What I've Been Up To...

Have you ever made a Tie Blanket?

Well... Let me tell you!  These things are fun to create, pick out fleece colors, and match to the people you're making them for.

Making the ties is another story.  After awhile you get good at it though.

I made all of these for Christmas gifts for my family.

Hancock Fabrics has table after table of this fleece.  It's always on sale at Christmas time.

When you gather up all of your fabric, it can be 8,10,12 cuts at the cutting table.

And you're usually waiting behind someone having the same amount cut.

It's a long visit to the store!!

This one is for my son who lives in San Francisco. He's about all things brown.  Knit caps, t-shirts, hoodies, socks.  I knew his had to be brown.

This one is for my other son in Southern CA.  When he came to visit last summer, he went out and bought some camo swim shorts.  I thought of him when I saw this.  I love the camel color I put with it.

This one is for his girlfriend.  I backed it in heather grey instead of black or white.  It's so soft and pretty.

A few years ago, another one of my sons in CA said he wanted "one of those red and black check flanel shirts".  So this reminded me of him.

It's funny...as you're making all of the ties..you get lost in your thoughts about the person you're making it for.

It's such a great feeling.

This one is for my sister's dog "Lucy".  She's a Boston Terrier mix who was in a shelter for a year waiting to be adopted.  My sister saw her and took her home to live with them.  She waited so long for a home, and she's the most precious, loving, sweet little dog.  Oh when I think of the amazing dogs and cats in shelters waiting for good homes, that people will ever know about..

And this one is for Lucy's mama...my sister.  I made her's wintery and fun.

And then her husband who loves everything blue.  Every Christmas someone gives him a blue shirt or blue jammies.  On Dec. 27 last year he had a terrible brain bleed.  Just out of nowhere.  He was walking Lucy and came in with a terrible headache.  Who would have know when we were all so happy at Christmas last year.

I'm happy to say, a year later he is doing great after lots of therapy.  Thank God.

Like I said...you think about the person the whole time you're making the blanket.

This one is for my little 3 yearold grandaughter Avery.  It's hot pink "Hello Kitty" and hot pink Scottie Dogs.

She's going to look so precious wrapped up in this.

Now for my oldest son. (Yes...I have 5 of them. 5 sons)   Avery's father.  He's loves motercycles and paints the gas tanks.  Not all flames, but I thought this one would be fun for him.

And his wife...my sweet daughter-in-law.  She did their room in dark grey, black and white.  I hope she likes this one.

My "oh so fun younger sister"  I knew I could make her's bright and happy.  I just went all out on FUN!

And her husband.  His isn't as fun, but he's such a serious person. lol

I think he has a shirt like this  ;)

Last year I made a few from college team fleece, Washington Redskins,  Hannah Montana, and a camo one for our black lab "Sugar"  (she sleeps on it every night)

Give it a try!! 

I can think a few more I need to make!

Tips For Making Them

I buy 1 and 2/3 yards of fleece. (in 2 colors)  This makes a 60" square blanket.  (if you use 1 yard, it will look like a bath towel when finished.)

The finished selvege edges have a lot of stretch to them, so after you cut off that edge, your fringe cuts can be a little wider and shorter.

I'd say about 1 and 1/4" wide and 2 and 1/2" long.

For the other 2 sides, cut the strips about 1" wide, and 3-3 1/2" long.  They will all look the same after the selvage side fringe stretches.

This side is soooo hard to tie if they're too short or wide. So be sure the strips are long and skinny.

If you buy plaid...make sure when they cut it they follow the lines on both sides of the folded fleece.  Or you will have to cut off a bunch to make your plaid lines straight.

I only cut the fringe on one side at a time.  I lay it on the guest room bed. That way I can close the door from the animals if I have to stop in the middle of makng it.

For your corners, cut out a square at each corner.  This little square will be the same length as your fringes.  This will meet up your corner fringe perfectly.

Kelly