Monday, April 15, 2013

Sewing Reveal: Hand Cut Chenille Blanket



Ta da! Just finished this hand-cut chenille blanket for Baby D last weekend and it was a big hit with the parents-to-be at their baby shower.  Surprisingly, it only took about 3 and a half days to make.  I just adore the blanket's bright colors!

Here's the hand cut chenille baby blanket I made previously; both are based on the fabulous tutorial found over at Aesthetic Nest.  Be sure to take a look at the Flicker Group photos for inspiration.  One blanket added tiny pom pom trim around the binding.



Based on the registry, I knew the baby girl's bedding was going to be green and blue.  Hopefully it coordinates with her room, but regardless, I imagine Baby D will use this more as a play mat or stroller cover than anything else.

On the close up photo of the faux chenille side, you can see the layers of flannel material that are cut to create the super soft rows of wavy chenille.  It really is a cozy blanket.  The hubs even asked if it were possible to make an extra large blanket for him.




Baby Chenille Blanket Shopping List
◊ 1.5 yards of each fabric x 6 layers.  My finished blanket measured around 40" x 50"
◊ Two packages of 0.875 inch double fold quilt binding that were 3 yds each. (Next time make my own!)
◊ Matching thread - the chenille channels use a ton of thread.  I used a natural color thread for the top printed fabric and pink in my bobbin for the chenille side (green would have been the norm, but I was in a playful mood and I already had pink at home).
And get this, I completely forgot about needing teal thread for the binding BUT it turns out the thread I used for my split shower curtains was a perfect match!  Sometimes it pays to be forgetful.




The blanket's fabric in order:

1) Top printed paisley
2) Hot pink broadcloth 
3) Pastel pink flannel
4) Printed pink flannel w/ green butterflies (on sale!)
5) Printed green flannel w/white print (on sale!)
6) Solid green flannel 


Then I only cut the layers of flannel into the chenille rows, leaving the print and super bright pink.  I was a little nervous about using the pink with green butterflies, wondering if it would blend into the background enough.  I think it worked out great on this blanket - and at just $3/yd - can't beat it.
The bright pink fabric on the bottom of the stack is a broadcloth cotton/poly fabric that I used as a "backing" of sorts to pop behind the chenille rows.  Since I used the solid green flannel as the top most layer to make the chenille, I knew it would appear most prominently so I thought a high contract color like candy pink would look nice.  Plus the extra layer gives the blanket a little more heft since the top fabric is just your average light weight quilter's cotton.

This blanket was so fun to make - I'm already thinking about making the next one!  



4 comments:

  1. Hi, I'm a follower of Asthetic Nest and I have made a few of these blankets. I have never done the backing cloth, does that make a big difference, I can see how it would help with color. I love your choice of fabrics!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Lisa! I haven't actually made the chenille blanket with just a quilter's cotton so I can't compare any differences. I was motivated to use a backing when I flipped over my main fabric and saw the pattern weakly showing through halfway. It just wasn't pretty. And the extra backing seemed like a good way to add more color on the back and hide the very blah backside of the main fabric. Since it doesn't add much to the total cost, I'll be using a backing fabric on future chenille blankets from now.
      Thanks for stopping by!

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  2. Your choice of backing fabric goes well with the pattern on the front. I love the binding colour, as well. And what a great idea to add the extra layer of fabric directly behind the top layer.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for your comments Willit Neverend (cute user name!)! Picking out fabrics is always so much fun for me.

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