Hi I’m new to this forum. I had a question on fleece blankets. I do not have a sewing machine so I’m hoping that since this is a sewing chat you’ll bear with me but I thought you might have some good tips anyway. I just bought a US Navy fleece at walmart and I bought two of them so that each side would be facing the right way (if you flip over just one of them the pattern is backwards- otherwise I would just blanket stitch it by hand and be done) my question is— I want to finish the edge of this blanket without having to use a sewing machine but still make it look professional looking. I’d rather not do the knot tying method of finishing off fleece as I think this will not look as nice or as grown up as this pattern needs. This is for my brother who is getting ready to retire from the navy. Does anyone know if there is site that shows how to blanket stitch two pieces of fabric together or any other hand sewn stitches that I could do to finish off the edge of this blanket? If anyone could help me out here I’d greatly appreciate it. Once again I’m sorry that I’m asking a sewing group but I wasn’t sure where else to turn and I thought that maybe there were others in this group who have maybe done this before.
thanks
Ladybuginppa
Replies
If you can blanket stitch one layer you can blanket stitch two. What you need to consider is the rest of the blanket, which will be two layers flopping around apart from each other. They will need to be fastened, either by tying or other quilting method. Even if you were satisfied to leave them separated you'd need to baste them together to remain lined up and stable as you blanket stitched the border.
I was just curious as to what "baste them together" is I'm not sure if I follow. thanks for the tips I really appreciate it.
Do some loose hand basting stitches in a grid pattern so that the layers are secured in both directions and cannot shift around while you are working on the edges. Start in the middle and work towards the edges to keep the layers smoothly aligned.
ladybuginpa: This is still a sewing question! Do you want to sew two blankets back to back or connect two blankets side by side to make it wider/longer. If it is back to back: sew a blanket stitch in a matching thread or a gold thread. There are illustration on the Threads web site of how to do different stitches, if you can do a whip stitch you can do a blanket stitch!
Good luck!
mimi
thank you for your helpful post.. of course I have more questions.. lol
I was wondering, I did a search on the threads site and looked around but was unable to find the stitching guide, I was curious if you could be more specific on where to find it? Also, I am planning on sewing them back to back so that the reverse side of the pattern on the fleece doesn't show (it has words on it) and I was curious, will I fold over the edges of each and then put them together and blanket stitch the 4 pieces of fabric (because each would be folded over) into a blanket stitch or would I not fold it over and just stitch the two? also the other person who posted seemed to think that I would need batting or to some how connect them in the middle somewhere and I was wondering if I just did a simple stitch at certain points like 8 or something if that would just bunch it up more or help it stay alligned? I'm sorry I'm so nieve and new to this and having such a hard time with something that should be so simple. I really appreciate any help you could give.
Thank you
ladybuginppa
I just looked and they do have an embroidery site for stitches but no basic site for handstitches. Maybe this is something they would consider for a future article? After all the kvetching about the pins cover, I don't know if they would!
To prepare to stitch, place fabric back to back (wrong side to wrong side) and pin along edge.
To make a blanket stitch: Come straight through both layers of fabric (stitch 1). Go up and over and through the fabric, like a hem stitch. Leave the stitch loose (stitch 2). Bring your needle up back behind the loose stitch and tighten the stitch (stitch 3). You will have made the stitch look as if it is made of right angles, sort of like a row of sevens that are all connected.
I hope this makes sense!
As for using batting, I don't think it is necessary with fleece. You could do a tie-off stitch every 8 or so inches (or whatever number divides into the size of your blanket). A tie-off stitch is down through the fabric, leaving a tail, up and down through the fabric again and then back up leaving a tail; tie off the two tails. Or, if there is a large medalion (navy seal?) in the middle of both blankets, you could stitch around that.
I will look for a site with basic handstitching and post one if I find it. If you can get a copy of the Vogue Sewing Book at your local library, there is a chapter on handstiches with illustrations that is very good.
If you have any more questions (and this didn't completely confuse you!) let me know.
mimi
Edited 9/13/2005 9:26 am ET by mimi
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