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Hand Sew: How To Sew A Blanket Without A Sewing Machine
Can you really sew a blanket without a sewing machine? Yes, you absolutely can! Sewing a blanket by hand is a simple and rewarding project. You only need basic supplies like fabric, a sewing needle, and thread. Anyone can do it, even if you have never sewn before. This guide shows you how to make a cozy blanket using just your hands.
Why Choose Hand Sewing for a Blanket?
There are many good reasons to make a blanket by hand. Maybe you do not own a sewing machine. Maybe you like quiet crafts. Hand sewing lets you work anywhere. It is perfect for small spaces. It is also a great way to add a personal touch. A hand-sewn blanket makes a warm, thoughtful gift. You can make a hand sewing blanket that is just right for you or a friend.
Gathering Your Supplies
You do not need much to start your project. Get these items ready:
- Fabric: What kind of fabric do you want? Fleece fabric is a top choice. It is soft and does not fray easily. This makes it easy to work with by hand. You might need one large piece or two pieces.
- Sewing needle and thread: Pick a strong thread. All-purpose thread works well. Choose a needle size that is easy to hold and goes through your fabric. A sharp needle helps.
- Sharp Scissors: You need good scissors to cut fabric cleanly. Fabric scissors are best.
- Pins or Clips: These hold fabric layers or hems in place while you sew.
- Measuring Tape or Ruler: To measure your fabric and seams.
- Marking Tool: Tailor’s chalk or a fabric pen helps mark cutting or sewing lines.
- Optional items:
- Thimble: Protects your finger when pushing the needle.
- Fabric glue for blankets: Can help hold hems before sewing or as a no-sew option.
- Embroidery floss or thicker thread: For decorative stitches or tying methods.
Preparing Your Fabric
Before you start sewing, get your fabric ready.
Picking the Right Fabric
Fleece fabric is very popular for blankets. It is soft, warm, and forgiving. It does not need special edge finishes because it does not fray. This makes it perfect for a no sew fleece blanket or a simple hand stitch blanket. Other soft fabrics like flannel or minky also work. If you use fabric that frays, like cotton, you will need to plan for finishing fabric edges by hand.
Washing Your Fabric
It is a good idea to wash your fabric before you cut or sew it. Fabric can shrink the first time it is washed. If you wash it now, your finished blanket will keep its shape and size. Use a gentle cycle and dry as you plan to dry the finished blanket.
Measuring and Cutting
Decide how big you want your blanket. Common sizes are:
- Baby blanket: 30 x 40 inches
- Throw blanket: 50 x 60 inches
- Twin bed: 60 x 90 inches
You can make any size you like. Measure your fabric carefully. Use your scissors to cut straight lines. If you are using two pieces of fabric, make sure they are the same size. For hand sewing, add an extra inch or two all around for hems or seams.
Laying Out Your Fabric
Find a large, clean surface to lay out your fabric. A floor or a large table works well. Smooth out any wrinkles. Make sure the fabric is flat before you measure or cut. If using two pieces, place them together. You can put them wrong sides together (for visible seam) or right sides together (to turn inside out later).
Ways to Make a Blanket by Hand
You can make a blanket by hand in a few ways. Some need sewing, some do not.
Method 1: Hand Sewing a Simple Hemmed Blanket
This method is good for one piece of fabric, like fleece or flannel. You fold the edges under and stitch them down. This gives the blanket a clean edge. Finishing fabric edges by hand makes the blanket look neat and last longer.
Preparing the Edges
Lay your fabric flat. Turn the raw edge of the fabric under about half an inch. Press this fold with your fingers. Then, fold it over again another half an inch. This hides the raw edge. Pin the folded edge down all the way around the blanket. Use lots of pins to keep it flat. This is how you start finishing fabric edges by hand neatly.
Choosing a Hand Stitch
You can use several hand stitches for a hem.
- Running Stitch: A simple stitch. Push the needle up and down through the fabric. It looks like a dotted line. It is fast but not very strong.
- Backstitch: A strong stitch that looks like machine sewing. Push the needle up, then go back and down. Come up a little ahead, then go back to where the last stitch ended. Repeat.
- Whip Stitch: Great for joining edges or sewing a hem. Bring the needle up through the fabric edge, then loop over the edge and go down through the fabric again, close to the first spot. Keep looping over the edge. This stitch wraps around the edge.
For a hem, the whip stitch or a small running stitch hidden in the fold works well. The whip stitch is easy and secures the edge quickly.
Sewing the Hem
Thread your sewing needle and thread. Do not use a piece of thread that is too long. About 18-24 inches is a good length. Tie a knot at the end of the thread.
Start sewing at a corner or edge. Bring your needle up from the back of the folded hem. The knot should be hidden inside the fold. Stitch along the folded edge.
If using a Whip Stitch:
1. Bring the needle up through the fabric fold, close to the edge.
2. Loop the thread over the edge of the hem.
3. Put the needle back down through the fabric, just below the fold and slightly to the side of where you came up.
4. Pull the thread through.
5. Repeat, making stitches evenly spaced and wrapping over the hem’s edge.
If using a Running Stitch:
1. Bring the needle up through the fabric fold, hiding the knot.
2. Make small stitches by pushing the needle down and up through the fabric along the hem. You can load several stitches onto the needle before pulling it through.
3. Keep stitches small and close together for a secure hem.
Sew all the way around the blanket’s edge. When you reach the end, tie off your thread securely. Bury the knot inside the hem if possible. This hand sewing blanket method creates a durable, finished edge.
Method 2: Hand Sewing Two Fabric Layers Together
This makes a double-layer blanket. It is extra warm. You can use two different fabrics for a nice look.
Layering the Fabrics
Cut two pieces of fabric the same size. Decide if you want to sew them right sides together or wrong sides together.
- Right Sides Together: Put the pretty sides of the fabric facing each other. Pin the edges all around. Leave a gap of about 8-12 inches open on one side. This is how you do a “turn and stitch” method.
- Wrong Sides Together: Put the pretty sides facing out. Pin the edges all around. You will see the stitches on the outside edge. This is good if you like the look of the stitches or are using fleece that does not fray.
Pinning the Layers
Pin the two layers of fabric together along all the edges. Place pins about every 4-6 inches. Make sure the edges line up well.
Choosing a Stitch for Layers
- Whip Stitch: Excellent for sewing edges together when layers are wrong sides together. It secures the edge and looks like a binding.
- Backstitch or Running Stitch: Use these if you are sewing right sides together. You sew a seam about 1/2 inch from the edge.
Sewing the Layers
Thread your sewing needle and thread (again, not too long a piece). Tie a knot.
If sewing Wrong Sides Together with a Whip Stitch:
1. Start at a corner. Bring the needle up through both layers of fabric near the edge. Hide the knot between the layers or on the less visible side.
2. Loop the thread over the edge.
3. Push the needle down through both layers again, slightly over from where you came up.
4. Pull thread through. Keep stitching over the edge, catching both layers evenly. This is a great way to finish the edge and join the fabrics at the same time.
If sewing Right Sides Together with a Backstitch or Running Stitch:
1. Start sewing about 1/2 inch from the edge on one side. Hide your knot between the two layers.
2. Stitch along the edge, 1/2 inch in. Use a backstitch for strength.
3. Sew along three sides and most of the fourth side. Stop when you have an opening big enough to turn the blanket (8-12 inches).
4. Tie off your thread securely.
Finishing the Blanket
If you sewed Right Sides Together:
1. Reach into the opening you left.
2. Pull the fabric through the hole so the pretty sides are now on the outside. The raw seam edges are hidden inside.
3. The opening will have raw edges. Fold the raw edges of the opening inside, so they line up with the sewn seam. Pin the opening shut.
4. Hand stitch this opening closed using a ladder stitch or slip stitch. This stitch is almost invisible. Bring the needle up from the fold on one side, go straight across to the other fold, and make a small stitch inside that fold. Repeat, moving back and forth between the two folded edges until the opening is closed. Tie off thread.
If you sewed Wrong Sides Together with a Whip Stitch: The edges are already finished! Just tie off your thread when you finish stitching all the way around.
This hand stitch blanket method gives you a lovely double-sided blanket.
Method 3: No Sew Fleece Blanket (Tied Fleece Blanket)
This is one of the easiest ways to make a blanket without any sewing needle and thread at all! It uses two layers of fleece fabric. It is often called a tied fleece blanket.
Cutting the Fabric
You need two pieces of fleece fabric the same size. Lay them flat, one on top of the other. Make sure the edges line up.
Preparing for Tying: Cutting Fabric Fringe
This step creates the “ties” around the edge.
1. Smooth out the fabric layers.
2. Cut a square out of each corner. Make the square 4 inches by 4 inches. This helps the corners lie flat.
3. Now, cut strips (fringe) all around the edge of the blanket.
* Cut about 4 inches deep into the fabric.
* Make the strips about 1 inch wide.
* Cut through both layers of fabric at the same time.
* Go all the way around the blanket, cutting even strips. Cutting fabric fringe creates the tassels you will tie.
Tying the Knots
Once all the fringe is cut:
1. Take the top strip and the bottom strip that are directly on top of each other.
2. Tie them together in a knot. A simple double knot works best to make it secure.
3. Some people twist the strips before tying.
4. Tie every pair of strips all the way around the blanket.
This tied fleece blanket method is fast and easy. It makes a cozy blanket with a fun fringed edge. It is a classic no sew fleece blanket project.
Method 4: Using Fabric Glue for Blankets
Fabric glue can be used for simple hems or to hold layers together before sewing. It is not as strong as stitches for joining main seams, but it can work for finishing edges or small blankets.
Applying Fabric Glue
- For a hem on one fabric layer: Fold the edge over twice, just like for hand sewing.
- Apply a thin line of fabric glue for blankets inside the second fold.
- Press the fold down firmly.
- Follow the glue instructions for drying time. You might need to use pins or clips to hold the hem while it dries.
Pros and Cons of Fabric Glue
- Pros: Very fast, requires no needle or thread, easy for small jobs or quick fixes.
- Cons: Less durable than sewing (might come undone in the wash), can make the fabric stiff where applied, not suitable for major seams on a blanket that gets heavy use.
Using fabric glue for blankets is best for simple hems or craft projects, not usually for the main way to hold a full blanket together for long-term use.
Finishing Touches
Once you have sewn or tied your blanket, do a few things to finish it off.
Checking Stitches or Knots
Look closely at all your stitches or knots. Are they secure? Are there any gaps? Fix any loose spots now.
Trimming Threads
Cut off any loose threads hanging from your stitches or knots. Make it look clean.
Adding Labels or Embellishments (Optional)
You can hand sew a small fabric label onto a corner. Write your name and the date. You could also sew on patches or other small decorations if you like.
Washing the Finished Blanket
Wash your new blanket following the fabric care instructions. This helps it fluff up and removes any marks from making it.
Tips for Hand Sewing Blankets
Here are some helpful tips for hand sewing blanket projects:
- Use a Thimble: This saves your finger, especially with thicker fabrics or tight stitches.
- Keep Thread Short: Long threads tangle easily. About an arm’s length is good.
- Pull Stitches Evenly: Do not pull too tight, or the fabric will pucker. Do not leave them too loose, or they will snag.
- Practice Stitches: If you are new to a stitch, try it on a small piece of scrap fabric first.
- Be Patient: Hand sewing takes time. Enjoy the process. It is relaxing for many people.
- Use Good Lighting: See your stitches clearly.
- Take Breaks: Rest your eyes and hands.
Choosing Your Blanket Method
Here is a quick look at the different ways to make a blanket without a machine:
| Method | Skill Level | Time Needed | Durability | Best For | Needs Sewing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hand Sewn Hemmed | Easy | Medium | Good | Single layer, neat edge | Yes |
| Hand Sewn Double Layer | Medium | Long | Very Good | Warm, two-sided blanket | Yes |
| Tied Fleece (No Sew) | Very Easy | Fast | Good (knots can loosen) | Fleece, fast project, kids | No |
| Fabric Glue Hem | Very Easy | Fast | Fair (less durable) | Quick fix, small items, crafts | No (using glue) |
Making a hand sewing blanket requires a bit more time than using a machine, but it offers great control and a handmade feel. A no sew fleece blanket is super fast and simple. A tied fleece blanket is a fun first project.
Grasping Different Stitches
Let’s look closer at some hand stitches you might use. A hand stitch blanket relies on you making neat, strong stitches.
Running Stitch
- How it looks: A dashed line.
- How to do it: Bring the needle up from the back. Go down a short distance away. Come up again a short distance from where you went down. You can put several up and down stitches on the needle before pulling it through.
- Use for: Gathering fabric, light seams, or temporary stitches (basting). Can be used for a hem but is not the strongest.
Backstitch
- How it looks: A solid line, like machine stitching.
- How to do it: Bring needle up at point A. Go down at point B (a short distance ahead). Bring needle up at point C (a short distance behind B, usually halfway between A and B). Go down again at point A (where the last stitch started). Bring needle up at point D (a short distance ahead of C). Go down at C.
- Use for: Strong seams that need to hold firmly. Good for joining fabric pieces in a double-layer blanket.
Whip Stitch
- How it looks: Stitches that wrap around the edge of the fabric.
- How to do it: Bring needle up through the fabric near the edge. Loop the thread over the edge. Push the needle down through the fabric again, close to where you came up, catching the edge. Repeat, making slanted stitches over the edge.
- Use for: Finishing raw edges, sewing two finished edges together, sewing a hem. It’s especially good for joining two layers of fleece with wrong sides together.
Knowing these stitches helps you make a hand stitch blanket that looks good and lasts.
Caring for Your Hand-Sewn Blanket
Proper care keeps your handmade blanket looking nice.
Washing
Check your fabric’s care label. Fleece is usually machine washable. Use a gentle cycle with cool or warm water. Use a mild soap. Avoid fabric softener, especially on fleece, as it can reduce softness and fire resistance.
Drying
It is best to air dry your blanket flat. If you use a dryer, use a low heat setting. High heat can damage some fabrics, like fleece.
Handling Loose Threads
If you see a loose thread, tie a small knot close to the fabric, then snip the thread. Do not pull on loose threads, as this can unravel your stitches.
Why Hand Sewing a Blanket is Rewarding
Making a blanket by hand is more than just creating a warm item. It is a creative process. You choose the fabric, the color, and the method. Each stitch or knot you make adds to the blanket. It is a calm activity in a busy world. When you finish, you have something you made with your own hands. This hand sewing blanket will be special. It can be a cozy addition to your home or a deeply personal gift for someone you care about.
FAQ Section
Q: How long does it take to hand sew a blanket?
A: It depends on the size of the blanket, the fabric, the stitch you use, and how fast you sew. A simple hemmed throw blanket might take many hours of sewing time spread over a few days or weeks. A tied fleece blanket can be done in an hour or two. Hand sewing takes longer than machine sewing but you can work on it in small bits of time.
Q: What is the easiest stitch for a beginner hand sewing a blanket?
A: The whip stitch is very simple and effective for finishing edges or joining two layers of fabric together, especially fleece. For a basic hem, a simple running stitch inside the fold is also easy.
Q: Can I use any fabric for a hand-sewn blanket?
A: You can use many fabrics. Fleece fabric is easiest because it does not fray. Flannel, cotton, or wool can also be used, but you will need to spend more time finishing fabric edges by hand so they do not unravel.
Q: How do I make a hand stitch blanket strong?
A: Use a strong stitch like the backstitch for seams if you are joining two pieces of fabric. For hems, fold the fabric edge over twice to hide the raw edge and use a strong thread and close stitches like a whip stitch or small running stitches. Keep your stitches even and do not leave large gaps.
Q: Is a no sew fleece blanket durable?
A: Yes, a tied fleece blanket is surprisingly durable for everyday use. The knots hold up well. However, the knots can sometimes loosen or untie over time, especially with rough handling or washing. It is easy to re-tie them if needed.
Q: Can I use fabric glue for the whole blanket?
A: Using fabric glue for blankets for the entire blanket, especially main seams, is usually not recommended. It is less flexible and durable than stitching. It is best for securing hems before sewing or for small fabric craft items, not typically for a large, well-used blanket.
Make Your Own Cozy Creation
Sewing a blanket without a machine is totally possible and very rewarding. Whether you choose a simple hand stitch blanket method, a faster no sew fleece blanket with tied fringes, or use fabric glue for a quick edge, you can create something warm and special. Gather your supplies, choose your fabric and method, and start making your own cozy blanket today. Enjoy the quiet craft of hand sewing!