Here in Hamilton, Missouri, the first hints of fall weather are upon us, and we know winter weather will be here soon. Short days and long nights can be chilly, and there is nothing better than curling up with a cup of hot cocoa and a warm blanket.
One of the best ways to add some snuggle to your fall and winter days is with fleece, and Missouri Star Quilt Co. has a wide selection of solids, prints and licensed designs that will warm you up in no time!
With so many fun designs, there is something for everyone! Check out our full array and patterns for using this fuzzy material HERE (pajama pants, need we say more?!)!
Perhaps the most popular way to get your fleece fix is by creating a No Sew Fleece Blanket. When we want a quick break from the sewing project we’re working on, this blanket is a fan favorite here at Missouri Star! It is a fantastic way to make a quick and easy gift, and a fun project to make with your children or grandchildren.
We have such a great time making these blankets that we wanted to share some quick tips on how to make one…or a dozen! If you would like to see how Jenny Doan makes her no sew fleece blankets, check out her tutorial HERE.
Here’s what you’ll need to make a blanket like ours:
Supplies Needed:
Optional:
Easy No Sew DIY Fleece Blanket
Step 1: Find your Fleece: To create a throw-size blanket, you will need two yards of two different fleeces. We suggest using a fun pattern for one side, and a coordinating solid on the back. The options are endless, so mix and match to find the combination you are looking for!
Step 2: Put fleece together, right sides facing out. You’ll know which way the right side is for a print, but if you are ever confused, fleece has a bit of a nap to it, so when using a solid, make sure the fuzzy, slightly textured side is the side you’ll be snuggling up to.
Step 3: If your two pieces of fleece aren’t exactly the same size, now is the time to square them up if you would like, and don’t worry if they aren’t perfect…we think that finished is better anyway. 🙂
Step 4: Cut out the corners. Our first cut is at the corner. For this example, we wanted to make our fringe 5 inches long, so we cut a 5-inch square out on each of the corners. (Tip: Jenny suggested we use the cardboard square from a charm pack as a template for this step, and it works wonderfully!)
Step 5: Cut the fringe. After cutting out the four corners, we cut the fringe using the Fringe Cut Express template to ensure our fringe was uniform around the edges. Our fringe was 5 inches long, but you can definitely make yours a little longer or shorter if you like!
Step 6: All knotted up! Once all 4 sides are completely cut out, it is time to start tying some knots! We discovered that there are a couple of ways to tie the edges that give each a different look.
Option 1 Balloon Style Knot:
1. Keep both pieces of fringe together (print on top of solid).
2. Place index and middle finger of your left hand at the base of the fringe.
3. Wrap tail of fringe around the two fingers, looping the tail over the top like you are tying a balloon.
4. Bring the tails through the loop, keeping the print side (or whichever you would like) facing up.
5. Secure the knot, and position it closer to the blanket.
Option 2 Shoe Lace Style Knot:
1. Take one piece of fringe in each hand.
2. Cross the pieces of fringe and make a knot like you would if you were beginning to tie shoelaces.
3. With the solid fleece crossed under the print, bring the print fleece (or whichever you would like on top) up through the solid loop.
4. Secure the knot, tightening as necessary.
Once you’ve tied your last knot, your DIY No-Sew Fleece Blanket is ready to be enjoyed! We recommend it for keeping you cozy under Friday night football lights, snuggling up with it with a good book and/or an extra layer of warmth when you are enjoying a fall bonfire.
Missouri Star Quilt Co. has fleece for the entire family, fur babies included! Be sure to check out all of the fleece offerings HERE, and once you’ve made your No Sew DIY Fleece Blanket, share it with us on Instagram and Facebook using #msqcshowandtell!
