So Sew Something!

I have a million .. no, scratch that.. a GUH-zillion projects roaming around unsupervised in my head.  Most of them are for me dresses, especially nursing dresses.  However, we’ll all (including myself) have to wait on those for a bit because I keep going back to baby stuff when I sit down at the machine.  I’m not complaining!

For today’s post – I wanted to test whether or not it’s cheaper to make my own receiving blankets or to buy them.  You may have picked up on the fact that I’m a consummate bargain shopper…and yes, I consider that a compliment!!  (side note: one time I posted on facebook that I found an incredible ikat Pottery Barn Duvet on sale at the outlet for $10.  Someone wanted to know how I came across that kind of a deal.  The next person replied, “Seriously?  If anyone’s going to find something fabulous and inexpensive anywhere, it’s Robie!”  I love it!…but, I digress…)

Down to business.  Just before Rosamund was born, I received a few packages of darling receiving blankets. One of the packages was from my Aunts  Sherry and Nell.  They just so happened to leave the price tag on, we’re family after all, and it was 4 blankets for $22 from Khols.  Of course, I gasped… $22!?!?  There’s got to be a cheaper alternative!  Hence, today’s tutorial.

The test blankets: nice, sort of soft flannel blankets. I think this set was from Target. I can't remember how much they cost, but I think it was around $12 - making each blanket about $4. Cheaper than the $5 blankets from Khols.

So, to see if I can make them cheaper, I headed to Hancocks and Joann’s.  Both had their flannel on sale for 30% off.  I bought a yard from Hancocks and a yard from Joann’s.  For the tutorial, I’m using the fabric I found at Joann’s.  Regular price: $7/yd.  Sale price: $4.90/yd.

I started by measuring the purchased blanket. Mine was roughly 28" x 28". I wanted my new one to be a bit bigger, so I cut it at 30"x30". Cut yours to whatever length you want.

I like the rounded edges of the store-bought blankets, so I gave mine that treatment too! Now, here's a shortcut. Whenever you read a book/blog about making rounded edges, they always say to take a bowl and use it as your template. They guide you to trace around the bowl with a pencil at each side and then cut along the lines. I say - RIDICULOUS! Just cut a curve at each side! Forget the bowl!

I cut opposite corners at the same time, and then did the other two corners. It's your blanket. Cut it in whatever order you want. Take control of your blanket! Power to the corner cutters!...hmmm. I think I may have had a wee bit too much coffee this morning!

Then, simply serge or zig zag the edge of the blanket. And you're done. It's almost embarrassing how easy this is!

Now for the results of the question – is this cheaper than buying blankets?

The answer is both yes and no.

If you’re simply going with exact cost – then NO, it’s NOT cheaper to make one.  Remember, the Target blanket cost about $4, my blanket cost about $5.

Now for the exciting part … It really can be CHEAPER!

If I just make a blanket - a plain jane blanket - then it's not technically cheaper. But then again, it's plain. However.............................

By purchasing a yard of fabric, I ended up with a nice bulk of SCRAPS! Hollah! (For instant savings, just purchase exactly what you need - meaning, I could have purchased 30" only and that would've saved me almost $1)

You can use those scraps to embellish a burp cloth! I used the flannel down the middle and added a car applique using cotton fabric.

And you can make washable nursing pads ... I'm personally not into these, for the record, but when it comes to putting a gift package together, I think it's pretty fun! And hey - I've been known to run a marathon just because I wanted a running dress. If these are cute enough, I might just use them too!

Plus, after making that fun car on the burp cloth, I decided to add an applique to the blanket .. thus improving the WOW! Factor!

So…if you look at the overall cost of making a blanket AND having fabric to make a myriad of other things too, I’d say the cost is very inexpensive and in way, cheaper than a store-bought blanket!

This entire gift set cost $5. I personally think that's pretty priceless! Plus, I still have more fabric left over to make additional gift...hmmm. Clean the house? Nah!

I hope you’ll make some of these blankets…

We’ve gone over the cost, so for the Time Breakdown:

The blanket – takes about 3 minutes, if you have serger.  A bit longer if you use a zig zag stitch, and definitely longer if you use the typical hem method.  (I don’t recommend this!)

The burp cloth – takes about 5 minutes if you don’t worry about cutting exactly perfect and if you use a satin stitch.  Might take longer for newer sewers because it can be tricky to work with the flannel that wants to keep moving as you sew.

The nursing pads – oh my ridiculously easy and fast!  5 minutes for sure!  Tutorial coming tomorrow!

There you go – come back tomorrow if you want to know how to make the Washable / Reusable Nursing Pads.

happy day everyone!

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