Hey everyone. Today we're making a cozy baby blanket, and we're starting with one of the softest fabrics on the table.
Let's talk about the fabric first, y'all. This is the 2 yd Luxe Cuddle Cut Galaxy Blush from Shannon Fabrics. It comes as a 2-yard cut. No piecing needed for a blanket this size.
It is a Luxe Cuddle fabric. Folks also call this family of fabric minky. It is 100% polyester. It has that deep, plush feel you notice right away. Run your hand across it once. Smooth in one direction. Soft from every angle. Super duper soft, and just right for a baby gift.
The colorway here is Galaxy Blush. It is a gentle blush tone. Soft and calm for a nursery. It does not need a busy print to shine. The texture and color do the work all on their own.
Care is simple, and it is specific. Machine wash cold. Tumble dry low. No fabric softener. Softener coats those plush fibers over time. Plain, gentle washing keeps it feeling like itself. Just like that.
The Project: A Baby Blanket
Our blanket finishes at about 35 inches by 40 inches. That is a lovely crib and stroller size. Big enough to tuck around a little one. Small enough to finish in one sitting.
Why does this fabric suit a baby blanket so well? A blanket lives on touch. This Luxe Cuddle is warm without being heavy. It drapes nicely over tiny legs. And that plush pile hides your stitching a little. We're not reinventing the wheel here. We are letting a soft fabric do soft work. You will have fabric left over too — save it for a small lovey later. Completely up to you.
Materials
- Your 2 yd Luxe Cuddle Cut Galaxy Blush — you will cut one piece about 36 inches by 41 inches for the front
- One piece of coordinating quilting cotton or a second piece of Cuddle, about 36 inches by 41 inches, for the back
- Optional thin batting if you want extra warmth — same size, trimmed after layering
- 50-weight polyester thread to match
- A 90/14 ballpoint or stretch needle
- Wonder clips or long pins — plush likes to shift as you sew
- Walking foot for your machine, if you have one
- Sharp scissors or a rotary cutter, a marking tool, and a point turner
Brief Steps
Here we go. First, shake your cut outside before you cut it. Cut minky makes a little snowstorm, folks. A good shake first saves your sewing room later.
Second, lay the fabric flat with the pile running smooth. Stroke it with your hand to find that smooth direction. You want it running the long way down the blanket. Mark and cut your front piece to size. Cut your backing piece to match.
Third, place the two pieces right sides together. If you are using batting, lay it on top of the wrong side of the backing. Clip all the way around. Place clips every 1 to 2 inches. This fabric creeps, so give it nowhere to go.
Fourth, sew around all four sides with a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Set your stitch length to about 3.0 mm, roughly 8 to 10 stitches per inch. Leave a 5-inch opening on one short side for turning. Slow down at the corners, or the layers will shift on you.
Fifth, trim the corners at an angle. Be careful not to clip your stitches. Turn the blanket right side out through that opening. Push the corners out gently with your point turner.
Sixth, tuck the raw edges of the opening inside. Press them flat with your fingers, not a hot iron. Pin or clip it closed. Then topstitch around the whole blanket about 1/4 inch from the edge. That one pass closes the opening and finishes the edge. Alrighty, you are almost done.
Practical Tips
I will be honest with you. My first Cuddle blanket shifted on me. One corner wandered a full half inch. I learned to clip more than I thought I needed. And to let the walking foot do the feeding. Do not pull this fabric through. Keep a lint roller by your machine too. You will need it.
Here is your permission beat, friends. Your blanket does not have to be perfect. A slightly wavy topstitch will not matter one bit. You're your own worst critic. That baby will just feel warm, safe, and loved. Take your time. It's not a race. If I can do this, y'all can do it.
Thanks so much for spending a little time with me today. Make one for a gift, and make one to keep close. We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the 2 yd Luxe Cuddle Cut Galaxy Blush at Linda's Electric Quilters.
