Multicolored Picnic Blanket (waterproof)

Looking for sewing projects or uses for scrap fabric?

This project showcases a waterproof picnic blanket sewing project! I found this very fun and wanted to share. You can make it easily (as far as quilting goes) and without too many supplies. I have included basic videos and instructions to help beginners. This is a great do-it-yourself craft for anyone who likes to sew or quilt. It's useful, impressive, and fun! Feel free to choose any colorful fabrics and thread that you like! Thanks, and let's get sewing!

• Functioning sewing machine (any kind)
• Fabric - at least 1.3 yrds (I used vertical strips to speed up the process, but you can use patchwork squares or any other scrap fabric. It doesn't have to match; this is a patchwork quilt)
• Thread (any color, but lots of it)
• Rotary cutter/scissors
• Pins
• Measuring tape
• Waterproof backing
• Seam ripper (optional)
• Iron and board (optional, but recommended)
• Workspace and table
• Bias tape

As we begin, you'll want to cut, arrange, and potentially purchase your fabrics. Your picnic blanket can be any size you want; it really just depends on how much fabric you use. My blanket fits one person comfortably but could allow for two. At this point, you'll need to decide whether you will use squares or long strips to construct your blanket. For any new sewists or crafters on a time-crunch, I would recommend strips. The pattern of the fabric doesn't matter, but you could make it match more effectively by repeating the same fabrics in a random pattern with some flashes of color here and there. If your fabric pieces are different lengths, you can trim them. It's a wise idea to have the order of your patterns worked out before you begin to sew.

You'll also need something called bias tape. Bias tape is a rather misleading name for what it entails. "Bias tape" is essentially a method of folding fabric for edging that masks the rough edges by putting them inside. You may want to prepare it beforehand, but doing it at step 6 is okay as well. However, you will have to cut out the fabric for it. In Step 6, once your quilt is mostly done, measure all four sides. Then, cut out that much fabric in length, adding an extra 4 or 5 inches for stitching and corners. Because the final bias tape product is 1/4 of the original width, take the measurement of how wide you want your hem to be (say, 1 inch) and multiply it by 4. Your fabric for the bias tape should be 4 inches wide. You can cut out four individual segments, or add up all of the lengths and cut one very long segment. The choice is yours, but I'm not sure anyone has long enough fabric for one huge strip. To make bias tape, sew your strips together to make one long strip. Remember to keep the good/patterned sides facing the same way. After this, the iron comes in. You can do this without ironing the fabric, but it is much harder to keep the shape. Fold the fabric in half and iron along the length of the fabric. You can use pins to hold it in place while you iron, but never use pins with plastic ends. The iron will melt them. After you are done, open the fabric and fold in each side to the center (marked by the crease). Now fold the two sides together (like closing a book). Now you can iron. If you're feeling very efficient, you can fold the bias tape completely before ironing at all. If this is the case, remember to keep the sides even in length. For more info, go to Step 6.

For the waterproof backing, there are several options. I'd imagine that not many people have this laying around. There are many different varieties, all with different textures and thicknesses. Click here to see some options. If you're not up to buying fabric, you can upcycle an old tablecloth (preferably one that feels smooth or waxy) or tarp. I used a checkered tablecloth presumably from a restaurant. Note: most sewing machines can sew through many layers of fabric, but make sure that it's not too thick.

Finally, the thread. Use any colors that you like. Newer thread is always ideal because as it ages thread becomes brittle and is prone to breaking. Make sure that you have at least one spool.

If you know how to thread a sewing machine, get it ready! Remember that the top thread appears on the top of the fabric, and the bottom thread appears on the bottom. I find that I have to remember this when matching thread to fabric. Another note: if your thread slips out as you're sewing, remember to leave a longer tail. This will keep your top thread from slipping out of the needle as the machine moves.

To learn how to thread a machine, watch this video. Your machine may not thread the same way, depending on the machine's age and model. You can find videos on the internet specific to your machine as long as you know the manufacturing brand and model. You can also find videos on how to replace a sewing needle and oil your machine (this helps it to run smoothly) if necessary.

Now that you are ready, you can begin to sew your strips together! Don't forget to use pins (they really are a sewist's best friend). Lay the good sides (pattered sides) together with the edges aligned on one side (your strips may be different thicknesses), pin, and sew with whatever margin you like. Remember to backstitch to keep your thread firmly in your fabric. Your backstitch button or lever should have a curved arrow on it, as seen in the photo.

Sew along the fabric to complete your strips. When one is done, lay another fabric piece facedown on one of your sewn strips, align them, pin, and sew. Continue to do this until the patterned/patchwork side of your picnic blanket is complete.

Backing is a fancy way of saying "the fabric that goes on the back". Once the front side of your quilt is finished, pull out your waterproof backing. When I was pinning these together, I noticed that the backing didn't quite fit my pattered fabric square. I had to use my rotary cutter to make them the same size, cutting backing in some places and fabric in others. Just try to get the best fit you can. Pin the two together to keep the edges aligned, and prepare for the next step.

Note: When using a rotary cutting, be careful and make sure you have something underneath that won't get sliced.

A method called "stitching in the ditch" is used for quilting and ensures that the back and front of the fabrics are held together. (You'll want to use a straight-stitch for this, as opposed to a zigzag or anything else. On my machine, that is mode 5, 6, 7, and 8. On others, it is mode 1 or 2 (the difference being the length of each stitch. Choose one that looks straight.) It creates the slightly-puffed-but-also-flat effect we see so often in quilts. To stitch in the ditch, make sure that your strips and waterproof backing are aligned and pinned. Then, simply stitch in the creases (the ditches) where your fabric pieces are held together. Think of it this way: you are taking the stitches on the other side and making them visible on the top. It's okay if your stitches don't stay perfectly in the channel of the existing seam (I strayed several times). It's very meticulous work.

NOTE: I found that my stitches became uneven as I was sewing and my fabric slipped many times. This happens because the machine can't find traction on the slippery surface of the backing (waterproof side). There isn't any real solution, but try to stitch slowly and continuously adjust your fabric so that you can guide it.

Another note: you don't necessarily need to backstitch at the beginning and end of each ditch, as these stitches are more for decoration than durability. Everything else should use a backstitch, though.

Now your picnic blanket should be more or less completed. However, there should still be some rough edges along the outside (rough edges are the fraying and choppy edges of fabric that don't look so nice). We need to cover those up! I went a more complex but rewarding route and made bias tape. If you want to go a more simple route, just fold over each edge twice and stitch along that line.

Once again, to make bias tape, sew your strips together to make one long strip. Remember to keep the good/patterned sides facing the same way. After this, the iron comes in. You can do this without ironing the fabric, but it is much harder to keep the shape. Fold the fabric in half and iron along the length of the fabric. You can use pins to hold it in place while you iron, but never use pins with plastic ends. The iron will melt them. After you are done, open the fabric and fold in each side to the center (marked by the crease). Now fold the two sides together (like closing a book). Now you can iron. If you're feeling very efficient, you can fold the bias tape completely before ironing at all. If this is the case, remember to keep the sides even in length. Because the final bias tape product is 1/4 of the original width, take the measurement of how wide you want your hem to be (say, 1 inch) and multiply it by 4. Your fabric for the bias tape should be 4 inches wide.

Now that your bias tape is ready, it's time to apply and sew it to the rim of your blanket. To do this, simply slide your quilt into the middle of the bias tape, with the folded edges still pointing in. In the photo above, the paper represents my quilt and the bias tape represents... the bias tape.

For the corners, you'll want to fold to create sharp edges. There are a few different ways to do this, but here is an easy one: Folding corners

Remember to fold in half, then fold each side in, creating a strip of fabric 1/4 the width of the original piece and double-ply on each half.

Well, that was a tad complex, wasn't it? Sewing can be very complicated, but all you need to do is follow the steps and have fun. I'm sure you all have lovely waterproof picnic blankets now. These are perfect for summertime escapades! I hope you thoroughly enjoyed that; it is a very fun sewing project that will impress your friends and prove very useful. Remember that if it didn't turn out, you can always try again. If needed, adjust your blanket and make small modifications. When I was finished, I made a sash out of my matching bias tape fabric to tie up my quilt. Feel free to get creative!

Until next time!