DIY Animal Roll-Up Blankets…a quick and simple gift idea!

…and a cute a fuzzy little owl.  (Both blanket styles include free patterns pieces, which you can find below.)

• Owl Roll-up Blanket Pattern Pieces
• Fox Roll-up Blanket Pattern Pieces Page 1
• Fox Roll-up Blanket Pattern Pieces Page 2
• 3/4 yard of fleece for owl blanket and 1 yard of fleece for fox blanket (extra is for the face)
• 1/4 yard cut of black fleece
• 1/4 yard cut of white fleece
• 1/4 yard cut of contrasting fleece (of choice) for owl blanket
• binding (optional, you can also use a blanket stitch to finish the edge)
• buttons (optional, if you want your blanket to button closed)

Take the fleece for your fox and/or owl blanket and cut them down to 24 inch by 36 inch rectangles.  If you’d like, you can use a round object such as a plate, to trace around and curve the edges. I don’t suggest curving the edges if you use satin binding like I did because it’s harder to sew.  A straight edge is much easier for mitering the corners.

Print out your Fox and Owl Pattern pieces and cut them out.  Pin them on your fleece and cut.   Directions for Fox Blanket: These are the pieces you will need to cut out for your fox blanket.

On the bottom left corner of the blanket, pin your head pattern piece about 3-4 inches away from each edge of the blanket.

Sew the head piece into place using the stitch of your preference.  (I used a blanket stitch on my sewing machine.)  Next, line up the two face pieces as pictured below.  On your pattern directions it will tell you to reverse the face pattern piece.  You need to make sure that you cut two mirror images of the face piece…not two of the same piece. Pin the face pieces into place and sew them on.

Last, add on the eyes and nose.

Once the wing is right side out, tuck in the un-sewn seam edge towards the inside.  Next, starting on the right side of the tucked in edges, fold the wing back as pictured below.

You will continue to pin the rest of the pieces of your pattern on as pictured below.

    Optional instructions (not pictured):  You can add a button closure to the blanket so when you roll it up it will stay in the rolled up position.  This can be done by rolling the blanket up and determining where you would need to add your button and button hole.  I chose not to add a button to mine, as both of these blankets are going to brand new babies.     Now fold your blanket in half, and roll it up.  You are done!

A quick and easy project that would make a fabulous gift for the little ones in your life!

Enjoy! -Sara

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