No-Sew fleece tie blanket: sizes, yardage and knots

To make a no-sew fleece blanket, stack two pieces of fleece wrong sides together and cut a 4 inch square from each corner. Then cut fringe strips 1 inch wide and 4 inches deep all around, and tie each top strip to the strip below it with a double knot. A throw needs 2 yards of each fleece and takes an afternoon. This page is general guidance, not one of our patterns. At the end you will find how to sew a blanket instead.

TL;DR

• Fleece: two layers the same size. A throw takes 2 yards of each.
• Fringe: strips 1 inch wide and 4 inches deep. Cut a 4 inch square from each corner.
• Knots: a double knot is classic. The pull-through method lies flatter.
• Fleece does not fray, so there is nothing to hem.
• Want a sewn version? Sew two layers together with a ½ inch seam and turn them.

What size should a fleece tie blanket be?

Fleece is usually 58 to 60 inches wide, so that sets the width of the blanket. The length is up to you. The sizes below assume about 58 inches of width once the selvages are trimmed.

The body is the solid part inside the fringe. The fringe adds its depth back on every side, so the blanket looks a little bigger than the body. A twin mattress is 38 x 75 inches, so a twin-length tie blanket covers the top with some to spare. It is not wide enough to hang down far on both sides.

How much fleece do you need in total?

Double the yardage, because you need two layers. That is 2 yards in total for a baby blanket, 3 for a kid blanket, 4 for a throw and 6 for twin length. Many people pick one print and one solid. Anti-pill fleece stays smoother after washing. Buy both fleeces from bolts of the same width if you can, so the layers match.

What supplies do you need?

• Two pieces of fleece, the same size
• Sharp fabric scissors, or a rotary cutter, a mat and a long ruler
• A square of cardboard the size of your fringe depth, as a corner template
• Clips or pins, and a tape measure
• Masking tape, to mark where the fringe cuts stop

How do you make a no-sew fleece blanket, step by step?

1. Trim. Cut off the selvages. They are often stiffer than the rest of the fleece and can curl.
2. Stack. Lay one piece wrong side up and the other on top, right side up. Smooth both layers flat and clip the edges.
3. Even the edges. Trim all four sides through both layers so they match.
4. Cut the corners. Place the cardboard square in each corner and cut it away through both layers.
5. Mark the stop line. Run masking tape along each side, as far in as your fringe depth. Your cuts stop at the tape.
6. Cut the fringe. Cut strips 1 inch wide, from the edge to the tape, through both layers. A rotary cutter keeps them even.
7. Tie. Tie each top strip to the bottom strip below it. Work around the blanket, then remove the tape.

With 1 inch strips, a throw with a 64 x 50 inch body has about 228 strips around the edge. That is about 228 knots, so put on a movie or tie it with a friend.

Which knot should you use?

Whichever you pick, keep the tension the same all around. Knots pulled too tight make the edge cup and pucker. Tie every knot in the same direction so the fringe lies one way.

How do you look after a fleece blanket?

As a general rule, wash fleece cold on a gentle cycle and tumble dry low. High heat can melt or flatten polyester fleece. Skip fabric softener if the blanket starts to feel less soft. Check the care label on the bolt when you buy.

What if you want to sew one?

A sewn blanket has a clean edge and no fringe. Place two layers right sides together, such as fleece and flannel or fleece and minky. Sew all around with a ½ inch seam, leaving a gap of about 10 inches. Turn it right side out, close the gap and topstitch close to the edge. A walking foot and a slightly longer stitch help with thick, stretchy layers. This method is general guidance.

To choose a size for a sewn blanket or a quilt, use the free quilt size calculator. It works from the mattress size, the drop and a pillow tuck.

For a cozy gift set, pair the blanket with a Reading Pillow. It is a Premium beginner pattern of about 45 minutes. It is a pillow cover with a pocket and a handle, sized by pillow form: Kid fits a 12 x 16 inch form, Standard 16 x 16 and Large 18 x 18. It takes ¾, 1 or 1¼ yards of 45 inch canvas, duck, home-dec cotton, corduroy, denim or sturdy quilting cotton.

On iPhone, search “Sewzy” on the App Store for the step-by-step guide and every size.

More cushions, kitchen makes and gifts are on the home sewing patterns page.

Common mistakes

• Layers that do not match. Trim both together so the strips line up.
• Uneven fringe. Use the tape line so every cut stops in the same place.
• Skipping the corners. The corners bunch and will not lie flat.
• Knots too tight. The edge cups. Keep the tension even.
• Strips too thin. Narrow strips can tear when tied. About 1 inch is a good width.

When you want to try a sewn gift next, get Sewzy on the App Store.

FAQ

How much fleece do I need for a no-sew blanket?

You need two pieces the same size, one for each layer. As a general guide, a baby blanket uses 1 yard of each fleece, a kid blanket 1½ yards of each, a throw 2 yards of each and a twin-length blanket 3 yards of each.

How big should the fringe be on a tie blanket?

Cut strips about 1 inch wide and 4 inches deep. For a baby blanket, 3 inches deep is enough. Cut a square the same size as the fringe depth from each corner.

Why do you cut the corners off a fleece tie blanket?

Without the corner square, the fringe from two sides overlaps at each corner and bunches up. Cutting a square the depth of the fringe lets the corner lie flat.

Should I wash fleece before making a tie blanket?

It is optional. Polyester fleece shrinks very little. Washing first removes sizing and shows any color run, which matters if you pair a dark fleece with a light one.

How many knots are in a fleece throw?

With 1 inch strips, a throw with a 64 x 50 inch body has about 228 strips around the edge, so about 228 knots. Each knot ties one top strip to the bottom strip under it.

Can I make a fleece blanket without knots?

Yes. Cut a small slit near the base of each strip pair, through both layers, and pull the ends through the slit. The edge lies flat, and there are no knots to come undone.