The Flannel Receiving Blanket

This is one of my favorite gifts to give to first-time mothers.  As many of you know, babies seems to make frequent messes.  A new baby can go through several blankets and several outfits a day.  I love to give a bundle of these flannel blankets to new mothers: they are so soft and snuggly, you can make them in a wide variety of colors and prints, they are light (so they don't take much room), they are easy to wash, and they make great swaddlers.  Oh, and did I mention...I made these five in one afternoon?

I went to Joann's on Wednesday and it was my lucky day--all the snuggle flannel prints were on sale for 50% off!  Score!  (By the way, the sale is still on for another week)

So I bought all these cute prints.  I also love making these and using different stitches on the edge.  Each person who gets these gets a unique gift because I use different stitches and different fabrics each time.  I thought the triple stitch zig-zag went great with this heart argyle pattern.

I like how the diamonds in this stitch echoed the square design on this flannel.

I am always a sucker for a scallop edge.

This wave reminded me of the cycle the flower circles make in this flannel.

Who doesn't love hearts?  This was a big hit at the shower.

Materials (for 1 blanket)

• 1 yard each of coordinating flannel
• Scissors
• Bowl
• Pen/Marker (or rotary cutter and mat)
• Measuring tools (like a pattern board)
• Pins
• Sewing machine
• Coordinating thread
• Iron (optional)

Directions
***This pattern uses the envelope method just like the wedding blanket, and the softest blanket.***

1. Wash and dry fabric before beginning.  Flannel shrinks quite a bit, so you want to get that out of the way before you sew.  I iron the fabric before I begin because it is easier to work with.  The edges can get squishy when you wash and dry.
2. Cut your flannel pieces to 34" wide, and I keep them as long as the selvage widths (about 40").  If the two pieces were not the same original width, cut down to the smaller one.
3. Round your corners by either cutting around the bowl using the rotary cutter, or marking with pen/pencil and cutting with scissors.

4. Lay your two flannel pieces right side together, pin around, and sew around using 1" seam allowances.  I like to use larger seam allowances to allow for imprecise cutting (this saves me time).  I also want a larger seam allowance, so when I sew around the edge at the end, it catches the edges.  These blankets can get a lot of wear, and I don't want a seam ripping and all the fabric fraying.  Leave about a 4" gap to turn the blanket right side out.

5. Before you turn your blanket right side out, cut off some of the selvage on each corner (cut down to about 1/4").

6. Clip around the corner with the scissors (like we did on the flap of the school-time messenger bag).

7. Turn your blanket right side out, flatten the edges either with your finger, or the iron, and pin all around.  Be sure to get your gap edges to match up with the rest of the blanket edge.

8. Sew a decorative stitch (you could use a plain zig-zag, or a straight stitch if you don't have any decorative stitches, or try the twin needle) 1/4" from the edge all the way around.

We have so many pregnant friends right now, I am going to stock up on flannel, so I can whip some of these up for everyone.  I don't think you can ever have too many blankets.

Using a Twin Needle

I recently discovered the wonder of a twin needle.  It's actually quite simple to use, and sews perfectly parallel lines.  The most difficult part is threading the needle; I recommend reading your owner's manual.  My machine has a setting specially for the twin needle to prevent the needle hitting the presser foot (and breaking).  If your machine doesn't have a different setting, be sure to sew in a straight line, with the needle centered.

My machine has two different tension plates, so the two top threads each take a side.  I tried taking multiple pictures, but none came out great.

I used three different colored threads to better demonstrate exactly how the twin needle works.  Two of the threads are threaded through the top of the machine, and each threads goes through one side of the needle.  The last thread is the bobbin thread.  I used white for my main thread, brown for my secondary top thread, and red for the bobbin.

Did you know that you can buy twin needles in different widths?  Each width gives you a different look, but functions the same way.

You can sew around curves with the twin needle (like I did on the reversible bag), but be sure to sew very slowly.  If you sew a curve too fast, you will place pressure on the needle, and it will break.

Now go and get a twin needle, so you can sew perfectly parallel lines!

Easy Reversible Bag

My absolute favorite magazine is a quarterly magazine (yes there seems to be a pun in there somewhere) called Quilts and More.  They always have so many cute ideas, and usually I see a few projects that I want to modify or use a piece of for something different, etc.

The most recent issue has this wonderful pattern for making a reversible tote (and instructions to make it a messenger bag instead).  I used some burlap that I found in the home decor sale section instead of the cotton recommended.  I like the extra heft of the fabric.  My sister's favorite color is yellow, and I love blue, and we love these colors together.  I am going out to Utah next month, so I hope she likes it!

I also used a twin needle for the first time with this bag.  The top side looks like two perfectly parallel rows of stitches, and the back side is this cute zigzag looking stitch.

What colors would you choose for your bag?

I will link this up at these link parties.  Check out the other goodies people link!