Flannel Blankie Directions

Materials:

• 2.5 yards of soft, sturdy flannel
• thread to match or contrast with flannel
• package of washable satin blanket binding (optional...one package will do about 3 blankets)

Directions:

1. Preshrink fabric by washing and drying in machine.
2. Press fabric.
3. Square up fabric: Fold fabric so that the selvages (finished/uncut edges) are exactly even. Fold in half again so that all raw edges are on the same side of the fabric. The raw edges will not be even. Using a rotary cutter,* cut the raw edges in a line perpendicular to your selvages.
4. Fold fabric in half to make a square, right sides together, having all edges even. Pin the 3 open edges intermittently, marking a 5-6 inch space where you will not sew.
5. Using a straight stitch, sew around the edges, backstitching on both sides of the 5-6 inch opening. I usually use a 5/8 inch seam. You do not need to sew the folded edge. Clip diagonally across the corners so they will turn nicely.
6. Turn the blanket right side out. Be sure to get the corners looking good by poking them out with a turning tool, pencil eraser, or even your finger.
7. Press the blanket, tucking in the seam allowance of the still-open area.
8. Using a zigzag or decorative stitch, topstitch around the outside edge of the entire blanket. It is important to finish all 4 edges nicely in case the blanket binding gets loved right off some day. The topstitching will close off the open area.
9. Optional... Cut a piece of blanket binding about 2 inches longer than one of your blanket edges. If you need to press it, use a warm (not hot) iron. Place one blanket edge inside pre-folded binding. On each end, fold the binding under. You could wrap one side of the binding around the flannel and under the other side of the binding when you fold it under. Pin.
10. Using a slightly loose-tension zigzag, sew binding down. Check the back to make sure all binding is stitched down. If not, a double row of zigzag usually does the trick and looks cute, too.
11. Smile! You have made a special blankie for a child in need! Drop off at Faith@Work or call Marian at 248-879-9364 to make other arrangements.

*If you do not have a rotary cutter, try using a carpenter's square as a guide. Draw a line with a washable marker, and cut with good scissors.