Make a Fleece Blanket with Theme Pattern Fabrics, a No Sew Project

Absolutely no sewing skills required what so ever here! Making your own No Sew Blankets is one of the easiest, yet really beautiful handcrafts you can undertake. All it takes is searching out the perfect material pattern for your theme, sharp scissors, something to measure and mark with, and the couple of hours it takes to make the fringe, that's really it! Making a fleece throw is actually one of the easiest projects I have ever done.

I often look for unique gift ideas for baby gifts, charity projects, birthdays, or when someone gets sick. A simple gesture of kindness can bring a feeling of warmth and care to someone who needs it. With this thought in mind, I was looking for a handmade craft project that required no sewing—needles and thread are not my favorite craft tools.I wanted something that was cheap to make, required few tools or supplies, and that anyone could manage. I was quickly burning-out on my previous project, where after making 50 different Sock Puppet personalities, it was clear that the time had come to find a new project, and quick! (When you're dreaming about your sock drawer and hot glue, it's time to move on.)

A 3 Minute Lesson for Making Your Own Fleece Blanket at Home

We hosted a party where everyone brought a gift under $15 where we played the "White Elephant" gift exchange game. You know the one where you pick a number out of a hat and gather your gift according to that numbered order. Then the next guy can either pick a new gift or take yours...many a wrestling matches ensued, but no real injury was incurred. One of the gifts was a puppy-soft fleece blanket. It had this great fringe and a themed print that really caught my eye. I asked Michelle (the creator) if she would show me how to make my own. In about 3 minutes I had the know-how to put together an inexpensive, simple, and very cool Themed Fleece Blanket. I have not looked back since!

What You Need to Make a No-Sew Fleece Blanket

It only takes a few supplies to make your own Fleece no-sew blanket, most of which you probably already have in your house.

Here's a supply list for you:

• 1 to 2 yards of Theme Pattern Fleece Material (Picking the theme is one of my favorite parts.)
• Washable fabric chalk or regular tape
• Sharp scissors
• A small pointed-tip knife (The knife is used to cut the slits. I make the slits by snipping with the tip of sharp scissors to avoid having to gather an extra tool, you may want to do the same.)
• Ruler or yard stick to measure straight lines and length. (You can use any straight edged item if you can't find a ruler or yard stick. Make sure to create your own guide marks on the item so that everything is even when you have completed measuring the fringed edges.)

In this project, you find two different types of fleece edge for the blankets. It is entirely up to you which you like the best. They are both made in the same exact manner, with the only difference being "where" you snip the ¼" slit. In this section, I will show you how to make both.

NOTE: I don't recommend using both fringe styles on the same blanket. This doesn't offer a polished look, as one style rolls the edge, while the other lays smoother and offers a scalloped finish.

How to Make Style One Fringe

Type 1 fringe:

When snipping the ¼" slit for style 1 fringe, you will be placing your mark centered "above" the 4½" cut section. This causes the edge of the blanket to roll a little, which creates a durable yet bulky edge. The rolled edge is only visible from one side, and I have found this style can more easily withstand the eventful days of childhood. This fringe doesn't lay very flat, but still offers a nicely finished look to your fleece blanket project.

How to Make Style Two Fringe

Type 2 fringe:

When snipping the ¼" slit for style 2 fringe, you will be placing your mark centered "on" the cut section. This slit works best when placed right at the top of the fringe strip just below where the 4½" cut fringe section is completed and meets the blanket. This style of edge offers a somewhat scalloped finished on the underside of the blanket. The edge will lay flatter than the rolled edge of style 1. The less bulky edge is not as durable as the first style, but does have a cleaner, smoother appearance that most prefer. This style is better for those who are sick, or as a donation to your favorite organization. Whereas the first style is better suited (durable) for active kids as well as adults.

This is a really simple project.The most challenging thing about it is the measuring process. This is where you really want to take your time and be precise. Once you're done measuring your fringe, the cutting and crafting begins. Here is an easy to follow Step by step instructions for:

NOTE: You may want to wash and dry your material before beginning the project.

1. Trim your fleece material so that all four sides are straight and cut smoothly.
2. Measure out your 4½'' long, by 1½'' wide (4½ X 1½'') fringe section along the outer edge of the entire piece of material. If you have an uneven strip left at the end, simply trim it off evenly.
3. Using sharp scissors, cut each fringe section out. Be sure to pull the fleece tight and then with one clean smooth stroke, cut the strip. Otherwise you will end up with choppy edges that don't look as nice as a smooth edge.
4. Snip ¼'' slits at center on or above the fringe strips. (See the diagram above in the section labeled Measuring the Fleece Fringe, for your preferred placement.)
5. Tuck the end of each single fringe strip through its ¼'' slit from underneath, then pull and straighten out the fringe section accordingly.
6. Continue tucking and pulling the strips until all sides are completed. That's it, you are all done!

Now that you have completed your fleece project, you may want to wrap it and give it as a gift. I prefer to put the blankets in a gift bag rather than a gift box. The bag helps them to keep their shape, in that they stay fluffy. Everyone fights over these blankets and I have yet to find a person who doesn't find them a wonderful gift to give as well as to receive! A single 1 to 2 yard blanket takes me between one and two hours to measure and handcraft. Sometimes I take my time, and at other times I just want to get it made. Either way it is always a fun project that finds high praise when it is all said and done.

Now go have fun finding theme material, and making your own no sew fleece blankets!