How To Make A One Layer Fleece Blanket

One layer fleece blankets are not only warm and comfy to use, but also easy to make. And, if you are planning to make such a blanket, you have come to the right place.

Fleece blankets typically have only one layer of fleece because double layer fleece blankets are not necessary in the warmer climates. All four sides of the blanket need to be finished by crocheting, serging, hemming, or tying.

You can easily DIY these blankets if you know the right steps for the purpose. So, here are all the steps and other important details that you need to know in order to make a perfect single layer fleece blanket.

How to Make A Single Layer Fleece Blanket With Fringes

Single Layer Fleece Blanket

Fleece blankets typically have a dimension between 30 inches x 30 inches to 54 inches x 65 inches and fleece is usually 58 inches in width.

If you are making fringed fleece blankets, there has to be at least six inches of fringe on both sides. In the steps given below, 1¼ yard remnant has been used to make a blanket of 45 inches x 58 inches dimensions approximately.

You will also need a yardstick or ruler, masking tape, scissors or rotary cutter, and a clean surface to work.

Step 1: Squaring Up the Ends of the Fleece

Begin by squaring up the four sides of the fleece, so that each end looks straight and nice. If you are using scissors, put masking tape for creating a straight line to start cutting.

Step 2: Removing Selvage from the Sides

Make a straight line along the sides of the fleece for removing selvage. Put a masking tape for cutting in a straight line using your scissors. Make sure you get straight lines and square corners when you remove selvage.

Step 3: Mark the Lines to Start the Fringe

If there is no more selvage and you have square ends, you can start using masking tape to create the line from where the fringe will start. Fringe needs to be at least six inches in length so that there is enough space for tying the knots.

One short and one long piece of masking tape should be enough for making a six inches’ corner. As such, the best tool to use for this purpose is a six inches’ wide ruler.

However, you can use any other ruler or measuring tapes to determine the placement of the masking tape.

To make things easier for you, remember to put the tape on each side as you keep working instead of taping all the sides at once.

Step 4: Removing the Corners of the Fleece

Removing Corners of the Fleece

Remove six inch squares from each corner of the fleece using a rotary cutter, ruler, and scissors. It will make the blanket stay flat and have a nice, smooth finish.

Step 5: Start Making the Fringes on the Sides

As you are done removing six inches’ squares from the corner, put a masking tape or ruler on the blanket to serve as a guide for creating the fringes.

If you are using scissors, cut a one inch fringe evenly within about half an inch of the masking tape.

In case you’re working with a ruler and rotary cutter, cut an inch length of fringe and strop right before the masking tape each time while cutting.

Repeat the process for four sides until all the corners get removed and fringes are cut.

Step 6: Tying the Knot in the Fringe

Start from any point and tie a knot in every fringe. Do not tie two fringes together, but knot each fringe individually. Continue tying the knots until all the fringes get knotted. And that’s it!

How to Make A Serged One Layer Fleece Blanket

tools for one layer fleece blanket

In order to make a serged one layer fleece blanket, you will need the following tools:

  • Yardstick or ruler
  • Scissors or rotary cutter
  • Saucer or small round ceramic plate
  • A cutting table/any clean surface
  • Sewing machine with an overlocker attachment or serger
  • Ball point needles and June Tailor Fray Blocks (optional)

Step 1: Square Up the Ends of the Fleece

Make sure that each end is straight and perfect when you square up the ends of the blanket. You can use a masking tape just like you did in the previous method.

Additionally, remove selvage using the tape by creating straight lines on each side and have squared corners.

Step 2: Round Up the corners

Take a small saucer and plate and put it over the fleece. Now, cut around the corners of the plate using rotary cutters or scissors.

Step 3: Time to Set Up the Serger

Check the manual of your machine before setting up the serger. Usually, ball point needles are the best to work on fleece. Afterward, take a spare piece of fleece to test stitch before you actually put your blanket through the machine.

Step 4: Go Crazy with Colors

You can use a single color of thread to serge your blanket, but why not go crazy with colors for a fun look?

In fact, if you are using fleece in solid colors like white or grey, it makes even more sense to use multiple colors. But if you aren’t too sure about your sewing abilities, go for matching colors.

Step 5: The Right Way to Serge

Start from a point and go serging around the blanket. Also, take your time to Serge around the blanket’s corners because these parts are a bit tricky.

Then, slow down when you get near the start of the serged edges. Lastly, use the serger knife for cutting off enough fleeces to make sure each edge of the blanket remains enclosed.

Step 6: Using the Fray Block

Go over the starting point of the serging and leave a tail by pulling away the fleece. Furthermore, to finish locking the thread in place, you need to use the Fray Block.

Let the Fray Block dry down and trim away the tail. Additionally, you can also weave or hand stitch the end to make sure the threads do not unravel.

Tips To Prepare the Fleece before Working on It

There are a few things that will help you to turn the fleece into a blanket more easily. So, here’s how you can prepare the material before you start working on it.

  • Prewash the material before you start cutting it up. It will help you to account for colorfastness and shrinkage beforehand.
  • Not every pattern suits the kind of sewing and serging you are planning to do. So, make sure the pattern says that it’s suited for stretch fabric. Also, to make a blanket, you need at least twenty to forty percent of stretch factor.
  • Stay away from the low-quality material that does not mention stretch factor and comes at a suspiciously low price.

How to Distinguish the Right Side to Start Cutting?

How to Distinguish the Right Side to Start Cutting?

You get the long piece of fleece in your hand and both the sides look almost the same, right? Well, all you need to do is to cut a piece of the fabric from any of the sides.

Then, cut the sample on the cross and the fabric will start curling towards a side, which is the fluffier part. The side towards which it curls is the wrong side.

Things to Remember About the Tools to Use On Fleece

high quality polyester threads

Though there isn’t much to say about the ruler or marking tape you should use, the thread and needle need careful consideration. So, you should use high-quality polyester threads for a strong finish.

Ball point or microtex needles will give you a good result, though a stretch needle should be kept as a failsafe option.

Regardless of the kind of needle and threads you use, always do a test run before running the machine on the actual blanket.

Jessica

Jessica

I'm Jessica Flores, a professional fashion designer and an expert seamstress. Crafting has always been a deep-seated passion of mine, one that has flourished and evolved over the years. I've dedicated considerable time to both studying and practicing in the realm of fashion and sewing, amassing a wealth of experience and skills. It brings me great joy to share these insights and experiences with you all, hoping to inspire and foster a similar passion for the art of sewing.

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