How to Make Self-Binding Baby Blankets

Make a self-binding baby blanket.

Make up a few baby blankets using self-binding. This blanket style is made from two pieces of fabric, one larger than the other, allowing you to create the self-binding. When you use two different fabric styles -- colors, plain or patterned or a flannel with microfiber, for example -- you're able to create a one-of-a-kind item. To complete this project, you need to be comfortable with machine-sewing, pinning a seam, creating a mitered corner and topstitching.

Things You'll Need

• Cutting mat
• 1-1/4 yards Plain fabric
• 1 yard Print fabric
• Straight pins
• Sewing thread
• Sewing machine
• Ruler
• Fabric-marking pencil
• Iron
• Ironing board
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Lay the cutting mat on a large, flat surface. Spread the plain fabric on the cutting mat and straighten it on all sides. Lay the patterned fabric on top of the plain fabric, leaving an equal amount of plain fabric extending from the edges of the patterned fabric – this becomes the self-binding of the blanket.

2. Mark the center of all four sides of the fabric with pins. Beginning with one side of the pieces of fabric, pin the right sides of both pieces together. To ensure the two pieces of fabric lie straight, begin pinning from the pins in the center of all four sides.

3. Look at each corner of the pinned blanket. If you pinned the larger piece to the smaller piece correctly, the outer edges of the larger fabric should begin to resemble rabbit's ears.

4. Slide the pinned fabric into the sewing machine and stitch a 1/4-inch seam from the pins in the center to a stopping point 1/4 inch from the corner of the smaller piece of fabric. Cut the threads and remove the fabric from the sewing machine. Turn the fabric and sew from the center pins to a stopping point 1/4 inch from the corner. Repeat this process for the remaining two blanket sides, but on the fourth side, keep 6 inches to 8 inches open in the center so you can turn the blanket right-side-out.

5. Spread the blanket out and smooth it flat. Check to see that the larger fabric folds over the smaller fabric. Fold the blanket diagonally so the side edges all meet. Maneuver the top half of fabric with the bottom half, making sure the stopping points meet at both ends. Make a 90-degree angle from the fold to the stop points and mark this with the fabric-marking pencil. Pin all layers of the blanket at the marking point. Carefully sew on the marking line and stop at the stopping points.

6. Trim the corner off, leaving a 1/4-inch allowance.

7. Turn the blanket through the 6-inch-to-8-inch opening. Lay it on the ironing board and press all four sides. Make sure all binding edges are the same size.

8. Pin the binding on all four sides. Topstitch all four sides, closing the 6-inch-to-8-inch opening. Cut the threads and remove the blanket from the sewing machine.

9. Position the blanket in the sewing machine so the needle is on the inside corner of the self-binding; sew from that corner diagonally to the opposite corner. Cut the threads and remove the blanket. Reposition the blanket, placing the needle on a third inside corner of the self-binding. Sew from that corner diagonally to the opposite corner. Cut the threads and remove the blanket. Cut all loose threads on the blanket.

Tips & Warnings

• Sewing the "X" on the blanket prevents the fabric from bunching up when you wash it.

• Steer clear of plaids and stripes when choosing fabrics for blankets. Pick plain fabrics and fabrics with small, repeating designs.

References

• PinkSuedeShoe.com; Monogrammed Baby Blanket With Mitered Corners; January 2010