Simple Baby Blanket - Made in a Day

A couple of weeks ago I showed you my baby blanket project in process.  This was a simple panel of fabric with the sweet animal designs by Sheri McCulley.  Sheri has designed several Cricut cartridges (Nursery Tales, Snow Angel, Christmas Wish, Nate's ABCs, Kate's ABCs, Savory) and also has designs available through Lettering Delights.  This panel is from the Woodland Tails collection from manufacturer Riley Blake Designs.

I chose the easiest way to make the blanket - it isn't really a quilt because there are only two layers.  For the back I used the wonderful soft "Minky" fabric with an embossed paisley design.  I also purchased the coordinating stripe from the Woodland Tails collection to use for the binding.  If you've never felt the Minky fabric, you should try to find some to see just how silky and soft it is.  The perfect cuddling fabric for a baby!

I measure the panel and trimmed the Minky to the same size.  Then I used quilt basting spray on the back of the panel.  I was at my sister's house and we spread out a plastic tarp on the patio to keep the panel clean.  I let the panel dry for a few minutes, and then it was time to line up the two pieces.  This is a job best done by two (or more) people.

I cut strips of striped fabric at 2 1/2 inches and joined the lengths by placing the right sides at 90 degree angle and sewing along the diagonal.  Then I trimmed away the excess fabric and press the seams open.  This strip was then folded in half, wrong sides together, to make the binding.

I machined sewed the folded binding to the top panel, taking care to keep the lines straight so a small border of orange would show around the edge.  I mitered the corners so the binding would roll smoothly to the back.

Then I turned the binding, pressed and pinned it, and hand sewed the binding to the Minky fabric on the back.

I tied the two layers together with embroidery floss, following the natural lines of the design of the panel.

The panel has lots of cute little animals and my plan was to make a card to match.  I still haven't made the card but I did send the blanket to Virginia with my sister and her husband when they went to help just before the new baby arrived.

I was able to finish the blanket in one day - much less time consuming than making a pieced quilt top and then quilting by hand or machine.  This was the only way I would be finished in time for the arrival of my first great niece!

I have to share these beautiful photos of the newest member of our extended family that were taken this week.  Here she is with her two big brothers.

Just look at those beautiful big eyes.  What a sweet little girl!

I was very impressed by the photographer that my niece used.  Her name is Audra Simsic of Simple Soul Photography and she works in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia.  I can't wait to see the rest of the photos from their session.

I hope you have a lovely weekend.  It looks like it will be sunny but chilly here.  My Dad was discharged from the hospital yesterday and is in the rehab area of his retirement community while he recovers and builds up his strength.  Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers.


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