Pre-bound Tied Baby Blanket Tutorial - Part 2

 

Top Stitching

 

Still using a half inch seam allowance, start in the middle of one of the sides. I like to start where I did the hand sewing because it is flatter there. Take about four to six tiny stitches (stitch length 1). Then switch to a stitch length between 2.5 and 3.

 

 Depending on how much of a perfectionist you are, you can pin the sides before sewing or not. I don't pin. I just use my fingers to kind of roll the edges as I go along.

 

I like to take a square piece of paper (a post-it note) and fold it in half diagonally to get a good 45 degree angle. I lay it on the corner so that I will know where to stop and turn. 

 

I sew right up to the edge of the yellow paper triangle and stop with the needle down. 



 

Then I turn the blanket to sew the next side. 

 

Repeat for each side and corner and your corners will look like this...

 

When I get to where I started top stitching, I will overlap the stitches about a half inch. Then I switch the stitch length back to 1.0 and take a few stitches. 

 

Clip the threads and it is ready to tie.

 

 

Tying the Blanket:

Because this blanket pre-bound, it can be tied just laying flat on a table. Most of the time I lay it on my kitchen table to tie it together.

 

These are the supplies that I use to tie the quilt: matching weight 10 crochet thread, large embroidery/crewel needles, and these tapestry needle threaders.   

 

The needle threaders are awesome and so easy to use. 







Decide where to tie the blanket. This can follow the print of the fabric, or can be done in a grid. I like to use this white grid with holes punched every 4 inches. (It also comes in a three inch grid.) With a grid like this you can either mark the quilt with a marking pen, or tie right through the holes.



I uses the holes punched to center them over my blanket on the table.  Then I use 4 pins and pin it in place. 



Once the grid is in place, I like to tie through the holes. I use a thimble and keep my other hand under the blanket.  That way I can make sure I am going through all the layers and not scratch my table. 



There are lots of great tutorials for how to actually tie the quilt.  I looked through about twenty and couldn't find one that demonstrated how I tie the quilt with continuous square knots.  I was beginning to wonder if I was just an oddball.  I kept looking and finally found this one done by Anne at Floral Showers. 

 

I continue to tie in all the holes in a spiral from the outside in.  I do not clip the ties until I am all done, because it is easier to see if I have missed a hole that way. 

 

Then I clip the ties between one to one and a half inches. 

 

 

You end up with a cute little pile of string like this.  I have to throw it away very quickly or Panda (the string lover) will keep it.  Then I find little strings all around the house for days. 

 

Now admire the cute little ties on the blanket...

 

Check the back for any loopy knots...



 

Add a bow, and it is good to go!

 



(This cute little blanket is going to a good friend who just had her first baby girl... after six boys.)

Notes:

I often make these in bulk.  After finishing this pink one for a baby shower, I got five more ready to tie. 



I watch for the flannel to go on sale and stock up. (My favorite sale has always been at JoAnn's on black Friday.) I like to have a few boy and girl blankets on hand to give as gifts.

In the last year I made between 25 and 30 of these blankets (some of which a few boy scouts tied to earn service hours and then donated the blankets to a local charity).  Here is my Cheetah tying a quilt as part of a BSA merit badge.    



I hope you enjoy this tutorial. Let me know if you make something with it. 

XX,

Jasmine