Scrappy Taggy Blanket Tutorial

Tag Blanket Tutorial

This is a quick little "how-to" on sewing those taggie blankets that are oh-so popular for babies. The tutorial uses 36 scrap squares. Its a GREAT way to use up some scraps.

First, grab your bag of scraps. I have most of my scraps sorted by color, into ziploc bags and all those bags live in a big "SCRAPS" rubbermaid. I have started keeping collections of scraps all in the same ziploc bag. This one below is the brand-spankin' new Girly Girl collection for Art Gallery Fabrics.
From whatever scraps you pick, cut out 36 squares measuring 2 1/2 inches each. With those squares, place them on your work surface in a pleasing arrangement. Remember its scrappy, so it is not all that important where each fabric square winds up- although, I try not to have two of the same touching. {You can use any amount of squares you want. I chose 36 because I wanted my tag blanket to be smaller for smaller toddler hands.}

Use traditional quilting methods to sew pairs of blocks. Match right sides together and use a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Then sew pairs of pairs. Then sew rows, you know the drill. You're building a plain patchwork block.


Now grab some of those short bits of ribbon left over from who even remembers, these days...



You'll cut 14 pieces of ribbon, each measuring 3 1/5 inches long.


Next, you'll fold each ribbon in half. Pin the folded ribbons around the perimeter of the block, making sure they are evenly spaced. Once they are pinned, stitch them in place - sewing 1/4 inch from the edge of the block. ** make sure the loop side of the ribbon points towards the center of the block**

DISCLAIMER- In my tutorial here, the ribbons are sewn once to the top of the patchwork. They are sewn again when the blanket is created AND sewn again when the blanket is edge-stitched. As with ANY product for a baby please be careful and use your own good sense when turning the little guy loose to chew on this taggy. ReannaLily Designs is NOT responsible for events beyond sharing this tutorial.

Next up, the backer. I actually had a scrap of that super soft minky. If you don't have minky, flannel would work. For the most practical use, really, a hand towel would probably work. I mean babies chew the heck out of these taggies and the towel would probably help absorb the drool. Anywhoo- I used pink minky.

Test your scrap of backer fabric to make sure its bigger than your block. You do not need to trim it or even worry with what the size is- Just as long as its bigger than the patchwork block top.


Sweet, that will totally work. Now, flip the block over. Match the right side of the backer to the right side of the block. (I bet you saw that comin'.) Pin around the entire edge of the block.

Sew with the block-wrong-side-up, 3/8 inch around the taggy blanket. You'll leave a hole, about 4 inches wide along one side, so you can turn the blanket inside out. Backstitch when you start and stop this perimeter stitching line. {You do that so when you turn the blanket inside out, the seam won't unravel.} When you reach a corner, put your needle into the fabric, lift the presser foot and pivot your project 90 degrees.

Its time to trim off the excess backer fabric. Cut the backer fabric flush with the patchwork block top. (Still, you don't have to measure anything.)

Next up, we'll turn the blanket inside out, through the opening in the seam on that one side.

Use your scissors to poke out the corners gently. You want them to be squared off and tidy, not rounded or lumpy. Be careful not to put your scissors THROUGH the corner.

Now you need to pin the opening shut. Simply tuck the seam allowances into the hole an pin.

And for the last bit- Sew within 1/8 inch of the edge of the blanket to give it a nice finished, professional look. The edge-stitching will also close the opening. No hand sewing here. No sir-ee.



Now, how many will you be making from your scraps for your Christmas gifts? Craft fair? Shower gifts? Make as many as you can! They are super quick.

Thanks! Go forth, use scraps and make something hand-made for your next baby gift.

~jen~

Updated to add- Make sure you do NOT add buttons to this project, as they might come off and choke the little ones. You also need to make sure your ribbon embellishments are machine washable because... well.. you know... its for a baby. =)

If you make it, feel free to share it in the ReannaLily Designs Flickr pool.

Scrappy Taggy Blanket Tutorial