Quick Gifts: Tag Blankets

This year's April showers seem to be more baby than rain with several babies being born this year. I want to make each baby in my life a special gift, but sometimes I find out about the shower last minute or run out of time before the shower. When this happens my go to handmade gift is a tag blanket. I always pair these blankets with something else, whether another handmade gift or something off of their registry. These blankets are easily customized to match the nursery theme or colors, while also being a great gift for baby. I have taken pictures of the most common mistakes people make to illustrate what not to do so your tag blanket will be the best blanket ever.

Mistake #1: Use pins!

Materials needed are fabric in color of choice (fat quarters work great for this project, you'll need 2), matching ribbon, and a sewing machine or needle and thread. An optional material is crinkle paper/fabric (the material in baby toys that make the crinkle sound).

Cut out two pieces of fabric to desired size; 12 x 12 is a good size for baby. 

If using a crinkle paper/fabric cut the material 1/2 inch smaller than your fabric so 11.5 x 11.5. 

Decide how many pieces of ribbon you want on all sides. 

Cut ribbon 3-4 inches in length. 

Create a loop in the ribbon, right side out, and pin the ends together. For easiest assembly, this step is totally optional, adhere the ends of the ribbon together with fabric glue. 

Mistake #2: Ribbon should
Be right side out

Fabric should be right sides together, pin a square in the middle, but away from the edges.

Insert the ribbon in between fabric pieces and pin all pieces together. Remove pin in ribbon before inserting in fabric.

Continue in this method until all ribbon has been pinned into place. 

Using larger or different colored pins, pin a start and stop sew point on the top layer of fabric. Start at the first pin and sew around the squares of fabric until you reach the end pin. Be sure to back stitch at the beginning and end. 

Mistake #3: Sew through all layers!

Periodically make sure you're sewing through all layers of fabric and ribbon. At end point, remove any pins left in fabric, cut thread, and turn inside out. Finish sewing the square, folding ends of fabric into gap between fabrics, and cut thread. 

These tag blankets are so easy to make and take almost no time to create. From start to finish I was able to make 2 of these blankets in 5 minutes. The second blanket I decided to add a corner ring for attaching baby toys. Adding this ring in the corner was tricky, but turned out really cute and will be a great gift for baby. Since these blankets are so easy to make advanced and intermediate sewers can experiment with additional designs. The shape of the blanket can be changed or embellishments can be sewn on to the front of the blanket. A quilted front would take longer, but would have a strong impact on the baby's parents.

If you decide to make these tag blankets, be sure to leave pictures in the comments below. And if you want me to make these blankets in another shape or with a quilted front, comment below.