How to Sew a Blanket: 14 Blanket Sewing Projects • Heather Handmade

Learn how to sew a blanket with one of these blanket sewing projects. Blankets can be easy sewing projects that make great handmade gifts!

Do you love to snuggle with blankets? I love cozy days cuddled in a blanket reading a book and eating snacks. I have blankets throughout my house so there is always one ready to grab.

I have made lots of different kinds of blankets over the years, so I have learned a lot about how to make them, what fabric to use, and which ones are my favorite. Which is your favorite?

What fabric should I use to sew a blanket?

The great thing about sewing a blanket is that there is a lot of different options! These are the fabrics I like to use for blankets:

Polar Fleece: polar fleece is easy to find and easy to sew. Since it’s a knit the edges do not need to be finished and it won’t unravel. It’s washable, cozy, and warm. Polar fleece is a great option for kids since it can take a beating and still be a great blanket. It’s also 100% polyester which might bother some people.
Flannel: cotton flannel is easy to find and easy to sew. It is a woven fabric that has been brushed to make it thicker, and the edges do need to be finished. If it’s not finished it will fray and unravel. Flannel is washable, cozy, and warm. It’s sometimes made out of cotton blends or 100% cotton, and it can get wrinkly if not treated right.
Minky: mink fabric is easy to find, but it is not easy to sew. It’s a knit fabric and it’s very slippery. The edges do need to be finished or the fluff will start falling off. Minky is washable, cozy, and warm. It’s usually made from 100% polyester.
Fleece + Flannel: If you want to combine the two best fabrics, you can make a polar fleece and flannel blanket. Combine all the pros of fleece and flannel above to get the best blanket.
Quilting Cotton: Quilting cotton is easy to find and easy to sew. The edges of quilting cotton do need to be finished or it will fray. Two layers of quilting cotton is not thick enough to be a warm blanket. Quilting cotton wrinkles really easily. A way to make quilting cotton warm and to prevent it from wrinkling is to add a layer of batting in between.
Double Cotton Gauze: Double cotton gauze can be easy to find, and it is easy to sew. Double cotton gauze is a way to use 100% cotton fabric but with more advantages than quilting cotton. Double cotton gauze is already wrinkled so you don’t need to worry about it wrinkling. It’s several layers so it’s warmer, but it is not brushed like flannel. The edges do need to be finished, and it’s usually 100% cotton but might come in a blend. It’s washable, cozy, and warm.
Cotton Gauze: Cotton gauze is not as easy to find and is an intermediate level fabric. It’s great for really lightweight blankets. The edges need to be finished, but it’s already wrinkled so you don’t have to worry about it wrinkling. It’s thin, light, washable, and almost stretchy since there’s a lot of space between the weaving.

How can I make a blanket washable and durable?

As long as you are using one of the fabrics recommended above and you correctly finish the edges, your blanket will be washable and durable. Some fabrics will be more washable or more durable, but that means you can choose based on your preference and what your needs are.

How to Sew a Blanket

How to Make a Double Gauze Blanket

Learn how to make a double gauze blanket or a DIY muslin blanket. This beginner sewing project makes a cozy, handmade gift for the holidays.

DIY Fleece Blanket with Rick Rack

Learn how to make a DIY fleece blanket by adding rick rack to the edges. This sewn version is quick and easy, and the rick rack adds such a cute detail. This is great for one layer of fabric.

DIY Fleece Blanket with Tassels or Pompoms

Learn how to make a DIY fleece blanket by adding tassels or pompoms to the edges. I love the look of the tassels around the edge, and pompoms are just as great. This is great for one layer of fabric.

DIY Fleece Blanket with Hem

Learn how to make a DIY fleece blanket by hemming the edges. This is the easiest sewn version since this hem is so simple. It’s great for a classic fleece blanket look. This is great for one layer of fabric.

DIY Fleece Blanket with Rag Quilt Edge

Learn how to make a DIY fleece blanket with a rag quilt edge. This is a great way to sew the edge for strength and then cut the edges like a rag quilt for a more casual vibe. This works great for two layers of fabric.

DIY Fleece Blanket with Bias Binding

Learn how to make a DIY fleece blanket and finishing the edges with bias binding. If you are good at sewing bias binding, this can be an easy blanket project. I love the look of bias binding, and I’m not that great at it, but I love the almost quilt vibe it gives off. This is great for one layer of fabric.

No-Sew DIY Fleece Blanket with Tied Edge

Learn how to make a DIY fleece blanket without sewing by tying knots all around the edge. This is an easy blanket project, but tying all the knots takes a little bit of time. It’s really durable, washes well, and it can be done with one or two layers of fleece.

How to Make a Minky Blanket

Learn how to make a minky blanket with two pieces of minky fabric. This is a great beginner sewing project perfect for gifts.

DIY Flannel and Sherpa Blanket

Learn how to make a DIY flannel and sherpa blanket for a cozy handmade gift. This easy sewing project uses fabric and just a sewing machine!

DIY Flannel Blanket

Learn how to make a DIY flannel blanket that is a perfect throw blanket. This beginner sewing projects is a quick sew and makes a great gift!

DIY Swaddle Blanket for Baby

Learn how to make a DIY swaddle blanket out of cotton gauze fabric. It’s the perfect lightweight blanket that makes a great baby gift!

How to Make a Cheater Quilt

Learn how to make a cheater quilt that is fast, easy, and you can use any striped or plaid fabric. A cheater quilt is perfect for gifts!

Make a Baby Cheater Quilt

Learn how to make a baby cheater quilt because it’s the easiest quilt to sew! It uses a little bit of fabric and it’s so fast to create! Isn’t it so fun to make baby items?

DIY Stuffie Storage: Bean Bag from a Blanket

Learn how to make a DIY stuffie storage by turning a blanket into a bean bag. This home sewing project is the easiest bean bag you can make.

If you make something using this sewing project, I’d love to see! Please share it on social media with the hashtag #heatherhandmade and tag me!