Tutorial: Sewing a tag blanket!

My baby brother loves to rub tags. Whenever we give him a stuffed animal, he immediately goes for the tag and he's been known to reach inside clothes to find the tags! So, I made him a "taggie" blanket like this one:
It's very easy to make and it makes a great gift! I made up this pattern as I went, but I think it turned out pretty cute, don't you?

So anyway, here's how I did it.

Step 1:
We're making this for hugging and playing with, not for covering with so you can make it pretty small. I used one yard of fabric for two blankets. This is a charming polka-dot flannel. :)

Before you start, you'll want to wash and iron your fabric.

First, I folded it twice and cut across the seams to get four same size pieces of fabric.

Step 2:
Next, I took some satin blanket binding and measured it around the fabric loosely, you want some extra when you cut it, just in case.

Step 3:
Now, since we're putting tags in-between the fabric pieces I cut down the crease of the blanket binding so I could use it for both sides of the blanket.
Step 4:
Take one piece of blanket binding and one piece of your fabric and line them up for sewing. I wanted a pretty skinny edge so I let a lot hang off, you can adjust it to fit your preferences. Sew all the way down to the corner.I didn't use pins for this particular project, I prefer to "eyeball it" by pulling it tight to see if it's straight. Feel free to use pins if you'd like.Step 5:
When you get to the end stop and spread out the fabric and binding. I'm going to show you how I fold the corners.Bunch up the fabric and turn it so it lays straight across the next edge.
Like so:
Sew straight up the seam to hold it in place.Step 6:
Continue sewing and doing the corners just like that until you reach the end. Then, just fold the remaining binding under and sew it like the other corners. Cut the excess off.Step 7:
Voila!
Now make another one just like that for the other side.

Step 8:
Set out your tags and place them around the edging in the proper places and work out the spacing until you're happy. I used various types of ribbon and ric-rac for the "tags," you only need two inches or so of each kind.Step 9:
Once you're happy with the placement of the tags, turn both sides of the blanket inward (good sides together) and pin the tags in place. You'll want the loop of the tags facing inward.
Leave a little space (about 5 inches) un-pinned so that you can turn it right side out before you sew, just to check and makes sure everything looks right. This is where you'll need to adjust things like how far the tags stick out, making sure they're all flush.

Step 10:
Flip it back to it's inside-out state and sew right about where you placed your pins. Watch the seam that you made when you attached the binding to make sure your binding is the right width and your seam is straight. Don't forget to leave a space open for turning it right-side out!

Step 11:
Flip it right side out. To close the open edge, fold the fabric and binding inward so that it lines up with the rest of the blanket. Sew straight across (adding any extra tags in) and continue to sew a line all the way around the edge to finish it!

It's done!

You want to be careful ironing it, because satin binding and some types of ribbon will melt very easily. ;)

I hope this has been informative! I'm not the best at sewing, and I usually make up my own techniques, but I love it!

I'd love to hear about your sewing projects, leave a comment!

Making Ribbon Bookmarks

I love making ribbon bookmarks to include in letters and gifts, as well as to keep in my Bible and other books. I decided to post the instructions here so you can make your own!

First, you cut a length of ribbon about 10-20 inches long. Coat each end of the ribbon with clear nail polish or Aileen’s Craft Glue. Slide a bead onto the ribbon, then fold in half. Tie a knot under where your bead is.

Here is a picture to demonstrate:



Now, tie knots about an inch from the bottom of each loose end.



You are finished!
Here is what they look like finished:



You can put beads on the bottoms if you would like, but that is optional.

Enjoy!
~@~Courtney~@~

Quick Apple Coffee Cake

Here is a recipe for the delicious Apple Coffee Cake that I made for my dear Grandpa Fred on his birthday. I also made this cake for my family this past week and everyone loved it!

You will need:

3 cups flour

4 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

6 Tablespoons butter

2/3 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 1/3 cups milk

And for the topping:

4 Tablespoons butter, melted

1 cup brown sugar

1 1/2 Tablespoons cinnamon

4 cups apples, finely chopped and peeled

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

To begin, chop the apples (about six) into small bite-size pieces.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt.

Cut in butter; add sugar and mix well.

Whisk in the eggs and milk. Then pour batter into a greased 9 x 13-inch baking pan.

Mix the ingredients for the topping in a clean bowl...

...and then pour or sprinkle over the batter.

Bake at 425 degrees for 25 minutes or until golden brown and cake tests done with toothpick or fork. Optional: Serve warm with a dollop on ice cream on top.

~Poppy