Taggie Blanket

For those who aren't up on all of the current baby trends, a taggie blanket is a small blanket with ribbons around the edge. The idea is to create several different textures for the baby to grab and feel (it comes from the love that many children have of rubbing the silky tag on a typical blanket). So, of course, I decided that Avery needed to have her own special taggie blanket. I also decided that I was going to make her this special blanket. You know...made with love, from mom. I figured it couldn't possibly be that hard. Even though I'm not nearly as crafty as I'd like to be (or as I sometimes think I am), I felt like I could definitely handle sewing a square.

A few months ago, Amanda and I headed to the fabric store and spent a long time choosing the perfect fabrics and ribbons. We had fun (and Amanda got all excited looking at all of the different fabrics and thinking about some things she could make...it was really cute!). I got home, cut the fabric and ribbons, pinned it all together and started up the sewing machine. That is where my troubles began. Apparently, the minky fabric we chose is strechy. By the time I got to the end of one side of the blanket, the minky fabric was way longer than the silky fabric. It was a mess! I tried to figure out a way to keep it from stretching but nothing worked. I finally got so frustrated (and Nicholas and Avery woke up from naps) that I had to just set it aside and take a break. Several weeks later, I was finally able to finish her blanket after approaching it with a fresh attitude (and some helpful suggestions from my crafty neighbor and mom). I still want to embroider her name on it, but that will have to wait for another day.

So, Avery has a taggie blanket now. It is far from perfect, but I think it turned out pretty well! And it was made with love by mom...