How to Make a Picnic Blanket

A homemade picnic blanket makes for a great gift or a fun, simple sewing project. While you do need to know how to sew to make one, it’s not a particularly difficult project to complete compared to many other items. To make a picnic blanket, select a thick, durable fabric for your blanket and purchase at least 2 sheets of the fabric. Get a layer of flexible vinyl if you want to waterproof the underside of your blanket. Then, set your fabric with the pattern facing down. Add any padding or cotton batting on top if you want a fluffier blanket. Lay the second layer of fabric on top and sew the edges to secure them. You can also add straps if you want to store your blanket using strips of nylon and special fabric Velcro strips.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Designing Your Blanket and Buying Fabric

1. Make an blanket for a traditional size. You can make your blanket however big you’d like. Typically, picnic blankets are roughly in length and in width. Sketch the dimensions of your blanket out and write the size down so you can reference the size when you go to purchase your fabric.^[1]
   
   
   
   • If you want to visualize how big a blanket will end up being, lay down 2 measuring tapes on the ground based on your planned length and width.
   • You can make a square-shaped blanket if you prefer, but most people prefer blankets with a short side to make the blanket easier to roll up and store.
2. Select a durable fabric with a beautiful pattern for your blanket. You can use any kind of fabric to make a picnic blanket, but comfortable water-resistant textiles like polyester fleece, microfiber, and wool will work best. Choose a pattern that looks interesting you. You can choose any color that you’d like, but bright summer colors like red, green, purple, or orange will work well.^[2]
   
   
   
   • Soft denim is another popular fabric for DIY blankets.
   • If you want a reversible blanket with a different pattern on both sides, get 2 different patterns or colors.
   • You can get a quilted picnic blanket pattern if you’d like to give your blanket a traditional look. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can get a variety of fabrics and sew the quilt together yourself. This is much more difficult and time-consuming, though.
3. Purchase at least twice as much fabric as you need based on your dimensions. If you want your picnic blanket to be , get at least enough fabric for a blanket that is . This way, you’ll be able to fold the fabric in half to increase the thickness of your blanket. It will also give you some extra fabric to work with in the event that you accidentally tear some of it. Buy your fabric online or at a local craft shop.^[3]
   
   
   
   • If you want to fill the blanket with padding or if you’re using a thick material, like denim, you can purchase less fabric. It’s still good to have some extra fabric though.
   • If you’re going to use padding, purchase cotton batting or upholstery foam.
4. Get a sheet of vinyl fabric if you want to waterproof your blanket. A vinyl picnic blanket typically refers to a blanket with a vinyl cover on the bottom. This vinyl sheet will protect the fabric and keep moisture out. Purchase a sheet of soft vinyl big enough to cover your blanket on one side.^[4]
   
   
   
   • Vinyl isn’t a particularly comfortable material to sit or lay on, so don’t use a vinyl back if you want your blanket to be reversible.

[Edit]Cutting and Sewing the Fabric

1. Mark your dimensions on the fabric using fabric chalk. Set your fabric out face-down on a large, flat surface. Use heavy objects or clamps to keep the fabric taut. Use a measuring tape to measure the length of each side of your blanket. To mark each cut, set a yardstick or some other straight edge out on your fabric. Use the edge to draw your length and width out using fabric chalk.^[5]
   
   
   • You can use a fabric marker instead of the chalk if you prefer, but the chalk is much easier to erase.
   • Repeat this process for the second layer of fabric that you’re using. You will sew the 2 pieces of fabric together after cutting them out.
   • If your fabric is thinner and you’re going to fold it over, double the dimensions of your blanket. This is a good idea if you’re using a thin fabric, like polyester.
   • If you’re installing a vinyl cover on one side of the blanket to keep water out, spread the vinyl sheet out first. After you cut your fabric, trace the shape of the blanket on the vinyl and cut it separately.
2. Cut the fabric using sewing scissors or a rotary cutter. If you have a steady hand, feel free to cut your fabric out with sewing scissors. Alternatively, set a cutting mat out underneath the fabric and use a rotary cutter to carve clean lines. Cut carefully along each of the lines that you’ve marked to cut your fabric out.^[6]
   
   
   • Work slowly to ensure that you don’t accidentally deviate from the marks that you’ve made. If you cut into the fabric of your blanket, you’ll need to repeat this process.
   • Cut the vinyl separately if you’re using a waterproof cover on one of the blanket’s sides. Depending on the thickness of the vinyl, you may be able to cut it with standard scissors. Otherwise, use a rotary cutter.
3. Spread a layer of padding or cotton batting out if you’re filling the blanket. If you’re filling your blanket with some kind of padding, set your material out in the middle of your fabric. Spread it out by hand or unroll the padding until you’re happy with the thickness of the material. You can add as many layers of padding as you’d like. Distribute the padding evenly so that it is flush with the edges of your first layer of fabric.^[7]
   
   
   
   • Filling the blanket with padding is entirely optional. You can fill it if you want the blanket to be fluffy and soft, but many people prefer thinner picnic blankets.
   • If you cut out fabric that is twice as big as the dimensions of the blanket, grip a corner of the fabric. Fold it over to the corner of the opposite side to make it thicker before adding any padding.
4. Set your 2 layers of fabric on top of one another. Take your second piece of fabric and set it on top of the first sheet with the pattern facing up. Line the corners up and pull the fabric taut before clamping it in place. Alternatively, you can set heavy objects near the corners after matching them up and setting them down.^[8]
   
   
5. Pin the fabric in place to keep the layers from sliding around. Once your corners are lined up, use sewing pins to secure the fabric in place so that it doesn’t spread around while you sew it. Go around the edges of your fabric and insert 1 pin every . Place your pins from the exterior edge of each side. Push the pin through one side of the fabric and run it through the opposite side. Repeat this process until you’ve lined every side of your blanket.^[9]
   
   
   • You can fold each edge over itself before pinning the layers in place if you’d like a cleaner edge. If you do this, iron the edges in place before pinning it.^[10]
6. Stitch the edges of your blanket with a strong thread to secure it. Run a strong thread through your sewing machine and set a corner of your blanket under the machine. Plug the machine in and set the speed on your machine to its lowest setting. Press the foot pedal or use the automatic setting to stitch the blanket. Move the fabric as you sew by pulling it towards you slowly. Repeat this process on each side to finish sewing the edges.^[11]
   
   
   • A running stitch is the easiest pattern to use here, but you can use a zigzag stitch if you prefer.
   • Do this away from your pins to avoid stitching them into your blanket or damaging your machine.
   • You can do this by hand if you’d like. If you do, run your thread through each side of the blanket to stitch a zigzag into each of the edges.
   • Sew additional seams through the middle of your blanket if you filled the blanket with padding. Place 1 seam every running lengthwise and widthwise through your blanket. This will keep the padding from shifting around.
   • Remove the pins when you’re done sewing the blanket.
7. Sew bias tape around the edges of your blanket to secure the stitching. Purchase a spool of bias tape from your local fabric or craft store. Spread the tape out and open the fold in the middle. Place the end of your tape along a corner of your blanket so that the crease meets the seam of the fabric. Fold it around the seam and pin it place. Sew along the edge of each length of tape to secure it to the blanket.^[12]
   
   
   • Run your pins away from the edge of your bias tape where it meets the main fabric of the blanket. Place 1 pin every to keep the tape from sliding around.
   • Bias tape is a sewing material that is used for securing stitches and keep edges safe. It looks like a thin roll of fabric that is folded in half lengthwise.
   • You can skip the bias tape and simply trim any frayed edges with sewing scissors if you prefer.

[Edit]Adding Storage Straps

1. Get Velcro strips and some strong nylon straps. If you want to make a roll-up picnic blanket, purchase 2 heavy-duty Velcro strips with adhesive backing. Nylon is the best choice for your straps but you can use another strong fabric if you prefer. Purchase strips in a pattern and color that will work well with your blanket.^[13]
   
   
   
   • Make sure that the Velcro strips are designed to stick on fabric by reading the label carefully before purchasing them.
   • If you can’t find Velcro strips that will work with fabric, you can sew standard Velcro strips into the blanket instead.
   • Get straps that are long so that they can wrap all the way around your blanket when you roll it up.
   • You do not have to add straps if you don’t want to. They’ll make it easy to store and carry your blanket, though.
2. Roll your blanket up and stick the Velcro backs onto it. To determine where you want to place your strips, roll your blanket up so that the backside of the blanket is facing out. Then, select 2 locations for your strips. Place the 2 strips out from the top of the roll on the shorter side of the blanket and in from the exterior edges. Peel the adhesive backing off and carefully press the back into your fabric or iron them into place.^[14]
   
   
   • You do not need to fold the blanket up before rolling it up. However, if you plan on folding and storing your blanket a particular way, feel free to adjust this process by folding the blanket before rolling it.
3. Adhere the Velcro to the end of each nylon strap. Take your first nylon strap and stick the other end of the Velcro strip at the end of the strap. Repeat this process on the other nylon strap. If you sewed the straps to your blanket, sew them to the straps instead to ensure that the tension on each piece of fabric is roughly the same.^[15]
   
   
4. Roll the blanket up and determine where to place your straps. Roll the blanket up tight and hold it in place. Then, use the Velcro strips to attach each strap to your blanket. Next, wrap the straps around your blanket to find out where you need to attach them to keep the blanket tight when you roll it up. Place a hash mark with fabric chalk where you want to put your straps.^[16]
   
   
   • If you want to make things simple, you can cut the straps at the point where they wrap around the blanket and meet your Velcro after 1 rotation. This way, you can sew the strap directly under the Velcro strip on your blanket.
5. Pin and sew the straps into the blanket. Place your strap against the blanket where you made the hash mark and pin the strap in place. Then, use your sewing machine to stitch the nylon strap into your blanket. This way, when you roll the blanket up you can simply push the Velcro strips together to keep it from coming unraveled. Repeat this process with the other strap.^[17]
   
   

[Edit]Things You’ll Need

• Measuring tape
• Fabric
• Cotton batting (optional)
• Fabric chalk
• Clamps or heavy objects (optional)
• Vinyl (optional)
• Rotary cutter or sewing scissors
• Thread
• Bias tape
• Sewing machine
• Needle (optional)
• Sewing pins
• Nylon straps (optional)
• Velcro strips (optional)

[Edit]References

1. ↑ https://crazylittleprojects.com/picnic-blanket-tutorial/
2. ↑ https://crazylittleprojects.com/picnic-blanket-tutorial/
3. ↑ https://crazylittleprojects.com/picnic-blanket-tutorial/
4. ↑ https://sewguide.com/waterproof-water-resistant-fabric/
5. ↑ https://youtu.be/RL5S1b916vo?t=19
6. ↑ https://youtu.be/D1fnolPlQVs?t=96
7. ↑ https://crazylittleprojects.com/picnic-blanket-tutorial/
8. ↑ https://crazylittleprojects.com/picnic-blanket-tutorial/
9. ↑ https://www.threadsmagazine.com/2012/01/30/how-to-use-pins-the-right-way
10. ↑ https://youtu.be/QC-TVyI7r5U?t=81
11. ↑ https://youtu.be/QC-TVyI7r5U?t=96
12. ↑ https://youtu.be/tpaaY9rth8c?t=269
13. ↑ https://crazylittleprojects.com/picnic-blanket-tutorial/
14. ↑ https://crazylittleprojects.com/picnic-blanket-tutorial/
15. ↑ https://crazylittleprojects.com/picnic-blanket-tutorial/
16. ↑ https://crazylittleprojects.com/picnic-blanket-tutorial/
17. ↑ https://crazylittleprojects.com/picnic-blanket-tutorial/