Hey everyone. Today we're making a cozy car seat blanket, and you'll learn how a soft, textured plush can keep a little rider warm on the ride home.
Meet the fabric first
This is the Aruba Luxe Cuddle Hide 58/60" Fabric per yard from Shannon Fabrics. It's a Cuddle Fabric, in the Luxe Cuddle family.
Now, worry not, folks. This "hide" is not real animal hide. Not at all.
It's made with plush 100% polyester fibers. And it looks as soft as it feels.
The surface has a chic animal hide embossed design. That texture gives it a little depth. It catches the light in a really, really pretty way.
The color here is Aruba. Think fresh and calm, like shallow water on a sunny day.
Here are the real numbers. It's 58/60" wide. It has a 10mm pile height. That's cozy, y'all, without being hard to handle.
Shannon has seen this Hide sewn into baby blankets and apparel. Also quilts and home decor and more. So a little travel blanket? Right in its sweet spot. We're not reinventing the wheel here.
The project: a car seat blanket
A car seat blanket is a small blanket. Ours finishes at about 30" by 36". Big enough to tuck over little legs. Small enough not to drag on the floor.
And here is an important note, right up front. This blanket goes over the buckled harness. Never under your baby. Never behind them. And never tucked under the straps.
Buckle your little one in snug first. Harness straps flat and tight, just like the seat maker says. Then lay this blanket over the top for warmth. That is the safe way, every single time.
Why does this fabric suit it? That 10mm pile feels warm and plush. The embossed texture looks finished all on its own. No piecing needed. And at 58/60" wide, one cut gives you a generous blanket, with fabric left over.
It also drapes nicely. It will fold small for the diaper bag. Just like that, you are ready to go.
Materials list
- 1 yard Aruba Luxe Cuddle Hide 58/60" — enough for one 30" x 36" blanket, plus a small matching scrap project
- Matching polyester thread
- 90/14 stretch or ballpoint needle
- Walking foot, long pins or clips, and a rotary cutter and mat
- Tape measure, fabric marker, and a hand-sewing needle
Brief steps
First, let the fabric rest flat, pile up. Cut two pieces at 31" by 37". With 1/2" seam allowances, that finishes right at 30" by 36".
Second, place the pieces right sides together. Pin every 2 to 3 inches. Plush likes to creep, folks. Extra pins earn their keep. Leave a 5" opening on one short side for turning.
Third, sew around with a 1/2" seam. Go slow, about 8 to 10 stitches per inch, with a 3.0 to 3.5 stitch length. Slow down at the corners, or the layers can shift under the foot.
Fourth, clip the corners at an angle. Turn the blanket right side out through that opening. Push the corners out gently with a chopstick. Do not poke hard.
Fifth, fold the opening edges in 1/2". Pin it closed. Topstitch all the way around, about 1/4" from the edge. That closes the opening and helps the blanket lie flat. Tie off your threads neatly.
Practical tips from my table
Shake cut plush over a trash can. Those tiny fibers get everywhere. A quick lint roll before you sew helps, too.
Test on a scrap first. Check your stitch length and tension. Two minutes of testing saves a whole seam of picking out.
I'll admit my mistake here. My first plush blanket came out a little wavy on one side. Oh my goodness. I rushed and pinned too far apart. The fix was easy. I took that side out, pinned every 2 inches, and sewed it slow. Much better.
Your blanket does not have to be perfect. If a topstitch line wobbles a little, it wobbles. You're your own worst critic. Take your time, it's not a race.
If I can do this, y'all can do it. Make one for your own little rider. Or make one as a shower gift. Super duper sweet, either way.
Alrighty. Thanks for sewing along with me today. We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the Aruba Luxe Cuddle Hide 58/60" Fabric per yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
