How to Sew a Flannel Baby Blanket: Easy DIY Tutorial

This flannel baby blanket pattern makes the perfect baby shower gift or present to take when visiting a new baby. It’s cozy, customizable, and the entire project can easily be made in less than an hour!

To make this entire blanket, you’ll only need a little over two yards of flannel, so it’s a good project for using up excess fabric. It ends up being the perfect blanket size to tuck into a car seat without being too bulky, and can easily become a crib blanket when baby gets a little older. 

I’ve made one of these flannel blankets for almost all of my kids, and they all still use them at their various ages! I’ve also made the pattern many more times to give as gifts. It’s so fun seeing little ones tucked into their car seats with their handmade blankets! 

I love that they’re not too bulky but also provide a lot more warmth than the thin muslin swaddles or a thin receiving blanket. 

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Why You’ll Love This Easy Sewing Project

• It’s perfect for beginners. I love this blanket because it totally fits my sewing style – simple! If you can sew in a straight line, you can make this blanket.
• It’s the ideal last minute gift. Even for beginners, the entire process takes less than an hour. If you get in the groove, you could probably make this project in less than 30 minutes.
• It’s inexpensive. If you have a stash of fabric, you may not have to pay anything for this small project! You’ll only need about a yard of fabric for each side. Even if you go to a fabric store, though, you can make this project for about $5-$15, depending on the fabric you choose. (Don’t forget to check for coupons!)
• Babies (and moms) love it! It’s the ideal blanket size and thickness for using for a newborn in a car seat or stroller, or for draping over a sleeping young toddler in their crib. The flannel fabric provides just enough warmth without being too hot or bulky. You can easily customize it for a baby boy or baby girl – or choose a neutral pattern. And who doesn’t love something handmade? It’s the all-around perfect gift!

What Do You Need to Know to Make This Blanket?

These little blankets are super easy to make and perfect for beginners! All you need are basic sewing skills and some simple equipment. To make this blanket, you’ll need to be able to:

• Measure and cut fabric
• Pin right sides together
• Sew a basic straight seam (straight stitch)
• Topstitch

You’ve got this! 

Supplies You’ll Need to Sew a Flannel Baby Blanket

• Sewing machine
• Scissors or a rotary cutter and cutting mat
• Pins
• Two flannel pieces of fabric. I use 37″ x 42″ pieces. I usually pick some sort of pattern for the front and a coordinating color for the backing, but you can combine any fabric pieces that you like, of course!
• Thread to match your fabric and/or contrasting thread for the topstitching along the outer edge.
• Iron and ironing board, for pressing your fabric.

How to Sew a Simple Flannel Baby Blanket

Ready? Grab your supplies and let’s get started on your flannel baby blanket!

Step 1: Preparing Your Fabric

• Before you start sewing, wash and tumble dry your fabric. This is important to make sure that the pieces don’t shrink and pull on each other after the blanket is assembled.
  
• After washing, cut any fraying ends from the raw edge and iron your fabric.
• Next, cut the fabric to size. If you just bought your flannel, you may only need to do a little bit of trimming to make sure the pieces line up properly. 
  

Step 2: Sewing Your Blanket 

• Lay out your pieces of flannel with right sides together. With the pieces lined up, pin around the edges.
  (I had so much fun making this particular blanket with my 4-year-old for her new little sibling!)
  
• Time to sew! Start stitching around the perimeter of your blanket. I use a 1/2″ seam allowance. On the final side of your blanket, stop sewing about 6″ from the corner. 
• With your two pieces of fabric almost fully stitched together, reach your hand inside the remaining opening and turn the blanket right-side-out. If you’re having trouble getting the corners flat, sticking a pencil or a crochet hook in each corner of the blanket is the easiest way to effectively poke them flat. Now the wrong sides are together in the middle, and the right sides are visible.
• Gently fold the edges of the remaining 6″ section under about 1/2″, pull it tight with your fingers, and carefully stitch along the edge to close the section. You should be stitching through four layers of fabric at this point. 
  
  Here’s how it looks when you start folding it under…
  
  …and how it will look once you pull it tight and start stitching.
  

Step 3: Finishing Your Blanket

• Next, use the iron to press your blanket, making sure all of the edges lay flat. I like to add some more pins around the edges at this point to make sure that the seam stays exactly on the edge and the two pieces don’t become offset as I’m sewing the topstitch border.
  
• Now it’s time for the finishing touch! Using about a one inch seam allowance, top stitch around the perimeter of the blanket on all sides. I like to use a coordinating color for this, but something that doesn’t blend in too much, since this stitch acts as the “border” for the blanket edges. You could also use decorative stitches like a scallop or zig zag stitch around the edge of the blanket if you like (although these can tend to make fabric pucker, so if you’re a beginner, consider sticking with a classic straight stitch).
  The edge should look something like this:
  
• Cut any loose threads, and you’re done!

Ways to Adapt This Project

This simple flannel rectangle blanket is so easy and quick to make, but there are lots of ways to adapt it to make it unique! Here are a few ideas:

• Adjust the size of your flannel to make a larger square for a floor mat.
• Turn it into a quilt by piecing together smaller squares of flannel for the top piece of fabric. (You can make it as simple as four large pieces if you like!)
• Embroider a name or initial into it.
• Add decorative stitching along the edges.
• Crochet a lace edge around the outside of the blanket.

More Simple Sewing Projects for Baby Gifts

When it comes to new babies, every gift is special, and the thought that you put into giving any gift is encouraging to a new mom or dad. (And if you don’t know what to give or don’t have a lot of time, everyone appreciates a pack of diapers!) 

But when it’s possible, making a handmade gift is such a meaningful way to welcome a little one. 

Here are some more ideas for simple sewing projects that are perfect for baby gifts!

• Simple Burp Rags
• Beginner Baby Quilt
• 30-Minute Bandana Bib

Happy sewing!

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