How To Make a Fleece Blanket
Overview
- Working Time: 15/30 mins
- Output: 1 fleece blanket
- Skill Level: Kid-friendly, 5+
- Estimated Cost: $25 Blanket Kit
Intro
Welcome to Fleece & Thank You! In this article, we will be showing you how to make a fleece blanket. Making a fleece blanket is an easy and fun project for individuals or groups. Fleece & Thank You makes it easy with our blanket kits and included resource packet of how-to’s. Follow these directions to make a warm, no-sew tie blanket for yourself or a child in need.
A Personal Connection
With Fleece & Thank You Blankets, you get the opportunity to connect directly with the blanket recipient. Every Fleece & Thank You Blanket Kit has a special patch on it that allows you to record a video message that travels with your blanket to a child in need. That child and their family can then send YOU a message back!
What You’ll Need
Equipment / Tools
- Fabric Scissors
- Fleece & Thank You Blanket Kit
- A Good Attitude
- Large, clean space (table, etc)
Materials
- 2 yard anti-pill fleece print
- 2 yard anti-pill fleece solid
Instructions
1. Lay Out Fabric and Trim “Crust”
Start out by laying the fleece on your work surface. This works best on a large area of the table or cleaned floor. Smooth out the pieces of fleece with your hands. We recommend having the print on top, solid on the bottom.
Cut through both pieces of fleece, trimming off any “crust,” or areas where the two pieces don’t line up. The cuts do not have to be perfectly even, but they should be relatively straight. Keep in mind that the finished blanket will appear about 10 to 12 inches smaller than the size you cut because of the fringe.
2. Cut the Blanket Corners
Measure a square at each corner that is the same length as what you want the fringe to be. The square should be around 4 inches from each side in the corner.
You can adjust this if you’d like, starting with a square that is anywhere from 4 inches to 8 inches. The smaller the square,
the larger your blanket will be in the end (but also the tougher it will be to tie the strips).Note: If you are using a rotary cutter, align the cutting ruler and cut the square.
Repeat this for each corner. Make sure that you cut through both layers of the fleece. Try to cut as straight as possible, but don’t worry about the lines being perfectly even. Cutting the corners prevents bunching of the material in the corners when finished and helps make tying easier.
3. Cut the Strips
Next, start making strips along each edge and all the way around the blanket, cutting through both layers of fleece. Each strip should be the same length as your starter square and anywhere from 1 inch to 2 inches wide (or about 2 fingers wide). Just make sure you cut deep enough so that you can tie the pieces together. If the slits are too short, you won’t be able to double knot them.
Note: If you’re using a rotary cutter, use the ruler to measure and cut the strips, working around the entire blanket.
4. Tying Knots
Tying the top layer, the print fabric, to the bottom layer, the solid fabric, make a double knot (most frequent knot used is a square knot, just like tying your shoes!).
Tie each knot so it is tight, but try not to pull at the fabric too much.
Continue tying the pieces of fleece together until you have worked your way all around the blanket. Your fleece tied blanket is now done.
More Comfort In The World!
If you are making a Fleece & Thank You blanket, now it is time to make your video! Head over to our video upload page to complete your message for a child in need!
If you don’t have your fabric yet, check out our Fleece & Thank You Blanket Kits that can be picked up or delivered right to your front door!