Blankets for the NICU

Bryan took this before she
was whisked away.

Elaina was born 2 months premature (31 weeks) at 2 lbs 11 oz and 15 in long.  She spent 5 weeks in the North Kansas City Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).  She graduated and came home at 4 lbs 3 oz.

While she was there she received little hats and blankets from strangers that had sent them to the NICU for the babies.  She had amazing care there and I have wanted to give back to the nurses and doctors that did so much for us.  Also, I wanted to give to the families that would be going through what we did.

8 days old.
This blanket was donated.

So.......... 7 months later (yesterday) I have finally completed my first batch of blankets to give to the NICU.  They were super easy and are so cute.  I even got a great deal on the fabric ($2.99 a yard at Joann's normally $6.99).  

If you are interested in joining me in the cause or donating to our efforts to give back just let me know. 

Materials:

2 yds of fleece (preferable 1 patterned and 1 solid), sewing machine, pins, scissors, iron

Step 1:

Iron the fleece.  It is often wrinkled and may be cut uneven.  So when you go to pin the 2 together it may not match up.

Iron the fleece.

Step 2:

Place right sides of the fabric together and pin the top.  Then fold the top edge in half and smooth out the wrinkles and bubbles.

Right sides together.  Wrong sides on the outside.

Smooth out the fabric.
Notice the edges are not straight.

Step 3:

Cut a straight edge so that all layers end at the same spot.  I used a rotary blade and cutting board but you can just use scissors too.

Make sure that all edges match.
Also make sure you cut off the company
printed words on the side of the fabric.

Step 4: 

Pin all of the edges together making sue you have a straight edge and that you have created a rectangle.

Step 5:

Sew the edges together.  Leave a gap of about 7 or 8 inches to turn the blanket right side out.

Step 6:

Turn the blanket right side out.

Step 7:

Iron the edges flat and smooth out the fabric.

Step 8:

Sew over the edges again to finish off the blanket and to seal up the gap.  You might want to even sew over the gap closer to the edge so that it doesn't flap open.

A wider edge makes it look cuter
but then you have to go over the gap again.

And your DONE!!

All rolled up and ready to go to the NICU.

Lydia, a friend from college, made 2 of these blankets for Elaina.  I am thinking of hiding all of the other blankets until those become her favorite blankies cause they are so cute.

Try it out and see how easy and cute these blankets can be.  And while your at it make a couple extras to give away.