Travel blankets make the best gifts for those with itchy feet. Airline blankets are so nasty and scratchy. So spend an hour or two making a beautiful and trendy ombre blanket for your traveling friend or family member. They’ll think of you every time they cozy up with a warm blanket on a long flight.
I used an ombre wool purchased at Hancock Fabrics.
Other fabric choices:
- Cotton washes easily and is breathable. But it is generally too thin.
- Knits also wash easily and are breathable. But they tend to dirty easily.
- Linen is perfect for warmer climates and wash easily. But they wrinkle very quickly.
- Wools are perfect for winter travel, but are dry clean only.
- Cashmere is ultra-luxurious, but comes at a cost.
Whatever fabric you choose, be sure the recipient will enjoy. Especially if they are an ombre-loving travel-happy individual.
Double Folded Hem
A double folded hem takes more time, but hides ugly edges.
Decorative Vine Stitching
And a decorative stitching looks pretty inside and out, but also stretches with the fabric.
Ombre Travel Blanket
Ingredients:
- 1 yard ombre fabric
- matching thread
Tools:
- sewing machine
- fabric scissors
- bobbin
- iron and ironing board
- hem gauge
- straight pins
Techniques:
Directions:
- Wash fabric as directed on bolt. If fabric is dry clean, use a home dry cleaning kit. Dry the fabric completely and iron flat.
- Fold the fabric in half, matching each short (selvage) edge to the other. Cut the long edges to trim off any uneven cuts made by the young and extremely talkative temporary Christmas help at the fabric store (bit of a rant there).
- Cut the corners of the fabric at a 45° angle, about 3/4″ from the edge. This will prevent the corners from being too bulky.
- Using a hem gauge, measure a 1/2″ seam and iron it flat. Create a double folded hem, by folding hem over again. This creates a finished edge and prevents threads from unraveling. Iron and pin the hem.
- Sew each edge using a decorative stitch. If your fabric has any stretch to it (knits and wools), use anything but a straight stitch. I used the pretty vine stitch for mine.
- Trim threads and iron blanket.
Donna 
Founded in 2009, Honeysuckle Life® is your source for lifestyle inspiration with a focus on vintage modern decor, simple recipes, stylish entertaining ideas, and beautiful travel destinations. Edited by Rebekah Marenda Burder and published by D2L Studios, LLC.
