Making a Fleece Blanket

Stephanie
Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 162 Posts

January 12, 2015

First Sewing Project: Fleece Blanket - girl on couch with blanket I made my husband and I fleece blankets for Christmas a of couple years ago. My daughter really wanted one (and I wanted her to learn to sew) so we picked this as her first sewing project since it's a very simple, forgiving project with a big fuzzy reward :)

Supplies:

2 yd 60-inch wide fleece for front
2 yd 60-inch wide fleece for back
thread
sewing machine
scissors

The No-Sew fleece sets are a huge savings over buying the fabric separately. The fabric store was selling the sets at 50% off, plus a 15% off purchase coupon, so I was able to get all the fabric for $12.75. Fleece fabric by the yard was running $15/yard, so the kit was a significant savings over buying the 4 yards of fabric separately.

Steps:

Place fabric, pretty sides together, and pin along the edges. I skipped this part when I made mine, but it's a good idea for a first project.

First Sewing Project: Fleece Blanket - fleece with right sides together and pin

Show your teen how to thread your machine.

Start in the middle of one of the long sides. Sew about 1-inch in from the edge since the fabric will have a rough edge.

I taught my daughter to lock the thread by going forward/back/forward, even though my machine has a lock option. I also showed her that it's actually easier to sew straight if you put the pedal to the metal rather than trying to be super slow and cautious. We also learned how to use the seam ripper!

First Sewing Project: Fleece Blanket sew pieces together leaving a hole for turning

When you get to the corner, you can either sew all the way to the end of the fabric then start at the end of the short edge to sew straight, or I showed my daughter how to have the machine end with the needle in the down position and pivot the fabric.

Continue all the around the blanket. Stop stitching and lock your thread about 5 inches from your starting point.
Trim off extra fabric from around the edges.

First Sewing Project: Fleece Blanket - trim off excess fabric from seam

Pull the fabric through the hole so that the pretty sides are now facing out. You can use the eraser side of a pencil to help push out the insides of the corners.

First Sewing Project: Fleece Blanket - turn right side out

Whip stitch the opening shut. I showed Jenna how to start with the knot on the inside. Try to keep small, even, discrete stitches.

First Sewing Project: Fleece Blanket - whip stitch turning opening closed

Cuddle with blanket. This is her brother doing what he called a "cuddle bomb".

First Sewing Project: Fleece Blanket - cuddle with blanket

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Tip: Making Fleece Throws

Marty Dick
Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 169 Posts

December 30, 2009

I used to be 5 foot 6 inches, but now I am possibly 5 foot 4 inches since I got old and started shrinking. I have always had trouble with the fleece throws you buy at the store.

Most are not long enough for me, let alone my tall son or my daughter-in-law.

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Tip: Fleece Blankets for the Winter

December 21, 2005

Fleece blankets are great, but costly if the quality is good. Now the fabric stores have their fleece on sale-mostly 50% off. 4 yards will be a good size and will cover the top (only) of a queen bed. We have one on the bed and with a bedspread or other cover on top, it never has fallen off.

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This page is about making fleece tie blankets. You don't even need to know how to sew to make these blankets with just some sharp scissors, the fabric, and lots of tied knots.