One of the sweetest gifts to sew is a baby blanket. I have some friends that are brand new grandparents and once I heard about their newest edition Emilio, I knew right away what my next project would be.
This knit fabric is so very soft and the timeless nursery rhyme theme is perfect for either a boy or girl. It would work as a receiving blanket by itself, but I wanted to add some embroidery to the front, so I added a second piece of fleece fabric to the back of it to help stabilize my design.
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I used my embroidery software to digitize a little cow jumping over the moon to look like the fabric. Then I added the text and embroidered it on a cream colored fleece.
I used a zig zag stitch and attached the fleece to the middle of the printed knit fabric. Then I added some stippling all around the design to give it some dimension. It would have been very cute just like that, but I wanted to frame it out. So I looked for a coordinating ribbon.
I cut four pieces to the length of each side of the fleece and with a fabric glue stick, I basted them in place.
A blanket stitch around the inside and outside perimeter really gives it an extra detail. It will also help keep the ribbon attached through many washings.
Using my software, I digitized his name along with some knockdown stitches so the pile of the fleece would not cover up the text. Next I stitched it onto the fabric and then placed both pieces right sides together so I could sew all around the outside connecting them.
A four thread overlock stitch on a serger made it go very quick and I rounded the corners also. With a small opening on the side I was able to turn everything right side out.
Little clips helped hold everything together so I could go around the edge and do a stretch zigzag seam as well as close the opening. I also pulled the fabric a little as I sewed and created a lettuce edge.
Everything on the blanket it sewn in a very sturdy way so it will be able to be washed and dried repeatedly.
This was such a fun and easy project. I know little Emilio will be so sweet snuggled up in this one and as I sewed it for him, those thoughts made it even more enjoyable for me to imagine his mom and dad using and loving this blanket. It really is just as fulfilling for the maker as the receiver.
I hope you have enjoyed this post, share what you have learned and are generous with what you make. Someone will appreciate your hard work!
