DIY: Cozy baby blanket in under an hour.

I'm kicking it into full gear as far as baby crafting goes. This little project couldn't be easier, even for beginning seamstresses, and I love how it turned out. Fresh, modern, but so useful. 

Once you've pre-washed and dried the fabrics (quilting cotton and chenille), you can easily make this baby blanket in under an hour. The finished size is approximately 34" x 41". 

Supplies: 
1 yard cotton quilting fabric*
1 yard coordinating chenille fabric**
Sewing machine
Scissors
Thread
Sewing pins
Iron & ironing board
Rotary mat, cutter, and ruler (optional)

*The cotton quilting fabric I used is called Desert Blanket in Desert from the Arizona line by April Rhodes. I absolutely love the entire line - so current, delicious colors, and mostly gender neutral.
** I purchased the cream chenille fabric from Joann Fabrics.

Instructions:
1. Wash and dry both fabrics, according to manufacturer instructions, which can be found on the end of the fabric bolt.
2. Iron the quilting cotton and trim the fabric down to 35" x 42". I used a rotary mat and cutter which makes things quick and precise, but you can also measure and cut using a ruler and scissors.
3. Lay your trimmed quilting fabric on top of the chenille fabric, straightening and smoothing as much as possible.

 4. Trim the chenille fabric all the way around the quilting fabric to create two equally sized pieces.

 5. Place fabrics right sides together and pin all the way around, trying not to stretch the chenille fabric as you go.

 6. Using a 1/2" seam allowance, sew the two fabrics together all the way around, leaving a 6-inch opening on one side to turn the blanket right side out. It's important to use the quilting fabric as your guide for sewing as the chenille is much stretchier and shifts around easily.

 7. Turn the blanket right side out and, if needed, use a warm iron to press the quilting cotton. (Do not iron chenille.) Using a 1/4" or 3/8" seam allowance, topstitch all the way around the four sides of the blanket, making sure to enclose the 6" opening you left to turn the blanket.

8. Trim your threads and enjoy! The blanket is machine washable.

I wish I had a newborn baby to model this blanket, but I will have to wait until January for that.