Hey everyone. Today we're making a baby blanket, and you're going to learn how to get a soft, finished blanket out of one beautiful solid Cuddle.
Meet the fabric first
This is the Amethyst Solid Cuddle 3 58/60" Fabric per yard from Shannon Fabrics. It's a Cuddle Fabric. It's the classic Solid Cuddle® 3.
Shannon calls it the fabric that started it all. Often imitated, never duplicated. I like that line, because this one really is the workhorse.
Here are the real numbers. It's 100% polyester. It's 58/60" wide. It features a versatile 3mm pile.
That 3mm pile matters. It's short enough to sew cleanly. It's still smooth and ultra-soft against your skin. For a baby blanket, that balance is really really good.
The color here is Amethyst. It's a rich, pretty purple. Soft enough for a nursery. Saturated enough to feel special. Not plain, not loud. Just lovely.
Shannon describes this surface as beautiful and super durable, too. That matters for a blanket that will be washed, dragged, and loved hard.
I reach for a solid like this when I want color to do the work. No print to match. We're not reinventing the wheel here. One good fabric, sewn well.
The project: a soft and simple baby blanket
A baby blanket here is a simple two-layer blanket. One Amethyst Cuddle front. One soft backing. Clean edges, light quilting, and done.
We're finishing at about 40" by 50". That's a generous crib and stroller size. Big enough to wrap up in. Small enough to carry everywhere.
Why does this fabric suit it? That smooth, ultra-soft surface is the whole point. It's the side that touches baby skin. It feels gentle from the first touch.
That 58/60" width helps, too. Your 40" width fits with room to trim. You are not piecing narrow strips together just to get wide enough. Just like that, the cutting gets easier.
Materials list
- 1 1/2 yards Amethyst Solid Cuddle 3 for the front — that gives you 54" of length to trim to 50"
- 1 1/2 yards coordinating Cuddle or soft cotton fabric for the backing, cut the same size
- Optional thin batting, about 42" by 52", low-loft cotton or polyester
- Matching polyester thread for sewing and light quilting
- 90/14 stretch or ballpoint needle
- Walking foot, pins or clips, and a long ruler
Brief steps
Here we go. First, let your Cuddle relax flat. Trim your front to 40" by 50". Cut from the back side when you can. Take your time. It's not a race.
Second, trim your backing to the same 40" by 50". If you're using batting, trim that to match, too.
Third, layer it up. Backing face down. Batting in the middle, if you're using it. Amethyst front face up. Smooth from the center out with your hands.
Fourth, pin or clip well. Cuddle can shift a little as you sew. I pin every 4 inches or so. Slow and steady wins here.
Fifth, quilt it lightly. A few straight lines work. A gentle meander works. Or echo a large soft shape in the center. All three work — I prefer a few straight lines, about 8 to 10 inches apart, so the blanket stays drapey.
Use that walking foot. Lengthen your stitch to about 3.0 to 3.5mm. Slow down if the layers get thick, or the needle can struggle.
Sixth, trim your edges even. Then bind it, or fold the backing over for a self-binding edge. Tie off your ends clean, and smooth it flat with your hands. Never a hot iron on Cuddle.
Practical tips from my table
Shake your cut Cuddle pieces outside. Seriously. That little bit of fluff gets everywhere, and your future self will thank you.
Want options? Skip the batting for a lighter stroller blanket. Add it for a cozier floor and crib blanket. Make it in Amethyst as shown, or pair it with a quiet backing for a calmer look. Completely up to you.
Your blanket does not have to be perfect. If a quilting line wobbles a little, it wobbles. You're your own worst critic. That baby is not checking your lines. That baby is checking how soft it feels.
If I can do this, y'all can do it. I have had backings shift on me before. The fix is simple. Unpick that small section, re-pin it, and sew it again. No drama. We learn, we fix it, we move on.
This is a super duper sweet gift make, too. It sews up fast, and it looks thoughtful.
Alrighty, folks. Thanks for sewing along with me today. We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the Amethyst Solid Cuddle 3 58/60" Fabric per yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
