Hey everyone. Today we're sewing a sturdy picnic blanket, and you'll learn how a plush camo fabric makes outdoor time a whole lot softer.
Meet the fabric first
This is the Army Luxe Cuddle Camo 58"/60" Fabric per yard from Shannon Fabrics. It's a Cuddle Fabric in the Luxe Cuddle family.
First things first, folks. This one features a classic military-style camouflage design. The colorway here is Army, in green tones. That pattern is practical outdoors. A little grass or dust just blends right in.
Here are the real numbers. It's 58"/60" wide. It's 100% polyester. And it has a higher pile than Shannon's traditional Cuddle camo print. That extra plush is what you feel when you sit down.
Shannon says this fabric is surprisingly versatile. They suggest it for a warm minky throw blanket, a wearable scarf, or a backing on a minky quilt. So a picnic blanket? Right in that same family. Soft on top, cozy underneath. Here we go.
The project: a ready-anywhere picnic blanket
A picnic blanket is just a blanket that lives by the door. Ours finishes at about 50" by 60". Big enough for two or three folks. Small enough to roll up and carry.
Why does this fabric suit it? You sit right on it. That higher pile gives you a little cushion over the ground. The camo print hides the outdoors well, too. And that wide cut means one piece covers the full width. No piecing needed.
We're making ours double-sided from this same fabric. Two layers, simple seams, no binding required. Super duper easy.
Materials list
- 3 1/2 yards Army Luxe Cuddle Camo — about 1 3/4 yards for each side
- Matching polyester thread
- 90/14 stretch or ballpoint needle
- Walking foot, long pins or clips, and a long ruler
- Two large buttons or a simple strap and buckle, if you want a roll-up closure
Brief steps
First, let your fabric relax flat. Cut two pieces at 51" by 61" each. That wide 58/60" cut gives you room to trim straight. Cut from the back side when you can. Your lines stay visible. Then shake both pieces outside, folks. Cuddle fluff gets everywhere. Just like that, your table stays cleaner.
Second, check your pile direction. Run your hand across each piece. One way feels smoother. Make both pieces run the same way. Mark the top edge with a pin so you don't forget.
Third, lay the pieces right sides together. Pin all the way around, every 3 to 4 inches. Cuddle can shift as you sew, so don't skimp on pins here. Leave an 8" opening on one short side for turning.
Fourth, sew around all four sides with a 1/2" seam. Use that walking foot. Lengthen your stitch to about 3.0 to 3.5mm. Backstitch at the start and finish. Slow down at the corners, pivot with the needle down. Slow down here, or a shifting layer can pull your seam off line.
Fifth, clip the corners at an angle. Don't clip into your stitching. Turn the blanket right side out through that opening. Push the corners out gently with a point turner.
Sixth, tuck the opening edges in and pin them closed. Topstitch around the whole blanket, about 1/4" from the edge. That closes the opening and helps it lay flat. Add a second row of topstitching if you like the look. Completely up to you.
Practical tips from my table
Roll it, don't fold it. A rolled picnic blanket fits behind a seat or by the door. Add that strap if you want. It keeps the roll neat in the car.
Keep a lint roller in your picnic basket. Cuddle sheds a little at the cut edges at first. A quick shake outside after each outing helps a lot, too.
Your blanket does not have to be perfect. If one corner is a little rounder, it's a little rounder. You're your own worst critic. Take your time. It's not a race.
I'll admit my own mistake here. I once topstitched before checking that opening. Tucked it crooked, sewed it crooked. The fix was simple. I took out about 6 inches of stitches, repinned it straight, and sewed it again. No drama.
If I can do this, y'all can do it. Grab a sandwich, find some shade, and enjoy a really really soft seat.
Alrighty. Thanks for sewing along with me today. We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the Army Luxe Cuddle Camo 58"/60" Fabric per yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
