materials and tools

Receiving

Blanket and Dribble Cloth Set

created by Natalie Olsen finished blanket size: approximately 32″ x 32″

A flannel baby blanket and

matching dribble cloth set

are an ideal homecoming gift

for a newborn.

• 1½ yards of flannel for blanket back and border plus

dribble cloths

• 1¼ yards of flannel for blanket front plus dribble

cloths

• Coordinating thread for construction

• Contrasting thread for embellishment

• Ruler

• Water-erasable marker

step one

Cut a 40″ x 40″ square from the back/border fabric.

Cut a 30″ x 30″ from the blanket front fabric.

step five

Sew the pieces together with a ½″ seam allowance, leaving an opening so you can turn the blanket right side out.

Blanket and

Dribble Cloth Set

step two

Fold the 30″ fabric square on the diagonal; press flat, then unfold the square.

Repeat, connecting the other two corners.

You will have an X pressed into your fabric. This will help as you put the fabric pieces together later on.

step three

On the 40″ square, make a mark 5″ in from each corner. You will have eight marks; two marks 5″ from each corner.

step four

Line up one side of the 30″ square with one of the marks. Make sure the right sides of the fabric are together.

Blanket and

Dribble Cloth Set

step six

When you get close to the corner, about ½″ from the bottom of the smaller piece and ½″ from the mark on the bigger piece, stop and backstitch.

Turn the blanket and line up the smaller piece of fabric with the next mark on the larger piece.

Continue stitching around all sides of the blanket. Be sure to leave an opening for turning.

step eight

When all four corners are pinned and the seam lines are marked, stitch along the marked lines to sew the corners together.

Trim away the excess fabric about ¼″ from the stitching.

step seven

Place the blanket on a flat surface. Measure and fold a 3″ border all the way around the blanket (this includes the ½″ seam allowance).

Once your border is even and your inside-out blanket is flat, fold the corner flat with the blanket; pin in place.

Mark the seam line at a 45° angle. The seam line will be even with the diagonal line you pressed into the smaller square.

Repeat for all four corners.

Tip: Use a seam gauge to

measure the border. Move the gauge to 3“ and use it as

a guide for measuring.

The receiving blanket is now ready to snuggle a little baby!

Blanket and

Dribble Cloth Set

step nine

Turn the blanket right side out; press. Be sure to press under the seam allowances at the opening so it will be stitched closed when it is topstitched later. Don’t topstitch yet, though.

step ten

Thread your sewing machine with a thread that blends well with your fabrics.

Stitch along each diagonal line (crease) you pressed into the 30″ square earlier. You will have an X sewn into the blanket. This will keep the top and bottom pieces from shifting when the blanket is washed.

step eleven

Thread your machine with a contrasting thread and select a decorative stitch.

Sew around all four sides of the blanket, over the seam line where the two fabrics meet.

Tip: Use an edgestitch foot—

or any foot with a center

guide—to help you stay

centered over the seam.

Blanket and

Dribble Cloth Set

You will have fabric left over from the receiving blanket, enough for a set of these easy-to-make dribble cloths.

step twelve

Cut your fabrics into your preferred dribble cloth shapes. Some people like them bone-shaped, some like them rectangular, and some just don’t care. It’s all up to you.

I prefer a hybrid rectangle-bone-shaped cloth. I made two dribble cloths, using one of each fabric in each one.

step thirteen

With right sides together, sew around each dribble cloth with a ½″-wide seam allowance. Leave an opening so you can turn it right side out when the time is right.

step fourteen

Clip the corners and rounded edges of the dribble cloths so that when you turn them right side out they’ll lay flat.

Blanket and

Dribble Cloth Set

step fifteen

Turn the dribble cloths right side out. Press flat, turning under the seam allowances at the opening.

Topstitch around the dribble cloths. I like to use a decorative stitch and a contrasting thread. Be sure you sew close enough to the edge so that the stitches will sew the opening closed.

Now you have a set of sweet dribble cloths to go with your cuddly receiving blanket!

variation

You can use the same technique to make absorbent dribble cloths out of cloth diapers and flannel fabric scraps.

Visit The Crafty Cousins — Natalie and Ashley — at their blog: http://crafting-cousins.blogspot.com/