how would you make a baby blanket with pictures, scrapbook style?

Question

My grandaughter will be 1 in March. I would like to make her a blanket with pictures. I know I could transfer pictures from computer. Does anyone know a website with directions? I'm not an advanced sewer but I do have a sewing machine? Thanks for all help.

Answer 1

I think you can get all you need at a fabric store (or online). They sell transfer papers, etc., for fabric, and should have info about doing it, either in books (especially in the quilting section) or just asking someone (especially if you go to a quilt store, not just a regular fabric store).

Not exactly sure what you mean about a "scrapbook style" blanket... do you mean that you want each of the pictures to be "framed" on the quilt, or something else?

If you want to make a "blanket" instead of a quilt, I guess you'd have to sew the transferred images-on-fabric onto the surface of a "blanket' of your choice --like doing "appliques".
If you want the fabric pictures to be part of the cover though, that would be a "pieced" "quilt", not a blanket per se (and a "lapquilt" or play quilt of about 4x5' will be a lot more manageable for a first quilt than a bed-sized one! I've made a ton of them, and kids are always telling me when they're older how much they loved having them for naps and all kinds of play.)

Check out some of these links on making a "memory quilt":
http://tinyurl.com/yekktx
(they should have more info about the whole process of transferring images to fabric too).

Good luck, I know it will be loved!

Oh, and p.s.... if you're interested in making "pictures" of various kinds for your granddaughter, I LOVE this type (it's in "fabric book" form, but could also be pillows or another lapquilt, etc.) The book is called Fabric Picture Books, by Gwen Marston (amazon used = $7, even less at e-bay)
In this case, an image is selected from a fabric (animal, person, item, scene, color, etc.), then framed with 4 strips of (different fabric, but could be same fabric). The soft book is made two "pages" at a time which are then sewn together down the middle.
Here's a mini-lesson:
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/shows_qlt/article/0,1805,HGTV_3876_1740471,00.html
http://www.appliquequilt.com/pics/1/AQS6002_3.jpg

And here's a different type... this one's a full quilt:
http://tinyurl.com/yjgq9d

(those would only be "memory quilts" though if you used fabric images that meant something to her life, or even used transfers... they can also be good for learning colors, textures, zoo animals, I-Spy, or just about anything)

Diane B.

Answer 2

Just transfer the pictures, then embroidry them. You don't want to use fabric paint on a baby blanket. Or you could just transfer the pictures in color and randomly place them, like Julia Roberts did in the movie called (I think) Stepmom.

Answer 3

just buy transfer picture paper for t-shirts at any office supply store then go to any fabric/art supply store to get a book about how to make a blanket. It would be easier if you made a quilt, that way you can put a picture in each individual square. I hope i helped! gluck with your blanket.!