Project #9: Sew a Small Baby Blanket

You always need a few good baby gift ideas. That's my opinion, anyway! In case you've had your fill of pillowcase dresses, pillow quilts, and wooden toy blocks, why not give a baby blanket a try?

This is a small blanket (roughly 11"x11" finished), but you could easily make it larger or full sized, as needed. A small size is great for traveling, naptime, doctor visits, diaper bags, or shopping. Baby can have something s/he loves without it taking up TOO much space!

This particular design was inspired by a blanket my daughter and several of her friends received as baby gifts. It is unique in that it has small loops of ribbon or trim sewn in the seams that baby can play with. This is great for little ones who are just developing early hand motor skills, but just as entertaining for older ones, too! (You can easily leave off the trims if you'd prefer.)

This project itself doesn't take up too much time or materials, and it's super easy to do. I bought some remnants of beautiful blanket fabrics and already had some matching ribbon scraps on hand. Read on and see how easy this adorable gift is!

Sew a Small Baby Blanket

Materials:

• Two pieces of coordinating blanket remnants (minkee, flannel, or quilter's cotton work great)
• Coordinating ribbon or trim remnants (ribbon, braids, or rick-rack work great)

Equipment:

• Sewing machine
• Pins
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Iron/ironing board

Cost: Under $20

Time: One night

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions:

1. Cut a blanket front and a blanket back out of the fabric remnants. Each should measure 12"x12".
   
   
2. Cut several 5" lengths of ribbon/trim. I cut 12 lengths (3 per side); you could do more or less, depending on your trim width, blanket size, and/or preferences.
3. Place blanket front right side up on flat surface.
4. Fold each trim piece in half and pin to blanket front, raw edges even with sides of blanket and loop toward the inside of the blanket.
   
   
5. Place blanket back face down on blanket front, matching edges.
6. Carefully un-pin each trim piece and re-pin, catching all fabric and trim. (You're essentially moving the pins from the inside of the blanket and putting them on the outside for sewing purposes.)
   
7. Using a 5/8" seam allowance, sew around the outside of blanket, leaving a 4" - 5" opening. (FYI: I used my serger again for this step.)
   
8. Turn blanket right-side out.
   
9. Tuck in unsewn edges, 5/8" each.
   
10. Press blanket, making sure seams are pressed out.
    
11. Stitch across opening, as close to the edge as possible, making sure seam allowances are turned in toward inside of blanket.
    
    

Could this be any cuter? I made 3 nearly identical ones with different trims--so fun! Just think of all the fabric and color combinations possible! What baby gift ideas have you made lately?