{Guest Blogger} No Sew Fleece Blanket Tutorial

October 24, 2010

It's that time of year again; time for the warm summer days to give way to the cool, crisp days of autumn. Time for flip flops and tank tops to be replaced by warm boots and chunky sweaters. And time to grab a cup of your favorite hot beverage and cuddle up under a cozy fleece blanket.

Over the past few years, my family and I received no sew fleece blankets from our crafty family members and we use these blankets throughout the year. This year, I decided to learn how to make the no sew fleece blanket and add it to my gift giving repertoire.
No sew fleece blankets are simple to assemble and can easily be made in an afternoon (or less time, depending on how fast you can knot!).

Here is how I put together a no sew fleece blanket:

Materials

• A coupon to your local fabric store so you get the best deal on the fleece!
• 2 yards of patterned fleece
• 2 yards of solid colored fleece, complimenting the pattern
• Straight pins (optional, but very helpful)
• Cardboard or cardstock to act as a template
• Scissors
• Measuring tape

(**These measurements are for the standard sized blanket. If you choose to make a blanket for a smaller child, I would recommend using a yard and a quarter of fleece.)

Begin by trimming the edges of your fleece. As you will notice below, my fleece had a strip of writing along the edge that I did not want showing up on my completed project.

Next, lay the two pieces of fleece on top of each other, being mindful that the wrong sides of the fleece are back to back. Generally there is a color and texture difference between the right and wrong sides of fleece. Once you have the fleece together, I recommend pinning two sides of the blanket together, paying close attention that your fleece is even on those sides. Follow up by pinning the last two sides together. I happened to have extra fleece on the last side I pinned, so I trimmed down that side. Be sure that each side is evenly matched up prior to trimming just in case; otherwise, you may cut useable fabric!

Measure out a 4 inch by 4 inch square from one corner of the blanket and cut out.

I like to use the corner I just cut out as a template to cut out the remaining three corners of the blanket.

Once the four corners are cut out, use your cardstock or cardboard and cut out a 1 inch wide by 4 inch long template. You will use this template to cut strips all the way around the blanket, starting from the corners. As you cut the strips, move the straight pins up above your cuts so that the blanket stays together better.

Once you have finished cutting the strips, it's time to start tying knots. Tie the top and bottom pieces of the fleece in a double knot. The best way to do so is using a square knot. You will want the solid color strip to end up on top so it contrasts with the pattern of the blanket and visa versa.

That's it! You've finished a no sew fleece blanket.

I love these blankets. Our family uses them to add extra warmth to our standard bedding. I have also used these blankets to throw down on the ground at home as a play area for my daughter when she was a baby or outside at the park when we picnic. And now I get to use them as presents for family and friends. The purple and print blanket featured above was put together as a Christmas gift. I included the star blanket, pictured below, in a gift for a friend's baby shower.

The best part of this craft is that the variety of fleece choices found at your local craft store continues to grow, from holiday prints for Christmas and Valentine's Day to licenced fleece in your favorite sports team or cartoon character. Which means you can give these blankets for any occasion to kids of all ages. Better yet, put together a craft night with your friends and make a few blankets to donate to charity.

It's getting cold outside; why not warm someone's heart with a fleece blanket!

Amy j is a long time friend of Savvy Moms' Amy & Bri. Married to her high school sweetheart, Amy j has the great pleasure of staying home with her 4 year old daughter while teaching online college courses