How to Make a Flannel Chenille Baby Blanket

This flannel and chenille baby blanket is a soft and snuggly creation perfect for a baby's sensitive skin. This pattern uses two vintage chenille bedspreads in soft colors. Check your linen closet for those bedspreads of your youth, or check out tag sales, auctions or flea markets in your area. This pattern is a simple block design, with one large block in the center surrounded by smaller ones on all four sides. The entire front of the baby blanket is done using the vintage chenille bedspreads and the back is done using a complementary flannel print.

Things You'll Need

• 2 Vintage chenille bedspreads
• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• Straight pins
• Sewing machine
• Iron
• 1 1/3 yd High loft batting
• 1 1/3 yd Flannel
• Hand sewing needle and thread
• Embroidery floss
• Embroidery needle

Instructions

1. Choose the main color chenille bedspread for your baby blanket. This will be color A. Cut one piece from color A, 22 inches wide by 29 inches long. This will be the main block in the middle of the baby blanket. Cut nine pieces from color A, 8 inches square. From the other chenille bedspread (color B), cut nine pieces 8 inches square. Arrange the pieces on a flat surface with the main block in the middle, three blocks on the top and the bottom of the main block, four blocks on each side of the main block, and one block in each corner. These blocks should be arranged by alternating color A and color B all the way around the main block.

2. Sew the top row of chenille squares together, with the right sides facing and using a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Turn the row over and press the seams open. Repeat for the bottom row of chenille squares. Sew the four chenille squares on one side of the main block together with the right sides facing and using a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Turn the row over and press the seams open. Repeat for the opposite side of the main block.

3. Sew one row of four chenille squares to one side of the main block with the right sides facing and using a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Sew the other four chenille squares to the other side of the main block. Turn the blanket top over, and iron the seams open. Sew the top row of chenille squares to the top of the main block and the ends of the side squares using a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Sew the bottom row of chenille squares to the bottom of the main block and the ends of the side squares using a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Turn the baby blanket top over and iron the seams open.

4. Lay the high loft batting on your flat work surface. Lay the coordinating flannel on top of the batting with the right side up. Place the baby blanket top on top of the flannel and batting with the wrong side up. Pin the three layers together. Sew a 1/2 inch seam allowance around all four sides of the flannel and chenille baby blanket leaving a 5 inch opening along the bottom edge. Trim around the baby blanket 1/4 inch from the seam. Turn the baby blanket right side out through the 5 inch opening and press the edges. Hand sew the opening closed.

5. Thread the embroidery needle with the embroidery floss and create a stitch and a knot at each corner of the chenille squares through all three layers. Each knot should have 1 inch tails.