project // simply bound blanket

I love finding a new supply, tool, or material to work with, as those items often inspire a new project to try, or a new way to do something I've tried before. This was the case with the double knit interlock that I found at JoAnn.




It was during a sale on their nursery fabrics, and although I don't usually even look in that area, their ad showed some prints that were perfect for something I was working on. And then I spotted the knit. It was thick and heavy and 57" wide, and while one of the prints was little elephants, the others did not scream "baby fabric" to me.

Still...what would I do with it? I went home.

And then went back. After a bit of thought I realized that because of its thickness and the fact that it is print on one side and solid on the other, it would be a perfect lightweight blanket just as it is. All I needed to do was add regular quilt binding along the edge.



Even more wonderful was that the chevron print was a near-perfect color match for our living room. It would be just the thing for having on hand on cool spring and summer evenings.

I chose a solid green fabric for the binding, and bound it using the same method as I did with my whole cloth quilt. Done.

This really is very simple, and because it's a small lap quilt size (mine is about 46 x 56 inches), it's fast. All you are doing is adding binding! That's my favorite part!



And just look how nice it looks on the back of our big IKEA chair? I mean, yes, you can make this for a baby, but may I even suggest that this would make a nice gift for your mom? Or as a little housewarming gift?

I suppose it does look a little sad setting unused on the chair. Let's get a prop.



Good kitty. Now, snuggle with the blanket like you always try to do. And look cute!



I guess she's done with pictures. But she nailed it on the cute part!



A quick word on this fabric, and thoughts I had while working with it.

First, this has a higher price tag that most of JoAnn's fabrics. Look for a sale, and/or use a coupon.

When they are cutting it, check for any flaws, as you should with any fabric. I found one that we could avoid while cutting (and one afterward...boo). They aren't anything major, but if you're making a gift, you want it to as nice as possible!

Even if you trim the edges as straight as you've ever cut anything in your life, because you're adding woven binding to a knit fabric, there will probably be a bit of ripple to the edges. It's minor and gives it character. Go with it!

Oh, and if you make this for a gift, be prepared to want one for yourself. I already have binding cut and prepared for a second one!