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How To Make a Minky Baby Blanket (First Time Sewing With Minky)




I've been wanting to make one of those cute minky blankets that are all over Etsy, and when I found this funky 1970's vibe jungle fabric, I had found my next project.


Its a fun, busy pattern and my lil guy wen't crazy for it in the shopping cart.

 So I sought out a chocolate color minky dot and got started.



I pre-washed, cut and pinned my fabric. I sewed three sides of the blanket before realizing the minky was stretching. I ripped out all my work (grrr) and googled "tips for sewing with minky" and found this helpful page.  I was too impatient to learn how to use the Brother walking foot (here is the affiliate link for a Singer walking foot) on my machine, so instead I repinned the layers every 1.5" or so and basted all 4 sides together before sewing. It worked like a charm!  Another tip: I used my rotary cutter which reduces the messy fuzz that minky leaves behind, the straight rotary blade is fine, it doesn't have to be the pinking blade.

So here is how I made this little blanket...

  • Start with one yard minky dot and one yard cute cotton print (or something soft or silky will do fine too)
  • Cut to 34" x 34" (or as large of a square possible-- I had to cut away the uneven ends so 34" was as large as I could make it, and I prefer square blankets, especially for swaddling.)
  • Cut rounded corners using a glass or something cylindrical is a guide (a cool tip I picked up here). 
  • With right sides together, pin every 1.5" (yes really!)
  • Baste (longest stitch, no backstitching) along each side stopping a couple inches from the corners (it is not necessary that it is a continuous line around the blanket, just secure the layers along the sides).
>> Update: sometimes basting isn't practical, like when you're making a taggie blanket and there are ribbons sandwiched between the layers, so use the walking foot for your sewing machine.  With the walking foot, no pinning or basting is necessary. (I will post about it after I have played with it some more).


  • Sew all four sides with regular stitch length and 1/2" seam allowance, leaving an opening to turn the blanket right side out. 
  • Trim seam to 1/4" and snip corners. 



  • Turn right side out and with your hand "inside" the blanket, run a finger along the seam to help push out the seam.  I was afraid to iron the seams because you're not supposed to iron minky, but I have seen it done in other tutorials -- you've been warned!
  • To close the opening, tuck in the raw edges and pin, and top stitch closed 1/4" from edge, and continue topstitching around the blanket. If you like, topstitch another line 1/2" from edge.


Taaadaaaa!




Check out this post about making other kinds of blankets: a Snuggie, a no-sew fleece blanket, a silky minky with pretty top-stitching, and an ultra-cuddle blankie with satin binding. 

And if you want to make a taggie blanket (next photo), check out this post to see how to sew the ribbons and loops in the seam.

You can sew other kinds of trim between the layers like my cowboy and cowgirl blankets:



Don't forget to leave a comment to win the jungle blanket!  Click here for details on the taggie blanket I'm giving away.  Happy sewing...



72 comments:

  1. We are going to make one soon. I am afraid it will not work out;/ so am thankfull for all the tips you have put here;)

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  2. Hot spots in animal kingdom... :D

    Two in one..

    Julia
    Choofie – Onwer
    baby blanket

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  3. Just love your blanket, and thanks for the instructions. What is the cotton fabric called; would love to track some down.
    Thanks,Lyn

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    1. Hi Lyn, I have gotten that question before so I have to share my dirty little secret, that I found the jungle fabric at WalMart of all places!

      Thanks,
      Maureen

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  4. Wow... you make it look so easy. I bought some fabric a couple months ago to make one and it is just sitting there collecting dust because I haven't been able to saw it straight since the minky stretches like crazy. I will give it another try. Thanks for your tips!

    Ana

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    1. Ana if the pinning & basting doesn't work then I highly recommend a walking foot. It takes a minute to put on but then you just sew like normal! Thanks for the comment!

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  5. I love it! I can't wait to make one for my grandson, due any day!

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  6. I googled this too. I want to make one soon. I am due Feb 3! Need to get some fabric now.

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  7. love the jungle blanket..i will be trying this soon

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  8. Thank you. I have the fabric, but have been worried about sewing with minky. Can't wait to give this tutorial a try.

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    Replies
    1. Could you please let me know what tutorial you are referring to? I've never sewn with minky fabric but would love to. Thanks

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    2. Anonymous - the post above is a tutorial for a basic minky blanket.

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  9. Very, very cute, trying to make one for the 1st time today

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  10. Cindy Hansford - ninny_58@yahoo.comSeptember 20, 2013 at 8:12 PM

    I have a new Grand Nephew due in October ! This will be perfect for the little Noodle. Thank you for the tutorial, and keep sewing for all us beginners.

    Cindy Hansford

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    1. Cindy I feel like I'm still a beginner so hopefully I'll have some good projects! Thanks for the comment :)

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  11. PAM!!! I accidentally deleted your comment when I tried to publish it. If you see this could you repost? I will still put your name in the drawing but I'm not sure I will be able to track you down.

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  12. I made one of these for my grandaughter who was born this past June, one of my first sewing projects. It came out crooked but my daughter loved it anyway cause it was "made with love" she said. Now that I am again sewing this blanket for yet another new grand baby, I have hopes of a better end result. Will have to go back and make another one for my first grandchild. Thanks for the great tutorial and tips!

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    1. Dorothy I'm sure it wasn't that bad! If you have a walking foot definitely give that a try!

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  13. I've had this minky material for 7 years!!! I can't wait to use this tutorial!! Wish me luck. :)

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  14. this is great! Minky material has always scared me (I've heard it's finicky, and I hate finicky), but it is so soft and wonderful. Maybe I'll finally get the courage to try!

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  15. Oh my gosh! I love it! I want my little monster to have a baby blanky! Not due until April so I have some time! BUT, I have NO idea how to use a sewing machine...hopefully I can figure it out! haha

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    Replies
    1. Have you seen the no-sew fringe fleece blankets? They are easy and so cuddly too!

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  16. Love it! I'm looking into making a baby blanket for my friend using the bridesmaid dress I wore in her wedding. The minky is first choice so far!

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  17. My son and daughter-in-law just got a baby boy foster child. They are in a foster to adopt program. I would love to make this blanket for them.

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    Replies
    1. Aww congrats and good luck to the three of them <3

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  18. adorable blanket! would be a great gift for a friend who is stationed in germany for the next 2.5 years. i'm also wanting to dust off my machine and make some things myself. thanks for the tutorial! --Kim S.

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  19. Absolutely adorable. I was looking for a tutorial on this blanket and came across your site. Love your blanket and all the tips, Thank you!! :)

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  20. I love making blankets for baby gifts, thanks for the great tips.

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  21. I Love The Jungle Print. I Made A Nobly Blanket BUT Didn't Think About Using My Walking Foo OrPutting Right Sides Together Then Flipping It Out For A No Binding Quilt. I Made Mine Then Did A Front Roll Binding. Love Your ideas

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    1. Hi Michele, I would love to learn more about binding! I just saw a neat self binding tutorial where one side of the blanket is longer and folds over to create a border. So many things to try!

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  22. Thanks for your tutorial! Very helpful!

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  23. Thank you! Where did you get the animal print? It's the same pattern as my grocery cart cover I bought from someone on etsy!

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    1. I'm embarrassed to say it's from WalMart! Not my normal fabric stop... Thanks for the comment :)

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  24. Such a cute blankie - and, thank you for your tutorial - I hope I win your blanket while I'm learning to make my first one!!

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  25. What a great tutorial! Step by step tutorials with pictures are so great for us newbies. Thanks so much for sharing! - northwestmom@gmail.com

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  26. Love this blanket, so cute! Thanks for the step by step help!

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  27. Great tutorial! Minky is tough to work with... I've procrastinated working with it because of all the fuss (I hate my seam ripper). I might just put on my big girl pants and give it a go! Thanks!!

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  28. My 6-year old loves her minky/satin blankie, which is now too short for her. thanks for the tutorial so I can make her a new, bigger one.

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    1. I made my daughter a satin & minky swirl that is 2 yards long and big enough to use on her twin bed! I think 1 1/2 yards would have been plenty but she loves it.

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  29. Will be attempting a minky with fun green lantern fabric. Your tips I know will help. Your final product is adorable
    Thanks.

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  30. I am due on Jan 31, but I have to make an international move in the next month before I will be reunited with my sewing machine. Upon returning home (been living abroad for over 2.5 years), making a minky blanket is one of the top five items on my 'to do' list! In fact, I've already ordered fabric and sent it to my parent's house back home :)

    The jungle fabric is beautiful! Thank you for the tutorial and for the great tips!

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    Replies
    1. Wow good luck with the move! That's a lot to take on while pregnant!

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  31. What a beautiful blanket! Thank you!

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  32. I love this blanket!! So, so cute!! Very inspiring for me to try to make one!

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  33. Beautiful blanket!! Thank you for the tutorial and great gift idea :)

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  34. I was just looking for a tutorial like this! That blanket is adorable! I love the jungle print. :)

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  35. Such a really nice and great informative post and It's really helpful with us for Fabric!!

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  36. I will try !!! Thank you so much

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  37. I am new to sewing and live in Australia. Can you please tell me what that fabulous cutting tool is that makes the pinking sheers edge? I haven't seen it here but it might be because I have never known what to ask for. Thanks

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    1. It's a rotary cutter with a pinking blade. You can also use it with a straight blade. It should be with quilting supplies. :)

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  38. Thanks for your help Maureen. I have never seen pinking blades for a rotary cutter before, so I will hunt for one at my local fabric store.

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  39. I attempted my first blanket using minky material. It did stretch and shift even with pins. I've learned to not criticize it too much because as gifts I know whoever I give it to will love. I'm sure with practice they will get better and easier to make over time. At least I can think that. Thank you for your tutorial.

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  40. I am just laying out a minky and fleece blanket, is it best to line up my salvages on one side of the two materials? It is obvious that the minky material has stretched so much that the salvages on the other side do not even come close to matching.

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  41. I have tried doing a Minky Blanket and I about pulled my hair out! Even pinning it was a nightmare!! I started embroidering a year or so ago and want to get into more sewing and would love to do some Minky's but I am so intimidated by it I'm scared to try it. I hope this will help me!

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  42. I'm obsessed with that ADORABLE cowgirl fabric. Pleaseee tell me where to get it:) your tutorial helped me a ton. I was struggling with my kinky stretching. Thanks a bunch!

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  43. I am completely obsessed with that too cute to be true cowgirl fabric. Pleaseeee tell me where to find it:)
    Also, your tutorial saved my bacon. I thought I was going to lose it the first time i tried sewing with minky. Thank you!

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    1. I know I love that cowgirl fabric but it is out of print :( I got it on Etsy, I can't remember the designer - Riley Blake maybe? I would have gotten a whole bolt or more if I could have...

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  44. Wow! Thank you for the tips. It helped gratefully!

    Can not wait to try!!!!! Again thank you!

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  45. Wow! What a great tips! Thank you, i can not wait to make it since it sound easy and simple. Thanks!

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Comments are very much appreciated!