I am gearing up to go into labor any day now with my second baby, who is a boy. This time around, I decided to make my own receiving blankets. I used my receiving blankets like crazy with my first baby, and since they are so darn easy to put together, I decided to make my own! Plus, I just love fabric and there happen to be a 50% off flannel sale at Joann Fabrics, so it was an easy argument!
First things first, the receiving blankets that you get in packages are usually just a square yard piece of fabric with a pattern on only one side. My mother-in-law made me a double flannel receiving blanket, which was so much more universal, plus fashionable on both sides. I loved this blanket to swaddle my February baby in warmth, then also used it to keep the baby warm under air conditioning vents in the car during the hot summer months. Seems ironic, but that little baby's skin would get so chilly in the air conditioned car!
So to start out with, you will need two pieces of flannel cut to the same size. I used the width of the fabric (which was usually 42" minus the selvage) by 1 yard. U can pick the same pattern and double up OR pick coordinating patterns and colors like I did.
These blankets will probably get washed frequently, so you will want to be sure to choose a stitch pattern that will withstand lots of wearing and washing. My sewing machine is a very basic model that only gives me the option of zigzag. I set it to the widest and closest zig zag
(probably not the appropriate lingo but hopefully you can get the idea) that I could. Your machine will put down a lot of thread, but your blankets will definitely have a better chance of staying together!
Tada! I whipped these babies out in an hour with a toddler in tow! Hope you enjoy this simple and fast sewing tutorial!
Heather
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