Tutorial: Chenille-backed patchwork blanket. Part 3: Adding the chenille back

Now that your front side patchwork is complete you are ready to sew it to the chenille back.  There is really no mystery here.  You just sew them right sides together and then flip and topstitch.  But for this tutorial I will go into detail as if this were a secret skill.

I like to cut my chenille about an inch larger than the front so it will be 1/2 inch larger on each side.  Lay the patchwork face down on the chenille so right sides are together.

Pin these pieces together leaving an opening big enough to stick your hand in and turn it inside out -- usually about 8-10 inches.  I like to mark my start/stop points with two pins to remind me to stop sewing.

Sew the pieces together using a generous 1/4" to 3/8" seam, following the edge of the patchwork.  I use the edge of my walking foot presser foot.  I like to use the walking foot because the chenille is more stretchy than the cotton patchwork and it helps to feed it through.  If you don't have a walking foot for your machine, it will still work.  Since you made the chenille bigger, you have some room for error so to speak.  You might just want to add more pins. Sew from start point to stop point leaving an opening - and backstitch to secure your stitches at the beginning and end.

Now trim away the excess chenille and carefully trim the corners so they will poke out better.  Flip it right side out and poke the corners out.

Now you need to prepare for topstitching around the edge to secure the shape of the blanket and to close up the hole.  Fuss with your edges to make them flat and even and then press them lightly.  I usually add a few pins to keep everything lined up.  At the opening, turn your fabrics under to meet each other and add pins and press.  Just fuss with it until it looks even - you may not even be able to tell where the opening was!  Now you are all ready for topstitching as seen below.

*If you are feeling particularly saintly, you can baste the edge seams here instead of pinning.  Just take really big stitches through the pressed seam allowance all the way around including the opening.  My mom recommends this and especially if you don't have a walking foot, it probably does hold better -- so you don't get back rolling to front/front rolling to back issues.  It really doesn't take that much longer either.

I use my walking foot again to do the topstitching but it works without it too.  Just sew a continuous line of stitching along the edge of the top about 1/8" in.  Start a few inches in front of the opening, then sew through the opening and on around the quilt.  Oh - and backstitch at the beginning and end to secure the stitches.  Mmmm.  Chenille.  So soft. 

You are just about done! Kuddos.

*I have heard that some people have difficulties finding chenille.  I'm sorry 'bout that cause I can't seem to stop using it.  I have made this same type of blanket using a flannel back and the technique works the same though the edges are a little more rippled because the flannel doesn't have the weight of the chenille.  For the flannel one, I used a zigzag stitch to topstitch and that seemed to help the look.  I'd say experiment with other fabric you can find -- denim?  terry cloth? polar fleece?  corduroy? 

Chenille is for sale on lots of online shops (none that I've tried before - but look at all the "flavors" here).  I usually buy it at Joann's and remember to bring my 40% coupon or wait for a sale and stock up.  DId you know you could make your own chenille?  It sounds like punishment to me - making even the non-sale price sound reasonable.  I really want to start using vintage chenille that I come across at a garage sale for a bargain.  (Good luck with that!)

Tomorrow:  Tying your blanket.

Comments

[AmyDe]

Thank you for the well thought out and well presented tutorial. It looks great. I do have a question - how well does the chenille wear? After washinges, et. does the chenille hold up well or is it delicate?

[allison]

Nice job with the tutorial. I never knew one could "make your own" chenille. Looks painfully long! lol. I dream of finding some vintage chenille while thrifting. I'm still dreaming. lol.

[Kate]

Thanks for doing this tutorial. Love the colours and fabrics of your little quilt.

[Bee]

It is so cute... the fabrics are adorable! Thank you for taking the time to make a tutorial. I have been amazed at all the tips and ideas I have picked up from other bloggers. I haven't used chenille, but now I won't be afraid to when the inspiration strikes!

[Alicia A.]

Excellent tutorial! It must have taken a lot of work. Thank you. I have a baby gift coming up again soon, I'll have to try it.

I found a white chenille bedspread for $20 at Marshalls once and used it for a project. It was much cheaper than paying the $11 a yard at Joanne.

[Julie]

Really enjoying the tutorial!

[Allie]

Thanks for the tutorial - definitely helpful! All the stuff you make is so lovely :)
(Enjoyed the quilt show pics too! And your homemade icecream social looks like lots of fun...)

[Krista]

This tutorial rocks!

What I love is how much I learn with each installment, it's wonderfully simple to follow (unlike several complicated books I've taken out of the library) and I will definitely refer back when I have an opportunity (and the right fabrics) to try my hand at it!
And I love your little quilt.

Great work!

[Leslie]

Thank you for taking time to write this tutorial. I am looking forward to creating my own quilt. You have been an inspriation for me.

[Kelly]

You make it look so easy, like something that even *I* could tackle. You've inspired me to give it a shot this winter. Thanks for all the effort you put into the tutorial - it is great!

[sheree]

What a cool tute!

As for the chenille, a good sub would be polar fleece. I recently made a quilt for my son with a strip-pieced top and a lightweight fleece backing. I attached them the same way you show here. Worked great. The fleece is just heavy enough to keep the edges from rippling. And you can find fleece *anywhere*.

[Angelika]

I have a friendship star quilt in progress with the same kind of fabric. It's been hovering my UFO closet since quite a while. I love your blog.