For Christmas, I made Baby B some soft new blankies that I was hoping she’d like and grow to love as her special blankies. So far, my plan is working and she seems to really love cuddling them! (“Them” – I made two so that I could rotate washing them, and just in case one got lost!)
These blankies are sooooo soft and warm. They have two layers of minky cuddle fabric sewn together and bound by a satin edge. I daresay this is the most perfectly decadent DIY baby blanket combination ever!
I remember trying to sew satin binding on a baby blanket a long time ago and thinking it was WAY TOO HARD. Well, I took a stab at it again and it wasn’t so bad! All it takes is patience and PINS – the Two Essential P’s of sewing satin blanket binding.
Here’s how I made Baby B’s new, fluffy blankies:
How to Sew a Double Minky & Satin Bound Baby Blanket
Materials (for two 30″ x 30″ blankets):
- 1 yard of patterned minky fabric
- 1 yard of plush rosette minky fabric
- satin blanket binding
- sewing machine
- thread
- TONS of pins
- iron
- straight edged ruler
- cutting mat
- rotary cutter
Instructions:
(Note: Sorry about the junky, poorly lit photos. I made this blanket on the darkest day of the year. Seriously.)
Cut out a perfect 30″ x 30″ square from the patterned minky fabric. I use a straight edged ruler, cutting mat and rotary cutter make sure I’m cutting a nice, straight square. Repeat for the second blankie if you’re making one. Lay the square over top of the rosette minky fabric and pin them together. Use the first square as a pattern to cut a square out of the minky rosette. Repeat for the second blankie.
Place a square of patterned minky fabric and a square of rosette minky fabric wrong sides together and pin well around the edges. (That’s my secret trick when working with slippery, slidey minky – pin, pin, PIN!) Sew the layers together by stitching a seam about 1/2″ from the edge. Use a long stitch length to help the minky slide through the presserfoot. You can also use a walking foot on this type of fabric if you like.
Open up the satin binding, fold the ends in as pictured above, and iron them gently.
Fold the binding over the edge of one side of the blanket, starting near the middle. Pin it like crazy along the edges of the binding. I found pinning parallel to the satin binding edge worked the best. Don’t be shy with your pins, folks! The more, the better. As you’re pinning, make sure that you can feel that the bottom and top edges of the binding are in the same spot.
Using a zigzag stitch on your sewing machine, sew along the diagonal edge, then pivot, and then along the straight edge of the binding all the way to the end of your first side. Make one side of your zigzag just come over your satin binding edge, like this:
You can flip the blanket over to inspect it as you go along if you like. Mine weren’t 100% perfect, but the zigzag still caught on the backside and was pretty close to the edge:
To make a faux mitered corner, you’re going to fold your binding like the photo above when it’s opened up. Then, fold it up over the next edge of the blanket, iron it, and pin it like so:
You can adjust the miter so that the crease is in the same spot on the top and bottom as you are pinning it. Don’t forget to iron it lightly – it really helps!
Repeat the zigzagging and the corner mitering until you reach the side you started on.
Then, open up your binding, cut it so that it overlaps about 4″ over where you started. Fold the ends under as shown above and press them.
Pin everything again, and continue zigzagging over the edge, and down the diagonal end.
Voila! A soft, supple, and perfect little handmade baby blanket fit for any new baby to love.
Baby B loves hers – applesauce mouth, baby food jammies and all!
This is SO sweet Christina!!!
Kristi recently posted..Coffee Table Tray Makeover
Looks like a beautiful version of my son’s favorite “Green Blankie.” I really need to learn how to sew!
Amanda @ Queenofthelandoftwigsnberries recently posted..Tickle Monster–Josie Bissett
Do the 2 layers stay together when you wash the blanket? I was thinking about using your method for a super soft rosette minky/flannel blanket.
Thanks!
The blanket is quite small, so I haven’t had any issues with the layers shifting or bunching. I’ve washed the blankets dozens of times already and they’re still looking good!
Hi! Do you have any tips on how to choose a good satin binding? the one I got is not so good, once sewn it looks like its starting to fray and it hasn’t even been washed, and it even seems like it frays if my hands are too dry lol..like if its rubbed against something rough, I mean I don’t wanna rub it against rough surfaces, but obviously we can’t control where baby takes it and does with it haha.. what type do you recommend? do they have like, special names/types some that are better than others? lol
and I might add
it’s not fraying like on the edge, its fraying, like you can see the individual threads pull out sometimes from anywhere on the satin edge… threads from the satin binding, not from the seams… so weird… maybe its really bad quality hahah.. oh man…
perhaps you need a new sharper needle
Doesn’t the minky really stretch and pull as you sew it? I usually have to see from the middle out to the end and then start in the middle again on a regular self binding minky. So I’m curious how this would work.
I crochet, but do not sew. Is there any chance you could make one and I could purchase it if its not too expensive. My granddaughter is having her first which is a girl. I am crocheting a blanket for the crib or buggy but would love to put in a soft bankie with satin edges. Let me know,. Thanks
Sorry, I don’t have any for sale.
June: There are lots of minky baby blankets for sale on etsy. So cute!
This is just the tutorial I’ve been looking for! I’m still very much a novice in the sewing game, but my mama (whom I finally let teach me how, lol) says I seem to have an intuitive knack for it. So my third kiddo (8 mos) has recently shown a very clear preference for her fluffy minky blankets, but I don’t want her lovey to be a full-size one, you know? Naturally, I decided to make her a couple, maybe 12-15″ square and was feeling lost on where to begin! I do think I’m going to go splurge on pre-cut/packaged satin binding, rather than the strips of satin that I purchased… make things easier all around, I’m sure. Thanks for your tips!
What a great idea I am sure she will absolutely love that and will be so easy to take along with you!
Hey Christina,
Amazing Post dear!!!
Thanks for giving such wonderful idea of sewing our own blanket with the best fabric we feel would be suitable for the newborn. This post is very helpful for the parents who always wish to choose the best fabric for their baby.Babies always cuddle while sleeping so it is really very important to take care that the blanket is extra soft and doesn’t harm the baby’s skin.
Thanks a lot for sharing such informative post and keep posting 🙂
So happy you enjoyed the post Bessie!
Hi
Just wondering when you sewed the blanket inside out, you then turn right side out, is the satin easier to sew when you’ve pre sewn, I’m making a crib size boys blanket with satin finish.
Thanks for your help.
Hi Christina
Just to let you know I see what you did in sewing wrong sides together. I was also following another pattern along with yours. Your way is a lot easier, I will do that next time.
Thanks
Carol
Carol recently posted..DIY Irish Blessing Sign + The Creative Corner #136: DIY, Craft & Home Decor Link Party
We’re glad to hear that Carol!! Thank you for letting Christina know 🙂
great tutorial. I am sure the fabric exchange has so many choices of fabric for this kind of project.
Thank you!
Do you remember how much you spent on the fabric and blanket binding??
Hello CHRISTINA DENNIS !!
It has been great to read such blog. I really appreciate it.This blanket works great in cloths, and cotton. (I used a Cuddle/mine fabric for the center panel to make it extra snuggly, but I wouldn’t support mine for both front and back because the mine is a little trickier to work with.) I would also suggest pre-washing all material (and ironing) before making this blanket.
Keep Sharing
Have a great day
I sewed a piece of minke to a piece of flannelette, then used a good quality satin binding. My machine seemed to be pushing the top of the binding while the bottom was grabbing it up more quickly causing a pucker-like appearance on the bottom and en excess of binding on the top. Any tips to feed both evenly so there is no puckering or excess? My machine does not allow for adjustments in the presser foot.
So helpful. Exactly what I needed. Thanks!
That is so wonderful, Josh.