We could call it the One-Hour Blankie, but we don’t want people to think we’re not spending enough time over the new crafty gift for their precious bundle! This project is so quick and easy, it’s almost embarrassing. I made it for my friend Bona, who we threw that Baby Bump Surprise Party for. (Go HERE if you want to see the cute favors and cupcakes we made!)

What you’ll need, as seen above:
-    Cute fleece material
-    Satin quilt binding in complimentary color

Curly Notes:
•    The binding goes around the blanket, so make sure that your fleece is cut to size so that all the sides, when added, equal to about 8-10 inches less than your binding is long. (You’ll have to account for a bit of extra material as you round the corners.)
•    I used Wright’s Satin Blanket Binding. I found this at a local Jo-Ann, and it comes in many colors…

…and many types. The craft possibilities are endless!

What to do:
I didn’t quite have the time to document my own process, but it looked very much like this tutorial on the Wrights website. It was my guide as I made the blankie. If you click on the image below, it will bring you right to the tutorial as well.

I’m sure more experienced sewers can make this in under an hour, but I often get obsessed with mitering the corners perfectly, so that bogs me down. Oy.

Here’s how my blankie turned out!

I gave it to Bona before she went on her maternity leave. I  forgot all about it, until last Tuesday when we paid her and baby Joshua a visit. I spied this at a quiet corner in her house, and it gave me warm fuzzies. The new parents are actually using my gift!

Sometimes people say handmade gifts are too much trouble, too much of an investment of time and effort. This one took only an hour, and the returns (warm fuzzies, happy smiles) are priceless.

Here’s to crafty gifts and I hope you get the chance to make one (or two) soon!