I made some of these blankets for my 3 oldest kids a few years ago. I figured my youngest might like one this year. In this tutorial you will learn how to make a no sew fleece blanket without knots.
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How to Make a No Sew Fleece Blanket Without Knots
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No Sew Fleece Blanket WITHOUT Ties
This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure policy for details.Supplies needed:
- two pieces of fleece fabric
of equal size {I used 1 1/2 yards each}
- rotary cutter and mat OR
- scissors and a seam ripper
of equal size {I used 1 1/2 yards each} Steps to a No-Sew Blanket
Stack your two pieces of fabric on top of each other so that you cut them the same.
Then cut out a four inch square out of each corner.
Now to connect the blankets together
- Take the top {yellow/pink} strip of fleece
- Insert it into the hole in the bottom {green} strip of fleece
- Pull it all the way through
- Repeat above steps with green strip of fleece
Repeat until your blanket is done.
I just went and tried it, and it totally works. This will save so much time.
When I made these for my older kids, I was worried that they wouldn't stay together. Three years and several washings later they are still just fine. See my tips on washing fleece blankets.
How many yards of fabric for fleece blankets?
Baby blankets:
Get one yard of each fabric then cut in half so that each is approximately 28-30" X 36". You'll be able to get two blankets out of it.Child sized blankets:
1 1/2 yards is a good size for children, so purchase two pieces of coordinating fabric that are 1 1/2 yards each.Teen and Adult sized blankets:
For teens or adults you will probably want to do two yards of each fabric. For tall people, you could do 2 1/2 yards each for better coverage.Do you need to wash fleece before making a blanket?
Totally my opinion, but I do not wash fleece before making blankets. I don't feel that it's necessary. In general, fleece is made of polyester and doesn't shrink.However, if you have sensitive skin, you may prefer to wash to remove any chemicals from the manufacturing process.
To keep your blanket soft for years to come, try these tips for washing a fleece blanket.
More DIY Blankets
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No Sew Fleece Blanket Without Knots
Yield: 1
Estimated cost: $25
prep time: 10 Mperform time: 2 hourtotal time: 2 H & 10 M
Fleece blankets are soft and cuddly and perfect for little kids. Since there are two layers of fleece they are super warm. This tutorial will teach you how to make a fleece blanket without the knots
materials:
- two pieces of fleece of equal size {1 1/2 yards each for kids, 2 yards each for teens/adults}
tools:
- rotary cutter and mat OR
- scissors and a seam ripper
steps:
- Stack your two pieces of fabric on top of each other so that you cut them the same.
- Cut out a four inch square out of each corner.
- Cut the edge into 4 inch strips 1 1/2 inches apart.
- Make a one inch cut in the center at the top end of each strip.
- Continue all the way around the blanket.
- Now connect the blanket together:
- Insert both strips of fabric into the holes,
- Pull completely through the holes.
- Repeat until your blanket is done.
© 2019 Adventures of a DIY Mom
Such a neat idea!! What a comfortable TV blanket for kids!!
ReplyDeleteVery cool. I do like the way yours look over just the plain knotted kind. I'm off to Joann's or Hancock to find some fleece.
ReplyDeleteI made about 6 of these blankets the past few weeks. I usually just tie them which is quicker. I've done it this way one time and it has a nice clean look to it. I love the patterns you choose.
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Have a crazy beautiful week!
I love this. This way is so much cleaner and just prettier looking than the knotted ones. So glad I found this tutorial and your blog. Happy holidays!
ReplyDeleteRachel,
ReplyDeleteI LOVE no-sew blankets! I was literally just in JoAnn's (like an hour ago) and saw that same cute monkey fleece and almost bought it for a blanket. It's so cute. Great tutorial! Thanks for sharing at Creative Thursday :) Have a great week.
Michelle
It wont come apart without and actual tide knot? Ive only made one and seemed to tie the entire thing too tight.. Any pointers?
ReplyDeleteI haven't had any problem with them coming apart. I will admit that I don't wash them as often as I should, but they have been washed several times and they stay together just fine.
DeleteI'm not sure what you mean about it tying together too tight. I would make sure that your two pieces of fleece are exactly the same size, that the strips are cut the same, and that the grain of the fabric of each layer is laying the same way. {Fleece will stretch a lot when pulled one way and not much when pulled the other way}
Hope this helps.
Great job... I liked your blog and posting some amazing baby blankets... If interested you can find here...
ReplyDeletebaby blankets
personalised baby blankets
cot blankets
snuggle blankets
cotton blankets
Great idea to those who are into the sewing disaster...
ReplyDeleteJulia
Choofie – Onwer
baby blanket
Quick question, will it work the same if I insert both strips into the hole at the same time?? Thanks so much
ReplyDeleteSaw the update... thanks!! So ready to make these blankets!!
ReplyDeleteLove the look of this! I do have a question though: how does this technique hold up to excessive use and washing? Just from looking at it, it seems that pulling the two pieces apart would pull the loops out and separate. Maybe I'm mistaken? I will try this but I am curious for any insight you might have on this. Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteI made my older kids some about 4 years ago. My son especially uses his a lot. It's staying together pretty well. That being said, I don't wash it very often. The fleece tends to stick to itself, so the two pieces naturally stick to each other and that helps it stick together.
DeleteI'd love to hear your thoughts after you've made one and washed it over and over. It sounds like you're a better washer than me :)
This is an amazing idea - it looks fantastic!!! I have some fleece to try this with :) I was wondering though - does it only work with fleece or could you use other types of material too? Would it hold? Thank you x
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you like it!
DeleteI'm not sure about other fabrics. I haven't tried anything else. The good thing about fleece is that it doesn't fray so the edges don't need to be finished. I bet it would work ok with a knit, since they don't fray either. Cotton and flannel fray a lot, so they probably wouldn't work too well.
Any idea if this "tying" method will work on pillows? I made my neices a couple of these and I wanted to put a matching pillow with their blankets. I've only seen pillows, but not made them, with the knot method. Would it be necessary to sew around the edge to keep the stuffing in? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteMy kids got some pillows once from someone that were just knotted. After a while the stuffing did start coming out. So I would suggest sewing first then tying them. Sounds like a fun project!
DeleteAny idea if this "tying" method will work on pillows? I made my neices a couple of these and I wanted to put a matching pillow with their blankets. I've only seen pillows, but not made them, with the knot method. Would it be necessary to sew around the edge to keep the stuffing in? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI've done several without having to sew them to keep stuffing in. I don't have any problems.
DeleteThis is a great tutorial - I love the look of this tying method. I have made one today for a newborn and appliqued his initial on both sides in fleece. Fab!
ReplyDeleteI love this style! I trying this one first! Genius!
ReplyDeleteIm making a no-sew blanket for my boyfriend's birthday this year. But the pattern he wants only comes in cotton fabric. Not fleece. Can I still make a no-sew blanket with cotton fabric on top and fleece fabric on the bottom? And still use this technique?
ReplyDeleteThe problem with cotton is that it will fray, where fleece doesn't. You could try something like my rag-top quilt: http://www.adventuresofadiymom.com/2011/09/striped-ragtop-baby-blanket.html - of course you'd have to make it bigger.
DeleteOr you could tie it:
http://www.adventuresofadiymom.com/2013/03/how-to-tie-blanket.html
They are both a little more work than a no-sew blanket, but I think they would work out better with cotton fabric.
What is the best way to cut that slit in the top?
ReplyDeleteI used a rotary cutter. Hope that helps!
DeleteThis looks like a great project , I'm going to try it!
ReplyDeleteI hope you like it!
DeleteWould scissors work for cutting? Not sure how precise the slit at the top could be...Planning on making this for my boyfriend as a Christmas present... Do you have any ideas on how to make it more personalized? (I was thinking iron on letters or something...) Let me know!
ReplyDeleteI prefer to use a rotary cutter, but scissors would work. Just go slow to try and make the cuts as uniform as possible. You could definitely iron on letters or you could embroider his initials. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteHi Rachel, I just found your blog this morning!Love the way you did the edges on this blanket! Thankyou, Louise
ReplyDeleteI believe that using this edging method for pillows will work just fine IF you use a 'pillow form' ... and not loose stuffing. (If you want to use a loose stuffing for the pillow, it would be best to encase it in a thin fabric first... so you would need to sew or glue the open edges of that fabric to contain the loose stuffing material.) You could also make a neckroll type pillow by really stuffing the leg of an old stocking till it is evenly filled and cover/wrap with a single layer of one of the fleece fabrics. Fold fleece in half over/around the pillow and pin/clip together so it stays in place while you work. Cut the three open sides of the fleece (without cutting the pillow) the same way you would if making a blanket, slit and slip/pull thru each fringe set the same way. This type of 'no-knot (knotted) edging' should hold up well if laundered on a gentle cycle in your washer.
ReplyDeletedo you make the one inch cut with the seam ripper?
ReplyDeleteI used a rotary cutter I think... It's been a few years :) A seam ripper would probably work great if it's sharp. If you try it let me know how it goes.
DeleteOkay thank you!!! I am going to purchase a hello kitty fleece pattern that I seen at walmart and get a solid color for the black. My cousin is having a baby shower next month so I am going to get started this week.
DeleteAlso, I saw a comment above that said they were going to use iron on letters to personalize it. I want to put her daughter name, Natalie Grayce, on the back but I thought that you could not iron on fleece fabric. Is that true or not?
I've never used iron-on's with fleece but I think that you're right. I've read about bad experiences with it. I would probably cut out letters from some extra hello kitty fabric and sew them onto the solid fabric you're using for the back. I'd sew the letters on before combining the front and back of the blanket. You could sew them by hand or machine. If you're looking to avoid sewing, then maybe you could iron them onto a knit t-shirt type fabric and then you'd just have to sew that to the blanket instead of sewing each letter. Good luck with your blanket! I hope it turns out as cute as it sounds!
DeleteJust finished the baby blanket over the weekend. It turned out really cute. I got a seam ripper and a rotary cutter and mat. I didn't try the seam ripper way because it did not do the job on my practice fabric but the other way worked great! I also just cut out my own letters and sew it onto one of the fabrics before I joined them together. I wish I could upload a picture for you because it's so cute!!!
DeleteI sent you an email of the blanket :)
DeleteOK! Thank you so much!!
ReplyDeleteThis method seems to work pretty well using 3 layers as well! Just put the top two layers through as one, then complete the last step from above! I'm making a triple thick "tummy time" blanket for my baby to be. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip! I've never thought to use three layers. Wishing you the best with your new little one!
DeleteThis is really interesting. I’d never seen a no sew fleece blanket make quite like this.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing at The Really Crafty Link Party. Pinned.
Something else handy for the coming frigid season! Thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday! Keep warm!
ReplyDeleteYour fleece blankets look wonderful, and so much nicer than the ordinary knotted ones! They are perfect for the colder weather that seems to be arriving. Thank you for sharing, and for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party. Hope to see you again this week. Hope you have had a lovely weekend!
ReplyDeleteHi there -- I'm a little thick headed when it comes to sewing and such but my question has to do with step #3 below and in your pic above - insert strip from top piece (yellow) into hole in bottom piece (green) and HERE'S WHERE I'M A LITTLE CONFUSED - then take the green strip and pull through the yellow hole? Many thanks.
ReplyDeleteStep 1 - Take the top {yellow/pink} strip of fleece
Step 2 - Insert it into the hole in the bottom {green} strip of fleece
Step 3 - Pull it all the way through
Step 4 - Repeat above steps with the new top {green} strip of fleece
It's a little confusing, but yes, that's how to do it. Another way: A reader suggested just taking both strips at once and inserting them into both holes and pulling them through. It works really well and is much quicker.
ReplyDeleteI love this idea! Will have to try it! I have 15 grandbabies so I will soon be starting on Christmas presents.
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love this. I make puppy blankets and beds and this is so quick. My new thing. Thank you so much
ReplyDeleteHi, you list the tools needed but never mention what to do with or how to use a seam ripper. For those us who don't sew, that wasn't as obvious as it would be to folks that do. But, I was able to complete the blanket with no problem & the braided affect looks great! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteA seam ripper is an optional tool that you can use to cut the inner slits. You could poke one end in the fabric, and use the sharp edge to cut the slit. I've not actually used that method, I find the rotary cutter is easier. I'm happy to hear that your blanket turned out.
DeleteHi, can you tell me how I can use this technique on a poncho with a round hem?
ReplyDeleteIt will be a little tricky to do a round edge because the top of each fringe piece will be thinner than the bottom. I would start by measuring and marking (with tape) 4 inches from the bottom. Then, start cutting the strips. You will have to be careful that the cuts stay perpendicular to the tape as you go around.
Delete