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News This website was updated on April 14, 2009.
Join us the second Tuesday of every month. We will be hosting a Project Linus workshop for those who would like to get together to make blankets for children. Come any time between 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the New Lenox Village Hall. You can sew, tie, knit,or crochet blankets. Anne, our resident quilter will be happy to help beginners start or old pros learn new techniques. If you are looking for a crochet teacher, Deb can help you. In order to plan for fun events that meet most peoples' levels of interest and ability, please indicate what type of blankets you are interested in making - no-sew fleece or machine pieced blankets in a variety of patterns. RSVP so that we can make sure we have a chair for you. If you would like a newsletter to learn blanket guidelines, find patterns, discover agencies we serve, or find out how you can get involved, please call Nicole at 1-815-462-1752. |
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PROJECT LINUS NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS PROJECT LINUS PATTERNS FOR BLANKETS AND LINKS GOODSEARCH.COM TOP SHELF QUILTS
Making Blankets
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If this is your first time making blankets for children, here are two different easy methods: tying or no sew fleece and the envelope-style quilt.
Fleece Blankets
On this page are instructions for making fringed, tied, and knotted fleece blankets that require no sewing. You will also find instructions for making fleece blankets that require sewing. The no-sew methods are perfect for kids who want to help kids!
The following methods will result in a nice looking, neat and cuddly blanket.
- Use at least 1 1/4 yards (1 1/2 yards is even better) per blanket if you are making older child and teen sized blankets. If you use less than that and then fringe the edges, you have a very skinny blanket.One yard of fleece cut in half will make two 30" x 36" blankets - just the right size for baby blankets.(Most fleece is approximately 60" wide.)
- Please cut off the selvage on edges of the fleece (that's the bumpy, wavy edge) before finishing the blanket.
- You don't have to knot the fringe - a neat plain fringe looks very nice without knotting.
- If you do choose to knot the ends, you can do the two longest edges or you can do all four provided that you cut out a 4" square on each corner.
A note regarding fleece blankets:
- We have received several fringed fleece blankets with the knots tied so tightly that the blanket will not lay flat - the blankets look more like a bowl or basket than a blanket.
- We have had to take the time to cut off all the fringe which greatly reduces the size of the blanket and wastes a lot of fabric.
- Please do not cut the fringe any longer than 2" - 3" long if you don't knot the fringe.
- If you do knot the fringe, fringe should be no longer than 2" - 3" after knotting.
- PLEASE DO NOT TIE THE KNOTS TOO TIGHTLY.
- Longer fringe tangles in medical instruments and tubes. The longer you make the fringe, the less blanket area there is for snuggling.
- Please do not sew buttons on blankets - children can choke on buttons.
Sewn Envelope-style Quilts
This quilt pattern for an easy-to-make blanket is perfect for any charity effort. Quilts may be tied with crochet thread or machine quilted as illustrated in Figure B. Overall machine or hand quilting is acceptable as well.
Directions
- Place two 36" x 42-44" pieces of kids print 100% cotton or baby flannel fabric right sides together. Layer a same size piece of batting (any type) on bottom.
- Pin all four edges, leaving a 10" opening in the center of one side for turning.
- Sew 1/2" seam around all edges, leaving the 10" section for turning open.
Figure A.
- Turn and pin open edge closed.
- Iron the back and front so that it lays flat.
- Tie or (topstitch around entire quilt)20 - 30 knots through the quilt with floss or yarn.
- Stitch the 10" opened edge closed.
Finish the quilt (if you prefer) with overall machine or hand quilting. The quilt may also be finished by tying with crochet thread or pearl cotton thread.
If you have questions on how to make either of these blankets, please email us (Alyssashope@sbcglobal.net) for more instructions or come to a workshop.
