5 Easy Steps: How to Make a Tied Fleece Blanket

There’s a special charm in crafting something with your own hands, especially when it comes to cozy comforts like blankets. In this detailed guide, Gearcustoms will take you through how to make a tied fleece blanket. Not only will this project warm you during cold nights, but it also offers an opportunity for personalization and creativity.

Fabric requirements for a tied fleece blanket

The blanket shown is a smaller lap or child-friendly size, requiring 1.5 yards of fleece per side. You can adapt these instructions for any size blanket. For an adult-sized blanket, use 2 yards of fleece per side. Stick with anti-pill polar fleece for easy tying. This project is suitable for ages 8 and up and takes just 30 minutes from start to finish. You can even use the same technique to make a no-sew pillow with a fringed edge. Let your creativity shine!

What You’ll Need for a tied fleece blanket

Equipment / Tools:

Rotary cutter

Cutting ruler

Cutting mat

Standard ruler

Pen or pencil

Trusty scissors

Materials:

• 1 1/2 yards of anti-pill polar fleece in a captivating color or pattern.
• Another 1 1/2 yards of anti-pill polar fleece, this time in a complementary color or pattern.

These distinctive tools and materials are the key to crafting something truly exceptional. Let your imagination soar as you prepare to weave a masterpiece with your own hands.

How to make a tied fleece blanket

Now that you have your materials and tools ready, let’s dive into the step-by-step process of creating your tied fleece blanket:

1. Preparing the Materials

After acquiring fleece per yard, it typically requires adjustments and alignment. At a minimum, removing the selvage edge is essential.

Place the fleece intended for the backside of your blanket with its right side facing down on a suitable workspace, preferably a spacious floor area. Use your hands to spread and flatten the fabric.

Next, position the fleece designated for the front side of the blanket with its right side facing up, placing it over the first fleece layer. Make sure to spread it evenly ensuring it’s flat.

Trim both fleece layers to your desired blanket dimensions, ensuring the sides are squared. While the edges don’t need to be flawlessly aligned, they should maintain a general straightness. Bear in mind, the final blanket will look approximately 10 to 12 inches less than the cut dimensions due to the inclusion of fringes.

2. Measuring and Trimming the Corner Squares

For each corner of the blanket, a square needs to be removed. This excised square serves two purposes: it’s a reference point for the fringe lengths you’ll be tying and ensures that the blanket’s corners are tidy once the ties are in place. Follow this procedure:

Determine the desired fringe length and measure out a square at each corner that matches this measurement. In our example, the fringe is 6 inches, making the cut-out square 6 inches on both sides of the corner. However, you have the flexibility to alter the size, ranging from 4 inches (for 4-inch fringes) to 8 inches (for 8-inch fringes).

If employing a rotary cutter, position the ruler on the desired measurement and slice the square using a cutting mat for precision.

Alternatively, if you’re using a pencil and scissors, draw out the square’s boundaries and then use the scissors to trim the marked area.

Execute this procedure for all four corners, ensuring that you’re cutting through both fleece layers.

Aim for straight cuts, but perfection isn’t a must. Minor inconsistencies will be unnoticeable once the fringes are tied together.

3. Creating the Fringe

Proceed to craft fringes along every side, ensuring you slice through the double layers of fleece simultaneously. The length of each fringe should mirror the dimension of the initial corner square you removed, and their width can vary between 1 and 2 inches. For our model, we’ve cut each fringe to be 6 inches in length.

When utilizing a rotary cutter, rely on the ruler for accurate measurements as you shape the fringes across the blanket’s perimeter.

However, if you opt for scissors, it’s advised to first measure and draw guidelines for all fringes. After marking, you can proceed to cut along these lines, aiding in maintaining uniformity.

Sometimes, due to the blanket’s size, the fringes might not align perfectly. It’s essential to avoid a final fringe that’s overly thin or broad. To manage this:

As you approach roughly 18 inches from a blanket’s edge, gauge the remaining uncut width. If the desired fringe width doesn’t fit evenly within this space, consider making minor adjustments to the fringe width.

For instance, if there’s approximately 15.5 inches left, subtly decrease the fringe width as you progress.

After crafting a few adjusted fringes, re-evaluate your measurements to confirm the fabric now divides uniformly.

4. Tying the Fringe

Once every fringe has been cut, it’s time to bind them to assemble your blanket. To connect the upper fleece layer to the lower one, follow these steps:

• Grasp a fringe pair (one from the back and one from the front) and create a basic square knot.
• Fasten each knot securely, but avoid excessive tugging to prevent the fabric from bunching.
• For added stability and to prevent the fringes from unraveling, consider making a reinforced double knot.

5. Continue Tying Fringe

Continue tying the fringe along all sides of the blanket until you’ve secured all the strips. This step not only adds a decorative border but also enhances the durability of your blanket.

6. Adding Embellishments (Optional)

If you want to add a personal touch to your blanket, consider embellishments such as fabric patches, appliques, or embroidery. Sew or glue these decorations onto the fleece to make your blanket uniquely yours.

Enjoy Your Handcrafted Blanket

Congratulations! You’ve completed your tied fleece blanket. It’s now ready to keep you warm on those chilly nights while also adding a touch of warmth to your home decor. Curl up with it, gift it to a loved one, or even consider making more to donate to those in need.

The Joy of Creating

Crafting a tied fleece blanket is not just about the end product; it’s about the creative journey and the satisfaction of making something with your own hands. Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or a novice looking for a new project, this DIY endeavor offers both comfort and a canvas for your imagination.

So, gather your materials, embrace your creativity, and craft your own warm, personalized tied fleece blanket. Enjoy the process as much as the final result.

Conclusion

Summing up, How to make a tied fleece blanket is a delightful DIY project accessible to everyone. By gathering the right materials and applying a touch of creativity, you can fashion a cozy, personalized blanket that not only keeps you warm but also adds a welcoming element to your home decor.