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Just the other day I was ruminating about blogging’s place in the world and mentioned that a new blog is created every second of every day…The truth of the matter is that some blogs end as quickly as they begin, BUT for those that stay connected? There is influence. Real influence.
Every day bloggers are working to harness their communities and readers to make a measurable impact on people’s lives. The influence rarely come in the form of Oreo stuffed brownies dipped in caramel and lightly salted, but in projects dedicated to social good. You know, projects of the heart.
Blogging for good is the cornerstone of any single blogger’s brand. I’d love to hear your impressions of blogging for good and if you have a favorite cause you’d love bloggers to support down in the comments…
Luke’s Loves
Now personally, I am not sure that I’ve really found my cause. Fortunately, there are so many others who have, like my friend Kim. Earlier this fall, she challenged me to participate in Luke’s Loves Blanket Drive for Project Linus.
Luke’s Loves and Project Linus donate handmade blankets to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need. The blanket helps to provide a sense of security and comfort during a difficult time.
30-Minute Star Wars Snuggle Blanket Tutorial
Kim didn’t realize that Luke’s Loves was truly a challenge for me. While I sew, I don’t think I have ever shared a sewing tutorial on the blog. I am a little free form and I don’t sew by the rules. Yikes!
If you can stomach it, stick with me and I will show you how ANYONE can make a snuggle blanket.
These blankets are absolutely, 100% perfect to make as baby gifts, or you can do what I did and make a few for your tweens and teens.
I selected a trio of Star Wars novelty prints for my boys snuggle blankets. With Star Wars: The Force Awakens debuting in just over a month, we’re busy planning a Star Wars viewing party to re-watch all six of the proceeding shows. FOR SURE each kid needs a themed blanket to snuggle up in.
The directions I am providing are for a blanket sized 41×41, but I have used these same steps to create a larger 40×60 many times as well.
Prepping For Your Blanket
Here are the supplies you will need for this project:
- 1.25 yards lightweight flannel or cotton print (I love to use novelty prints!)
- 1.25 yards of minky, furry snuggle fabric
- Thread
- Sewing basics: sewing machine, self-healing mat, scissors/rotary cutter, pins, etc.
Wash and dry your fabric – essential to making sure that end product really comes out right!
Once it’s clean, be sure to iron your print fabric so it’s nice and smooth.
Square up your print fabric and remove selvage. When working with cotton, I love to simply snip and tear. You’re left a nice straight edge to work with.
Getting Ready to Sew
Since I like to use a rotary cutter for a nice clean edge, I work off of a self healing mat. I love my Fiskars mat. Not only is it a lighter color so fabric stands out better, it’s double sided (yellow on one side, pale green on the other). I use the yellow side for fabric and the green side for crafting.
Lay your snuggle fabric down, right side up and place your print fabric right side down. It’s a fabric sandwich.
Trim your snuggle fabric down to match your squared print.
I trimmed off large excess with my favorite scissors (If you’ve followed me for long, you’ve seen them in a zillion posts.)
Pin all the way around the blanket at three inch intervals. For this project, make sure you use pins with a nice, large colored head pins so they don’t get buried in your snuggle fabric.
Sewing Your Blanket
Sew around the edge of your blanket with a half inch seam. Backstitch and leave a three to four inch opening at the bottom so you can turn your blanket.
Turn your blanket and push out all four corners. I like to use a pencil (or something similar) to ensure I get a nice square corner.
Smooth the edges and iron flat. Top stitch all the way around the edge of the blanket with a quarter inch seam. Be sure to close off the opening at the bottom of your blanket completely.
You’re done! It’s time for snuggles and some serious Star Wars viewing.
All told this snuggle blanket project takes about 30-minutes.
I’d like to be more specific, but with all five of the blankets I turned out this time around I didn’t manage to complete a single one in the exact same amount of time. There were the pins I spilled all over the floor, the child who wanted to make a pouch for his legos desperately, the dinner that needed to be made…You get the picture. The average time? 30 minutes.
I’ve given you a blanket project you can make and donate to a worthy cause (and/or prep for your own Star Wars viewing party) in just 30 minutes. Can I challenge you to do just that?
Kim has been sharing blankets made by bloggers for several weeks now. Be sure to pop over to her site to check them all out and learn how you can donate to Luke’s Loves and/or Project Linus. It’s such a worthwhile project!
No time to create a blanket? I’d love to hear what sort of service you do have planned for the holiday season. Leave me a comment and share your fun!
These are awesome. I showed them to my boys, and you inspired me and THEM to want to sew a “cool” blanket to donate. I’m not much of a fabric sewer, so your tutorial is perfect for me to follow. Ha! Thanks for the tutorial and for inspiring my boys (and me) to do some good!
Aimee, This is the nicest comment ever. These blankets really are easy to make. My 12-year-old actually did all of the work on one of the blankets. It’s a project that is that simple!
I’ve thought of you sooo often over the last two months. What an adventure you’re on…I hope everything is going well and you’re having a fantastic time.
xo
What a great project! (My kids LOVE Star Wars!) and a great cause!!! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Kristie. I feel like I might love Star Wars as much if not more than my boys…What can I say, I wanted to be Princess Leia for Halloween every year. Shush. Don’t tell.
I appreciate your leaving a comment. They’re often hard to come by so I value every single one! xoxo
How do you keep your minky from bunching up at the very end? My youngest is a huge fan of minky and I love to make him snuggly blankets & such. He doesn’t care if it is slightly less than perfect. I do if it is going to be a gift for someone else.
These turned out super cute and I love the Star Wars fabric!
Hmmm. I am not sure I know what you mean. I didn’t have a problem with bunching. I do think a lot of issues are resolved in the preparation. I was super careful about pinning my fabric sandwich together and then made sure things were lining up as I sewed around the edge. Maybe I am totally going off in the wrong direction on this one??? Tell me a bit more about what you’re talking about and I will try to help!
I am with you though, my kids don’t mind the imperfections…they know it’s made with love.
Thanks for taking the time to comment. xo Tauni
I make mine with quilt batting sandwiched on the backside of the printed fabric. I learned from another gal you take the corners and round them with scissors before you turn it right side and stitch up the bottom opening. I also take yarn and time my blanket like a quilt . I look at the pattern and gauge where to place the yarn and I tie it in a knot twice and then trim to one inch .
tie the yarn like a quilt not time , sorry I stitch the bottom by hand using a blanket stitch
Thanks Linda! Yes. Great tip on the corners…It’s something I do without even thinking about it and it makes a huge difference when you’re turning the blanket.
I have also tied this style blanket with yearn in the past. It looks super cute! Thanks for sharing so others can try it out too! xo Tauni
These are as cute as they can be! What is the finished size?
Hi Sherry, using a 1.25 yards you get about a 41×41 inch blanket. You can easily scale up if you wanted to do 40×60 or something.
Hello- I am so sorry for the loss of Luke . What a great way to honor him by sharing these blankets ! I am very sure you have brought lots of warmth & love to many children with these blankets! What a nice thing to do & perhaps by Jennifer sharing this post maybe more children will receive the kindness & warmth from folks sewing them up & giving them out! Thanks for your kindness & the share of your story! God Bless you & all children with this need of a snuggle blanket!
Thanks Judy! Such kind words. Isn’t it amazing what we can do when we all band together and work for a common good?! xo Tauni
Tauni. Words can express how grateful I am for all you have done for Lukes loves! You are so fantastic! I love this blanket tutorial…and I love you!!!
Kim, I don’t know that I’ve done much, but I am sure glad to be asked to participate. You’re the best! P.S. I sent delivered three blankets to our local organization. I don’t know if you count them in the total or not, but thought I would let you know. xo
If you sew with the minky side DOWN, you should have less bunching/puckering.
Hi! Love your blanket! Have always wanted to make one. Now I think I’ll try. One question. Do you have to tack the two fabrics together throughout the blanket like a traditional quilt?
Hi Jennifer, You can take the two fabrics together if you want to, but with these blankets (especially the smaller size like I’ve showcased) it’s not necessary. xo Tauni
Good morning 🙂 I stumbled across this tutorial and I want to make them for my three boys. Can you suggest how much fabric to purchase for the 40×60 blankets? Thank you!
Hey Meg, it depends on the type of fabric you purchase. For instance, the snuggly soft fabric I used to back my blankets was already 60 inches wide, so I wouldn’t have had to buy more of that…Check the width of the fabric you like in the store and then you will want to quickly do the math and determine how much to purchase! xo Tauni
Well I just came across this tutorial while im stuck here in hospital day 7 trying to find an easy way make my boy a queen size blanket but had a question how would i keep it from bunching i need something easy since hes an autistic child i strugle with him folding his blankets shoyld i do extra clear stiching thru middle? Or is there something special to stick 2 sheets together please help thank you
Anabel, I haven’t had any trouble with bunching, but if you were worried you could stitch through the center as you mentioned. Good luck! Tauni
You could also try iron on interfacing!
Hi Tauni! I am wanted to make blankets for all my family members for Christmas, but I’m wondering if you could help me know how much fabric I need to buy for an adult sized blanket… around 6 feet long…or big enough for adults. Thank you!
Hey Lydia, Fabric typically comes in 45″ + 60″ widths, so you would want to look for a fabric that is 60″ wide. You can then order whatever length (yards) you’d like. To make a standard size blanket – like twin sized – you’d need to piece together fabric. Hope that helps! xo Tauni
Wanting not wanted…oops
I love these. Thank you so much for providing an easy tutorial. My son wanted a Star Wars blanket and I had purchased some ultra soft gray fabric and the exact blue and white box Star Wars fabric in the middle blanket above. Can I ask what color of thread you used? Especially for the top stitch. Thank you 🙂
Hey Desiree, Thanks for stopping by. I am excited to see how your blanket turns out. I used a gray thread that matched the backing. I thought it faded into the background and wasn’t too noticeable. xo Tauni
Thank you so much, Tauni! I’m sewing it as we speak. Can’t wait 🙂