DIY Throw Blanket Tutorial (stay Warm All Season!)

That seasonal chill is in the air– the ‘grab the blankets and a coffee and cuddle in front of the fireplace’ kind of chill. I’m always cold, even in summer, so our house is strewn with throw blankets. I add a few each year and it never seems to be enough! Each family member has their favorite, and when I spotted flannels on sale at the fabric store recently I decided to grab a few yards and see what I could do. After some measuring, cutting, and quick sewing we had our very own DIY (knock-off Pendleton) throw blanket to fight over with the kids.

Seriously, feast your eyes on these goodies I found at JoAnn Fabrics, though I bet they carry them at most fabric stores. So many great patterns to choose from, I couldn’t decide which ones to get. Which means I got all the patterns. 😉 YOU GET A BLANKET, and YOU GET A BLANKET! Homemade blanket Christmas gift, anyone?

There are two tricks to jazz up this simple blanket, and I included them both in the tutorial. Skipping those steps makes this even easier and quicker, perfect for homemade gifting or making a stack for your entire family. Without the painted stripes, this throw blanket would take under an hour to make- even for total beginners. So feel free to take my templates and turn them into a cozy craft night with friends! 

One way I made this blanket extra fancy (jazz hands!) was making it double sided since I couldn’t possibly choose just one fabric to use. If you want a thinner version (I’m looking at you, Texas, with your warm temps!) skip that step and just hem the edges to give it a finished look. It will save you some yardage if you don’t need the layers, but keep the style and comfort of the ones I made.

The other way I added to it was by using fabric paint to add in stripes. This was my way of making a knock-off Pendleton blanket. You could also add a red cross to make a vintage-looking army blanket. So many ways to pimp your blanket.

Full disclosure, I am NOT a seamstress. My skill level is at about the fifth grade level. In other words, if I can do this ANYONE (even your 5th grader) can too. And they will probably do it better. This is the perfect project to practice on for all of you new sewers out there.

How to make your DIY Blankets

Materials:

• 2.25 yards of flannel fabric for EACH SIDE (I used 2.25 yards of each pattern, so 4.5 yards of fabric total)
• thread
• sewing machine
• fabric scissors
• pins
• fabric paint medium (optional)
• craft paint (optional)
• painter’s tape (optional)
• measuring tape (optional)

Directions:

For the painted stripes: Follow the directions to mix the fabric paint medium with the craft paint (usually it’s 2 parts paint to 1 part medium). Place 3 pieces of painter’s tape the desired distance apart, making sure to keep them level. Paint in between the tape to create two stripes– use a ‘dry brush’ method and dabbing motion so it doesn’t leak under the tape. Let dry. For darker stripes use two coats of paint, I liked the distressed, vintage look of just one coat. Once dry remove tape.

Step 1. Place the two pieces of fabric together, WRONG SIDES FACING OUT. Pin the edges together, leaving room to sew your seam.

Step 2. Sew a seam almost all the way around, leaving about half a side free to give some room when you turn it right side out. Before you turn it right side out, trim extra fabric around the edges; I left about 1/4 of an inch extra fabric and trimmed off the rest. Using a good set of sharp scissors helps. Turn right side out, taking care to make sure your corners are pushed all the way out and look sharp.

Step 3. Now you’re going to add a topstitch around the edge of the blanket. This will give it a finished look as well as secure that .5 of a side that still needs to be hemmed. First, you’ll want to invert the seam that needs to be hemmed and pin it. It should now look like the rest of the edges, but without stitches.

Go ahead and sew a topstitch around the edges, when you come to the unfinished section it will simply blend into the rest once it’s topstitched. Doesn’t that edge look amazing?

Step 4. That’s it, you’re done! Now go snuggle!

Oh boy. I’m gonna need a few more blankets. They are perfect for movie night, story time with grandma, sitting around the fire pit, or a trip to the stadium!

Raise your hand if you’re a throw blanket family too. If not, it’s never too late to hop on the blanket train. They are the perfect gift for the snuggler in your family AND a great project when there’s a chill in the air. Bonus tip: Fluff them in the dryer for 10 minutes to warm up before heading out to the back porch and you’ll never want leave your cozy cocoon. Now get sewing!