For this project, I am going to learn new sewing techniques both for using the machine as well as hand sewing. I know the basics for both but would like to figure out how to do things such as cross-stitching, blanket stitching, and sewing using a miter corner just to name a few. I believe that sewing is an art that is becoming lost and I would like to learn it so that I am able to fix things and make things when they are needed for my family.
I have done a bit of sewing in the past but have been wanting to make a memory blanket for my Mom. My Dad passed away 7 years ago in January, and I think that this blanket would be a nice way for my Mom to feel that her kids and grandkids are close by even though we live all across the country.
Photo by Mysticsartdesign on Pixabay
I have used YouTube to teach myself to crochet in the past and now I am able to do that without looking at what I am doing so hoping that this goes as smoothly. Fingers crossed that I only prick myself a few times with a needle.
- I must decide before starting what size I want the blanket to be and then I will design the blanket.
- I am wanting for my siblings to all send me a copy of everyone in their family’s handprints. I will be using fabric markers to copy these onto white fabric. I will have each family’s handprints put around a heart to form a flower. Each flower will be made in a different color.
- After I have done the drawing, I will be doing some hand stitching/cross-stitching to add extra details to this portion of the blanket. I will add some butterflies, bees, ladybugs, and family names to the hearts.
- For the main part of the blanket, I am planning on doing a denim blanket where I will have to cut out squares. I think that I will do either 6- or 8-inch squares for the main part.
- On some of the squares I am going to try and do some hand stitching/cross-stitching.
- I have a machine that my Mom gave me but it hasn’t been used in a long time so I will need to make sure that it is all clean and running smoothly.
- I will then sew these squares together and make sure that in between I iron my strips to ensure that everything is laying really flat.
- I will have to pin strips together and sew them together and iron this so it lays flat.
- After I have the strips sewn I will have to sew these to the white fabric that has the handprint flowers on. This will become the top of the blanket.
- I will then have to find some material to use for a backing. This could be a fuzzy blanket, tale cloth, sheet or piece of fabric.
- The top and bottom need to be laid facing one another and I will have to pin along the sides. I will sew the sides up leaving a space at the bottom to be able to flip the blanket so that it is right side out.
- After this I will need to iron it once again to ensure that everything is laying flat and then sew along the outside edge to help and keep everything together.
- Then I will need to hand sew ties onto the squares to help hold the blanket together and keep it from moving around when washed.
- The final touch will be some handmade feathers. My Mom taught me how to make these out of different material and whenever she sews a blanket she adds a few to it. As a sentimental gesture I will do the same.
Andrea, this sounds so exciting and I can’t wait to follow along! I love sewing and was taught by my mom when I was very young and still learn from her today (she’s a seamstress and started when she was 6 years old from her mother). The ONLY trigger I had when reading your process was the part about denim. Be sure you are using proper denim needles and pressure feet when sewing the denim as they can snap and fly off in unpredictable directions (like at your eyes). I MAY or may not be speaking from experience (I still have a scar under my left eye from the pressure food snapping).
I think this memory blanket in a beautiful idea and can’t wait to see it come to fruition.
Roxy
Thanks RoxAnne, I have done a bit of sewing before. It has just been awhile. My mom & grandma taught me as well. I will make sure that I have the proper needles and foot as well as that I clean my machine as I know how dirty it can become after sewing denim. It is always great to have these reminders. I am going to have to make a trip to the city to try and get some of these things for the machine that I have.
This sounds beautiful, sentimental and a lot of work! I look forward to following your process along the way.
What a beautiful idea Andrea! My dad passed away in 2017 and my grandma made me a blanket out of his t-shirts and it is one of my most prized possession so I have no doubt that your mom will love what you make her. I am excited to see your project come together! And you may have to teach me after because I have a sewing machine sitting in the corner gathering dust!
Mariah, sorry to hear about your dad. It is those little things that help in keeping their memory alive. I have a sweater from my dad he would wear it when working in his office. I have sewed on and off since I was a little girl but anything I have done has always been simple. Straight stitching, no extra frills. This project will have all of that. When my dad passed we took his ties (He was a principal and teacher) and we made pillow covers for all of my siblings. This was a project my mom and I did together. I did the combination of ties and my mom did the sewing. I am excited to learn to embroider and cross-stitch.
Andrea – this sounds incredible! What an amazing gift to give. There are clearly many layers to this, and I admire you a lot for taking on this task. I cannot wait to follow you on this journey.