Ribbon Blanket

Another thing I made for our cousin’s six month old son was a ribbon blanket.  I essentially followed this tutorial from Moda Bake Shop but looked at many other ones as well.

Due to the fabric that I was using, I ended up with odd sizes.  I cut each square 9 5/8” with 1/4” seam allowances, except for attaching the ribbons which I did at 1/8”.

I made both sides of the blanket with all four fabrics instead of a minky fabric on one side.

As you can see, I did not do the best job at matching up my fabrics, which caused issues when I stitched in the ditch at the end.  The reason I decided to stitch in the ditch is because I didn’t want to take the chance that the warm & natural (the batting that I used) would come loose and ball up after being washed.

I chose three different ribbons and cut them in three different sizes.  When attaching them, I just made sure to not have any of the same pattern next to each other, but the same size was fine.  And actually, I used one of each size and pattern on each half of a side.

I decided to pin each ribbon in place and then I sewed them on with about 1/8” seam allowance.  This may have caused more work for myself, but I felt that there would be less chance of having the ribbons shift this way.  I would do it this way again even if it is more work.

Here is one side of the blanket after attaching all of the ribbons.  I placed the ribbon fairly even (just eyed it) because well, that is how I am.  haha  Many other people can easily randomly attach ribbons, but I just don’t have it in me.  As often as I try to make things random I always end up with some sort of organization.

In other words, attach the ribbons however you are feeling at that time.  I think it can look fantastic either way!

I may not have needed to use safety pins to keep everything in place, but I thought I would give it a try.  Plus, I then wouldn’t have to worry about being poked by pins.

For the most part the ribbon went toward the inside, but there were a few that wanted to sneak out, so I just had to make sure to tuck them back in.  Otherwise, they would be on the inside of the blanket once it was completed.

After sewing everything together, I trimmed the warm & natural so there was less bulk.  Turned the blanket inside out, ironed, and topped stitched all the way around.

After topstitching, I decided that it would probably be best to quilt it in some way.  I didn’t feel like actual quilting would look the best, so that is why I decided to stitch in the ditch.  I am not 100% happy with how it turned out, but it has to do.  I wish that you weren’t able to see the stitching, but you are.

Overall, it’s an adorable ribbon blanket, but it could have turned out better if I had made sure my blocks were completely lined up.  Live and learn, right?