Easy-to-Make Flannel Blanket

Originally published September 11, 2017 and updated October 25, 2022.

I enjoy giving handmade gifts to friends and family. It’s my way of showing how much I care. I love making personalized gifts that reflect my friends’ and family’s interests. This easy-to-make flannel blanket is the perfect personalized handmade gift. And it really is easy to make (but shhhh, we won’t tell anyone how easy it is). 

collage of 3 different folded blankets with vivid patterns with title text overlay reading Easy-to-Make Flannel Blanket

Last Christmas I was overwhelmed by life. I didn’t have the energy to make complicated gifts for loved ones. I wanted to make special handmade gifts, but I needed the gifts to be easy to make. I was wandering through the fabric section of my craft store and saw all the amazing options of flannel available. I realized that there is a flannel pattern and color for every interest and preference. It was easy to find a pattern for everyone on my gift list.

Be sure to look in the baby flannel fabric area in addition to the regular flannel fabrics. Some of those baby fabrics are not very babyish, they were actually pretty sophisticated. I was surprised. 

Easy-to-Make Flannel Blanket Tutorial

This is a great project if you have beginning sewing skills. This sewing project creates a warm blanket that makes the perfect gift for:

  • New moms
  • New babies
  • Anyone in a cold climate
  • When you need a lot of gifts to give
  • Anyone who appreciates a cuddly blanket
  • Older family members and friends
  • Younger children
  • College students
  • A hard to buy for person

Supplies

Flannel Fabric – You need two coordinating flannel fabrics. You can use flannel shirting fabric. I used 1 1/2 yards for most of the blankets. I did use 2 yards of flannel for a blanket I made for a 6 foot plus tall friend. Choose the length of fabric based on how tall your gift recipient is. 

  • Use one yard of each fabric to make a flannel baby blanket.
  • You can substitute other fabrics for one side or even for both sides:
    • Cotton fabric
    • Minky blanket fabric
    • Faux fur

Scissors or Rotary Cutter

Sewing Machine – If you don’t feel comfortable sewing the blanket edges, you can instead:

  • You can use fabric glue to secure the raw edges rather than sewing.
  • You could cut the edge of the sides of the blanket into strips or longer fringe and tie the pieces of fabric into knots to hold the two layers of fabric together.

There are so many beautiful and interesting flannel fabrics. Take your time and find the perfect fabrics for your recipients. I had so much fun looking through the fabrics and ended up chatting with several other ladies looking at fabric. We had a grand old time choosing fabrics together. 

folded blanket with corner folded back to show pink floral fabric and main fabric is white and black with women's fashion silhouettes

You may recognize this black and white fashion fabric from my free pillow sham pattern.  I am so charmed with how it coordinates with the sweet cherry blossom fabric.

folded blanket with corner folded back so contrasting fabric shows, fabrics are grey and white and white with maroon and grey

How fun is this wine fabric? Paired with the subtle grey pattern it makes sophisticated flannel throw blankets to use in the family room. 

two folded blankets next to each other with black and white designs on fabric

How about this adorable sushi fabric? It makes me smile every time I see it. And look how the personality of the blanket changes simply by changing the second fabric.

How to Make a Flannel Blanket Tutorial

Be sure to wash the fabric pieces in the washing machine before cutting or sewing fabric.

two hands holding edges of 2 pieces of fabric next to each other

Lay the fabrics down with right sides (the fuzzy side if your fabric is a solid color) together. Make sure you have the directions of the prints running in the same direction. I lined up the finished selvage edge of the of fabric on both pieces of flannel. Then I lined up the top of the blanket. Double check to make sure your patterns are right side up based on the top of the blanket. 

Use straight pins to hold the two layers of fabric together and in place.

hand holding blue handled scissors cutting edge of fabric

Line up the fabrics on the top of the blanket and on each side. Trim the longer piece of flannel on the bottom of the blanket so that the two pieces are the same length.

Sew a straight line around the blanket edge. I started on the selvage edge side with the text printing so that I made sure that I placed the seam so that the text didn’t show. I used a 1/4 inch seam allowance for the other three sides of the blanket (you may need a larger seam allowance on the selvage edge with text). Be sure to leave a 4 to 5 inch opening at the bottom of the blanket so that you can turn it right side out. 

blue handles scissors next to clipped corner on sewn blanket

Snip the corners of the blanket. Turn the blanket right-side out. Handsew the opening shut using a short stitch length to keep the opening neatly shut. Sew a top stitch seam about 4 inches from the edge to create a border around the perimeter of the blanket. This gives the completed flannel blanket a more finished look.

I simply lined the finished edge of the blanket up with the body of my sewing machine and used that as a guide. You can choose to use a decorative stitch, if you’d like and you can make the border different sizes based on your fabric’s pattern and preference.

close up of cartoon sushi images on green fabric with quilted heart

I handstitched a heart in the upper corner of each cozy blanket. It’s a small, but personal touch that makes these handmade gifts just a bit more special. 

white blanket with maroon and grey text on red couch

I made eight of these flannel throw blankets for family and friends. They were a big hit with everyone. I’m so pleased with how each of these flannel blankets turned out that I’m not even embarrassed at how easy they were to make. 

You can create your own easy-to-make flannel blanket in about 15 – 20 minutes. It’s a great beginning sewing project. But be warned that you may find all the beautiful flannel fabrics addictive. I know I have. I may start handing flannel throw blankets out to strangers just so I can make more. 

More Easy Sewing Projects

DIY Rice Heat Packs – This easy-to-make flannel blanket tutorial helps you make the perfect gift. You can personalize it for your friends’ & family’s interests.

red and white floral rice bags tied with fold ribbon with gift tag attached

DIY Hooded Towel – Pamper your senior dog with a DIY hooded towel that you can make in about 10 minutes.

brown and tan dog with yellow hoodie towel with title text overlay reading Pamper Your Senior Dog with a DIY Hooded Towel

Fabric Pumpkins – 90’s Grunge – A fabric pumpkin tutorial anyone can do using an upcycled grunge shirt for a cool fall décor vibe.

red and black plaid pumpkins with blue ribbons and guitar and album on white background with title text reading Fabric Pumpkin The 90's Grunge Edition

For more craft ideas, see the table below. You can scroll though the table and look for ideas or search for specific ideas with the magnifying glass in the upper right-hand corner (on desktop). Click on the topic and then click through the specific article.

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