Ever wondered how self-binding receiving blankets are made? They can be a bit confusing - until you've made one! It's a lot simpler than you may think, and you'll have one (or two!) made in no time.
Ready to get started?
Materials:
1.5 yard flannel for blanket back/border (make sure to pre-wash)
1.25 yard flannel for blanket top (make sure to pre-wash)
ruler
Cut:
flannel for blanket back/border: 42"x42"
flannel for blanket top: 36"x36"
Note: The sizes you cut your blanket top and back will determine your finished blanket size. In this case, pieces cut at 42" and 36" will give a finished size of 39". If you want to adjust your size, just remember that the finished size will be the median between the two sizes you cut (39" is 3" larger than 36" and 3" smaller than 42").
Also, the larger the difference between your the size of your two pieces, the larger the border will be. With the measurements in this tutorial, the border will be 1.5". If you want a larger border, you can increase the amount of difference between the two flannel pieces that are cut, and of course the opposite is true for a smaller border as well. One thing to keep in mind with a larger border is that the larger it gets, the smaller your finished size will be as well, which is one reason that I like to keep a 6" or less difference between the two sizes.
Directions:
1. Fold each flannel piece in quarters and mark center of each edge with a pin. Open pieces up and pin, right sides together, starting at centers and working outwards. Each end will be left with excess backing fabric.
Each corner should look like this:
2. Mark 1/4" in both directions by drawing a small square on each corner. Using these marks as your stopping and starting points, stitch along each side of pinned pieces using a 1/4" seam allowance. If you'd like, you can start stitching at center of each side and work outward rather than stitching from end to end, but if you've pinned well you shouldn't need to. Leave a 6" opening on the middle of one side to later turn the quilt right side out through.
3. Matching adjacent seams, fold one corner of the blanket as pictured. The excess backing fabric should form a 45 degree angle, and raw edges should match up, with the blanket front fabric tucked inside.
4. The next step can be tricky to visualize, so just make sure to follow the illustrations and you'll be fine! Align your ruler with the end of side seam stitching, forming a 90 degree angle with the folded edge.
5. Trace along ruler edge, marking 90 degrees from the folded edge to the end of stitching. Stitch along marked line from folded edge to end of side seam stitching.
6. Trim seam allowance to 1/4", removing excess backing fabric.
7. Press all seams and turn blanket right side out through opening.
8. Carefully press mitered corners in place. Press all four borders flat, being careful that they are evenly sized on all sides (it can help to put a couple of pins away from where your iron will be hitting to make sure everything will lay nice and flat).
9. Topstitch close to seams on all four sides of blanket, and stitching closing opening. Add a second row of topstitching if you prefer.
Great job! Admire your blanket and make some more!
