Dear Readers,

As you likely know, with Joann Fabric Stores closing, we are all losing an important source for sewing related items – fabric and notions. This is a huge loss. I know that many of you use Joann flannel for the baby blankets that I hemstitch for you. I have always tried to get the flannel I use, for the blankets on my website, from a variety of places, Joanns included. I have a large supply of flannel and will continue be a good source for hemstitched blankets. If you don't see a blanket you like on my website I can send you pictures of other possibilities.

This is the time to look for other sewing stores in your area, see what they have and get on their email list for sale notifications. Online stores you can check out are Missouriquiltco.com, Shabbyfarbics.com, aandefabrics.com, and colchestermillfabricsandquilting.com. There may be others as well. If you choose to buy your fabric online, you can have it shipped directly to me to save on shipping in one direction.

My website is www.hemstitchingforyou.com, my email is kathrynwbrown@yahoo.com and my phone numberb is 801-300-1436.

Finding Fabric for Blankets

 Sometimes it's hard to find the right flannel for your blanket, especially at the right price. I spend a lot of time on this quest - to make blankets that match well in color and style and that have appeal to different people. Some of my customers are happy to buy the blankets that I have already hemstitched and some prefer to bring or mail me fabric that they have chosen. 

You might want to order fabric online and have it mailed to me directly. Then I will make up the blanket, hemstitch it, and mail it back to you. This allows you to choose the fabric and have more selection than you may have in your local brick and mortar stores. Www.missouriquiltco.com or FlannelLand on Etsy are a couple of places you might consider. However you want to proceed, let me know how I can help you. Check out what I have available on my website, https://www.hemstitchingforyou.com.

Heirloom receiving blankets

Did you have a favorite "blankie" as a toddler? A comfort blanket that

you dragged from room to room and wouldn't part with - perhaps until

your adolescence? Even though it was worn through in places and you

successfully screamed every time your mom tried to throw it out?

Soft cotton flannel with its edges crocheted by grandma or a great aunt?

Do you wish that your child or grandchild had one?

I make those blankets.

Two sided cotton flannel receiving blankets. Edge hand crocheted by me

(someone else's great aunt) or you. No two are the same.

Purchase blankets from ever-changing inventory or choose your ownfabrics and ship them to me. I will prepare the fabric, if need be, and you can crochet the edges.  

Visit www.hemstitchingforyou.com

Did you know that, unlike weaving or knitting, crocheting can't be done

by a machine? Everything crocheted was hand-made by someone.

https://littleworldofwhimsy.com/are-there-crochet-machines-i-asked-an-expert/

How do I Put Together a Blanket?

Each blanket I make is one of a kind. As I look at the choices of flannel available to me, initially I look for fabrics that appeal to me, but since I don't know exactly what patterns my customers would choose, I try to have a variety of styles. The fun part, and sometimes the difficult part, is finding just the right complementary fabric for the back of the blanket. Sometimes, the line of fabric has some choices made to match, but most often it requires hunting. I tend to be picky, wanting just the right shade, and just the right amount and kind of pattern. Occasionally, it will take me many trips to the fabric store to find the right match.

At home I iron the fabric and put the two layers together, as I outline on the Hemstitching page of my website, www.hemstitchingforyou.com. If one of the fabrics has a plaid, or otherwise obvious line to it I do my best to make that straight. Sometimes that requires enlisting my husband to help me pull the fabric to help make it straight. I always round the corners as this makes it easier to crochet, giving you a continuous line for whatever crochet pattern you choose.  I often make burps cloths to go with the blanket, and sometimes I have enough fabric to make a bib as well.  After hemstitching the edges, I take a picture and put the blanket on my website. I hope you will find one that suits you just right!

Use ready made receiving blankets

I bought a package of 4 receiving blankets from Carters and made 2 30" X 40" blankets.  This is a nice size for new babies.  This worked well and adds more optiions for you to consider.

Great idea for Burp Cloths!

Buy burp cloths made by Gerber - they're made like a cloth diaper so are double in the middle - have them hemstitched around, crochet an edge and have a lovely, very practical burp cloth!  You can order one on my website and tell me whether you would like it hemstitched all the way around or just on the ends.  You can also buy them at Walmart or online and send them to me to be hemstitched.

Blanket for your favorite team!

Use fabric of your favorite sports team - for your little ones or for yourself!  Keeps you warm and cozy.  This blanket used flannel on one side and regular cotton fabric on the other side.