Gramercy Jersey Knit Receiving Blankets
I might be a little addicted to making these. After making a Charley Harper version, I ordered a couple of Leah Duncan's Gramercy prints. Unfortunately my older helper was busy with homework so the photos are a little more . . . interesting.
I have (and love) both of these prints in quilting cotton and thought they would make fun baby quilts. In reality I am not a huge fan of the black print for this, mostly because it came out of the wash pretty faded. But I do love the tan print.
I am sure that we will use both of them lots though since they are wonderfully soft, lightweight (perfect for San Diego), and stretchy.
The knit fabrics are 58" wide and since I had ordered 1 yard of each of them, I trimmed them down to about 45" to make 36" x 45" blankets. That left me enough leftover to use for binding, but I decided to use Robert Kaufman black jersey for the tan blanket since the black Grammercy print had faded so much.
Now that I have made three (and have fabric to make a couple more) I am hoping to make these for baby shower gifts in the future. But before I start producing them en masse, I would like to improve my skills a little.
Despite sewing extra slow and pinning carefully, I still ended up with a couple skipped stitches and the binding on the back is far from perfect (this was one of the better sections).
I would love to compile a list of tips for making these blankets. Do you have any tips for sewing with knits? Or making knit binding? I have ordered a couple different things to try (another kind of needle and a different thread) and will be trying those on my next blanket, but I would love any additional tips. Thanks in advance!
Use a needle specifically for knits. Usually called a ball point needle. I thought these were just a way to get me to spend more money until I tried one. The difference was amazing. And as always slow and steady wins.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely use a needle for knits. Lengthen you stitch or better us a stretch stitch on your machine. Don't pull and use a walking foot. HIH
ReplyDeleteLOL! Your little helper is so cute! Believe it or not I haven't really delved into sewing with knits. I'd love to really try it someday but it is kind of scary thinking of all that stretchiness!
ReplyDeletehave you tried binding by bringing the backing fabric to the front? Seems that this would work quite well for knits.
ReplyDeleteI made one of these yesterday with Riley Blake's DIY Modern Edge Baby Blanket tutorial. The binding is raw which I think probably made things a bit easier. I didn't have any trouble with an 80/20 universal needle, my walking foot, a 3.0 stitch length, and Aurifil 50 wt thread. The only thing I did different from the tutorial was I didn't sew my binding strips together, I just overlapped them as I pinned them on all the way around. It came out really nice.
ReplyDeletesorry I can't help you for knits. it has been years since I sewed on knit. but the right needle for knits would help a lot. what I do, is use cotton of flannel. I get 1 1/4 yards. I cut off the selvedges and square it up. then I fold the edges over 1/4" and then fold again 1/4". press well. then I sew the fold done on the fold and the edge. does that make sense? there will be a double sewing on the folded edges. My grands and their moms have loved this blanket. light enough for summer and used light a security blanket too. at age 3 and 4 they are still able to use them. I relly like what you did! great job!
ReplyDeleteDo you only have one layer of fabric there? Hard to tell from the pictures
ReplyDeleteTry a slight zigzag stitch on a scrap. 2 width/2.5 length. It acts like a stretch stitch.
ReplyDeleteI vote for using 2 layers of fabric and pulling the backing fabric around to the front for binding! The 2 layers always were such a nice weight!
ReplyDeleteAnd I hate to bring it up but what you say is faded black ( and I'm sure you know - you ordered the fabric!) definitely looks navy blue on my tablet - could be another "is the dress black/blue or white/gold" thing! Lol!
Those are so cute! I wonder how a stretch twin needle would help in combination with a walking foot? I dunno. I'm just getting the courage up to work with knits.
ReplyDeleteAnd that picture with the blanket on then head. BWAHAHAHA!!!
I love the knit blankets! I have a few babies to make things for soon and might just make these. I bet they do feel nice and cozy. And my 6 year old has those exact shoes too! Avengers I think?
ReplyDeleteI have no advice since I've not tried to see with knits yet. I just wanted to say that your lil blankies are so cute but your lil guy is precious!!
ReplyDeleteUse a ball point needle! HUGE difference when I started trying out knits! I am glad I was told early on to use the money for them and it is not a waste, as it really does help. Knits are so finicky (sp?) but they turn out great. I love these blankets! Any babe would look snuggly in them!
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