There is something very special about hand making comfort objects for a new baby. A mother can never have enough receiving blankets and typically different sizes work better depending upon whether one is: trying to snuggle the little up, laying a light cover to give the baby warmth or are just wanting to lay something down between the baby and the floor. Receiving blankets are typically made out of thin flannel, are square in size, and are often used to swaddle the infant especially during those first three months when babies move around very little while sleeping. The tight wrap of the blanket is thought to give the baby comfort in the same way they are snuggly held inside the womb. Here are two ways to make flannel receiving blankets: Buy a yard each of two different colors of flannel to make a reversible receiving blanket. Cut the two pieces so they measure approximately 32 x32 inches. Choose thread that matches the two fabrics. Easiest Receiving blanket # 1: 1. Lay the pieces on top of one another and pin around the perimeter of the fabric so the pins point outward and the pinheads are inside allowing you to sew over them without removing. 2. If you have a serger sewing machine this next part is a breeze, you just serge stitch each of the four sides of the blanket. If you only have zig zag machine, you can still finish of the edge by zig zagging. Practice first on a two scraps of material to find the right stitch width and length ratio that suits you and doesn’t pucker. 3. To make turns when you reach the corner, hold the fabric to keep it from moving while guiding the machine to make the 90 degree turn. Continue sewing each side making the turn each time the same way until you are back where you began. 4. Remove pins, trim threads and press. Easy Receiving blanket # 2: 1. Lay the two pieces of flannel together and pin the same as in blanket number #1. 2. This time, straight stitch around the three sides like you are making a pillow case placing the presser foot along the edge of the flannel so the line of sewing is about 1/2 inch in from the edge. 3. To make turns when you reach the corner, stop sewing, rotate the hand wheel so the needle is all the way down at its lowest position, lift up the presser foot, rotate the fabric 90 degrees, lower the presser foot and sew away until you get to the next corner. However, on the fourth side only sew half the distance of the remaining opening and finish stitching at this midpoint section. 4. Turn the “pillow case” inside out and press the entire blanket. On the section that was not sewed closed, pin and press the seams inside to create a continuous even edge with the sewn section and then hand slip stitch it closed. 5. Return the blanket to your sewing machine and top stitch all four sides letting the inner edge of the presser foot ride on top of the newly pressed outer edge. 6. Remove pins, trim threads and press. Receiving blankets make lovely gifts to give to new mothers and as the baby grows these same edging techniques can be used for making larger baby quilts or even finishing off a fabric wall hanging to put up in the baby’s room. Category:Home › Other • Pomegranates: A newly discovered superfood • Where did the joke why did the chicken cross the road come from and why is it funny? • Can mothers diagnosed with bipolar disorder make good parents? • Spiritual evolution of human consciousness • Tips for getting a college basketball scholarship • Living with Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) • Caring for the caregiver • Technologys impact on society

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