Pattern for the Linus Serger Blanket
A “quilt as you go” blanket (approx. 40″ by 50″ as written) that can be made of miscellaneous fabric and can be reversible, with very different fabrics on each side. Best made with 45″ quilters cotton, it is least wasteful if the fabrics used in the body are all about the same width across. If some fabric is noticeably wider than the other, use it for top/bottom strips and make the blanket a bit larger. If some is noticeably more narrow, consider piecing it to expand to the other’s width. Otherwise, all the other strips will be shortened when it comes to step #8.
NOTE: This blanket may be made on a sewing machine (not serger) using 1/2″ seam allowances. On a serger, trim about 1/4″ of fabric at each seam so the finished width of each strip is about 4.5″.
Project Linus: Security Through Blankets!
1. Rotary cut fabric its full width across (approx. 42″) and as wide as the batting will readily permit. [Batting has printed information with it telling you the maximum ideal width between quilting.] Low-loft cotton batting is best and often permits wider strips. (Kit strips are 5.5 inches wide and instructions presume this width.) Avoid fat batting!
2. Rotary cut batting to the same measurements as the fabric, but a bit longer is OK (this is not precision work).
3. You will need at least 20 strips of fabric (if cutting fabric 5.5″ wide) and half that many batting strips. (Kit contains 22 strips cut 5.5” wide)
4. Lay out strips for the top in a pleasing array: side-by-side, reserving 2 strips for the top and bottom; repeat for the back side of the blanket. (Kit has 9 strips across, plus top/bottom strips for each side.)
5. Layer one top outside edge piece with batting and the corresponding strip from the back side to make a very long, narrow quilt sandwich (right sides out) and serge the full length of ONE long side.
6. Using a few long flat flower head pins (their heads well inside and parallel to the long raw edges), layer the second strip of the top (right sides together) and then the batting. Flip the whole unit over and add the back fabric strip (right sides together) and pin (use the flower pins) parallel to and at least 1″ in from the raw edge. Serge this long seam with the fabric on top, batting on bottom. The pins might not have to be removed until you are finished stitching.
7. Press the “new” strips and batting away from the seam, being sure all layers are properly joined, and repeat step 6 until the full width of the blanket is reached. Note: Raw edges of the second and following strips may not align neatly. Either rotary cut a clean edge (unnecessary with the serger) or align the new strips with the narrowest part of the strip it is being joined with — and serge off the surplus as you go.
8. When the blanket is as wide as you wish, square it up with a rotary cutter or a drawn line that is serged. Be sure to remove all selvedges at this step. Add top and bottom strips in the same fashion as the body was done and square up again.
9. Bind as usual.
