Comfy Cozy Holiday Blankets

The holidays are finally here and we have a lot to look forward to these coming months. From Christmas to New Years and many birthdays in between (all four of my boy’s birthdays are within a month of each other). It also means the season of giving... For me I enjoy making handmade gifts, it's one of my favorite things about being a maker. Because I have a lot of sewing to do, I like to design projects that are simple enough but also one-of-a kind. That's why I love my Brother machines, they make customizing gifts easy and fun. For this post I want to share how to make custom blankets with my Brother PE800
and Brother ScanNCutDX
, this tutorial can be done on many things from stockings to towels and even t-shirts. Get the details below.

Supplies:

• Brother PE800
  
• Brother ScanNCutDX
  
• Pacesetter Lt Weight Water-Soluble Stabilizer
• Pacesetter Medium Tear-Away Stabilizer
• Brother Metallic Thread
• 5” x 7” hoop
• Fleece blanket
• 1 yard flannel fabric
• 1 yard fleece material
• Heat Vinyl Transfer sheets for fabric
• Iron

Let’s begin with the Embroidery:

• For the Embroidery blanket I’m using a purchased fleece blanket.
• You will want to have an idea of where you’d like the embroidery to go. I’m embroidering on the center of the right bottom corner. My design is about 4”x4”.
• For the embroidery design, I’m using the built-in lettering from my Brother PE800
  and a laurel wreath that I made. I added the designs together on my touchscreen machine. I’m using Brother metallic thread in gold.

• Hoop the blanket with a tear away stabilizer on the back side and a water-soluble stabilizer on the front as a topper. When embroidering on materials with piles, you want to use a topper to keep the design from getting lost in the fabric. Mark on top of the stabilizer where you want the design to be.
• Before embroidery, make sure the design is centered and in the location you marked using the touchscreen.

• Begin embroidery. Note: When using metallic thread, slow down your machine to the slowest setting. This helps ensure a smooth embroidery process.

• Once the embroidery is done remove stabilizer. For the top stabilizer, cut it down just around the design and then remove the additional with water.

For the ScanNCut Blanket:

• I made the blanket but you can buy one. This blanket was simple and small for my toddler son.

• Begin by cutting the measurements of your blanket - you can adjust however you’d like (mine was 30” x 30” but you can create the dimensions you prefer).
• Place front and back right sides together, pin and sew leaving a 4” gap along one of the sides (center).

• Flip right side out. Press seam allowance under the opening and topstitch around the blanket, closing the opening in the process (1/8” from the edge for topstitch).

ScanNCut:

• I just started using this and I have been having too much fun. From appliqué to vinyl transfers and more, it’s another hobby I want to continue. I like that I can add the ScanNCut into my sewing projects and designs.
• For the designs: I used the built-in designs from the ScanNCut for the lettering and laurel wreath. For the deer silhouette, I transferred it from my computer to my ScanNCut
  from the CanvasWorkshop.
  Each design measured about 4” x 4” total.

• Place the vinyl sheet on the sticky mat. I used some tape at the corner for some extra security.
• Create your designs on the touchscreen and select placement. Because I used white vinyl, I’m sharing the photo in black. Once the mat is loaded, you choose the cut selection and it cuts it out for you. I also cut most of my designs out on one sheet.

• Peel the images off the mat. You can use the little spatula as well for the smaller letters and corners.

Follow the vinyl heat transfer directions. • Place on desired location. • Place a cotton cloth or parchment paper over the design. • Press on high (no steam) for 30 seconds. • Let cool off. • Peel the sticky protectant top off. I kind of went crazy with the Brother ScanNCutDX
for my holiday projects! I made our Christmas jammies and even a mantle banner with the squares from the samples.

Happy Holidays!