Minky blankets

I so love the look of baby Minky blankets, the softness the cuddliness.  I so dislike sewing with minky.  It's a mess.  Don't wear black.  Plan on wiping everything off with a swiffer when you are done.  

Minky has several names:  Minky, Shannon Cuddle, Soft and Comfy.  Those are just the names from the different manufacturers.  I have used different brands, and they seem to behave the same.

This is my go to baby blanket at the moment.  

Using flannel for one side and minky for the other.

I use a light fusing material for the baby's name and stitch on to the minky before sewing the blanket together.

I stretch and tape the piece of minky onto the floor and then lay the flannel on top (right sides together), then pin around all the edges to hold it together.  A few pins in the center, but since I won't be quilting this it doesn't need many in the center, but a lot around the edges.  I have never spray basted these, so I don't know how that would work.  

This one was a long name and it took what seemed like hours to get the letters on, and make sure I was spelling it correct.  Next time I'll go with initials for these 9 letter first names.

I used some Cloud9 flannel on the back of this one!

With right sides together I sew around the perimeter using my #1 foot, the walking foot doesn't seem to work as well, even though I keep wanting it too.  I use a 1/2" seam allowance and leave a 5" opening for turning.  The minky likes to stretch while you sew, I just work with it, sometimes there is a little extra over hang after sewing and I trim that off.  I think the sewing goes best with the minky on the bottom, hitting the feed dogs.  After turning I go around the perimeter twice for reinforcement.  

These were all done in February.  I have, I don't know, a dozen more to go.  Seems everyone is having babies these days.  

Keep Calm, and Quilt On!

Mary