Faux Chenille Baby Blanket--Guest Blog on Reverie

I was so excited to write this guest blog for my dear friend and former roommate, Sarah! What's even more exciting is that the arrival of her daughter, Iris Ann Noel, make this post even more appropriate and special! Welcome to the world, Iris!

For those of you who are loyal followers of Reverie, you already have an idea what a phenomenal person the author is. As one of her college roommates, I can wholeheartedly tell you that the person who comes through in this blog is the woman she is in real life. For that reason, it makes the opportunity to write this guest blog for her even more of an honor.

In anticipation of Meep’s arrival, it seemed appropriate to show you how to make a super-easy, ultra-plush, ridiculously-cute faux chenille baby blanket. If you having a sewing machine and can sew a semi-straight line, you can do this project! (Photos for this project are actually from two different blankets, but together they make a full tutorial.)

Faux Chenille Baby Blanket

Materials needed:

·         4 to 5 different fabrics (1 for backing, 3 or 4 for chenille fabrics)—You’ll need 1 ¼ yards of each fabric

·         1 ¼ yards printed cotton fabric—This will be the backing fabric. You can use any sort of cotton, flannel, corduroy, or other soft fabric. Cotton-weight or heavier works best. Avoid fabrics with stretch.

·         1 ¼ yards each of three or four coordinating flannels—These will create the chenille. Use woven fabrics that fray easily at the edges; the fraying is what creates the faux chenille look. I recommend using fabrics that are 100% cotton, linen (or linen/cotton blend), or flannel (which is typically 100% cotton). I’ve only used nursery flannel for my blankets.

·         Large amount of thread that blends well with chosen fabrics

·         180 inches of quilting binding

·         Thread that coordinates with binding (if different from that used to sew blanket)

Select coordinating fabrics, and iron them before you begin.

Stack your fabrics with the backing fabric wrong side up and the flannels on top; right sides facing up. 

It’s important to keep the fabrics together while sewing (although some shifting will happen). I use basting safety pins and move them periodically as I sew. I’ve heard that some people use spray adhesive and basting pins. If you do use spray adhesive, be sure to do so outside.

Now that your fabrics are all laid out, mark out a diagonal that divides your square in half. I use a washable fabric marker for this.

Once you’re line is drawn you’re ready to sew! You’ll sew channels, approximately ½ inch wide, parallel to the first quilting line. Try to keep your lines as straight as possible, but if they get a little squiggly, it’s ok! This part takes a while, so be prepared with some good music or a great movie.

After your channels are sewn, the cutting begins! The three layers of flannel are cut down the middle of the channel. This is how the chenille look is achieved. The first time I did this I used regular scissors, and it was painful! I definitely recommend getting some spring-handled scissors if you think you’ll make more than one of these. Be careful as you cut that you DO NOT CUT THE BACKING FABRIC!

Hang in there…we’re almost done!!

Now that your channels are cut, you need to square out the blanket and cut off the excess. Due to shifting from when you sewed, you may lose up to three inches. Don’t worry too much about that.

I use a yard stick, rotary cutter, and self-healing mat. I fold mine in quarters to see if it’s truly square.

The final sewing step is to sew on the binding tape. Fortunately, sew4home.com does a phenomenal job of explaining this.

And now for my favorite part! Wash and dry your blanket! Be sure to check your lint trap often while drying; it fills up fast. The blanket will only get softer and more frayed with more washings.