I’m Cami! Welcome to my blog TIDBITS. Follow me along for beautiful home decor ideas and inspiration for do-it-yourself livingThis DIY project is romantic luxury at its finest! Dust off those sewing skills and try your hand at this beautiful Valentines Lace Throw Blanket, trimmed with lace edging – and finished in only 4 easy steps.
I have this thing, or better said, this obsession with pretty fabric. It all started at Grandma’s house as a child.
It was tradition for us kids to go there every Saturday, for practically the whole day. It was my favorite day of the week, and I dare say hers too. How she spoiled us rotten.
I would frequently admire all the projects she would sew and sew. She didn’t own a single item of clothing that she didn’t make herself – at least as far as I could tell.
In the bottom drawer of her hallway was her fabric stash, each piece rolled up and held together with an elastic band and placed ever so nicely in the drawer. She never stopped me from admiring them.
In fact, she would often allow my sisters and I to choose a fabric to take home, and slowly but surely, we obtained a small box of our favorite fabrics to play dress up in – our favorite past time.
Later on through the years my Angel Grandmother would make some of my prom dresses, costumes, and slowly teach me how to sew as she further nurtured my love of this art.
I am so grateful to her for instilling a love of sewing and fabric into my heart. Walking into a fabric store is my creative therapy and a sure fire way to fill me with so much inspiration and a desire to create.
Just this past week my Grandma was placed in the hospital and now in a rehab nursing home. Her mind and body is not what it once was, due to Alzheimer’s. It pains me to see her in a place she wishes not to be, and in a state of un-wellness.
But I’m so grateful for the memories I have and the lessons she has taught me. Reflection on her influence in my life has motivated me to share my passions with others more and cultivate the talents I see in my children.
When I made this delicate pink lace throw blanket for some subtle Valentines Day decor in our home, I smiled at the thoughts of what I knew it would become for my children.
The little dressmakers just couldn’t resist the temptation and were delighted when I told them they could now play with the new blanket.
It pleased my heart so much to see their love of fabric ignite and their talents emerge.
I hope I can be half as wonderful as my Angel Grandmother at teaching them the art of sewing.
As you can see, this romantic and feminine throw blanket drapes beautifully and is an unexpected addition to a couch or chair.
To me, it nearly looks like an elegant gown draped carefully in our bedroom.
Yet it is still cozy and soft enough to cuddle with while watching a movie.
The construction of it is easier than you might think, as it is only a piece of silky fabric sewn together with lace fabric and trimmed around the edge with lace ribbon.
You could really sew this blanket with any type of fabric, but my favorite thing is to walk the isles of the fabric store and find the perfect combo and let my hands be the guide. This soft pink drape fabric and soft to the touch lace overlay stole my heart!
Let me know show you how to make it in 4 easy steps.
But first, here is what you need.
SUPPLIES:
- 2 yards of your base or solid fabric
- Be sure this piece looks good on both right and wrong sides, and pick which side would work best to be covered with the lace and which one would be softest to the touch for the back side.
- 2 yards of lace fabric
- Some lace is really scratchy and stiff. I walked the isles until I found one that was very soft and had a lovely pattern.
- Lace trim
- 8 yards of lace trim to go around the whole perimeter, or if you can afford more, it would be lovely to double this amount and ruffle the trim before sewing it into the blanket.
*I found all my fabric and trim at Joann’s Fabric.
STEP ONE: MEASURE and CUT
I did buy a bit extra of the pink fabric, but either way, you want to measure or match your two pieces of fabric to each other.
Be sure to leave 1 inch of the solid fabric to extend outside the lace overlay, because you will be hemming and need to account for that allowance.
STEP TWO: HEM
I’ve learned these slippery and delicate fabrics work best if you can hem before trying to pin and sew together. This is why I folded the edges of the pink fabric and hemmed them in place all the way around.
STEP 3: PIN
Lay your fabric down on the ground, together as you wish them to end up being, with the lace on top. Carefully go around the whole blanket and pin the lace trim inside the layers, and fold the edge of the lace fabric inside as you pin. You could also hem the lace edges first like you did the solid fabric, but I found that step to be unnecessary.
When you get to the corners, make a small pleat in the lace trim so it bends without too much bulk around the corners.
STEP 4: SEW TOGETHER
The final step is to sew the layers together all around the blanket, making sure they all stay in place as you sew. Slow and steady wins this race.
Be sure to finish it off with a nice press around your seams and admire your handiwork.
Or let some little ones admire it for you.
I hope you’ve enjoyed the tutorial and had it spark some creativity of your own.
SOURCES:
FABRIC – Joann’s Fabric
BENCH – Kirklands
POM POM PILLOW – Tutorial coming soon!
Now tell me, is there a passion or skill you have that has been passed down from generations to you and/or your children? I’d love to know!
If you are looking for more Valentines Day inspiration, please enjoy clicking around to see many inspiring projects from my dear blogging friends. They are so talented and you will find so much inspiration today!
Big thanks to Jennifer from Town & Country Living for pulling us all together!
MONDAY
Town and Country Living | Finding Silver Pennies | Duke Manor Farm | Maison de Pax | Shabbyfufu
Making It in the Mountains | Tidbits | Taryn Whitaker | House by Hoff | Clean and Scentsible
TUESDAY
So Much Better with Age | The Happy Housie | Shabby Art Boutique | Paint Me Pink | VinYet Etc.
Unskinny Boppy | Sincerely Marie Designs | A Burst of Beautiful | The Wicker House | Zevy Joy
WEDNESDAY
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia | In My Own Style | Golden Boys and Me | Seeking Lavender Lane
On Sutton Place | Happy Happy Nester | The Chronicles of Home | Craftberry Bush
What sweet memories of your grandmother! Our grandmas are special people! Mine too, was ravished by Alzheimer’s- it was difficult for us. Thankfully she is with the Lord now. But she passed on a love for gardening that to this day, I don’t plant a flowerbed without thinking of her.
Love your sweet blanket but the pictures of your girls playing dress up with it are just precious!
What sweet words Cecilia. I can’t seem to sew anything without thinking of her influence on me either. I just pray she will have peace in her heart and less confusion. Thanks for coming by again! Always good to hear from you.
Keep talking to your grandmother about sewing and show her what you’ve done. It will make her happy. My grand and mother both influenced me with sewing and crocheting. Love your blog.
What you said impacted me so so much! I never would have thought to talk to her about sewing now, but it would be the perfect thing to help cheer her up. I can’t wait to gather up some of my projects and bring them over to show her. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Cami, this is so beautiful and the story of your visits to your grandmother is so sweet. I loved reading how you first learned to fall in love with fabrics and what they could become. Your girls designing a dress with the blanket is just precious – watch one of them grow up to be a fashion designer! So sorry about your grandma – both my grandma and mother had Alzheimer’s. It’s not fun to watch but there can still be special moments. Thanks so much for joining Heartfelt and Handmade!
Thanks for the sweet words Jennifer! This hop was such an incredible idea. I sure am hoping one of my girls becomes a fashion designer. She seems to just love it. Alzheimer’s has also affected both my grandmothers and its so sad to watch. Thanks again for everything!
I’m sorry to hear about your Grandma Cami! My Grandpa was hit by Alzheimer’s as well and it’s hard to see them go through it! You were lucky to have your grandma so close that you could go every there week, I’m jealous of that fact since my grandparents all lived far away. They’ve all passed on I miss those relationships it’s something that can’t be replaced. Beautiful blanket!💗
It’s not fun to watch them go through it, at all. We were so blessed to have them near, and I being with her was some of my best childhood memories. So fun to hear from you Jamee!
this post is just beautiful as is your blanket and sweet girls. thanks for sharing this pretty blanket.
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And thank you for the sweet comment! Hugs!
This is absolutely beautiful I love it! My sewing skills are a little bit home ec in school and the rest self taught. I love to sew. I am sure I get my love of sewing from my grandmother though as she sewed everything unfortunately she passed when I was just 4 yrs old. I do have several items that she made 50+ yrs ago. Would love to make this blanket can you share the fabric item numbers. Thanks for sharing it’s a great post.
I did a lot of self teaching as well, and that’s a fun thing to know you can. What treasures it sounds like you have inherited. I’m not one for keeping a lot of keepsakes but I would love to have some of my Grandma’s sewing things when she passes. They mean so much to me. Thank you for coming by and sharing your thoughts with me!
Romantic. Feminine. Bittersweet. Precious. What precious blessings your girls are! This really struck my heartstrings as we are four generations of girls now. I have a four year old granddaughter and you have given me some good ideas to do with her. Can’t wait to get to the fabric store. 🙂
Your comment was so thoughtful! Thank you! And four generations of girls, that is a lot of girl power 😉 . Aren’t they so precious though. I’m thankful every day for my girls! Thank you for coming by.
What a lovely post, Cami! Love that you are featuring the family more. 🙂 The blanket is so pretty!
Thank you Julie! I appreciate you saying so, as I’m never sure if people will appreciate it.
Beautiful and oh my I will have to be on the lookout!! My grandmother (my dad’s mom) always loved to teach us to sew.. She also made several of my prom dresses, dances just whatever I needed … She is in heaven and miss her
What sweet memories Norma! Thanks heavens for all those grandmothers who spent time teaching us. I hope to be like that always! Thanks for coming by again!
What a beautiful blanket! I love all the photos too and loved seeing your daughters dress up in it. Adorable! Loved reading about your memories of your grandmother too.
Thank you Danielle! You are always so so sweet!
This blanket is so beautiful, love the color and texture of the lace! My grandmother taught me to sew and we would spend hours and hours sewing on the weekend when we would visit. So many great memories!
Thank you Kristin! I love that your Grandma taught you as well. I hope we can keep the skill alive and going strong!
So sweet and pretty and a beautiful story about your Grandma and how she helped created your love for fabric and crafts and sewing, Cami!
Thanks Krista! I owe so much to Grandma!
This is adorable, Cami! I love the pink and lace, such a sweet idea. And it’s perfect as a dress-up dress! Your girls are just as adorable.
Hugs, Jamie
Thank you so much Jamie! Can you really go wrong with pink and lace?? 😉
How sweet your throw blanket is! My grandmother had the fabric drawer as well and the most incredible button collection which I now covet and have added to over time – my earliest memory of sewing is my gran giving me some old curtains to make dress ups and how clever I thought I was – I think I was about 8 😉
What an incredibly touching post and your images are stunning! Your beautiful memories reminded me of learning to sew at my Grandmother’s home (she had an antique machine with a foot paddle), making clothes for my dolls, such warm memories. I simply adore that your girls will learn this craft too.
Such a sweet throw blanket, and grandma! 😉 I have similar memories of my grandma’s house. 🙂
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I just subscribed and received the newsletter about your lace blanket. Blessings to your grandmother. She,too, has loving memories locked inside. If I may suggest this, I’ve read Alzheimer’s patients respond to music they loved. Your family might try recording tunes of her day that can be played in her room. Maybe it will help with her adjusting to her new home.
My grandma’s both instilled loving memories for me. Gramma B crocheted and knit; gramma M wore brooches that I have inherited and wear.
Not only do I want to make a lace blanket for my home, I also plan to tuck this idea away until I have a granddaughter(s) who will have a lace baby blanket. Thank you for sharing!