Tutorial: Shabby Chic Frayed Edge Blanket

This is a simple project great for using up scraps!  Here is a picture of what we’ll be making:

What You’ll Need
About 1/4 yard (or less) of 7 different fabrics (I used scraps)
1 yard of backing fabric, exact measurements are about 35.5″ x 41″
Rotary Cutter and Mat
Sewing Supplies

How to Make It
Start by cutting eight (8) 6-inch by 6-inch squares from each fabric, for a total of 56 squares.  Lay them out in desired pattern.  The picture is missing two squares because I’d already sewed them together but you get the idea.

Now we’ll start sewing.  The tricky part of this project is that you always want to put wrong sides together so that your seams are exposed.  I used a 3/8″ seam.  Clip the seam each time (Your hand will hurt much less if you clip as you go instead of doing it all at the end.  This will help the exposed edges fray when we wash and dry the blanket after it’s complete.

Sewing squares, wrong sides together

Exposed Seams

Clipping the Seams

I had a seam-rip a few times because the kids would distract me or just because I’m so used to putting right sides together.  I chose to sew each line and and then each strip together as I went.  It’s what I find easiest for me to keep track of what goes where but do whatever works best for you.

To show how the size shrinks up when you add the 3/8″ seam

Sewing strips, wrong sides together

All squares sewn together with seams clipped

Now is a good time to add a label or tag if you’d like.  I got the cutest tags on Etsy from the shop Jennifer’s Jewels.  I opted to sew one along the bottom middle.

Sewing the tag on the blanket

Adding the backing fabric

Backing fabric trimmed and pieces pinned together

Now you just need to wash and dry it once or twice so it frays and you’re all done!

It’s the perfect size for toddlers and my 17 month old daughter has already been dragging it everywhere!