Easy Project Time: Love Cuddle Self Binding Blanket

Lately I'm loving projects I can fit into the small amount of free time I have.  I especially need them to be things that provide a lot of use and still feel fun well after any particular holiday or season is over.  There just isn't time to do a Valentine's Day themed item that'll get tosses into storage in a week or two, waiting for a chance to get used next year.  It's hardly worth the effort then!  Enter my Love Cuddle Self Binding Blanket.

This self-binding blanket mixes a pretty cotton print with a cuddly minky to make the perfect throw or baby blanket.  I'm not sure which I'll use it for yet....

The self-binding style gives it a classic, finished look, but without the hassle of doing a bound edge:

What I like most is that this print is perfect for Valentine's Day with it's love theme, but isn't too holiday-specific like the usual red & pink colors or heart designs.  It can be used all year long:  

Materials:
 - 1 1/8 yds cotton fabric (I used Love Where You're Going)
 - 1 1/4 yds minky/cuddle fabric
 - Optional but recommended: walking foot
 - Yard stick, rotary cutter, lots of pins, hand sewing needle

Start by cutting the cotton to be 39 inches by 39 inches and the cuddle to be 42.5 inches by 42.5 inches.  It's really important to get these super straight so using a yard stick and rotary cutter is key.  I find folding the fabric into halves or quarters makes this easier when the pieces are this big:

Lay the cuddle face up and center the cotton face down, so that there's a 3.5 inch border between the raw edges on all sides.  It's also important to make sure the cuddle's nap faces downward so it lays smooth.

Carefully pin together the raw edges of the fabrics all the way around, leaving the corners loose.  The more pins the better, so the cuddle doesn't stretch out while sewing.  

It also helps to sew with the cuddle side on the bottom and using a walking foot to better keep the fabric from shifting or stretching.  Cuddle is SO lovely for projects, but it can be frustrating to sew, so this will ease that a bit.  Sew the layers together all the way around, using a 1/2 inch seam allowance, skipping the corners, 



and leaving a 3 inch gap on one side for turning.  

Pull the open corners to a point and stitch a diagonal line to make nice mitered corners. Trim off the excess fabric.

Turn the blanket right side out and slip stitch the gap closed.

Lay the blanket nice a flat and smooth out so there are no ripples on the back.  Pin along the binding area:

and topstitch all the way around:

The finished size is 40 x 40.  



Now there's a pretty blanket to love & cuddle up in!  

Craftastic Monday Link Party

Hello Crafties!  Ready to share what fun crafts and more festive projects you've been making?  Check out some inspiring new ideas to try too.  Add new things all week long - the party's open through Friday night, so even those last minute creations are welcome:)

Last week I shared what fun fall wearables I made recently while Sewing for Baby with Euro Knit Fabric:

 ~~~~~~~
Grab some free bonus advertising after linking up below, by heading over to Facebook for the Sew Can Do Craftastic Mixer to get the word out about YOUR blog or shop for FREE.
     

Share your blog or handmade/craft-related business or its Facebook page.  A new one posts every Sunday night on the Sew Can Do Facebook page at 5pm EST (the same time this link up kicks off).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now let's see those Craftastic Picks!

Satsuma Design showed how to make this fun pumpkin beverage dispenser - so perfect for Halloween & fall celebrations:

Celebrating Everyday Life gave us this pretty chic fall wreath tutorial:

Petals Pies and Otherwise shared this recipe for triple chocolate pudding cookies.  Yum:

Penny's Vintage House gave us a peek into her beautiful utility/laundry room.  So pretty I'd love doing laundry in there!

Frau Tschi-Tschi had this beautiful vibrant stripe crochet blanket free pattern.  I love the bright colors for fall!

My Bright Ideas gave us a cute felt toy pizza tutorial.  I love felt play food!  I'm looking forward to making this for my littlest guy when he's a little older:

If you're one of this week's features, be sure to grab my Featured On button over on my Buttons Page to share the good news. 

 Want a Chance to 
Be Featured Next Week?  

Link back to the party somewhere on your blog.
I can't feature your post if you don't share the party.  
  

I also feature these projects on Sew Can Do's Craftastic Picks Pinterest board 

AND share each of them on Twitter too for even MORE exposure for YOUR blog!

Follow me there to see more great projects (and see if yours is one of them)!   

On Twitter: Follow @sewcandoblog

On Pinterest: Sew Can Do

Ready to link up your crafty creations?

 

Party rules are simple: 

• As long as it's crafty, and made by you, it's Craftastic (no links to shops, link parties or other people's work).  Add the link to your specific post. Product reviews, plagiarized or sponsored posts for random items will be immediately deleted.  
• Grab my party button & put it on your post, party page or blog somewhere.  If you want the chance to be featured, this is key.  The button code can be found HERE.
• Check out some of the other fabulous links and share some crafty comment love.  We all love getting comments!!

   

    An InLinkz Link-up
   

Welcome September Craftastic Monday Link Party

Now that we're into September, it's the time for preparing for fall, getting into school and changing everything over for the cooler weather.  Time to link up those fall, Halloween and other seasonal projects to get us in the zone!

Last week was a bit crazy in the Sew Can Do household -  with between Labor Day and throwing a sewing themed birthday party for my daughter - but this week I'm excited to share how our sewing party turned out and what I crafted up for it:)

 ~~~~~~~
Don't forget, after linking up below, head over to Facebook for the Sew Can Do Craftastic Mixer to spread the word about YOUR blog or crafty shop for FREE:
   

It's an easy way to share your site or FB page with other creative people and find some new sites you might love at the same time.  

Share your blog or handmade/craft-related business or its Facebook page.  A new one posts every Sunday night on the Sew Can Do Facebook page at 5pm EST (the same time this link up kicks off).  

Head over to the Sew Can Do FB page to join in this week's Craftastic Mixer!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now let's see those Craftastic Picks!

The Blue Elephants shared her free pattern for this chunky twisted cable knit blanket. I love the colorful tassles:

Hobby e Creativita showed how to make this stylish cork clutch:

Delightful E Made had these yummy pumpkin apple streusel muffins:

Chas' Crazy Creations did this fantastic autumn plaque makeover:

If you're one of this week's features, be sure to grab my Featured On button over on my Buttons Page to share the good news. 

 Want a Chance to 
Be Featured Next Week?  

Link back to the party somewhere on your blog.
I can't feature your post if you don't share the party.  
  

I also feature these projects on Sew Can Do's Craftastic Picks Pinterest board 

AND share each of them on Twitter too for even MORE exposure for YOUR blog!

Follow me there to see more great projects (and see if yours is one of them)!   

On Twitter: Follow @sewcandoblog

On Pinterest: Sew Can Do

Ready to link up your crafty creations?

 

Party rules are simple: 

• As long as it's crafty, and made by you, it's Craftastic (no links to shops, link parties or other people's work).  Add the link to your specific post. Product reviews, plagiarized or sponsored posts for random items will be immediately deleted.  
• Grab my party button & put it on your post, party page or blog somewhere.  If you want the chance to be featured, this is key.  The button code can be found HERE.
• Check out some of the other fabulous links and share some crafty comment love.  We all love getting comments!!

   

    An InLinkz Link-up
   

Valentine's Craftastic Monday Link Party

Happy Valentine's Monday!  I hope everyone got and gave lots of love this holiday weekend.  I also hope you've got lots of crafty goodies to share with us too! 

Last week I shared my new DIY Chic Cuddle Coat.  It's the second new tutorial using my easy-to-make Lots of Looks For Knits pattern:

Now let's see some Craftastic picks..

Sadie Seasongoods created upcycling magic again with this cool clock from an old board game:

Growing Up Gabel showed how to do this fun Horton Hears a Who-themed painting project with the kids:

Annemarie's Haakblog made this colorful ripple crochet blanket:

Busy Being Jennifer showed how to do this on-trend geo style hoop art:

Flavours and Frosting shared how to make these yummy strawberry pie pops

If you're one of this week's features, be sure to grab my Featured On button over on my Buttons Page to share the good news. 

 Want to be Featured?  
Remember to link back to the party somewhere - I can't feature your project if you don't share the party some way.

I also feature these projects on Sew Can Do's Craftastic Picks Pinterest board 

AND share each of them on Twitter too for even MORE exposure!

Follow me there to see more great projects (and see if yours is one of them)!   

Sew Can Do

Ready to link up your crafty creations?

 

Party rules are simple:

• As long as it's crafty, and made by you, it's Craftastic (no links to giveaways, shops, link parties or other people's work).  Add the link to your specific post (not the main page of your blog).  Product reviews, plagiarized or sponsored posts for random items will be immediately deleted.  
• Grab my party button & put it on your post or blog somewhere.  Party pages are fine.  If you want the chance to be featured, this is key.  The button code can be found HERE.
• Check out some of the other fabulous links and share some crafty comment love.  We all love getting comments!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Get more fans & followers:  Join in the Craftastic Facebook Mixer Too!

It's FREE advertising for YOUR site/Facebook page - INCLUDING SHOPS and a way to easily discover new sites to love at the same time.  It takes just seconds and gives you a chance to get more page likes & followers. You can add crafty giveaways there too!  

How It Works:

Head over to the Craftastic Mixer post on Sew Can Do's FB page.  Instead of a specific post, share your main blog, crafty shop or Facebook page link in the comments there.  It means even more exposure for your crafty site every week!  Click HERE to go link up now!

   

    An InLinkz Link-up
   

Let's Get Craftastic! It's time for the Craftastic Monday Link Party.

Welcome to a new Craftastic Monday Link Party!  I've got two great tutorials coming at you this week and can't wait to see what you have to share with us.  Come link up so we can get this party started!

Want to promote your blog or crafty shop beyond the weekly party?  Head over to the Sew Can Do Facebook page to join in the Craftastic Monday Mixer there.

Instead of a specific post, share your blog, shop or Facebook page link over there. It's a way to promote your site or its FB page to other crafty, creative people and find some new sites you might love at the same time.  Twice as much exposure every week!   Click HERE to go link up now!

It's also time to announce the winner of the Artterro Eco-Art Kit Giveaway:

 Gill Watson 

Congratulations Gill & have fun with your new Canvas Book Kit!  And a big thank you to Artterro for providing this fun & eco-friendly prize.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now let's see some Craftastic picks..

Little Red Window shared this fantastic tutorial for making a cardboard play sewing machine.  I LOVE this (and so would my kids!!):

Check out this beautiful crochet flower blanket made by Annemarie's Haakblog:

Like cake pops but want a healthier or easier to make option?  Try making these kiwiberry pops from Pint Sized Baker.

Night Owl Corner made this fun & fabulous birds on a branch wall decor for her little one's nursery.  Cute AND budget-friendly:

And be prepared to do a double take - these succulents are actually cupcakes. That's right - those little plants are made from sugar paste & totally edible!  Twigg Studios shares the secret to making these:

If you're one of this week's features, be sure to grab my Featured On button over on my Buttons Page to share the good news.  

I also feature these projects on Sew Can Do's Craftastic Picks Pinterest board 

AND share each of them on Twitter too for even MORE exposure!

Follow me there to see more great projects (and see if yours is one of them)!   

  

Ready to link up your crafty creations?

 

Party rules are simple:

• As long as it's crafty, and made by you, it's Craftastic (no links to giveaways, shops, link parties or other people's work).  Add the link to your specific post (not the main page of your blog).
• Grab my party button & put it on your post or blog somewhere.  The code can be found HERE.
• Check out some of the other fabulous links and share some crafty comment love.  We all love getting comments!!

   

    An InLinkz Link-up