How to Make a Photo Blanket

Photo blankets are wonderful gifts for anniversaries, Mother's Day, graduations or any holiday that celebrates love and achievement. Using T-shirt transfer paper makes the whole process simple, and this paper can be purchased where ever computer supplies are sold. This photo blanket is easy enough to assemble that even someone new to sewing will have good results. Get family members involved with picking out pictures, scanning them and putting it all together to make your photo blanket a true family heirloom.

Things You'll Need

• 4 1/2 yards, 54-inch wide unbleached muslin
• Quilt batting
• T-shirt transfer paper
• Photos
• Computer, scanner and printer
• Sewing machine
• Iron
• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• Straight pins

Instructions

1. Cut a 48" x 72" piece of unbleached muslin for the top of the blanket. Iron the muslin to remove any wrinkles or creases. Lay the muslin out on a flat surface.

2. Scan and crop all your photos to the desired size. Be sure to flip to a mirror image. The photos will be arranged like a collage, so an assortment of sizes can be used.

3. Print the photos using the T-shirt transfer paper. Follow the manufacturers instructions on the T-shirt transfer paper package. Cut out the printed photos and arrange them on the unbleached muslin blanket top to determine placement. Leave a 2" margin around the edge.

4. Iron the photos to the muslin blanket top according to the manufacturer's instructions on the T-shirt transfer paper package.

5. Cut a piece of unbleached muslin 2 inches larger than the photo blanket top on all four sides. This will be the backing for the photo blanket. Iron the muslin backing to remove any wrinkles or creases. Lay the muslin on a flat surface.

6. Cut a piece of quilt batting 48" x 72". This is the same size as the photo blanket top.

7. Center the batting on top of the muslin backing. Place the photo blanket top on the batting, matching the edges.

8. Fold the edges of the muslin backing over an inch. Fold the remaining inch over the edge of the photo blanket front and pin to create the binding. Miter fold the corners for a crisp turn.

9. Top stitch the binding to the photo blanket. This is the only sewing involved in this project.

Tips & Warnings

• You can cut and piece muslin blocks for your photo blanket, creating a quilt pattern. Attach a photo to each block. Use a novelty or complimentary fabric for the backing of the photo blanket.