Are you looking for an easy to make baby gift? This diy mitered corners baby blanket is a fun sewing project that only takes a little over 30 minutes to whip up. The contrasting binding and the crisp mitered corners really add charm to this cozy flannel receiving blanket.
Don’t let the mitered corners intimidate you. This baby blanket really is a snap to sew up. I love mixing and matching different flannel colors and prints. Once you sew one up, you will want to make more.
If you are a visual learner and would enjoy a video tutorial, I have filmed the process and offer it for FREE on my youtube station.
To make a 34” square blanket you will need:
- One 30” square of flannel (front)
- One 40” square of flannel (back and binding)
- Sewing machine
- Scissors/Rotary Cutter and mat/Ruler (optional)
- Pins
1- Prepare Fabric
- The question I always come to when making up a baby blanket is: Do I pre-wash the fabric or not? Here is a good article that states the pros and cons of pre-washing fabric. What do you do? If I am making it for a gift, I usually don’t pre-wash. It just looks like it has been used when it has been pre-washed. It doesn’t have that crispness and sharp color. However, you take a risk of the two fabrics not shrinking equally and causing the blanket to distort a little after washing. There usually isn’t a problem with good quality flannels, but I have had it happen.
- Remove the selvage edge of your fabric pieces. (Finished edge, that sometimes has print on it)
- Mark the selvage edges with a safety pin.
2- Cutting Out
- Decide which fabric you want to be the back and border piece. Cut it to be 40″ square.
- Cut the front piece to be 30″ square.
3- Align and Pin
- Fold the ends of each side together and mark center point with a pin.
- Locate the selvage edges on both pieces. (the side with the safety pin)
- Place selvage edges Right Sides Together (RST)
- Line up center points and pin together. (ya, ya I know you are thinking…How is this going to come together?) Trust me, it will.
- Make sure that the excess fabric has the same measurement on each side.
3- Create Stop Points
- Take the top piece and measure 1/4 inch from each edge at the corners and mark with a pencil or pin. Do this for all four corners of the front piece.
- Using a 1/4 inch seam allowance, sew from stop point to stop point. Do not sew past that point. It is real important to sew right up to this point but not any further.
- Do the same thing on the other side, directly across. (remember that there is going to be excess fabric) Line up center points.
- Pin in place and sew from stop point to stop point.
4- Sewing Seams
- Flip the blanket and align the remaining edges together, matching center points. Yep, the corners will seem weird at this point, no worries.
- Leave a space about 6 inches open on one of the side seams. (This is where you will turn the blanket inside out)
- This is what the corners will look like at this point.
5- Miter Corners
- Holding the corner, fold the blanket so the two seam edges meet.
- Mark a 90° angle from the FABRIC FOLD to the stop point. You can use a simple piece of paper to get the right angle. Just make sure the bottom of the paper edge is along the folded edge, not the seam edge.
- Mark a line with a pencil.
- The photo below is the WRONG way to mark the corners. The right angle needs to be lined up with the fabric fold.
- Sew along the pencil line, back stitching at the beginning and end of seams.
- Trim seam allowance to 1/4 inch.
- Repeat these steps for all four corners.
Press and Turn
- Lay the blanket out flat with the small piece on top. (notice that the back panel folds over the front) Isn’t this the coolest thing ever!
- Before you turn the blanket inside out, press the seams toward the outside.
- Turn the blanket inside out through the gap you left in the seam.
- Poke the corners out using a point turner or pen with a lid on.
Finishing
- Lay the baby blanket flat so the border is equal width on all sides.
- Press in place, making sure the seam allowance is folded toward to blanket edge.
- Pin around the blanket especially where you left the hole.
- Top stitch around the blanket close to the seam edge.
You can use all kinds of different decorative stitches if you want to dress it up a little.
This baby blanket makes wonderful baby shower gifts. Throw in a upcycled jingle ball and you have a baby gift that is easily handmade and from the heart.
Have fun sewing!
Jan Howell
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Jan Howell
Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.
