Handmade Chenille Tutorial

I attempted a handmade chenille doll blanket a few weeks ago and took pictures along the way, just in case someone else wanted to try it. One of my friends has a baby blanket that her mother made using this method. Mine didn't turn out as cute as hers, but what the hell. 

STEP 1: Cut out 5 pieces of fabric that were 16" by 20".  You won't really be able to see the pattern on the fabrics when it is finished, so choose the fabric by the dominant color instead. I also cut a piece of white chenille from an old beadspread for the backing.

STEP 2: Stack the 5 fabric pieces together, right sides all up, and sew a straight line from one corner to the opposite corner.  Continue to stitch lines about 3/4 inch apart on each side of the first line. This would probably be much easier with one of those quilting bars or edge guides.

It ended up looking like this, after I sewed all the lines:

STEP 3: Put the backing on. I probably should have done this at the end, but its too late now! I put the right sides of the fabric stack and backing (piece of vintage chenille spread) together, and sewed around the edge. I left 4 inch opening so I could turn it right side out:

STEP 4: Press the edges and topstich around the edge of the blanket. Here's what the back looks like:

And here's the front:

STEP 5: Cut the first 4 layers of fabric in between each line of stitching. Be careful not to cut the bottom fabric, or the backing (if you put on a backing already). 

Here's what is looks like with all the cuts:

STEP 6: The hard part is done! Now, just throw it in the washer and dryer to fluff up the cut edges of the fabric:

Here's the final result:

Alternatives:

• If you put the backing on at the end, then you wouldn't be able to see the top fabric around the edges, like you can see with mine (the pink/white gingham).
• Use 3 or 4 layers of fabric instead of 5, and the chenille will not be as thick. 
• Sew the lines closer together (half inch) and you won't be able to see any of the base fabric.

   

Comments

[Heather]

This is so smart. Wow, I didn't know this could be done. Now I have another fun project and a way to use those scrap pieces that don't end up in garments, larger blankets, etc. Well Done!