How to Sew a Satin Border to a Knit Blanket

A satin border adds an elegant finishing touch to any knit blanket. A satin border on a handmade knit baby blanket transforms it into a soft and cuddly blanket. A satin border on a knit throw turns it into beautiful handmade keepsake. However, sewing a satin border onto the blanket can be a little tricky, satin tends to be slippery and can easily become misaligned. It takes a little patience and a few easy steps to sew a satin border to a knit blanket.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pre-folded satin border
• Cotton thread, coordinated with the border color
• Basting thread
• Hand sewing needle
• Sewing pins
• Iron
• Mild fabric detergent
• Tape measure, ruler or yard stick
• Scissors
• Fabric chalk (optional)

1. Wash the satin border by hand in warm water with a mild detergent. Rinse and hang it to dry. This step keeps the satin from shrinking after it has been attached to the blanket. If the satin is wrinkled after it has dried, gently iron out the wrinkles using a low heat setting.

2. Measure the knit blanket's length and width. Add 4 inches to the length and 4 inches to the width. Cut the satin border strips using these measurements, two strips for the length and two strips for the length of the blanket.

3. Fold the blanket in half, lengthwise. Pin or mark with chalk the midpoint of each edge. Repeat for the width of the blanket. Fold each border strip in half and mark the mid-point of each strip.

4. Lay the blanket flat. Lay the border strips along the blanket's edges. Match the midpoints on each of the border strips to the midpoints on the blanket edges. Pin the border strips to the blanket making sure that at least ½ inch of the blanket's raw edge is tucked inside of the fold of the border strip.

5. Baste the satin border strips to the knit blanket.

6. Sew the border strips to the knit blanket using the coordinating thread, making sure that the needle goes through knit blanket and catches both edges of the satin border strip. Leave a ¼-inch seam allowance at each strip end.

7. Miter the border ends, one corner at a time. Fold back the end of one of the border strips to a 45-degree angle, tucking the raw edges inside of the strip. Repeat for the adjoining end, so that together the edges match up creating a sharp 90-degree angle. Pin the edges together. Iron or press down on the outer edges to create a crisp corner point. Sew the edges together using the coordinating border thread. Repeat the process for the remaining three corners.

Tips & Warnings

• Instead of sewing the satin border around the border, cut it into strips and make a satin fringe. Or, knit an open border around the blanket and weave the satin ribbon through the loops to create an unusual yet elegant border. You can use a sewing machine to attach the satin border using the above steps, although this is often much more difficult than hand sewing.