, now I just need a sewing machine...and a baby to sew for, LOL You make it look so easy. :)

    ReplyDelete
  36. Appreciate the step by step guide on this, Congratulations for this lovely and such an adorable baby blanket.

    ReplyDelete

I would love to hear from you- thank you for taking the time to leave a comment! :) I read all comments, and answer them by email. If you ask a question that I think others might be wondering about, too, I'll answer here in the comment section! :)

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.