Ribbon & Beads Buddy Blanket

Okay, the idea for this blanket came about around 2am this morning. Baby Girl woke up sick around 11 last night, and we were hanging out in the living room. As she started to doze off, I was trying to think of something else I could add to the birthday bag for my niece. She turns 1 tomorrow, and her birthday bash is this coming Saturday. I've seen the tag-style blankets before, but wanted to add something more.

I got out all of my ribbon and started cutting different lengths with my pinking shears (my new best friend). As I went through my bin of ribbon, I came across some decorative trim (looks little skinny rope). I went ahead and cut those as well.

After a few hours of sleep, I decided to start putting the blanket together. While looking for something on my craft table, I spotted a bag of pony beads. Yes! I could thread those on the trim, to add something else for my niece to play with. So, that is how I came up with the Ribbon & Beads Buddy Blanket.


What You'll Need:

2 pieces of fleece - I had a leftover piece of turquoise minky, so I based the size of the blanket off of that, measuring 22-1/2" x 21"

Lots of Ribbon - Thick, thin, stretchy, sheer, etc.
Decorative Trim - I used turquoise and pink
Scissors/Pinking Shears - The ribbon won't fray at all if you use the shears to cut it
Sewing Machine/Thread/Pins
Pony Beads

All the goodies. : -)

First, cut out your 2 pieces of fleece to your desired size. Next, put right sides together, and lay down on a flat surface (for me, it was a sheet spread out on the living room floor). Place all of your cut ribbon around the edges, to see how you want them placed and spaced.

Starting to place the ribbon around the edges...already threaded one piece of decorative trim with the pony beads.

Everything placed, and ready to start pinning. After I finished this part, I realized that I didn't leave space for turning after sewing around the edges, so I removed the piece of pink sheer ribbon in the front, and moved a few pieces over, so I would have at least 2 inches for turning the blanket right side out.

Next step is to start pinning the ribbon in place. Take each piece of ribbon, and place the folded side (the side you want sticking out from the edges of the blanket when you turn it right side out) in between the 2 pieces of fleece. 

You can see here, the cut edges of the ribbon are sticking out, while the folded side is between the fabric, and pinned in place.

Continue pinning all around the blanket, making sure to leave at least a 2 inch gap for turning.




All pinned, with a space for turning.

 At this point, I trimmed the protruding edges of the ribbon, so there wouldn't be long lengths of it inside the blanket once it was turned.

After trimming the ribbon.

Next, stitch all the way around the edge of the blanket, making sure to leave the gap for turning, and to back-stitch at the beginning and end.

Turn the blanket right side out (stop to admire your awesome handi-work), and make sure the corners are completely turned out.

Blanket turned right side out. I LOVE the beads!!

Now, top-stitch around the edge of the blanket, turning the edges under at the gap. I also added another piece of ribbon in that spot so the large gap wasn't as obvious.

Yahooo!! You're done! : -)

I am so thrilled with how this blanket turned out.

Finished dimensions are 19-1/2" x 21".

Maybe I should start setting my alarm for 2am? Who knows what I'll come up with. : -)

~ Thanks for stopping by! ~

Jaime



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