This is a great project for beginners and the finished blankets are PERFECT for babies…just the right weight, soft, and bigger than the flannel swaddlers from the store so baby stays swaddled up tight. They are the blankets I use most for my babies!
To make your own double-sided flannel baby blanket, you need one yard of flannel for the top, 1 yard of flannel for the bottom, and a spool of coordinating thread. Cut the two pieces of flannel so they are equal sizes and straight/squared up on all sides.
With right sides together, sew all the way around the edges, leaving about a 5 inch hole for turning it right side out. 
Flip the fabric right side out, push the corners out until they are square, then press the edges smooth and flat using an iron. Don’t skip this step! Trust me—if I say you should iron something, it’s a necessity because I hate ironing! Using a decorative stitch, sew all the way around the outside of the quilt. This should seal the hole used to turn the quilt right side out. Now stand back and admire your handiwork! You’re all done!
If you really want to impress your friends, try the self-bound flannel baby blanket. It looks so fancy, but it’s not much harder to make!
Comments & Reviews
Jennifer, this is a great project. I love it when I see something that is so easy, but fabulous at the same time. I’m definitely bookmarking this!
Jennifer, that is such a cute blanket! It looks like such an easy blanket to make. Thanks for the idea.
Very Cute! Love the decorative stitching idea! I’m totally adding this to my fav’s!
lovely project
xxoo
maria
Hello! My mom sent me a link to your blog and I love your flannel blanket idea. I have four friends having babies in the fall and wanted to make something cute and quick for winter for them.
My husband is in dental school at this time, so we also create on a budget around here at times. 🙂
Thanks for the great idea!
Hi Jennifer,
I just came upon this blog and realized that you are me! I'm a stay at home mom and my husband is also in grad school, so money and time are tight with us, too. Thanks for the article….I wasn't sure how to go about piecing together two pieces of flannel for a blanket.
Thank you so much for posting these instructions. I have just ordered my first sewing machine (first that's not a hand-me down). Anyway, my son is 11yrs old and has cerebral palsy and these flannel blankets are great for him to use at school. I will be able to use fabric that is not baby-themed and more fitting for middle school.
Thanks again and I will be checking out your other projects.
what a fun site!!! you amaze me how talented and resourceful you are. I was wondering if you have made cards up with your swaddling 101 diagram? I don't draw and they are adorable! I would like to order some
If you cut one of the pieces just slightly larger than the other, it makes for a little more wiggle room when lining it up, then just trim the extra.
This is just what I was looking for. Thank you!!
I have a sewing machine but am not very good at using it yet… I have been wanting to make flannel blankets and I know I can use your instructions easily! Thank you for taking the time to blog about this – you have made it seem so much easier! and it's quick which I like since I am a mother of two small children and do not have much time to have my sewing machine out and create! I will be making several baby blankets and adding a crocheted toy to give as gifts :O)
please e-mail me Jennifer. I would like to discuss one of your projects.
Thanks
sooooo cute! I found that if I buy 1 and 1/4 yard of each fabric, it allows me to fold the fabric in a triangle first and voila! I have a perfect square. Of course, it always depends on how wide your fabric is to start. Do you wash and dry your fabric before you sew it??
Thank you, Jennifer! This is exactly what I was looking for! And after reading the first couple lines of your profile, I was like, "hey, that's me!". I have a feeling I'm going to be reading your blog a lot.
Hi, I have a question for you. I made my flannel blanket just like you did here except I am concerned about the last five inches. Is it better to hand sew it so it doesn't open up before you do the decorative stitch? Or if you just do the decorative stitch will it hold it in place and not gap where you didn't close it up?
This is my first blanket and I Don't want to screw it up!!
To answer a few questions… I don't wash my fabric before sewing. Too lazy, and haven't seen the need to.
I don't sew the hole shut by hand because it's so much quicker to do it on the machine. Beginning sewers should probably pin the opening so everything lays flat and then sew it with the decorative stitch, but I usually just go for it.
Thank you, for this tutorial – made my first blanket and posted about it on my blog!
i'm new to sewing and wanted to make a baby blanket for my cousin. thanks for the super easy tutorial! it came out great =)