If I wanted to make one of those no sew fleece blankets..

[Ghee]

, but didn't want to use a kit..

 

How much fabric should I buy?

 

Are two layers warm? Would three be too hot? Even up North, this winter?

 

How much do these usually cost, if you've made one and not used a kit?

[Pamela H in Texas]

Two is way too warm for us, but our heat is 65 to 68. My 5yo can't even use his...ever. But he likes it cuz grandma made it for him (she has made one for each of our placements except our last (my daughter made his...btw, from a kit and it was WAY WAY thinner and wouldn't be too warm for anyone)).

 

But up north? I don't know....sorry...

[DarlaS]

Two layers are definitely warm enough. You might even want one side to be a thinner fleece.

 

Fleece is usually 60" wide, so the length of the cut you buy depends on how big you want the blanket. For just a throw 1.5 yard is plenty, 1 yard for a baby blanket and 2 yards would probably cover a twin bed (but you'd by tying forever!).

[justLisa]

I'd second the 1.5 yards being plenty. That would give you something roughly 54 x 60. That is plenty big for a good size throw.

[cjzimmer1]

I'm up north, ours are 2 layers of the thicker fleece. For most of my kids they are perfect but one kid still gets cold. He just adds another blanket. I can't imagine using 3 layers though, because I would think that it would be pretty hard to tie since it would be so bulky at that point.

 

I used about 1 1/2 yards for my under 8 crowd (remember you will lose 6-8 inches off the length depending on how long you cut the tassels), 1 3/4 yards for my then 10 year old (that is all the fabric that was available in the print I want, sadly he is outgrowing it, I should have used at least 2 yards) and I used 2 1/2 yards for my oldest, since he has grown 8 inches in the last 10 months and based on a few factors I'm guessing he still has another 6 inches or more of growth left, I really glad I got him the extra long material. He loves it because he can tuck it under his feet and still cover his shoulders. I don't think I would use anything less than 2 1/2 yards for a teenager or adult.

[Dustybug]

I agree with the 1.5 yards being enough. I made several a few years back for Christmas gifts. I always use two layers and it doesn't even get super cold here.

[Ghee]

Thank you. I wanted to make a throw for my husband, so I wanted it to be plenty big. He's kind of cold natured, and hated Illinois winter with a passion, so I had thought three layers. Maybe just two will be enough :)

[Woodhaven]

I've never made one and don't have any idea about how many layers, but here is a link on "how t:"

 

 

 

or

 

http://www.google.com/search?source=ig&rlz=&q=no+sew+fleece+blanket

 

or

 

http://familycrafts.about.com/od/nosewfleeceprojects/ss/fleecetieblank.htm

 

I hope you figure out what you need and that it works!! These look very cute!

[Ellie]

I didn't know you could buy a kit. :001_huh:

But here are the directions I used to make mine:

 

One-Hour Fleece Blanket

SUPPLIES

 

~ 1 2/3 yard of 2 coordinating fleece prints and/or solids

~ Scissors/pinking shears or rotary cutter and mat

~ Quilting or safety pins

~ Masking tape

 

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Lay one piece of fabric on your work surface with the WRONG side up with selvages on the left and right. Lay the second piece of fabric RIGHT side up on to of the first, with the selvages on the top and bottom. This will stabilize your blanket.

 

2. Remove selvages and trim fabric to a 58" square. Use a few pins to hold the pieces together.

 

3. Place masking tape on all sides of the top piece of fleece, four inches from the edge. Cut fringe at one-inch intervals, using the masking tape as a guide.

 

4. Tie the top and bottom layers in a knot at each fringe. At the corners, cross over the fringe so the bottom right connects to the top left, etc. Remove 4" square from the corners.

 

**The same technique can be used to make a matching pillow. Or, use the same measuring and cutting technique to make an easy single-layer blanket.

[justasque]

, but didn't want to use a kit..

 

How much fabric should I buy?

 

Are two layers warm? Would three be too hot? Even up North, this winter?

 

How much do these usually cost, if you've made one and not used a kit?

 

To figure out how much fabric you'll need, draw a sketch. Basically, you'll have a rectangle of fleece, surrounded by a larger rectangle; the part in-between the two rectangles is the length of your ties.

 

The fabric usually comes 58-60 inches wide, so use that as the width of the larger rectangle. Draw in your fringe tie thingies, and how long they'll be. The width of the finished blanket will be that width minus the left fringe length minus the right fringe length. (Wfinished = 60" - fringe - fringe)

 

Now decide how long you want the finished blanket, not counting the fringe. Measure the bed you want to put it on, possibly with a sleeping recipient in it for accuracy! Put this measurement on your picture. Now you can see you'll need this length plus the top fringe length plus the bottom fringe length to get your total length.

 

NOW - if you're using two layers, you'll have to double that length.

 

PLUS it's always a good idea to add 3" or so to top and bottom to allow for crooked cutting on the part of the fabric shop.

 

Fleece shouldn't shrink, so no need to allow for that.

 

Note that fleece varies widely in quality, so do shop carefully. Also, chain fabric stores give out coupons like crazy - never, never buy without one.

[MAIMOM]

, but didn't want to use a kit..

 

How much fabric should I buy?

 

Are two layers warm? Would three be too hot? Even up North, this winter?

 

How much do these usually cost, if you've made one and not used a kit?

 

 

23 blankets was the end total of blankets made by the kids and me for friends and family last Christmas. I started out only making one for my dad and it grew and grew!

 

We found 2 yards to be a great amount to work with for adults. I did one over 2 yards and it went over my dining table so it was harder to keep straight. It is possible but not as easy.

 

I am not sure how you would tie 3 layers together. There are different qualities of fleece. I do not recommend buying your fleece from a box store but to buy it from a fabric store like Joanns. Their Blizzard fleece is the warmest as the weave is tighter. I use mine at football games and it keeps me nice and toasty.

 

The cost depends on what fabric you buy. Joanns has fleece on sale this weekend for just over $5 a yard (reg 8-10). The licensed fleece like Disney and NFL is 30% this weekend making it about $10 a yard (reg $15 a yard). Last year they had fleece on sale black Friday for $3-4 a yard. I bought a bunch that weekend.

 

I watched a few tutorials on utube. What I learned after making 23 is that you really cannot mess them up. I started out pinning them so the fabric would not slide around. I was precise in measuring the width and length of each tie. I was crazy about the way each tie was made so they all laid the same way. It took me over an hour for the first blanket. We made one with the kids for papa and found out his looked just as good even though my daughter had cut (not precise) and my 4 year old had tied (not the same way or tightness). It looked great. By the end of making the blankets we cut and tied the last 3 in 20 minutes with 2 of us cutting and 5 kids helping to tie!

 

To make the blanket I put both on my dinging room table. I cut a 5 inch square out of each corner. Then cut the ties about an inch wide....the width of my joint on my pointer finger where I hold the fabric. The length was 2 snips of my scissors which was about 5 inches. You can tie two ways: balloon tie, or shoelace tie. Either way works and looks good. The balloon tie is not as playful so I did that on the blankets for men at first. I found I liked to tie them both ways on the blanket. The stretchy side is easier to tie balloon tie IMO.

 

The most difficult part of the blankets was choosing the fabric! It was fun to see them come together. My friend helped me and then made some for her family who are Steeler Fans. She said "they are so much fun I want to make more. I would make them if someone wanted to buy the fabric. It is so wonderful to watch them come together." I have to agree. To keep the cost down on her Steeler Blanket she used solid black on one side.

 

We have a bag of 5 inch squares that have been used to make everything from doll clothes to bean bags. They are the gift that keeps giving.

 

I wondered about making a single layer blanket for family in Fl. A friend showed me how to just cut 2 ends of the blanket. hmmm....the short ends of the rectangle fabric. You do not need to cut a square out of the corner first. Also you can tie them tighter, its ok if it bunches and pulls. That looks nice on the single layer.

 

I wish you lots of fun!

[Forget-Me-Not]

I didn't know you could buy a kit. :001_huh:

But here are the directions I used to make mine:

 

One-Hour Fleece Blanket

 

SUPPLIES

 

~ 1 2/3 yard of 2 coordinating fleece prints and/or solids

~ Scissors/pinking shears or rotary cutter and mat

~ Quilting or safety pins

~ Masking tape

 

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Lay one piece of fabric on your work surface with the WRONG side up with selvages on the left and right. Lay the second piece of fabric RIGHT side up on to of the first, with the selvages on the top and bottom. This will stabilize your blanket.

 

2. Remove selvages and trim fabric to a 58" square. Use a few pins to hold the pieces together.

 

3. Place masking tape on all sides of the top piece of fleece, four inches from the edge. Cut fringe at one-inch intervals, using the masking tape as a guide.

 

4. Tie the top and bottom layers in a knot at each fringe. At the corners, cross over the fringe so the bottom right connects to the top left, etc. Remove 4" square from the corners.

 

**The same technique can be used to make a matching pillow. Or, use the same measuring and cutting technique to make an easy single-layer blanket.

 

Yes, this is the way I do it and the masking tape makes it SO much easier. Spread it out on the floor, mask it off, put on a movie, and cut away. Expect your hand to be a bit tired from cutting :D Oh, and if you use any kind of a plaid type print, put that one on top and let it do the measuring for you!

 

2 layers is definitely plenty. I usually go 1.5 yrds, but if you're making one for a large man, I'd definitely consider going a full 2 yrd length.

 

JoAnn's often has good Black Friday deals on fleece, and at least in my area, they have a HUGE selection of prints and colors (any sports team you could possibly want).