With spring fast approaching (although not really fast enough) I wanted to make a blanket cozy enough for the end of winter, but also light enough to go with my spring and summer decor.
I decided a combination of linen and flannel would be perfect together.
I love the soft look of 100% linen and how it drapes so beautifully across a bed or chair.
And flannel is, of course, cozy.
Linen and Ruffle Throw Blanket Sewing Tutorial Video
For this project, I bought three yards each of this striped linen fabric and this white flannel.
(You wouldn’t really need a full three yards, but you can get it cheaper if you buy more, and I have a hard time passing up a deal! I also have my heart set on making something else for a future tutorial.)
Since two yards measures 72″ inches in length, you can definitely get by just fine with two yards. You could also make this project for a lot cheaper by purchasing plain old cotton, but I love the lightweight drape of this 100% linen.
Cut list:
46″ by 70″ piece of linen
46″ by 70″ piece of flannel
2- 6″ by 70″ pieces of linen (for the ruffles)
The linen fabric is 58″ wide, so you will have a 12″ by 70″ strip left after cutting your 46″ by 70″ piece. Cut that long leftover piece in half down the middle and you will have your two ruffle pieces.
So, first things first. I pressed the long side of one of the ruffle pieces down 1/4″.
Next, to hide that raw edge inside, I pressed it down again another 1/4″.
I then sewed that seam down for the entire length of the long side of the ruffle piece.
Next, I pressed both short ends over 1/4″, and then another 1/4″, to hide the raw edges inside.
I sewed the seams down on both short ends, so I had three of the four edges hemmed.
Next, I put a gathering stitch* in the long side of the ruffle piece that wasn’t hemmed.
*A gathering stitch is just sewing down the length of the fabric with the longest stitch that my machine allows. Since the stitch is long, it will be loose enough to allow me to pull them, and create the ruffles.
I tugged the strings gently from both ends to create a 46″ ruffle, the length of the short end of my large linen piece.
Tips for making ruffles:
Set the tension on your machine to as high as it will go. The combination of the high tension and loose gathering stitch will cause your machine to pull the fabric and create perfect ruffles, without any effort on your part.
Just make sure to set the stitch length and tension back to normal before actually sewing your ruffle onto your main piece.
When sewing ruffles to your main piece that you are working on, make sure to sew as close to the gathering stitch as possible, to keep the ruffle looking nice.
The rule of thumb for cutting a ruffle piece is one and half times the length of the piece you will be attaching it to. So, for example, if you want to sew a ruffle onto a 10″ piece of fabric, you should cut your ruffle piece to 15″ in length.
Next, I pinned my ruffle to the 46″ end of my linen piece, with right sides together. (I had the backs of my hems facing up.)
I made sure to pin the ruffle at least 1/4″ away from the edge of the fabric.
I will need that extra space to sew the flannel to, later in the tutorial.
Just be sure to leave 1/4″ on each side.
Next, I sewed the ruffle to the 46″ end of my linen, being careful to sew closely to the gathering stitch, to keep my ruffles looking nice.
And this is how the ruffle looked all sewn on.
Next, I repeated the whole process to sew the other ruffle onto the other 46″ end of the linen fabric piece.
After that, it was finally time to sew the flannel to the linen.
To keep the ruffles away from the edges while sewing, I folded them over, and placed a few pins to keep them there.
Next, with the linen piece on the floor with the right side facing up and the ruffles facing down, I laid the flannel piece on top.
It was basically a linen, ruffle and flannel sandwich.
I pinned the whole thing all the way around.
Then, I sewed around the entire thing, being sure to not sew too far away from my original ruffle stitch, to keep my ruffles from getting wonky.
I made sure to leave several inches not sewn at the end, so I could turn the blanket out and hide all the seams inside.
To close up the spot that I left not sewn, I folded the flannel under and pinned it in place, making sure to keep the ruffle edge tucked inside.
I sewed that spot closed.
Then, I topstitched* around the entire blanket.
A topstitch is just a stitch sewn close to the edge all the way around. It is “on top” so it will be seen in the finished product.
I couldn’t wait to get it down to our room to see how it would look on our bed, in a basket, draped around me (I may have swirled around in it in front of the mirror) and my kid…LOL
I absolutely love the way it turned out!
The flannel makes it so cozy and warm and I love the subtle gray color of the linen. It looks so beautiful paired with ruffles.
I have always been a ruffles girl. When my girls were smaller, I was able to get away with putting three or four layers of ruffles on their dresses and skirts. Two baby boys later, and it has been a while since I have had an excuse to sew ruffles.
Turns out linen is the best material ever to sew ruffles with. They just drape so beautifully.
I hope you try this blanket out for yourself. It was super simple to make. Now I want one for every room!
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Linen and Flannel Ruffle Throw Blanket Tutorial
With spring fast approaching (although not really fast enough) I wanted to make a blanket cozy enough for the end of winter, but also light enough to go with my spring and summer decor.
Materials
- linen fabric
- flannel fabric
- sewing machine
Instructions
Cut list:
46″ by 70″ piece of linen
46″ by 70″ piece of flannel
2- 6″ by 70″ pieces of linen (for the ruffles)
The linen fabric is 58″ wide, so you will have a 12″ by 70″ strip left after cutting your 46″ by 70″ piece. Cut that long leftover piece in half down the middle and you will have your two ruffle pieces.
So, first things first. I pressed the long side of one of the ruffle pieces down 1/4″.
Next, to hide that raw edge inside, I pressed it down again another 1/4″.
I then sewed that seam down for the entire length of the long side of the ruffle piece.
Next, I pressed both short ends over 1/4″, and then another 1/4″, to hide the raw edges inside.
I sewed the seams down on both short ends, so I had three of the four edges hemmed.
Next, I put a gathering stitch* in the long side of the ruffle piece that wasn’t hemmed.
*A gathering stitch is just sewing down the length of the fabric with the longest stitch that my machine allows. Since the stitch is long, it will be loose enough to allow me to pull them, and create the ruffles.
I tugged the strings gently from both ends to create a 46″ ruffle, the length of the short end of my large linen piece.
Tips for making ruffles:
Set the tension on your machine to as high as it will go. The combination of the high tension and loose gathering stitch will cause your machine to pull the fabric and create perfect ruffles, without any effort on your part.
Just make sure to set the stitch length and tension back to normal before actually sewing your ruffle onto your main piece.
When sewing ruffles to your main piece that you are working on, make sure to sew as close to the gathering stitch as possible, to keep the ruffle looking nice.
The rule of thumb for cutting a ruffle piece is one and half times the length of the piece you will be attaching it to. So, for example, if you want to sew a ruffle onto a 10″ piece of fabric, you should cut your ruffle piece to 15″ in length.
Next, I pinned my ruffle to the 46″ end of my linen piece, with right sides together. (I had the backs of my hems facing up.)
I made sure to pin the ruffle at least 1/4″ away from the edge of the fabric.
I will need that extra space to sew the flannel to, later in the tutorial.
Just be sure to leave 1/4″ on each side.
Next, I sewed the ruffle to the 46″ end of my linen, being careful to sew closely to the gathering stitch, to keep my ruffles looking nice.
Next, I repeated the whole process to sew the other ruffle onto the other 46″ end of the linen fabric piece.
After that, it was finally time to sew the flannel to the linen.
To keep the ruffles away from the edges while sewing, I folded them over, and placed a few pins to keep them there.
Next, with the linen piece on the floor with the right side facing up and the ruffles facing down, I laid the flannel piece on top.
It was basically a linen, ruffle and flannel sandwich.
I pinned the whole thing all the way around.
Then, I sewed around the entire thing, being sure to not sew too far away from my original ruffle stitch, to keep my ruffles from getting wonky.
I made sure to leave several inches not sewn at the end, so I could turn the blanket out and hide all the seams inside.
To close up the spot that I left not sewn, I folded the flannel under and pinned it in place, making sure to keep the ruffle edge tucked inside.
I sewed that spot closed.
Then, I topstitched* around the entire blanket.
A topstitch is just a stitch sewn close to the edge all the way around. It is “on top” so it will be seen in the finished product.
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Lindsay says
I love this! Thanks for posting!
Lisa Bass says
Thank you so much!
Ellen says
Oh this is lovely! Thanks for sharing such a great tutorial. I want to go fabric shopping pronto!
Lisa Bass says
Yay! Let me know if you try it!
Jeffrey says
Very nice! Looks warm and cozy.
Lisa Bass says
Thank you!
Susan Halsey says
Its lovely!! Can I just buy it from you??
Lisa Bass says
That is what everyone keeps asking! LOL Guess I need to list them in the shop!
Robin Fink says
Sooo pretty! Robin
Lisa Bass says
Thank you so much Robin!
Darcy Sullivan says
I absolutely love this cute dainty throw. I have that white pillow from IKEA and the throw looks so good with that and your diy tea towel pillow cover. Do you ever take special orders to make for us viewers? Your work is amazing!
Darcy
Lisa Bass says
I am considering it, because I have had so many ask about me making it. Thank you so much!
Jill Palumbo says
I agree you should sell these. They are adorable. Have you mentioned before where you purchased your linen bedding from? I love the looks of your bed – so comfy!
Jill
Lisa Bass says
Yes ma’am! 🙂 I mentioned it in my farmhouse finds from IKEA post. https://www.farmhouseonboone.com/farmhouse-on-boone/my-favorite-farmhouse-finds-from-ikea
Thank you so much for your sweet comment!
Pam Lambky says
Adorable addition to your dreamy bed. Thanks so much for the easy to follow instructions you’ve included in your post. I plan on making this as I’ve ordered my fabric just now. Hopefully mine will look this good!!!
Lisa Bass says
Oooh yay! I am so happy to hear you are trying it! You will love yours 🙂
Brooke says
I love this but don’t sew. Could I possibly talk u into to making One for me. I’ll pay for it of course!
Dawn says
Love this! Is there a ruffle in just one of the short ends?
Lisa Bass says
Thank you! There are ruffles on both short ends. 🙂
Emily says
Hi, this is super pretty, and looks full of warmth. I just acquired a sewing machine and even though I did do Home Economics in school, it was more years ago than I care to share LOL. I was wondering if you would be willing to email me the pattern. I can’t figure out how to save this page in the favorites… I only have a phone, have not set up my computer… ? Thank you so much!!! Also, I think you could make a really cute holiday blanket from this pattern.
Sherry says
Love this throw! It’s times like this I wish I could sew. Are you, by chance, thinking of selling these in your Etsy shop?
Karen says
Amazing! I just prewashed my linen and flannel that i bought ago last night! On it today! Love everything about your blog!
Thanks so much!
Karen
Cheryl says
Lovely, thanks for the directions!
Lori says
Ok so I know its been said &asked…. But I think this would be a wonderful addition to your Linen pillow covers that you sell & I know both myself & many other followers would purchase this to go with the pillow shams you currently sell on Etsy. I went to go buy a few of the pillow shams & only wish to say they are a bit more expensive than I had anticipated. Sorry, but there’s just so much linen bedding & pillow shams & cover’s on Etsy now that I just didn’t expect your price for yours. If possible just maybe look & see if its feasible to lower a bit. You have many follower & many that want those & NOW this wonderful throw, that I know I would purchase all at the right price. Either way I absolutely LOVE this ruffled throw!!! And YES want one or more as well. Thanks & God bless, Lori K.
Donna says
As a seamstress, I get asked to do things for free or to do alterations cheaper than what I charge. The issue in your comment is obviously you haven’t priced quality linen fabric and asking to lower her prices is disrespectful to her talents, time, and business. Do you question or ask a lower price for services from a doctor, lawyer, etc.?
J.L.A. says
I agree with Donna. My mom made clothes years ago for friends, and she stopped doing it after awhile, because people didn’t want to pay what it was worth. I have done quite a bit of sewing, and it takes a lot of time and skill to produce a quality product. If people are willing to pay high prices for things at a store, or online, they shouldn’t balk at someone expecting to make decent money at a quality handmade item. Time is money, and if someone puts a great deal of time into their craft, they should be paid well. What is wrong with someone wanting to be paid what they are worth? When someone thinks of “seamstress”, they automatically think “cheap labor”. I have seen women spend ridiculous prices on other things, like makeup or essentials oils, but they would never consider paying their sewing friend or neighbor what it is worth, because they are “friends”. It really irks me when people want to be cheap, especially when someone puts their time and effort into something well made. If someone doesn’t like the price, they can go to the thrift store or to Walmart and get a Chine made inferior product.
Celeste says
Hi I am ready to start this ruffle blanket but all the flannel I find is 42”. And your link brings me to flannel that is 45”. Any advice?
Thanks
Celeste
Mary says
This is a silly question I know but… does your throw have ruffles on the end or just the sides? Thanks for this tutorial!! Can’t wait to try it out!!
Lisa says
Just the ends! Not a silly question. 🙂
Sheila DelCharco says
I don’t *need* one more throw but this one is ADORABLE!
Terry says
Did you wash your fabric first?
Lisa says
I did not.
Stephanie says
If I order the telio linen on amazon, quantity 2, will it arrive as two consecutive yards or will they send two separate yards?
Lisa says
It will arrive in consecutive yards!
Bethany Fortner says
I would love this could you make them and sale it I would definitely buy one
Grandma G. says
Hi Lisa! Congratulations on your new little one. You have a beautiful family.
As one who’s been sewing for 60 some years, I thought I’d offer you a little tip. There is a neat, inexpensive presser foot available that will gather the ruffle for you as you stitch it to the main fabric, leaving the main fabric flat – really! You can find it on Amazon, just type “sewing machine gathering foot” in the search field. Alternatively, you could buy a ruffler foot, which makes consistently sized slightly flat ruffles, but it is more complex to use and costs more. I much prefer the gathering foot, although both work well and are time-savers.
Merry Christmas and may God bless you and yours always.
wilhelmina says
I love the cool and cozy combo thing this blanket has going on!
nancy says
are you still selling grain sack material?please email me a answer i really need it as i have something i want to recover with it thanks much nancy
Frances McKee says
I love your throw idea mixing linen and flannel fabrics together! Such a simple sewing project and affordable that I’m considering to make several to give as gifts without breaking the bank! I also love your tutorial on the Japanese style cross back apron! I plan on making them also for myself and for gifts! Thank you for sharing your talent and ideas!
Lori Reaver says
thanks for the idea of the throw but i think I’m going to try and make a lightweight blanket for my bed which is a queen. I’ll let you know how it comes out.
Karolyn Love says
I think this is something I could actually try! Not much of a seamstress (maybe sewer is a better word for me!!), but your instructions were so easy to understand, that trying it might be fun! I’ll start with one for me and if it doesn’t go to badly and look too wonky (!), I may give each of my daughters and my granddaughter one for Christmas…next year!! Thanks for sharing this beautiful idea as I’m not a quilter like my Mom was, but something like this will be a great heirloom also!!!
Sharon Mullis says
I find it hard to find nice fabric especially during the pandemic since many fabric stores have closed. Do you order on line? Could you share which site you use. Looks like a nice winter project to get ready for a little warmer weather – thank you
Lara Maciel says
What sewing machine model do you have?
Lara says
Could I make this blanket using 100% cotton?