Making a Receiving Blanket

You will need:
1 yard flannel (top)
1 1/4 yard flannel (for the back and the border)
matching thread
Wash and dry the flannel to pre-shrink it before cutting.
Cut 2 squares of flannel. The larger square will be the back of the blanket and the mitered border. Cut it to measure 40″ x 40″. The smaller square (the top) should measure 30″ x 30″.  This will leave a 4 1/2″ border on all sides.

Find the center of each side and mark it on all four sides on both top and bottom pieces. (I just fold it in half and mark the center with a pin.)  With right sides together, place the small square on top of the large square, (match up centered markings) and pin. (Remember that the smaller square will not reach to the other side (it will seem like it is 10″ too short!) This is how it should be!
Go ahead and pin it to both sides anyway.

When you begin to stitch the seams, start 1/4″ in from the edge. (Use 1/4″ inch seam allowances for the entire project.)

End the stitching 1/4″ from the end also.

You will have 1/4″ inch that is not attached on both ends. These are the “flaps.”

Now stitch the opposite side the same way (make sure they are centered before pinning.) Be sure to leave about an 8 – 10″ opening on one of the sides. This is so that you can turn it right side out later.


Repeat on the opposite side.
This is how it should look after it is all stitched. All four sides are now complete and the stitching at the corners should meet. See photo below:


Fold it as shown and use your hands to smooth it out like this.

Mark a 45° angle.

Stitch along this line and stop at the arrow (where the other stitching ended.)

and trim it to 1/4″.

Using the opening that you left un-stitched, turn the blanket right-side-out. Make sure all of the corners are nice and pointed.

Pin it all the way around the blanket as shown.

Now topstitch with a  zig-zag where the top fabric and the border meet using matching thread. (The zig-zag stitching will also close the opening that you left open to turn it right side out.)

Press with a hot iron to remove any wrinkles. It’s done!