Simple Baby Blanket

          I mentioned in one of my previous posts that it’s baby season in my family… half of my cousins have had a little one in the past few months and they’re still coming! My cousin Tracy’s baby shower just happened and although I made this blanket at the beginning of the month, I couldn’t post this tutorial without spoiling her gift! I had found myself in Joann’s wandering in the fabric idles (like the vortex they are) and somehow ogling over the cutest baby prints I have ever seen. If you’re like me and don’t have kids, you might also be like me and jump at the chance to use those ADORABLE fabrics that you would never have a reason to sew with – unless a baby is coming. So, I filled my cart. Then I emptied my cart like a good girl, and picked just a few of my favorites. Tracy has a theme for her nursery – grey and gold-yellow. I also know that she loves elephants, but none of the elephant prints lived up to my standards of gushingly cute. So I got some whales, which her mom confirmed she also likes haha. And this is what I did with them:

Simple Baby Blanket

You Will Need:

• One Yard of two different fabrics (I used some soft flannel)
• The Usual Suspects: thread, scissors, sewing machine

 Step 1: Press and square off your fabric. I struggle with this every single time I make anything. I’m still looking for the best way to do it. I followed this video that helped: Squaring Fabric

Step 2: Once your two fabrics are square, make sure they line up and are the same size – adjust accordingly.

Step 3: Place fabrics right sides together and sew along entire edge, leaving a small opening at the end to turn the blanket right side out.

Step 4: Turn your blanket right side out. Blind stitch or top stitch that opening closed.

Step 5: Sew a second topstich seam along the edge of the blanket, approximately 1 ½ inches from edge.

Thanks for stopping by!

Bridget, XOXO

Braided Fleece Scarf

      In honor of our post-Christmas snow storms, I’ve found a bit of inspiration for warm-wear. I’m also winding down from the holiday craze. I found myself back home yesterday, in a suddenly very quiet apartment, putting away gifts. No more dressing up, no more loud family members, and no more roast or cheesecake. For someone who lives quite a ways away from family, I caught myself being a little nostalgic; it’s amazing how insane and wonderful family can make you feel. There really is nothing like it. So to keep from feeling down, I did some crafting… and then some shopping. Try not to judge.

Braided Fleece Scarf

What you will need:

• Scraps of fleece – ideally, two 6-8”wide, scarf length pieces
• The Usual Suspects: thread, sewing machine, scissors
• Optional- cutting mat and rotary cutter, also extra scraps of fleece for colorblock end.

Step 1: cut your two scarf-length pieces of fleece to match so edges are even.

 

Step 2: Place two pieces of fleece on top of one another with all edges matching up.

Step 3: At a 45degree angle, cut strips in fleece leaving a ½” edge on one side. See pictures for more detail.

                Note: a 45degree angle is not necessary, but it is necessary that all cuts are at the same angle, no matter what angle you choose.

Step 4: Flip top piece of fleece over, realigning top edge of scarf.

Step 5: Start to weave the strips, lining up ends of strips with edge of fleece. Be patient here, this can get overwhelming if you don’t take it one strip at a time.

Step 6: Adjust any ends that don’t meet or any spots that look too loose or too tight.

Step 7: Head to sewing machine. Sew ends of scarf. Then sew each side with a ¼” seam. Go slow and steady, catching all those loose ends and lining them up with the edge of the scarf. This will create a polished look.

Step 8: Optional: Add a color-block end. I did this because my braid wasn’t long enough to be the whole scarf.

1. Cut two pieces of fleece for each end and sew with right sides together, leaving one end open.
2. Turn right side out.
3. Sew to ends of scarf by folding edge of color block in and topstitching. I found it helpful to cut the corners so they were less bulky once folded and topstitched.

Finito!! Fabulous, darling. Now that's a good lookin' scarf!

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheers, Bridget

XOXO