No Sew Fleece Blankets

Today in the United States, we celebrate Veteran's Day, taking time to thank all those who have served in our military through the years for the sacrifices they have made for us.

I thought I would share with you a little project that our local Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts are working on with the Blue Star Mothers. They are making no-sew fleece blankets which will be sent over to Germany to the soldiers who are on their way home because of injury or illness.

Here are a few in the works...


Each blanket will be worked on by two or three scouts, then they will sign a card to go with that blanket so the person receiving it will know who made it for them.

These fleece blankets are so quick and easy, and they don't require any sewing at all, so they are the perfect project for young people, or anyone, to make for someone special. Besides that, they are super warm and cozy too!

Here's how to make a no-sew fleece blanket:

Cut two pieces of fleece the size you want your blanket to be plus about 8 to 10 inches extra in the width and the length. Lay the pieces flat on your work table, one on top of the other with their wrong sides together. Using safety pins, pin these two layers together about 8 inches away from the edges in about two or three spots for each edge. This will keep the layers together while cutting and tying the fringe.

Cut a 4 or 5 inch square from each corner of the double layered fleece. Using your straight edge and rotary cutter and cutting through both layers at the same time, cut the fringe along the outside edges 1 inch wide and about 4 or 5 inches long. Tie the corresponding fringe pieces from each layer to each other, one piece from the top layer and one piece from the bottom layer, until all fringe pieces are tied and the two pieces of fleece are connected all the way around.

Here are two different ways to tie the fringe:

Hold both fringe pieces together and tie one knot. When using this tie method, it is better to have longer fringe so you might want to cut your corners 5 inches square and cut the fringe 5 inches long. That will make it easier to tie this type of knot. This method of tying results in the fringe pieces staying together, giving the edge a more finished look.


Or you can tie the fringe pieces the same way you start to tie your shoes, then do it again to make the knot. This can be done with a shorter fringe so you can cut your corners 4 inches square and cut your fringe 4 inches long. This method of tying results in the fringe pieces being apart from each other, giving the edge a more scrappy look.


Another way to connect the two pieces of fleece is to cut slits and run a ribbon in and out of the slits along each edge. For this blanket, I cut a scalloped edge in both pieces of fleece at the same time, then I cut the slits evenly spaced along each edge. I weaved a length of grosgrain ribbon through the slits, leaving extra at each corner. When all the weaving was done, I tied the extra at each corner into a knot for security and then into a bow for decoration.

So if you're looking for a quick and easy gift to make someone for Christmas or any occasion, and you don't have time for something too involved, two pieces of fleece and your scissors or rotary cutter are all you need...and a little bit of time!

Happy Veteran's Day and a big thank you to all who have served in our military!

Happy Stitching!

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Pretty Easter Eggs - fun to make!

A few years ago, I came across some lovely Easter egg decorations in the Martha Stewart Living magazine that intrigued me, so I had to try making one. I was so pleased with the way the first one turned out that I made a lot, and I mean A LOT, more that year! Here are the eggs I kept for myself decorating my Easter mantle...


DMC Perle Cotton comes in so many lovely colors, and I think I tried them all!


I even made some two-toned eggs, like this green one with the darker green on the bottom and the lighter green on the top. That was a good way to use up leftovers from other eggs and still make something nice.


The wrapping of perle cotton on each egg is started from the top and brought down to the center, then started again at the bottom and brought up to the center. Glue is painted onto a styrofoam egg in sections and the cotton is pinned in place at the top and wrapped around and around, adding more glue as necessary, until the center is reached. Then the same thing is done from the bottom. This allows the thread to be placed up against the previous round of thread, until the whole egg is covered.


Once the egg is completely wrapped in the perle cotton, a length of ribbon is glued around the center, hiding the area where the two halves of the wrapping come together. I also purchased some pre-made ribbon flowers that I glued in place over the cut ends of the ribbon. Pinning the flowers at each petal point will hold them in place while the glue dries.

Don't you think they make a lovely Easter display?

Happy Stitching!

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Whirl Into Winter Giveaway is Finally Here!

This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to all who entered! The winner, cdziuba of Ceeceeblogger, was announced HERE. Congratulations!

The Whirl Into Winter Giveaway has finally arrived! Happy 2009 to all of you and thank you for visiting Hooked On Needles, even if it is just to check out my giveaway prize. Of course I can't let you go quite so quickly now that you are here, so I'm going to ask you to do a little simple sleuthing in order to get your name in my drawing.

But first, would you like to know what you are playing for? Take a look...


In the Winter spirit of this giveaway, I have made a very generously sized (40 by 50 inches not including the fringe), double thickness, fleece blanket using the coziest, thickest fleece I could find in a very winter-looking print -- light blue background with little yellow stars and a solid yellow backing. Just imagine an evening in front of the fireplace, curled up underneath this blanket, with a cup of something hot and a really good book...or craft magazine! COZY!


Of course, along with the blanket will be a few other Winter-themed items for the winner. A box of assorted Winter cards and envelopes, a clear snowflake ornament that would look nice hung in a window, some iron-on sparkly snowflakes for your favorite cozy sweatshirt, some snowflake gift tags, a Mary Engelbreit penguin magnet that says "Let It Snow", a spool of red ribbon with white snowflakes, a snowflake cookie cutter, and two packages of that Something Hot to cuddle with under that fleece blanket while enjoying the fire -- New England Mulling Spices for some hot mulled cider, and a Hot Buttered Rum mix which can be used with or without alcohol. Now if all that doesn't say WINTER, I just don't know what does! Except for maybe a few other things that are not in the picture, but will also be included in the winner's package!

So here's the part I know you are really interested in...what YOU have to do in order to get in the running for this prize. I'll make it as simple as possible.

• Look through my website for 3 items I have made that you might consider COZY. (I'll give you a hint to make it easier to get started...on my sidebar, there is a section called Hooked On Needles Links where you will find links to lists of all my previous posts using certain techniques. Pick one or two techniques that you think would be used to make cozy things and check them out.)


• Write a comment at the end of this giveaway post telling me what 3 COZY items you found and which one of those items you like the best.


• Please include your email address if you comment anonymously, if you don't have a blog, or if your return address is set to no-reply. If you are not sure, just go ahead and include your email address in your comment so I can reply to you. If I cannot send you an email, your entry will not qualify for the drawing.


• International entries are welcome with the understanding that the package will be shipped by the least expensive method.

On January 15th, I will announce the winner of my giveaway here at Hooked On Needles. Make sure to click on that friendly snowflake at the top of this post or on my sidebar to see the list of all the other generous crafters who are also offering fabulous Winter giveaways. But hurry because they all end by January 15th!

Happy Stitching!

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Another No Sew Christmas Project -- Easy Felt Snowflake Ornament

Here is another fun, easy and inexpensive no-sew Christmas project that even the most craft-challenged person can make beautifully.

The supplies are very few and can be purchased at your favorite local craft store like Michael's or AC Moore for literally pennies.

All you need to purchase, or find in your stash if you have them, are a piece of white soft felt and a piece of colored eazy felt which is felt that has been stiffened. All other supplies you will probably already have at home.


Inspired by Kristin's recent paper snowflake project over at Craft Leftovers, I got out my paper and scissors and started cutting. I had almost forgotten how fun it is to fold up paper and cut pieces at random from the edges, then unfold a masterpiece. So anyway, that's what you need to do to start. You can follow Kristin's designs, or do what I did and just wing it.


Then I pinned my paper snowflake onto my piece of white soft felt so it wouldn't move.


Using a super fine Sharpie, I traced around the snowflake and all the little cut out sections.


Using my very sharpest little scissors, I cut out the shape of the snowflake and all the little openings on the inside until I had a felt snowflake that looked just like my paper snowflake. Then I glued it onto the colored eazy felt using tiny dots of white glue at the tips and evenly spaced throughout the snowflake.


After cutting around the outside of the snowflake leaving a little of the blue around the edge, I threaded some gold metallic sewing thread through one of the points for a hanger.

These would be nice ornaments for your tree or to hang in windows. They would make pretty little gift tags too. You could let your children cut out paper snowflakes in their own unique designs and then use that as a pattern to turn their artwork into a nice little teacher gift or a very thoughtful gift for special friends or grandparents. Another way to use them would be to hang them from a wide ribbon like a banner or bunting over a doorway or mantle. The possibilities are endless. Be creative!

Don't forget to sign up for my Christmas/200th post Celebration Giveaway. It ends a week before Christmas, so you better hurry!

Happy Stitching!

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Another No Sew Project -- Easy and Inexpensive Advent Wreath

It seems Advent sneaks up on me every year. I never have my candles ready. In fact this year, I don't have any candles at all, and now I'll be lucky if I can still find them in a store. But my intentions are always good, even to the point of making my own Advent wreath because I did not like the commercially available wreaths. It was a fun little project, even a bit of a stash buster as well!

I bought a styrofoam disk at Michael's using one of my 40% off coupons, 4 little glass candle holders and an evergreen/pinecone pick.

I went through my fabric stash and came across some leftover green velvet from my daughter's Irish Step Dancing dress that I made and embroidered many years ago. That would be perfect for wrapping the styrofoam.

Then I went up to the attic and searched through my Christmas ribbon and found a pretty gold ribbon just a bit wider than the thickness of the styrofoam disk.

I put the disk onto the wrong side of the velvet and cut around it so I would have enough to pull up to the other side of the disk and I glued the edges in place on the top, which will end up being the bottom. With the disk still upside down, I glued the gold ribbon so that the edge was even with the lower edge of the disk that will end up being the top. I folded the extra ribbon over onto the top of the disk and glued it in place as well.

Then I cut a piece of velvet just smaller than the disk and glued that in place over the edge of the ribbon and the edge of the velvet that covers the disk just to give it a neat finished bottom. Then I turned it over.

I glued the glass candle holders evenly spaced onto the velvet using a hot glue gun. Then I cut apart the evergreen pick and chose pieces that I liked. Using hot glue again, I attached them to the velvet in a way that was pleasing to me, leaving room in the middle for the Christmas Day white pillar candle.

Viola! There you have a quick and easy and not too expensive homemade Advent wreath. Now if I can only find candles before Sunday, we'll be all set!

Happy Stitching!

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Easy No Sew Fall Wreath

Here's a quick and easy no-sew wreath that can be made for any season and looks great hanging on the front door. All you need is a straw wreath of whatever size you like, a yard or so of appropriately festive fabric, pinking shears, and a ball point pen or Philips head screwdriver. You can use all one fabric, or mix several fabrics.

Take a look at how easy it is to make...



First, using pinking shears, cut the fabric into strips about 3 inches wide. Save one strip for later. Cut remaining strips into squares.

Wrap a piece of florist wire or other hanging wire around the wreath, forming a loop at the top for hanging. This is easier to do before you start adding fabric to the wreath.


Take your ball point pen or screwdriver and place the point into the middle of the right side of a fabric square...


...and push it into the straw wreath.


Continue pushing the fabric squares into the straw wreath until the whole top and sides are covered in the fullness that is pleasing to you. I like mine quite full, but some people space their fabric squares out just a bit so more of the fabric design shows. Leave the back of the wreath uncovered so it will sit flat against the door or wall.


This is what mine looks like.


Find the wire hanger you made and orient your wreath so the hanger is at the top. With the strip you saved, wrap it around the wreath in a place that is pleasing to you and tie a nice bow.



Hang on your front door to greet all your visitors.

This is a wonderful project for anyone who thinks they are 'craft challenged' but still wants to create something nice. It can be made in any size or shape that you can find in a straw wreath and any print or color of fabric can be used.

Have fun experimenting with this and see what you can come up with.

Happy Stitching!

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