Difficulty: Beginner
Is there a new baby in your life? Have you been invited to a baby shower? Did you just find out that a friend or family member is expecting? Then you need a gift.
Of course you could go to the store and pick out a gift, but what if you could make one? New mom’s always appreciate handmade gifts. They are unique and one of a kind. They have been made with loving hands especially for their little one. Handmade gifts are a perfect addition to a store bought gift.
Does the thought of making a baby gift intimidate you? Maybe you aren’t very crafty or you just learned to sew, don’t worry this project is for you. Why is this a good beginner project? Because it only requires a handful of materials and straight line sewing, plus it’s small.
The less involved the project the easier it will be and the more confident you will feel completing this project. Read through the whole tutorial, then gather your supplies and you can create this tag blanket in an hour or two.
Don’t have a sewing machine? Don’t worry, this can easily be completed with hand sewing, though it will add to your completion time.
Supplies
2 equal squares of woven cotton fabric
1 square of cotton or polyester batting
Several coordinating ribbons in varying widths and textures
Thread
Needle if hand sewing
Instructions
Place the fabric squares wrong sides together.
Lay the batting on top of the fabric squares.
Cut ribbon in 4” pieces. The amount of ribbon will be determined by the size of your fabric squares. The larger the squares the more ribbon will be needed.
Fold one piece of ribbon in half lining up cut edges. Place in between the fabric squares lining up the cut edges of ribbon with the cut edge of fabric.
Pin all layers together.
Place in between the fabric squares lining up the cut edges of ribbon with the cut edge of fabric.
Pin all layers together.
Work all the way around the square pinning all layers in place. On one edge leave an opening wide enough to fit your hand.
Stitch through all layers removing the pins as you go, backstitching at the beginning and end. Be sure to leave the opening.
Clip the corners.
Reach in through the opening and pull the square right side out.
Insert one or two more ribbons into the opening and pin all layers together making sure to turn the raw edge in toward the inside.
Stitch around the entire perimeter to be sure to hide the opening. Alternatively you could use a ladder/slip stitch to close the opening.
Once the opening is closed stitch from the top left corner to the bottom right corner starting and stopping about an inch from the corner. Do the same from top right corner to bottom left. Pull the fabric tight by pulling the top corner from behind the needle and the opposite bottom corner in front of the needle. Keep fabric taught to prevent puckering. You should have formed an X.
Clip all loose threads and you are done.
If hand stitching this project use a backstitch all the way around the edges before turning right side out. Then use a ladder/slip stitch to close the opening. To stitch all the layers together and form the X use a backstitch.
Doesn’t this make a cute gift for a new baby? Do you think handmade gifts are the way to go for a new baby? What kinds of handmade gifts have you given the babies in you life?