The Blipper Blanket

MSQC New Tutorial on the Blog!

Learn to make this fun fleece blanket, that is sure to keep those toes warm!

We’re living in 2018, folks.  I must admit, I always expected it to be a bit more…futuristic. You know, flying cars, robot housekeepers, vacation homes on Mars. That kind of stuff. But even though you won’t be traveling to work by jetpack any time soon, you CAN snuggle your blankie allllll the way up to your chin without leaving your feet out in the cold, and THAT’s an invention that’ll change lives!

 

Jenny shows a unique way to create a fleece blanket that will always keep your feet warm!

The Blipper is a super soft fleece blanket with a pocket for your feet. (Blanket + slipper = Blipper. So clever!) Click HERE to shop our fleece selection and get started on your Blipper; you’ll never have chilly toes again!

Watch the Latest Tutorial from Missouri Star Quilt Co!

Easy No Sew DIY Fleece Blanket

Easy No Sew DIY Fleece Blanket

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:

Supplies for No Sew Fleece Blanket

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!)

DIY No Sew Fleece Blanket

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!

Make a DIY No Sew Fleece Blanket

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!

 

Tutorial Reboot — The Oversized X’s & O’s Quilt

Revisited Quilting Tutorials from Missouri Star Quilt Co

When it comes to quilting, we like to think that Jenny Doan is the go-to guru for quick and easy quilting with precuts! Sometimes it’s hard to keep track of all the amazing inspiration that comes from her tutorials each week, which is why we’ve brought you the Tutorial Reboot series on the first Monday of every month, so we can revisit some of our favorite tutorials from the past!

This month we’re taking a new look at the X’s and O’s Quilt. This is a tutorial that was first released five years ago, but it is a simple block that serves as a beautiful foundation for some of our favorite quilt patterns.

Make an Oversized X's and O's Quilt with Shannon Cuddle!

Here’s a list of everything you need to make this version of the X’s and O’s quilt.

There’s no fabric cozier and more forgiving than Shannon Cuddle fabric and since we’re getting into the season of holiday gift-giving, I thought it would be the perfect choice for this oversized X’s and O’s pattern. All you need to do is follow Jenny’s original tutorial, but instead of using 5″ squares and 2.5″ square snowballs, use 10″ squares with 5″ squares to snowball the corners. Since Cuddle isn’t as stiff as quilting cotton, the larger squares will be easier to handle.

You can find some excellent tips on working with Shannon Cuddle HERE. The walking foot is extremely helpful with this project and make sure to lengthen your stitch to 3-3.5mm. The finished size of this quilt is approximately 54×54 inches (I used a .5″ seam allowance). I chose to leave out the black pieces in the precut set, since I had 40 squares and only needed 36 to create the quilt top.

I decided to have this quilt machine quilted using Missouri Star’s Machine Quilting Services and I am so glad that I did! I just love how it turned out (I chose a Simple Stipple quilting pattern)! If you want to add a little bit of extra weight to the quilt, you can use batting, but you actually don’t have to use batting when you’re working Cuddle.

Make an Oversized X's and O's Quilt with Shannon Cuddle!

When it comes to binding with Cuddle, you may not know that Jenny has a tutorial that tells you everything you need to know!

Instead of the typical 2.5″ strips for binding, you only need your strips to be 1.75″ – 2″ when you’re working with Cuddle! (Side note: I LOVE using Wonder Clips when I’m doing binding! They’re so much easier to handle than pins)

Make an Oversized X's and O's Quilt with Shannon Cuddle!

I used the serpentine stitch for my binding, just as Jenny recommends in the tutorial. Cuddle fabric really is very forgiving, so you can’t even tell what color the thread is. It just creates a fun finished edge!

Make an Oversized X's and O's Quilt with Shannon Cuddle!

The result is an extremely cozy Cuddle quilt, which is a perfect gift for the holidays! I love the colors in this particular precut because they’re just perfect for the men in your life!

Make an Oversized X's and O's Quilt with Shannon Cuddle!

Whether you use Cuddle or your favorite quilting cotton prints, I hope you’ll give this Oversized X’s and O’s Quilt pattern a try! It comes together so quickly and the result is just beautiful!

Happy quilting!

“Cuddle” Up This Fall with Shannon Cuddle + Giveaway!

Cuddle Cloth from Shannon Fabrics at Missouri Star Quilt Co!

Don’t you just love Fall weather? You get to cuddle up in quilts, wear scarves and sweaters to stay cozy, but it’s not freezing cold like Winter! One of our favorite things to cuddle up in this time of year at Missouri Star Quilt Co. is Shannon Cuddle. It’s some of the softest, cuddliest, plushest stuff you’ll ever touch (it’s like wrapping up in a cloud of goodness)!

Over the years Jenny has used Cuddle for a number of projects, and she always uses it as the backing for her grandchildren’s quilts because they love it so much. Check out some of her projects below that would be great to make this Fall!

It doesn’t get much softer than this Cuddly Pillow Quilt! To make the same size quilt as Jenny, you’ll need 8 Shannon Cuddle Charm Packs and there are some darling ones to choose from! Wouldn’t a smaller version of this make a darling seat/floor cushion as well? So many ideas!

Shannon Cuddle Charm Packs at Missouri Star Quilt Co!

Aren’t these hues so cute? Shop all Shannon Fabrics Cuddle Precuts HERE.

Minky Infinity Scarf Kits at Missouri Star Quilt Co.

Let me assure you that Cuddle is not just for kids! If you’re a fan of scarves, you’ll love these cozy Shannon Cuddle Scarf Kits! They make quick and easy gifts that everyone is sure to love! Jenny even has a tutorial walking you through how to make this simple project. Watch it HERE. These scarves come in several cute colors and prints. Browse them all HERE.

Easy Projects Using Cuddle Cloth at Missouri Star Quilt Co!

Need a quick, easy and cuddly baby blanket (or increase the size and make one for yourself!)? This simple method will have you in awe. Click HERE to watch how easy it is and to snag up some of that darling Cuddle that Jenny used!

If you’re looking for a beautiful, cuddly quilt project yourself, then look no further! Shannon Cuddle Quilt Kits are so cozy and come in some beautiful designs for adults! The Bella Vita kit is one of our favorites, so we’re giving one away along with a few scarf kits!

Cuddle Quilt Kit Giveaway and Tons of Projects!

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What projects will you make to cuddle up in this Fall? Leave a comment and let us know!