Ruffle Minky Blanket Tutorial

Ruffle Minky Blanket Tutorial

by Trisha Weekes of myfourtrees.com

Supplies needed:

40" of your choice of Ruffle fabric

40" of your choice of Minky fabric

1 pkg of Satin blanket binding (4  3/4 yard)

Matching thread

Temporary Spray adhesive

Stick Pins

Rotary Mat and Cutter

Notes:

Our blanket is going to be 40" squared- its a very generous size for a baby blanket. We've made it this size for a couple of reasons: 1) we only have to purchase 1 satin blanket binding package 2) not too big and not too small!

You could make it larger, however the ruffle fabric is only 54" wide and the minky is 60". If you're interested in a lap size blanket (54x54 or 54x60 or longer) you'll just need to purchase the extra yardage and satin blanket binding.

*A couple of side notes: both fabrics are polyester and wash wonderfully! Just remember NO fabric softener for the minky- it will gum up the fibers and no longer be soft!*

Steps:

1-     The first step I always do before I begin a project is to square up the edges that have been cut at the fabric store, especially if it was cut with scissors. I basically take the selvedge edges, line them up, place them on the line of the cutting mat, smooth out the fabric and make the cut edges even by trimming off the excess or uneven edges with my rotary cutter and mat. Then I cut the desired measurements, 40" square.  This will be the base for our blanket so it must be square. Remove the selvedge edges from the minky.

2- Even up the top CUT edge of the ruffle fabric (not the selvedge).  There is a natural line in the fabric to follow. Place it on the wrong side of the minky fabric (wrong sides together).  The minky has a nap to it- double check to make sure the nap is running down not up.  Also check to make sure the ruffles are running down as well.  Align the two fabrics, pin if necessary.  Leave an inch (the selvedge edge) to be trimmed off later, and begin a line of sewing.  Sew 1/4" or presser foot width, down the top side. Now you'll have an excess of 12-13" on one side.  You may trim it now, but I prefer to trim it after I've glued and sewn it to the minky.

3- Our next step is to temporarily glue the ruffle fabric to the minky.  You may need an extra set of hands for this step. (not pictured) Open up the two fabrics, seam at the top.  Lay the heavier minky fabric down on a flat surface. You should be looking at the wrong sides of both fabrics.  Spray onto the minky a 4" width line of the spray adhesive. With a temporary spray you should have time to even out any bubbles. Continue doing a line at a time until the entire ruffle fabric is glued down to the minky. You can trim off the excess fabric now or wait until  you sew all edges of the ruffle fabric to the minky. *Very important* make sure as you sew to keep the ruffles flat and going in the right direction.

4- Sew all of the edges down of the ruffle fabric to the minky, trim off the excess if you haven't done so yet.

5- Since the spray adhesive is only temporary we're going to sew some stay stitches throughout the length of the blanket. I followed the lines in the fabric.  Every 6 ruffles, I lifted the ruffle and stitched the width of the blanket. I had seven rows of stitches.  This will help to keep the fabric from shifting while being laundered or loved.

6- Our next step is to apply the 100% polyester Satin Blanket Binding. There are many tutorials online, check your manufactures website for specifics. I will not be giving the instructions here for that, maybe some other time. I did miter my corners and did a biased seam to close it up. I also top stitched the satin binding twice, because I have found that it can come off easily. Again, just make sure you keep the ruffles going in the right direction, as you sew!

I hope you have a chance to make one of these sumptuous blankets either for yourself or a lucky baby in your life.  It is sure to become a favorite. It's light and airy but adds warmth and so much beauty. Come into the store and see it in person, then browse the great selection and colors of both fabrics.