New Facts What Is A Receiving Blanket Explained?

You can already mention the answer to what is a receiving blanket from the name itself. Receiving blanket is so-called because it gets the newborn. Therefore, it`s the first blanket you`ll use to wrap an infant and not be confused with a baby blanket

Like other blankets, you`ll find various materials for the receiving blanket. There are even multiple colours and designs, so it makes a great gift idea. Continue reading below to know more about this product. 

What Is A Receiving Blanket Used For?

If you`re unsure of a receiving blanket, the name itself gives you a clue when a baby uses it. It is what receives a newborn after birth to help them feel warm and secured. Most parents in the UK own multiple receiving blankets, which typically have 30 by 40 inches. 

As we have mentioned, parents in the UK use this blanket to receive their newborns. Therefore, it uses comfortable and warm materials such as flannel cotton and comes in different colours and patterns. What makes receiving blankets newborn-friendly is that they are durable for heavy use and other temperature conditions to ensure that your little one always feels cosy. 

How is a receiving blanket different from a swaddling blanket? 

You can easily distinguish a swaddling blanket from a receiving blanket by how stretchable it is. It also has other features like flaps and velcro designed to make wrapping more efficient. However, receiving blankets is also helpful in swaddling newborns as it is a multi-purpose item. 

Put, a swaddling blanket designed with one purpose in mind: to keep snug on a swaddled baby. On the other hand, you will need the proper folding techniques when using a receiving blanket for swaddling since it doesn`t have additional features like velcro or flaps. More so, a receiving blanket has other uses. 

How to use a receiving blanket?

For cuddling your newborn

You`ll immediately wrap your wiggly newborn in a receiving blanket for calming and cuddling a baby. But after some time, you can also use it to keep a baby warm after a bath. Some parents in the UK even use the receiving blanket when they`re out and about with their baby. 

For cover-up during strolls and nursing

For example, it can serve as a cover-up for nursing to give UK moms privacy when breastfeeding. And depending on the material, you can use the blanket to cover the stroller during a sunny day effectively. Remember that receiving blankets are durable?

For keeping your baby clean

They are also easy to clean, making them perfect for diaper changing, eating, and playing. You can conveniently carry their small size, and you don`t have to worry about bringing other items. 

What Is The Point Of A Receiving Blanket?

It makes the outside world less scary for a newborn

The main point of a receiving blanket is to ease your newborn into the baby’s new surroundings. Remember that the environment can feel overwhelming, especially from the womb with constant temperature, quiet noise, and a dark atmosphere. A receiving blanket will provide a sense of warmth and security as your newborn adjusts. 

While that is the traditional purpose of a receiving blanket, it is also helpful for other things, as discussed earlier. Therefore, one can say that a receiving blanket becomes your baby`s constant company during this early period of adjustment. Nowadays, receiving blankets are not only for receiving a newborn, but it will also stay throughout the early days to keep your little one feel secure. 

How Many Receiving Blankets Does A Newborn Need?

Because of its primary purpose and other uses on the side, you can get at least four receiving blankets for your little one. In truth, you can get as much as you want, so you`ll always have extras within reach. One might get dirty or lost, so it`s always nice to have another receiving blanket in your diaper bag. 

Receiving blankets is generally easy to clean, and you can wash them as often as needed. If they`re not soiled, you can wash them every two weeks to ensure that your baby always uses a clean one. And perhaps you will need to replace your baby`s receiving blanket if it`s no longer as soft or if it has worn down.

Does The Hospital Give You Receiving Blankets?

It would be better to prepare one or two receiving blankets on the delivery day, but hospitals typically provide the receiving blanket. However, you must always ask if you need to give the hospital receiving blanket back to avoid awkward moments when it`s time to leave. Every hospital is different, so don`t hesitate to ask what items you will need to bring for your baby`s arrival.

Why Are All Receiving Blankets The Same?

Speaking of the hospital receiving blankets, you might notice that all blankets use the same one. These soft flannel cotton blankets are from Medline, a US company. Medline calls these blankets Kuddle-Up, and the most common ones in the hospitals are the easily recognisable striped ones

Conclusion

An item you must have to prepare for your newborn is a receiving blanket. What is a receiving blanket? The name itself receives your little one to help a baby adjust to the outside world. 

It also has various uses, so make sure to have at least four blankets in stock. 

how to make a wool blanket

How To Make A Wool Blanket In 3 Bonus Steps?

Did you know that learning how to make a wool blanket only takes three steps? Blog posts note that wool has been among the top choices for beginner knitting and crochet materials. So if this is your first time with wool, you’ve already made an outstanding choice!

Their large loops and bulky volume characterise wool blankets. These blankets have constantly been growing their fanbase from aesthetics enthusiasts. After all, not only are they comfy to sleep and hang in, but ultimately pretty and something that can make you proud for making one.

They might look complex at first glance. Those sophisticated loops look discouraging for beginners, but making them is pretty simple. You will find knitting and crocheting relaxing in the long run, so we’re here to guide you on your journey to your first wool blanket

Steps On How To Make A Wool Blanket

As soon as you’ve prepared your wool for the knitting, you set to begin. Lucky you, knitting a wool blanket doesn’t require any other specific tools. Wool yarns are available on UK online stores that offer deliveries worldwide, and you’ll need approximately 300 yards of yarn for a large blanket

For now, here are the steps to make a wool blanket by knitting: 

Step #1: Prep your wool

Prepping should include washing and drying. You will see the blanket’s actual size if you wash the wool before knitting since wool shrinks after washing. 

You can dry your yarns by squeezing them in a towel then hanging them in a rack. Doing this will also help them straighten out. Avoid machine drying your wool and putting them under direct sunlight. 

Step #2: Unravel 

As the step suggests, unspool the yarn. Ensure that you remove all knots before knitting so you won’t have a problem later on.

Step #3: Knit

Start near the end of your yarn but leave at least 1 foot for securing later on. Let’s call the shorter end: the tail and the longer one: the head. Hold the two sides and make a loop by crossing the head over the top of the tail.

Create a slip knot by pushing the extension of the tail inside the loop from the top. Pull the long side while holding the folded part of the shorter side inside the circle. This slip knot will serve as your anchor and lock to keep the entire blanket together.

Now, gently pull the head inside the formed loop from the bottom. Observe the head’s length that you draw, which will determine how big the hole is afterwards. However, keep it large enough to cater to the next layer of the loop connected to it later on. Again, pull the head inside the formed loop from the bottom.

Do this nine consecutive times. Adjust your formed loops by squeezing on them and keep their sizes uniform. Be careful not to pull the head forcefully, as it will unravel all your formed knots.

You create more loops on this first section as it will determine how wide your blanket will turn out. Just take note that more loops mean more yarn. You wouldn’t want to run out before you finish your project.

Count two loops starting from your ninth (last loop of the first section) loop, then insert the head from the bottom of the third loop. If the first section is in the horizontal plane, check that this new loop looks vertical. If so, continue making the second section by inserting the head into the next corresponding loop at the first section from the bottom.

Adjust each loophole’s size in your second section to match the holes you made in the first section. Slightly pull on your first section’s last loop from time to time so that your blanket doesn’t fall apart.

Once you’ve reached the slip knot, it means you finished your second section. Next, you need to insert the head from the bottom of the second section’s last loop. Keep going until you reach the first loop of your second section. 

Now, you’ve completed the third section. Start with the fourth one by inserting the head from the bottom of the second loop of the third section. Make sure you skip the first loop. Keep creating these loops until the second of the third section.

Create more sections by following this pattern. Start a row by skipping the previous section’s last loop and ending it with its first loop. Keep in mind that section looks like a winding snake where the next section starts from the end of the other. 

The direction of the wind should go alternate from clockwise then counterclockwise. Create as many sections corresponding to how long you desire the blanket to be.

To finish, pull the head through the bottom of the two last loops of the previous section. Enter in the second-to-the-last and exit on the previous loop, creating a new coil. 

Hold this loop beside the third-to-the-last, then pull the head through the bottom of these loops, creating a new coil. Again, hold this new loop beside the fourth-to-the-last, then pull the head through them. 

Repeat this until you reach the first loop of the last section. Tie the head to the previous loop you created, and you finished!

Adjust the form of your blanket so that all loops are of the same size. You can slowly tug on yarns with larger holes to accommodate smaller ones. Just don’t pull too much that you destroy your creation! 

Conclusion

Studying how to make a wool blanket is like learning how to knit. If you have experience, you will find making your wool blanket easy, and you can mix in different styles. Besides knitting, you can also try crochet and weaving blankets, clothes, and other UK home decors.

how to make a t-shirt blanket without sewing

How To Make A T-Shirt Blanket Without Sewing In 5 Steps?

Learning how to make a t-shirt blanket without sewing is incredibly simple. The process itself only involves a lot of cutting and tying. However, simplicity does not always equate to ease.

Removing the need for the needle and thread makes creating the blanket simpler, but it radically increases the amount of time needed to make the sheet. Nevertheless, you do not need to do it all in one sitting anyway.

You can do it over multiple days and continue at any time. The process is so easy and so simple that you could watch UK TV while doing it!

How To Make A T-Shirt Blanket Without Sewing

Step #1. Gather the materials

The materials needed are many t-shirts, an old blanket, sheet, or fleece; a pair of scissors; a marker or tailor’s chalk; a ruler; and a 12 x 12 square cutting mat to use as a template. If you don’t have any cutting mats on hand, you could create your template with a piece of cardboard.

When creating your 12×12 square using cardboard, keep in mind the straightness of your lines. Any unevenness and wrong angles will directly translate to the quality of your blanket.

UK experts recommend using at least 20 shirts to create a 4 foot by 5-foot blanket.

Step #2. Cut the t-shirts’ designs

Lay your shirt flat on a table or the floor, and put the cutting mat or the cardboard square on top of the design. Using a tailor’s chalk or a marker, trace the outline of the square onto the shirts.

Using a ruler, measure an inch from each side to create a smaller square in the middle. Make lines of 1-inch increments on the space between the smaller and bigger square.

 

Using a pair of scissors, cut the shirt’s design off by following the bigger square. Afterwards, cut the lines to create little strips at the end of the square.

For the corner strips, cut all four of them in half to divide them into two.

Please repeat this step until all of the shirts are cut up and have little strips or frills on their sides. 

Step #3. Tie the shirts together

This step is the easiest but is also the most time-consuming. 

Line up the t-shirt squares next to each other. There should be five columns and four rows to ensure that the resulting sheet is longer than wide.

Make sure that the strips of the squares lined up to each other. 

Tie a knot twice with each of the strips, and do this for all the squares. What you will end up with is a big, beautiful sheet with multiple designs.

If you want to, you can stop at this step. However, to ensure that your sheet is as comfortable and durable as it is beautiful, then proceed to the next step.

Step #4. Put the shirts on top of the fleece

Put the sheet of shirts on top of an old blanket or fleece. The fleece should be a little longer and wider than the sheet.

Make sure to position your sheet with its ends equidistant to the fleece’s edges.

Cut up the edges of the fleece and create little strips just like the t-shirt squares. Afterwards, connect the fleece to the sheet by matching their strips and tying knots twice, just like in step 3.

It is important to remember that you need to have an equal number of strips for the fleece and the sheet. Avoiding having excess strips avoids having to deal with damages or rips to the blanket.

Step #5. Enjoy!

That’s it! You can now enjoy your homemade, beautiful t-shirt blanket. Use it every night to relive precious memories, or send it as a gift to a friend!

How Many Shirts Do You Need?

The number of shirts you use is up to you. It depends on how big you want your blanket to be, as well as the number of blankets you want to make.

If you want to have a standard blanket of 4 x 5, like in this tutorial, that is about 20 shirts. If you’re going to turn your blanket into a bedsheet instead, it’s best to measure the size of your bed or follow the standard sizes for beds.

If you don’t have enough shirts to create a blanket, do not worry. You can use the backside of your shirts and use those squares as fillers in between designs.

You can also use patterned shirts like flannels or even old blankets. Your imagination only limits the blanket you create! 

Conclusion

T-shirts hold valuable memories, whether that’s from your time in the UK secondary school or your rock-and-roll phase. 

Understandably, not everyone would be okay with just throwing them away, so repurposing them by learning how to make a t-shirt blanket without sewing is one of the best ways to keep the memories alive.

It may be time-consuming and effortful, but the results are well worth it.

how to wash biddeford electric blanket

2 Ways How To Wash Biddeford Electric Blanket?

Learning how to wash biddeford electric blanket would keep it clean and comfortable, extend its lifespan, and remove your anxiety of breaking it.

Cleaning your electric blanket is not as scary as it may seem. Using a mild detergent, you can clean it like a regular blanket and spread it out to dry instead of hanging it.

Understandably, some in the UK would be afraid of putting their electric blankets in the washer because of fears of electrocution or starting fires. However, these products are easy to clean.

You only need to follow a few rules, and you’re good to go. For a handy, detailed guide to washing your blanket safely and appropriately, read on!

How To Wash Biddeford Electric Blanket Properly

Machine washing

First and foremost, you should note that it is not water that damages electric blankets. What harms the wires inside are harsh chemicals, high heat, and acts of pinching and pulling.

Before doing any method of washing, examine your electric blanket thoroughly. Look for frayed cloth or exposed wires, as these damages may get worse when you put the blanket in the washer.

Remember that you should never drench or plunge the power box, or any blanket’s outside cords in water.

  • Step #2. Prepare your washer by filling it up with water. Dilute the right amount of mild detergent. It should be enough to wash away the dirt, but not too much to create too many suds to harm the wires.
  • Step #3. When the washer is ready, submerge the blanket in the water and wash it in the coldest settings for up to 10 minutes. If your washer has a “delicates” or “gentle” set, use that for your blanket.

It would be best if you skipped out on going to laundromats to wash your blanket. Laundromats’ washing machines usually get very hot, which would damage the delicate connections in your blanket.

You should also avoid dry cleaning your electric blanket. Dry cleaning uses harsh chemicals, and that is a big no-no for wires.

  • Step #4. Afterwards, spread it out to dry on the floor or on a table to dry. Do not wring the blanket dry because it may pinch the cords inside.

Handwashing

If your washing machine does not have a delicate setting or your blanket does not fit well in it, you may opt to use the hand wash your blanket. It’s simple, and it shares the same rules as machine wash.

  • Step #1. First, fill a tub with lukewarm water. Make sure that your tub is big enough to fit and adequately soak your electric blanket.
  • Step #2. Add your mild detergent and dilute it properly. Afterwards, put the blanket in it and allow it to soak for up to 30 minutes. Agitate the water once in a while to remove dirt.
  • Step #3. Do not twist, pull, or fold the electric blanket. Instead, gently rub or pinch areas with dirt or stains.
  • Step #4. Afterwards, please remove it from the water and spread it out on a table or on the floor to dry.

How To Properly Dry The Electric Blanket?

Of course, what gets wet must become dry. However, electric blankets are delicate, so it is essential to dry them properly.

Spreading out the blanket over a flat surface to dry is preferable to hanging it out to dry or putting it on a clothesline. The latter two ways of drying do the most harm to the wires inside the blanket.

Hanging it out to dry and using pins may pinch and pull the wires inside, causing them to break. Folding it over a clothesline does the same damage to the blanket. 

Avoid putting the electric blanket under the sun. The intense heat from direct sunlight may melt the wires. 

How Often Do You Need To Clean An Electric Blanket?

Like other blankets and sheets, you should wash your blanket monthly. Washing every 30 days or so keeps them clean and comfortable to use.

Sometimes, electric blankets get stained by spills or get dirtied by pets. For these instances, you can spot clean the stain using a damp cloth or using a lint roller for the fur. You can either continue to use it or wash it immediately.

You should always pre-clean the electric blanket before washing it. Pre-cleaning includes spot cleaning and lint rolling, as well as removing hardened stains with a butter knife. 

The process of pre-cleaning streamlines your washing process. Immediately acting and cleaning off dirt helps you keep your blanket neat and spotless.

Conclusion

Washing and cleaning electric blankets are not as dangerous as they may seem. Water does not harm the blanket; a strong detergent and high heat can do the most damage.

Learning how to wash Biddeford electric blanket is essential. It gives you peace of mind and helps you increase the longevity of your electric blanket, ensuring more snuggles, warmth, and comfort for years to come.

how to repair a crochet blanket

How To Repair A Crochet Blanket In 2 Special Ways?

Not everyone in the UK knows how to repair a crochet blanket. Fortunately, you’ve come across this article because we’ve prepared techniques and guides that will help you with your blanket problems.

Things To Put In Mind Before Repairing A Crochet Blanket

Crochet blankets have deeper meanings than other blankets that you can find anywhere, whether on the internet or in your local UK store.

Crochets are one of the most typical heirlooms of most families. However, these blankets cannot avoid breaking and disintegrating over time, primarily if the family constantly uses them.

You can decide to bring it to your nearest UK crafting store, or you can also do it on your own. If you have settled on doing it yourself, here are a few things to consider first.

  • Your blanket may not look flawless

It’s essential to remember that it won’t always look as if it’s new again when repairing a blanket. Don’t be frustrated if the final output doesn’t come out the way you initially thought.

Using the same yarn colour may help a lot, but it’s still okay if the stitches won’t line up exactly as they did before. 

  • A repair may take a considerable amount of time

If the breakage is minor, then you might be able to finish it within minutes. However, unless you’re a master of crocheting, the repair will take up a lot of your time.

You will have to study the type of crochet stitch used in the blankets first and then find a suitable yarn colour before starting the process.

Be patient because once it done, the whole time spent will all be worth it. 

  • Determining the crochet stitch

You cannot put a single stitch on a granny stripe pattern. The repair will be very obvious, and we want it more to be discreet.

Determining the crochet stitch first will help you bring a new beautiful look to your crochet blanket. Remember: it doesn’t have to be perfect, but it will be nice to make it close to its original form. 

  • Broken yarns need replacement

You can still fix some broken yarns with glue and re-attachment, but you may have to remove the row altogether if the thread completely worn out.

Some people in the UK like to use different colours and stitch to give the blanket an additional charm. If you don’t like that, you can sew the row again using the same shade of its original yarn.

  • Do not use a sewing needle and thread to repair

Crochets are so much different from fabric and canvas. You cannot sew holes using needles because it will only result in an unreliable repair.

It’s always better to re-crochet the area and take the necessary measures, such as re-stitching the whole row or adding yarns to hide the flaw.

How To Repair A Crochet Blanket

Method 1. Fixing tears

  • Step #1. Prepare heavy-duty glue.
  • Step #2. Apply the glue on the edges to prevent the tear from further loosening.
  • Step #3. Using the same colour of yarn, stitch both edges together to conceal the glued area.
  • Step #4. Secure the area by adding an extra stitch layer to keep the patch from revealing and getting broken again.

Method 2. Re-stitching

  • Step #1. Prepare the materials, including the same colour and yarns, correct hook size, and the blanket.
  • Step #4. Find the last damaged stitch in a row and place the needle from the suspended loop to keep it from further unravelling. Secure the area by making sure that the thread is not loose.
  • Step #5. Clean the area by removing broken threads and yarn. Take out brittle stitches to make room for new ones.

Make sure that the stitch you will be attaching the new stitches are secured and not flimsy. If the ends are not damaged, you can leave it as it is as long as it’s securely attached to other stitches.

  • Step #6. Repair the look by re-stitching the row using the same crochet stitch until you reach the damaged area’s end.

Connect the stitch with the hanging loops of stitches on both sides of the affected spot. Make sure to follow the pattern of the blanket.

  • Step #7. You can put a personalised touch by adding your choice of yarn colour and stitch. Continue the chain until you are satisfied with the result.

Make sure that the row securely sewn to avoid damage in the future.

  • Step #8. Once you complete the row and repair the damage, you can weave the ends. Check for hanging loop trails and make sure that every stitch is well-stitched.

Conclusion

Now that you finally know how to repair a crochet blanket, you won’t have to worry about your favourite blanket breaking again.

Crochet blankets have that feeling that you won’t obtain from other regular blankets. It’s a piece that every household dearly loves and will always be a particular item to pass on through generations.

How To Sew A Double Sided Blanket

3 New Steps Of How To Sew A Double Sided Blanket?

You can learn how to sew a double sided blanket in three steps. We have talked about how to sew a blanket before, and this time, you can also master how to create your double-sided blanket. It would make a fantastic gift idea or a project to pass the time. 

You can use a sewing machine or sew by hand, whichever you’re most comfortable with. So what are you waiting for? Let’s get this project started!

 

How To Sew A Double Sided Blanket For Beginners

 

1. Prepare your materials

Cut two pieces of fabric according to the blanket size you want to make. You can follow the blanket bed sizes and the standard dimensions of your chosen size.  It would also be best to use two different materials to get the most of this double-sided project. 

 

2. Sew the fabrics together

Place the two fabric pieces with their right sides facing each other and begin sewing in the middle of one side. Remember to backstitch as well for added durability before you sew around the sides. Half an inch is enough for your seam allowance as you go around the blanket. 

Then, stop at 5 inches when you’re close to reaching where you begin to backstitch. Remember that you will need an opening for turning the blanket inside out later. Finally, cut your seam allowance and clip the corners diagonally. 

 

3. Finish the blanket

The last step is finishing the blanket and turning the right sides out. One should push the corners before you fold and iron the gap. Check if the edges are aligned before you stitch the opening with half an inch of the seam allowance. 

At this point, your double-sided blanket finished. However, you can continually improve it by adding designs using the technique of your choice. You can make decorative stitches or even embroider the fabric for a more personalised touch. 

 

How Do You Make A Double-Sided Fleece Blanket?

Did you know that making a double-sided fleece blanket requires no sewing?

  1. Cut two fleece materials with contrasting designs
  2. Take out a 5-inch square from the corners of both fabric piece
  3. Layer the materials together, then fringe all the sides at five inches from the edge
  4. Line up the fringes and tie a pair as you go around the blanket to finish

How Do You Make A Double-Sided Flannel Blanket?

Flannel fabric is an excellent choice for baby blankets because it is soft and lightweight. You can easily make a quick double-sided flannel baby blanket using the same 3-step method we discussed above. Sew two same-size flannel fabric with their right sides together, but leave a hole for turning the materials right side out. 

A 5-inch gap should suffice, and then press the edges with iron after your flip your flannel blanket. Sew the hole to finish, and then add designs if you want. But if you’re using this blanket for your baby, be sure to leave it bare and ensure that it has no loose threads that your little one can pull.

 

How Many Yards Of Fabric Do You Need For A Tie Blanket?

A tie blanket is a sew-free project that you can make by tying two pieces of materials. The amount of fabric you’ll need will depend on the blanket size you want. For example, the smallest size, a baby blanket, will use a yard of fabric for each material, while something bigger will need twice the amount. 

Remember that both fabrics should have the same amount and size. Nonetheless, it’s always better to allocate more material, just in case. 

 

How Do You Join Two Pieces Of Fleece?

You can join two fleece pieces by sewing them together or fringing their sides to make a tie blanket. When joining fleece materials together, the main point to remember is that their right sides should face each other. You can quickly determine the right side as the least pilled side after washing.

 

Common types of fleece fabrics

The common types of fleece are polar, microfleece, and brushed fleece. Polar fleece looks and feels fluffy on both sides, and it’s also ideal for tie blankets because it’s less prone to fraying. On the other hand, microfleece is lighter and thinner, so it’s an excellent choice for baby projects. 

The only disadvantage you must consider with microfleece is that it can stretch easily. What about brushed fleece? Also known as cotton fleece, it has a fluffy and knitted side that makes it ideal for shirts. 

 

How do you keep the fleece from matting?

Fleece materials can turn matte after some time, losing their unique and soft feel. You can keep your fleece fabric quiet by knowing the proper way of caring for it. The appropriate way means avoiding any forms of heat and only washing with the right detergents. 

 

How do you keep the fleece from pilling?

Pilling refers to the build-up of lint on your fleece fabric. There are many reasons why your fleece material can pill quickly, but you can easily remove the lint balls manually. It’s also crucial that you always separate your fleece materials from cotton and linen items. 

Conclusion

A double-sided blanket means twice the fun because you’ll get two usable and cute-looking sides. You can even learn how to sew a double sided blanket or make a tie blanket and skip sewing altogether. To summarise this three-step guide, you need to prepare two fabric pieces, sew them together, and turn the blanket right side out. 

 

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