Snowman Fleece Blanket with HeatnBond Soft Stretch

Christmas isn’t too far off which will mean cooler weather for most of us. What could be better than snuggling up in a really warm fleece blanket with someone we love. This blanket is two layers of fleece with fringe and an appliqued snowman who looks like he’s going to melt away with that sun beating down on him. He may not like the warmth but we do when it’s cold outside! The really nice thing about the snowman is that he will stay soft even though he’s appliqued to the fleece. Therm O Web HeatnBond Soft Stretch keeps your applique patterns stretchy and soft when used on knits and fleece.

This appliqued fleece blanket would make a wonderful Christmas gift that’s easy and quick to make. Getting children to help with the fringe around the edges would be a great way to involve them in the joy of gift giving.

Baby, It’s Hot Outside! by Carol Swift, Just Let Me Quilt

Snowman Fleece Blanket with HeatnBond Soft Stretch Supplies:

Therm O Web Heat n Bond Soft Stretch

Therm O Web Fabric Fuse Liquid Adhesive

Therm O Web Spray n Bond Basting Adhesive

Pressing cloth, Oliso iron, button, embroidery thread, Aurifil Thread

1½ yard each of two different fleeces (total 3 yards)

Snowman Fleece Blanket Cutting Instructions:

Cut 2 – 56” x 56” fleece squares; trim off all selvages. Fleece has different textures on each side. One is smoother than the other; choose which side you want to use. Washing fleece before sewing is recommended.

*When ironing on fleece, it is important to cover it with a pressing cloth before ironing to avoid melting fabrics or leaving marks from iron. Be careful to not let the iron touch the fleece when applying applique designs.

Step 1: Trace applique designs on smooth side of Therm O Web Heat n Bond Soft Stretch. *Tape applique piece #A together at arrows.

Step 2: Preheat iron to high heat, no steam. Place web adhesive on the wrong side of the fabric to be bonded (paper liner should face up.) Cover with pressing cloth. Place and lightly hold the iron on the pressing cloth for 5 seconds. Repeat until entire surface is bonded. Allow to cool.

Step 3: Fold fabric in half diagonally and finger press on the fold to create a slight crease. Measure up 15½” from diagonal corner and place a pin or mark with washable pen. Cut out applique pieces. Peel off paper liners before placing on fleece. Center pattern piece A on fleece at the 15½” centered mark. Place pieces, web adhesive side down, on top of fabric.

Step 4: Place the rest of the applique pieces in their correct position on fleece.

Step 5: Cover fleece applique with pressing cloth. With steam, press and hold iron for 20 seconds on each section until entire piece is bonded. Machine or hand sew around applique pieces using a straight, zig-zag, or blanket stitch. *If you notice some layered or small applique pieces coming loose on the fleece when you twist the fabric while stitching in place, press again or use Fabric Fuse to hold them in place, if needed.

Step 6: Embroider by machine or hand: mouth, arms/hands, and flower stem. Sew button on the flower.

Step 7: Cut 2 ½” circle of fleece for the flower on snowman’s hat. Clip 1/4” slits around the circle. Sew center of fleece flower to hold in place.

Step 8: Lay both 56” x 56” fleece sections with wrong sides together. Smooth fleece and match edges. Trim to even out if needed. If desired, lightly spray with Therm O Web Spray n Bond Basting Adhesive to hold the wrong sides of fleece together or place safety pins in several places.

Step 9: Cut out a 6” x 6” square from each fleece corner. Discard squares.

Step 10: Cut 1” x 6” strips around all fleece edges to create the fringe.

*Tip: Cut a piece of lightweight cardboard 1” x 6” to use as a template when cutting strips.

Step 11: Fold cut strips up toward the center of the blanket. Cut a small slit on the fold of each folded-up strip. Not too big! About 1/4” is good so that it’s about 1/2″ when the strip is opened. The slit is to push the cut strips through to create fringe.