Ruffled Baby Blanket and Lovey Sewing Tutorial with Shannon Fabrics
SUPPLIES
I've been sewing up a storm the last week and it's been baby blanket-making heaven over here! In this tutorial, I'll teach you how to sew a baby-sized blanket with a matching lovey. I've made a set for each of my three children and they all love them, so it's about time I finally shared the tutorial! The lovey, in particular, is a favorite because the small size makes it easy to take on the go and provides a sense of security for your little one.
I've teamed up with Shannon Fabrics to provide you with this tutorial and share some of my very favorite fabrics to use when sewing for babies. There's nothing better than breathable Double Gauze, Satin and Cuddle Fabric for creating a blanket that will be loved for many years to come!
Supplies For Baby Blanket
1.5 yards Embrace Double Gauze Rose Garden or Midnight Cactus
1.5 yards Silky Solid Satin Fuschia or Mint
1.5 yards Lux Cuddle Rose Paris Pink or Cuddle Dimple Solid
Needle & Thread
Sewing Machine
This tutorial will create a baby-sized blanket that measures approximately 34" by 48" and a lovey that measures 11" by 11".
Cutting Chart
Blanket
Cut the Double Gauze and Cuddle for the blanket 36" x 48"
Cut five strips of Satin fabric 4 inches wide by the width (58") of the fabric.
Lovey
Cut the Double Gauze and Cuddle Fabric 12" x 12".
Cut two strips of Satin 4" wide by 36" wide. (Pro Tip* Cut the strips using a pinking blade to prevent unraveling during ruffling.
The following instructions will show photos of the Lovey being sewn together. The same instructions apply to both the Lovey and the Blanket.
Sew the short raw edges of the satin with right sides together until all ends have been sewn together creating a large circular piece of fabric.
Press all seams open.
Fold the ruffle in half. Set the stitch length to the longest length and run two rows of basting stitches along the raw edge of the satin ruffle.
The basting stitch is a temporary stitch that will be used to gather the fabric. Sew the set of basting stitches 1/4 inch from the raw edge and 1/2 inch from the raw edge. Make sure the beginning and the end of the length of the basting stitch overlaps slightly leaving a 1/8 inch space in between them.
You may find it helpful to use a walking foot when sewing with these fabrics as they tend to shift during sewing. Make sure to use plenty of pins, because satin loves to wiggle!
Divide the Satin ruffle into quarters and mark the quarters with a fabric pen. This will make it easier to gather each side to the correct length and evenly distribute the fullness.
Once you have sewn two separate rows of basting stitches pull on the top two threads to begin to gather. If you are new to gathering refer to the video for an example.
Gather the fabric until it begins to resemble the size of the Double Gauze. Evenly distribute the gathers and begin pinning the ruffle to the fabric.
On the corners of the Lovey curve the ruffle fabric.
Press the ruffles with a small amount of steam so they will lay flat. You don't want any of the ruffles getting caught in a seam during the sewing process.
Lay the Cuddle fabric on top of the Double Gauze and ruffle with right sides together.
Pin all three layers together using plenty of pins. If you have a walking foot make sure to use it!
Sew all of the layers together with a 1/2" seam allowance leaving a 3" ( 6" for the blanket) opening for turning. Sew the ruffle to the double gauze along the opening but leave the Cuddle fabric unsewn.
As you are sewing you can lift the Cuddle fabric to make sure that the ruffle is laying flat before sewing over them.
When you reach the corner of the blanket, sew a curve instead of a straight point.
Clip the points off of the four corners.
Remove all of the pins and turn the Lovey right side out.
Hand sew or glue the opening closed.
Use an Iron with plenty of steam to press the seam allowances.
Repeat this process to create a matching blanket!
Do you love sewing for babies? Me too!! Check out these posts for even more adorable baby sewing projects and free patterns!
Free Baby Hat, Burp Cloth and Bandana Bib
Aren't these blankets just the sweetest? I seriously love them and so do my kids!
You can create a Double Gauze blanket like the one below by omitting the ruffle and adding two extra layers of Double Gauze. It's perfect for the summer time and it gets softer with each wash!
I can't wait to see what you make with this tutorial! Make sure to find me on Instagram and share what you made!
Thanks again to Shannon Fabrics for sending all of these lovely fabrics!
Do the ends of the ruffle overlap or just meet each other?? I never know how to end the ruffle.
It looks like you see the ruffle fabric in a complete circle before gathering to the ruffle and sewing to the blanket. That leads me to believe the ruffle won’t have a start and stop point. It’s a continuous circle.
Hello, Is there a print version of the ruffled baby blanket?
Does this need any type of quilting or ties to keep the two layers of fabric from shifting? Or does it not shift? Thanks! Can't wait to make these!
Am I completely missing something? I didn’t see where you worked on the lovey at all until the last frame where it said turn it inside out. What am I not seeing ?
She was working on the lovely not the blanket. She said do the same thing for the blanket. Hope that helps you.
Where is the video for “gathering”
Can’t wait to make this! Thanks for sharing your pattern and talent with all of us. Could you use flannel instead of gauze fabric?
Can you use cotton and flannel instead of gauze fabric?
Karla, yes, you definitely can!
I love this so much, seems so simple! Once I am done making one for my niece I'd love to make one for myself! I am new to sewing - would you be able to share the dimensions for an "adult" size blanket?
I was looking for the suggested cuddle dimple solid minky fabric.and saw a Shannon minky dimple cuddle baby pink fabric or is it a different specific color? I saw the cuddle rose but wasn't sure if it would be heavier than I wanted.
Hello! I have been looking for a blanket pattern for my niece who is expecting - this looks perfect! Is there a printed version that you could share, so I don't have to keep looking it up on the computer?
Thank you!
Kathy
There were so many ads that every picture in the post was covered with an ad. Couldn’t even see them! Ridiculous! I’d love to actually use this tutorial but with the level of ads I won’t be able to. Maybe you should change up your ad settings.