Rag Edge Flannel Baby Blanket Tutorial

ragedgeflannelblanket.jpg
Flannel Rag Edge Baby Blanket Tutorial
These rag edge flannel blankets are my go-to baby gift. Sometimes I make bibs, burp cloths, and taggy blankets to make it a complete set. With just two layers of flannel, it is a nice weight without being too heavy. The rag edge is soft and popular with babies, too. :) This is what it looks like after just one washing, but it will get more frayed over time.
Flannel Rag Edge Baby Blanket Tutorial
These are so simple to make. Here is a little DIY tutorial for you:
For this blanket, I used two different, yet matching flannel fabrics. I got 1 1/4 yard of each to make the blanket relatively square. You can make it larger or smaller. Whatever you want...
Tape your backing flannel to a flat surface with the right side down. I prefer to use my kitchen table and I use masking tape. Make sure to get all of the wrinkles out.
Flannel Rag Edge Baby Blanket Tutorial
Lay the top layer over the bottom layer with the right side up. The wrong sides will be together. Smooth it out really well and use curved safety pins to baste. Start in the middle and place pins every few inches in a grid form working your way to the outside.
Flannel Rag Edge Baby Blanket Tutorial
Remove the tape. I spread the blanket out on the floor to give me a little more room to work at this point. Trim off any selvage edges.
Flannel Rag Edge Baby Blanket Tutorial
Square up your blanket by folding it in triangles. Check each side. Mine didn't turn out quite square. Whatever...
Flannel Rag Edge Baby Blanket Tutorial
Trace a plate or something round on the corners. Rounded corners are a little easier later.
Flannel Rag Edge Baby Blanket Tutorial
Use a washable marker to trace diagonal lines and lines going through the centers of each side.
Flannel Rag Edge Baby Blanket Tutorial

Now for the sewing... 
From the very center point make a few small stitches and then increase your stitch length. Sew from the center to the outside on the line you drew. Repeat for each line, starting at the center each time.
Flannel Rag Edge Baby Blanket Tutorial
Sew around the outer edge of the quilt about 1/2" from the edge. Then, sew around the edge of the blanket again about an inch from the edge. I like to use two different colors of thread and a fancy stitch on my machine. When you are done, snip the edges of the blanket every 3/8" or so. Try not to get too close to the first stitching line.
Flannel Rag Edge Baby Blanket Tutorial
Wash the blanket and put it in the dryer on low heat. It will make the edge fray out nicely and get rid of those washable marker lines.
Flannel Rag Edge Baby Blanket Tutorial

Link Parties where I sometimes hang out...