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| Blanket quilt |
| If you have old blankets taking up space in your linen cupboard, and you can't bring yourself to get rid of them, turn them into something to be proud of. |
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A simple and inexpensive way of turning an old blanket into a smart version of the old-fashioned quilt. You choose whether you want to tie, button or stitch the layers together.
1 Begin by snipping off any bindings or hemmed edges from your blanket to reduce bulk in the seam of the quilt.
2 Cut two pieces of fabric the same size as the blanket. If you use sheet or other wide fabric you may not need to join lengths. When choosing fabric, take into consideration the colour and pattern of the blanket and make sure it does not show through - mid to dark colours are best.
3 Lay one piece of fabric (wrong side up) on a flat surface, place the blanket on top of that and then position the other piece of fabric (right side up) on top of the blanket. Smooth all layers making sure all are flat. Using large safety pins, pin all layers together to keep everything in place while you are quilting.
4 Now for the creative part. Layers can be held together by stitching, buttons or tying (Diagrams 1, 2 and 3). These instructions are for a Japanese style quilt (diagram 1). Using a dressmaker's pencil or chalk, mark evenly spaced positions for the knots in rows across the quilt. These should be about 15cm apart. Thread the needle with the red embroidery cotton and make a single stitch through the quilt. Trim the thread so both "tails' are about 8cm long, tie a knot and trim ends to about 5cm.
5 When tying is complete, remove the safety pins and trim all edges around the blanket.
6 Cut two strips of fabric in a contrasting colour 20cm wide and as long as the quilt sides (you may need to join fabric to get the length). Press these binding strips in half lengthwise. Pin one strip along the quilt side, placing all raw edges together. Stitch using a 1cm-seam allowance. Fold binding in half, placing folded edges at back of quilt and tuck under another 1cm seam. Stitch in place to give a 4cm wide binding. Repeat on the other side.
7 For top and bottom bindings, cut 20cm wide fabric strips in the same contrasting fabric to fit along the top and bottom edge of quilt (which now has side bindings), adding another 2cm to each length for seam allowance. Stitch bindings on top and bottom edges as for side bindings, but turn in 1cm on each end before folding binding to the back.
Diagram 1: Japanese quilt with tying
Diagram 2: Country quilt with buttons
Diagram 3: Bright quilt with machine quilting
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Materials
Old Blanket
3m cotton or linen fabric sheeting
Contrasting fabric for binding, or pre-made binding in a contrasting colour
Red embroidery cotton
Needle with large eye
Large safety pins
Ruler or measuring tape
Dressmakers pencil or chalk
Scissors
Sewing Machine
Iron
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Cost
Fabric @ $6.50/m $19.50
Binding $3.90
Thread $3.00
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Total Cost
Quilt cost $26.40
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Disclaimer
All Fact Sheets and other material on the Our House website are provided as a general information service only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for the advice of a properly qualified tradesman. Neither ninemsn nor its licensors (including the Nine Network) assume or accept any responsibility for, and will not be liable for the accuracy or appropriate application of any information whatsoever in any Fact Sheet or other material on the Our House web site. Your use of the Our House web site is governed by this disclaimer and the ninemsn's Terms of Use.
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