Many of my readers have wondered how to make the baby blanket with the fan edging.
So, I thought that I would make a little movie to show how it was done.
After all, a picture (movie) is worth a thousand words of explanation!
And, a video shows the process better than still pictures.
At least that’s what I think . . .
I have a wonderful friend who is expecting her first baby and I was invited to a shower for her. I decided to make her a baby blanket with the fan-edging.
You’ve heard the expression ‘killing two birds with one stone.’
Well, I have two birds (purposes) here — make a gift and make a little movie.
I dug out my 30 year old Kenmore sewing machine.
(It’s as creaky as my knees as you can hear in the movie clip.)
My cameraman (husband) was trying different things with the camera attempting to get close up views. Some of the filming was fuzzy.
Rats!
While I might not get an academy award for best filming, at least you will be able to get a better idea of how to do the fan edging. It’s super easy to make. I hope this helps.
29 thoughts on “Fan Edging on a Baby Blanket”
Thank you for this fun tip!
I can not see which way your sewing the fan fold. If you could clarify please.
After I did the fan fold, I held the blanket so that the long side of the fold was in a vertical position to me. Then, I did a zig-zag stitch in the middle of the fold. The zig-zag stitching went side-to-side horizontally — from one side of the short side to the other side of the short side. Does this help?
Very much! thank you!
This is a fan blanket.and beautiful
Thank you so much for your kind words!
You are so kind so say so! It was fun to make.
Very pretty! How long/deep were your cuts? What size was your blanket?
The squares were 4 inches so the cuts were 4 inches into the fabric. I made it a crib size. Hope this helps!
Would it b possible to make this with 2 pieces of fleece?
No, it wouldn’t.
How long is material for a baby blanket
The blanket was 45 inches wide and 45 inches long. Hope this helps!
Your video was awesome! Simple easy to follow!! Thanks!!
Pretty and I bet that baby loves to finger the fans. Great sensory addition! I have found that using a rotary blade gives the smoothest cut lines and is so quick and easy. Someone sent me this video to learn how to make it. And asked me depth and width of the cuts. I would place my fabric on a rotary cutting board, then in the left bottom corner I would cut a 3×3 square out, then continue across the bottom using 3 inch wide by 3 inch high cuts with the rotary blade. I take the square from the corner and place it on top of the blanket. I line it up with the top of the square cut so that I now how wide to cut and how high. I move it to the right as I go and this helps me make all my cuts the same. When I start to fan, I use small office clamps and place them down one row. I then can sew pretty quickly removing as I go.
I love fleece made sensory blankets. Babies love the different ribbons . So to add to the design. You can take the heavy ribbon, ( not the satin) and cut it at different lengths Then, where you pinch the center of the fan, add the ribbon. Zig zag it down in place just as you would without it.
You can add buttons on a few to give it an extra texture if you make it a lovie and back it. However you make it, its sure to be a favorite with the visual and feel variety.
I love this and had not seen this edging before!! Im thinking I might try it on scarves I am making my granddaughters!!
One question did you put a backing to the blanket or just left it one layer?
This would be a fun edging for scarves! And, I didn’t put a backing on the blanket. It was just one layer of fleece.
Great idea!
Love this edging on the baby blanket!! Great tutorial on video!
HI Jann,
You are always so sweet. I think you deserve a gold medal for your kindness! I certainly can’t take credit for the idea since I saw it in the fabric store. But I like sharing it because it is not a typical edging that you see.
Thanks for dropping by!
Nina
Hi Judy,
Sewing since you were 10? That’s amazing!
I’m sure your daughter’s friend will love a blanket like this. And, it sews up so quickly!
Good luck!
Nina
This was a soft fleece material. And it didn’t fray at all. In fact, it’s still in remarkable shape after all these years and all of the use it got!
Nina
I love the way your blanket looks. Could you please tell me what kind of fabric you used. I looks like a light weight fleece. I would think if it is flannel it might fray.
What a genius way to finish the edge of a blanket, and so simple! I’ve been invited to a baby shower for one of my daughter’s friends and was looking for some gift ideas. I’ve been sewing since I was 10 and baby items are my favorite to sew. This is simple and quick and I know she will love it. Thank you so much for sharing this idea!
Nina, this is so darling! I have not seen this fanfold before. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
I’m not a great sewer but you make this look much easier than I would have thought it was! Your blanket is beautiful, the pretty edges make it extra special. Pinned and shared.
This edging is so pretty. I make so many blankets and would love to use this on one. I found you through Share Your Cup. Pinning. Cathy
Cathy,
The really nice thing is that it is so easy to do! You can whip up a fleece blanket in not time at all. I like that.
Nina
I’d love to try the fanfold blanket edging. I installed QuickTime but I still can’t get the video to play. Is there some other way to see the directions?
Thanks!