Birthday Blanket

Hey! Sorry to take so long to get this out to you. This is a great birthday tradition and a great time to start it up. I got the idea from my friend whose mother-in-law used to do this with her kids and my friend is carrying it on with her 2 boys, soon to be 3! The birthday person sleeps with the blanket the night before their birthday and when they wake up there are little presents in each of the pockets.

Thank goodness my mother-in-law was visiting because she is very skilled with the sewing machine. So, I cut out the "presents" and ribbon and she sewed them onto the blanket for me.

I wish I had taken pictures of the process, but Janet, when you make yours you can post how to pictures.

I used a simple throw, but you could also be more creative and sew a quilt. You cut out fabric to make how ever many presents you want on the blanket. I put three on mine. You cut them to what size and shape you want, allowing extra fabric for the seams. Cut the ribon to fit the presents and pin the ribbon to each coordinating fabric. Before sewing the present to the blanket, run the machine over the ribbon so it lays flat. Then you sew the presents as pockets onto the blanket, making sure to leave the top open. You'll have to sew the seam at the top before you sew it on the banket. My mother-in-law showed me how to sew the corners neatly, but I can't remember what she did. Maybe somebody else knows. Bridget is the master seamstress in this group! You can add bows and anything else to make it more festive.

-Jill

Here's a couple pictures of the finished blanket.

Here's my boy all tucked in looking forward to waking up in the morning to three little presents!