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[Mom2Dogs]

Since there is no craft section,  I am hoping the home forum is the place to ask this question.

I am making a blanket....fleece on one side, cotton on the other side.  I have never worked with fleece and I can see that there could be an issue with keeping the blanket 'square'...I don't want it to be wonky when I am done.

I do have a walking foot to sew the seams, that should help but are there any tips I can be given to help keep the blanket smooth?  Thanks!

[Witchy Woman]

I sew a lot with fleece and find that pinning every 2 inches or so really helps keep things lined up.  I place my layers together once they are cut and just pin away.  It's a bit time consuming, but can make a world of difference as fleece can grow.

However, you still have to monitor the fabric as you sew along, even with pins.  It's just that pins help ease it all together. 

About a year ago, I voluneered to make baby blankets for The Linus Project and find that fleece works great.  I started making the tied ones at first, but have switched to sewing together two layers and cutting fringe rather than tying it.  Some of the more experienced women mentioned they didn't really care for the tied fleece as the knots could be uncomfortable. Many of the women use cotton and flannel and sew three sides, turn it out, and sew down all the seams.  It makes a very pretty blanket.

Hope that helps!  Have fun. 

[fthunt]

I think I understand but if I didn't get it - forgive me.  You want the fabric to lay flat/smooth after you sew the edges together?  Not shift or move when it's done?     I recall a grandmother's patch blanket (like Dolly Pardon's coat of many colors) and I noted  a couple of stiches taken in the center of each patch to hold it firm.  If that doesn't give you enough 'hold' I would consider (on the sewing machine) sew a basting-type stitch across each 'patch' for extra holding power.  Don't know if I've hit your problem or not. 

[Desertdi]

Cording the edges might be a possiblity (but I've never done anything like that)

[Mom2Dogs]

@Witchy Woman

....Pinning a lot sound right!  I did not want to make the tied blanket and I like the two colors/patters of the fabric I picked out but once I started pinning I got worried that the banket would be a crooked mess. 

My dog won't let me lay it down to pin...she keeps laying on it...such a help she is!  I will wait until my husband gets home and then he can play with her while I pin.

Do you start at one end and just sew around the edges continuously  (leaving an opening to turn) or do you work from the center of an edge to the corner and then do the other 1/2 edge (to keep the fabric from moving to much)?

thanks

[Dusty1]

I pin, pin, pin, pin. I start stitching about 12" or so from a corner. Sew the rest of that side, turn, stitch the other 3 sides & stop at the corner. Turn the blanket & stitch the opening closed. The walking foot is a big help, but some fabrics just like to be difficult.

[Witchy Woman]

It helps to have everything completely flat when pinning.  I don't see how you can even things up unless you do, so yes, it might be best to do it when your helper is occupied.

dusty1 gave a good response for sewing.  I've watched the women with my group and they do it different ways, but mostly, just start sewing at one point and continue on until about 12" from that point again.  Then, they turn, finger fold the edges, and stich about 1/4 inch from the edge with zigzag stitches.  It gives the blanket a slightly "corded" edge.  Or, if you have a good, straight eye, you could just single stitch around the outside to give a "corded look."

Everyone kind of finds their preference, and I would only caution against using too small stitches.  They tend to get buried in the fleece and are a bear to rip out (if you have to do that for some reason.)  In fact, you might want to baste it first with really long stitches to get a sense of how it's going to fit.  But pinning should help a lot.

I pin perpendicular to my edges and I think this helps ease and even out the two edges.  You can always work in a bit more fabric as you stitch along. 

Again, I hope that is clear and helps.  I hate taking the time to pin sometimes, but when I don't, I am always sorry!  And I've been sewing for MANY years!

If you are going to do this alot, invest in some longer pins, too.  The onces that have the little balls on the end are so much easier to handle than regular straight pins.  I think mine have a 2 inch shaft and are so much nicer than the tiny pins I learned with.

[Mom2Dogs]

@Witchy Woman...I am quilter...but have not pieced a quilt in many years so I have the long pins....they are great!

Even when I was still quilting I never liked the piecing part...I always worried that things were not cut correctly and never got the hang of 'squaring up' my fabric...I guess I am a slow learner..plus I never had anyone to help me...this was 20 years ago, before rotary cutters and quilt groups (at least in my area).

This blanket is for my nephew's new baby so it has to be done right or I will not gift it, ha!

[Witchy Woman]

Meant to add something about the final blanket.  And, maybe this is what you were asking all along and I just misunderstood.

The blankets I've seen are tied with heavier embroidery thread.  The ladies do a tie about every 10-12 inches.  This pulls the two layers together and holds the lightweight batting they sometimes use.

As a quilter, I'm sure you've seen tied quilts rather than sewing in the ditch or a quilt pattern.  It is the same proces.  This helps hold all the layers together and keeps the blanket from getting kattywhampus when washed. 

[Mom2Dogs]

@Witchy Woman    Hmmmm, well darn...do I have to do some kind of sewing in the center of the blanket?  My plan is to put right sides together, sew all around, leaving an opening to turn and the once turned sew a  seam all around the edges (aprox 2 inches from the edge).   I am not doing the tied blanket.

Do you think I need to do some sewing in the center?  There is no batting or filling, just the two pieces of fabric, one fleece, one cotton.