This is one of those, no-sew fleece quilts that I made in about an 1 1/2 hours. It wasn't that hard to make. While I was waiting to have some webbing measured out at the cutting table in Joann's Fabric's, a couple of ladies who were buying boatloads of fleece explained how to make them (The fleece was $2.99/yard and took 4 yards of fabric which made the quilt cost about $12.00). It was fun to make and I can't wait to make a few more as soon as Joann's restocks their fleece supply. I gather that this is the new craft rage from the number of ladies who were buying fleece.Basically, the instructions are:
1.) Buy 2 different fleece fabrics, one for the front and one for the back. Typically, a pattern for the top and a solid for the back.
2.) Lay out both pieces of fabric with wrong sides together and trim the selvage off and the cut ends so that the fabric is squared up.
3.) Cut out the corners. The corner cuts control how long the fringe around the blanket will be. 4" seems to be typical for baby blankets that are 1-1 1/2 yards long. I used 7" corners on my quilt because that's what the lady in the fabric store told me. Adult quilts are usually 2 yards long but can be longer if the person you are making the quilt for is tall. I cut out a piece of cardboard to use as a template.
4.) Cut strips 1-inch wide by the corner cut (whatever length used 4", 5" or 7") all away around the quilt. Cut through both the top and bottom fleece together. It helps to put something out under the fabric. I used my plastic rotary cutting mat and a folding cardboard pattern cutting under the fleece to help guide me in cutting 1-inch widths. I laid my fleece out in my exercise room where I had room to work and I didn't want the scissors to get caught up in the carpet. To make the fringe cutting go faster the next time, I think I will lay a piece of string from corner to corner, so I can make my fringe cuts. They tended to get shorter and shorter and I had to go back and cut a little more to make them 7 inches long. Some use tape but I didn't want to deal with sticky tape backing on the fleece.
5.) Tie the knots (but not too tightly). I used a double granny knot. The instructions below use a different knot. I knotted one side at a time when I was done cutting that side because I am an impatient person. I also knotted every other knot because when I was done with all 4 sides I was going to flip the quilt over and then do the other ones. I ended up liking the quilt without each fringe set being knotted as it made the fringe longer. Doing one side at a time also keeps the top and bottom fringe together so you will not get off and end up with an extra piece of fringe when you get to the end. It you do end up with 3 pieces of fringe at the end of a side, just tie them together. This is a very forgiving quilt to make. You are just limited to your immagination and the fleece in stock!
Lots of ladies were buying fleece to make blankets with sports teams logos on them. There are pet prints, camoflage prints and lots of solids. I loved this retro flower print. Although it is hard to see, the backside fleece was a tie-died purple print. I save my trim scraps and am thinking of some projects to do with them. Plus it would be fun to make hats and scarves, too.
Below are a couple of instructional sites, if you want to join the fun. We're thinking about having a tying bee (like a quilting-bee - where a bunch of ladies get together to make a quilt). Since we're headed back the Depression, we thought we'd revive some old-time customs!)
