This fleece blanket DIY sewing tutorial is so quick and easy! Seriously, I made 6 yesterday in just a few hours. You can make them for any occasion, so don’t let the Christmas fabric throw you off because you could easily use princess fabric or astronaut fabric! Keep reading for the tutorial for these easy blankets.
Fleece Blanket DIY
How many yards do you need to make a fleece blanket?
My favorite size for a throw blanket uses 1 1/2 yards of fleece. This is the perfect size for hanging on the couch or throwing over your legs sitting in a rocking chair!
For a kiddo sized blanket you could size down to 1 yard.
For a longer blanket for a taller person you could go up to 1 3/4 or 2 yards.
Do you need to wash fleece before making a blanket?
The simple answer is no.
Fleece is different than cotton fabric because it does not shrink. Therefore it will not warp or pull if you sew before washing.
You CAN wash it before you use it however. If the fabric has been sitting for an extended period or has acquired any smells it is totally acceptable to wash before sewing.
What type of fleece is best for blankets?
There are several types of fleece and not all fleece is created equal.
You might be tempted to grab the cheapest fleece you can find. If you are on a budget that will work just fine. But if you can spare a few extra dollars for the higher end fleece I highly recommend you take that route.
The anti-pill plush and the luxe fleece from JOANN are my first choice.
All fleece seems to have a point where it pills, gets rough, and starts to thin. But for me that is outweighed by the softness and warmth and ease of use!
How do you make a simple fleece blanket?
There are SO many simple fleece blankets that you can make. Keep reading for my favorite single layer option but here are a few more that are quick and easy.
- Use THIS tutorial with 1, 1 1/2, or 2 yards of fleece to create a two layer blanket. This blanket requires only straight seams and two trips around the fabric. It is quick and easy for seasoned sewers. Don’t be deterred if you are new to sewing, this is a GREAT project for beginners as well!
- A tie blanket is very quick and easy to make. Line up two pieces of fleece right sides facing out. Then cut 2″ up every 1″. Cut a 2″ square from the corners and discard. Tie the two pieces of fabric together with every strip that you cut. This is a great blanket for the kiddos. It requires no sewing and the kids will love playing with the ties while they use the blanket (maybe too much for my liking!)
How do you make a one layer fleece blanket?
The first step is to decide on a size (see above.) I am using 1 1/2 yards of anti pill plush Christmas fabric.
Square your fabric and cut the selvage edge off the side (this is the white strip that has writing on it describing the fabric and the manufacturer/designer. These are important steps because we are not hiding the raw edge.
Cut a 1″ square from all four corners.
Fold the corner down and clip in place. (I highly recommend THESE clips for this project.)
Fold the edge down 1″. You can use the bottom edge of the triangle you just created as a guide as this is 1″ down. Clip in place. Continue this along the entire edge.
Now repeat this with the other edges. Your edges should meet and create a nice corner (as pictured below.)
Use a heat source to press these edges into place. This is not a mandatory step, if you used enough clips you will probably be fine. But this step will keep your edge clean and make sure your stitching is nice and straight so do with that info what you will.
How do you finish the edges on a fleece blanket?
Finishing the blanket now simply requires stitching the edge down. Since we haven’t covered the raw edge I recommend trying out some of those fun stitches on your sewing machine.
I used a blanket stitch like stitch. You could also zig zag the raw edge.
The final optional step is to add a fringe or some large poms. This is an optional step and you can leave the edges unadorned if you don’t want to add any of the options below.
To add a fringe cut a hole every 1″ along the top and bottom edges of the blanket. Add yarn to each hole to create a fun fringe.
Or use yarn or embroidery floss to create large poms. Then sew them to the four corners of the blanket for a playful finished look.
You could also find a trim at the store or add rick rack. Get creative and have fun finishing these simple blankets.
Video Tutorial Easy Fleece Blanket DIY Technique
This video uses a slight different fabric but the technique is EXACTLY the same. Grab the fabric in the video HERE.
Pin Fleece Blanket DIY
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Fleece Blanket DIY Sewing Tutorial
Equipment
- Sewing Machine
- Scissors
- Mini Wonder Clips
Materials
- 1 1/2 Yards Anti Pill Plush Fleece
Instructions
- Square the edges of your fabric.
- Cut the corner away.
- Fold the edges down.
- Sew in place.
- Add edge detailing.
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