Today I am going to share a quick and easy project almost anyone can do with very few tools. The entire project takes less than an hour from start to finish. Plus, if you can get your fabric on sale you can make this project very inexpensively!
Supplies Needed:
- Two pieces of coordinating fleece fabric (they should be the same size)
- Rotary cutter and mat (or scissors)
- Clear ruler with guides (or a regular ruler)
Step One:
Lay your fabrics out right sides together.
Step Two:
Trim off selvage edges (the parts with the writing on them). Trim up your fabric so they are the same size. (Often when you get fabric cut at the fabric store, it will be a little uneven. You want to be sure your two pieces are the same size. This project is very forgiving though. If you have less than a 1/2 inch difference you can probably leave it, as is.)
Step Three:
Cut squares out of each corner. You can cut the squares anywhere from 5" to 7". I wouldn't go much smaller or larger than this. If you cut the square any smaller than 5" you will not have much to work with to tie. If you go much larger than 7" you will have very long strips hanging off your quilt. I cut mine to 5 1/2". (This is where a ruler with guides comes in handy, but you can certainly just mark it off with a regular ruler and trim with scissors).
Step Four:
You will now use your ruler and cutter to make one inch wide strips around the entire blanket. They will be whatever length you cut your squares to. So my strips were 1" wide by 5 1/2" long. Depending on the size of your fabrics, it may not work out to do 1" strips across the entire length. If this happens, I usually just split the difference on the last two strips in the row.
Here is what it will look like once you get your strips cut:
Step Five:
Find yourself a comfy spot on the couch, put on your favorite show or movie, and get tying! You are going to double knot the strips together. Starting at one edge where you cut your square, take one strip from the top fabric and the matching one from the other fabric underneath and tie a knot.
After first knot:
Then you will tie a second knot. This will be what holds your two fabrics together. Continue around until the whole blanket is tied. This seems like a long process, but for my blanket, it took me about 15 minutes total. (The time consuming part of this project is cutting all the strips. You can cut your time in half by having a rotary cutter, mat and ruler.)
After second knot:
Tip: As you reach each corner square, be sure you have your strips lined up. I once tied an entire row missing a strip. I had to go back an untie an entire row of strips. This is no fun! But if you check it at each corner, you will only have one row to re-tie rather than the entire blanket!
Finished blanket:
I purchased my fleece at Jo Ann Fabrics when it was on sale over the holidays. I got my fleece for about $2.50 per yard. It goes on sale quite a bit, especially in the winter. If not, use your 40% off coupon to get it at a better price.
Sorry, but I couldn't find the link to the butterfly fabric, but I did buy it at Jo Anns!
These blankets hold up very well to washing. Since it is fleece your strips don't fray even with repeated washings.
These blankets make great gifts. Make the blanket a little smaller for a baby gift, or a little larger for a grown up! I think every member of my family has one now! :)
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