Monday, June 4, 2012

Have A Picnic Even When It Rains "Grass Blanket" Tutorial - DCC Blog Hop

It's been pouring rain here in Maine for the past few days, and all along the east coast. Everything is sopping wet and it feels like we skipped over summer. Luckily that is not true! When trying to come up with a crafty "picnic" themed craft, I was stumped....but not for long.

Here in Maine we have to really get out when the weather is good. We only have a few short months of amazing warm weather, and I know I need all the Vitamin D I can get! So I get out when I can, but when the weather is bad...bring the outdoors in!

I made this "grass blanket" for my 2011 CHA Designer Showcase table, and wanted to put it on my desk during the winter months when I got home. It's really easy to make and your kids will love having their very own indoor picnic when it's pouring rain outside!

Here's what you'll need:
Lots of green fabric. The qty will be based on the size you want to make. If you want to make a smaller blanket, approx. 44" square, you'll need at least 5 yards of 4 or 5 different green patterns. 1 yard will be used for the base, and the others for the strips.

Here's what you do:
Step 1: Cut 3-4 inch strips of fabric. Mine are 4" (if you want the pieces smaller and the blanket "tighter", do 3").
Step 2: Sew down the center of the strips lengthwise.
Step 3: Fold over the first strip and sew the center of the next strip, approx. 1-2" apart from the first. Again this can vary, it's up to you how tight you want to sew them together. It will make it fuller if you sew them closer, and looser, if you spread them further apart.
Step 4: Continue to sew all the strips from one side of the blanket to the other. (TIP: If you want to sew on a backing, which I did not do, leave a 1 inch space on all sides of the base - don't sew to the edges).
Step 5: Cut the strips an inch apart, without cutting the seam. Then stagger the next row 1/2" so they are not cut the same. You can see my Scrappy Owl Tutorial for some photos of the "fluff" - which is the same process here.

My girls had a blast setting up their AG dolls for the photoshoot...and will have a blast playing with it again when they get home from school, since it's STILL raining!

I hope you can bring a little of the outside, inside at your home too! Go for a family picnic when ever you want with the Kid Giddy Grass Blanket! Have a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by. Be sure to click through the other blogs today to find more picnic and/or Father's Day crafts!





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