How to make a baby blanket

1. Materials & tools

Materials (standard size)

• Main fabric (six-layer gauze or printed cotton) — about 110 cm wide × 90 cm (44 × 35 in)
• Backing fabric (fleece or double gauze) — the same amount
• Optional: wide bias tape if you bind the edges instead

Tools

• Sewing machine (or needle and thread)
• Fabric marker or pencil
• Ruler and scissors
• Iron
• Pins or clips

2. Make the pattern (auto-generated in Katagami)

With the Katagami pattern tool, you just enter the finished size and it drafts a seam-allowance-included pattern, tiled to print at actual size on Letter or A4.

1. Open the tool
   Open the pattern tool and choose “Baby” → “Baby blanket” from the tabs at the top.
2. Enter the size
   Enter the width, length and corner radius. Presets cover pram size, standard and large.
3. Set the seam allowance
   Use the slider at the bottom (beginners: 1.0–1.5 cm / about 3/8–5/8 in).
4. Print
   Press “Print (actual size)”, then in the print dialog set Scale = 100% and turn “Fit to page” OFF. Check the 50 mm calibration box on the first guide sheet with a ruler.

3. Cutting the fabric

1. Trace the pattern
   If you want rounded corners, trace the curves. With the radius set to zero it is a plain rectangle, so mark it straight onto the fabric instead of printing.
2. Cut
   Cut one piece in each fabric, the same size.
3. Straighten the grain
   Over this area, a skewed grain shows. Pull the fabric gently on the diagonal until the threads sit square, then press.

4. Sewing

4-1. Sew the layers together

1. Place the two layers right sides together and clip all four sides.
2. Sew all the way around, leaving a 15 cm (6 in) gap in the middle of one long side.
3. If the corners are rounded, clip the seam allowance every 1 cm (⅜ in).

4-2. Turn and press

1. Turn through the gap. Push the corners out gently with a point turner rather than forcing them.
2. Press the edges firmly, folding the seam allowance at the gap to the inside as you go.

4-3. Topstitch

1. Topstitch 5 mm (¼ in) from the edge all the way around. This closes the gap and stops the layers shifting in the wash.

4-4. Tack the middle (optional)

1. On a large blanket, tack the two layers together at a few points so they cannot shift.
2. Two or three stitches every 20–30 cm (8–12 in), with the knots hidden, is enough.

✏️ The corner radius makes more difference than you would expect. A generous 3–4 cm (1½ in) radius turns out cleanly; square corners collect fabric and bulge however carefully you trim.

5. Tips & variations

• Bind instead: lay the two layers wrong sides together and bind the edge with wide bias tape. No gap to close, and easier on a large blanket.
• Embroider a name: add it before the topstitching and it becomes a real gift.
• Skip the pattern: with square corners it is a rectangle. Ruling it onto the fabric is faster than printing and taping sheets.