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...