DIY Swaddle Blankets

When I unpacked all of Jude's old baby items I realized that all the tiny clothes I planned on sewing would quite possibly go unworn.  I have so many adorable little things Jude only wore once or twice.  So for now the baby clothes sewing is mostly on hold.  Of course there was no way I could have a new baby and NOT make him a few things.  

First on that list?  Swaddle blankets.  I have heard nothing but good things about thin oversized gauzey swaddle blankets.  Instead of paying a pretty penny for a set of four I decided to create my own custom ones, I must admit I'm pretty happy with the results.  

So here we have DIY swaddle blankets four ways.  I've included a tutorial for the basic blanket plus details on each design.  I hope the baby likes them as much as I do!

Simple Swaddle Blanket Tutorial

You'll need:

• Cotton Gauze fabric (I found mine at fabric.com, you'll need 5 1/3 yrds for 4 blankets)
• Serger or sewing machine

How to:

1. Prewash and iron your fabric.
2. Lay the fabric out flat.  Grab the top corner where the cut edge and the top selvage edge meet, pull that down so that the cut edge lays across the bottom selvage edge.  You will have a folded triangle shape, cut along the straight edge to create a square. (Like when you fold and cut a standard piece of paper to get a square.)
3. Serge, zig zag stitch, or sew a folded hem around the entire blanket.

Script Art Swaddle Blanket (this one is my favorite)

1. Tape your blanket to a smooth, protected surface.  
2. Choose a poem or song lyrics that you love.
3. Using a large brush and fabric paint, paint the words in cursive lettering.
4. Don't worry about getting it perfect, it's supposed to look hand painted.
5. Set the paint according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Star Stamped Swaddle Blanket

1. Create stamps by cutting stars out of craft foam and gluing them to foam core.  I made two different sizes, and of course you could use any shape you liked.
2. Tape your blanket to a smooth, protected surface.
3. Use a brush to apply fabric paint to your largest stamp.  Stamp your fabric in a polka dot type pattern.  (Apply one row, on the following row stamp in between each star.)
4. Fill in the gaps of each row with the smaller stamp in a different color.

Tie Dyed Swaddle Blanket

1. Prepare a dye bath per your dye's instructions.
2. Fold your blanket in half lengthwise and half again crosswise to create a square.  At the point on the square without edges place your first rubber band, continue adding rubber bands out from that point.
3. Dye your fabric per the manufacturer's instructions.
4. Remove the fabric from the dye, cut the rubber bands and wash.

Ombre (dip dyed) Swaddle Blanket

1. Prepare a dye bath per your dye's instructions.
2. Dip the entire blanket in the dye for 5 minutes.
3. Pull one third of the blanket out, hanging it on a hanger above your dye bath.  Leave two thirds submerged for 10 minutes.
4. Pull another third out and allow the last section to remain for another 15 minutes.
5. Remove from the dye and wash.

NOTE:  Please do not make the same mistake I did and wash all of the blankets together.  I thought I had washed out all of the dye and I was sorely mistaken.  The script and star blankets are now pale blue, not the end of the world, but not the look I was going for, darn pregnancy brain!