Minky Blankets

I recently have seen a bunch of blankets online that were backed with that super-soft fabric called "Minky". I decided to give it a try, so I ordered a few 1-yard cuts with coordinating 1-yard cuts of quilters cotton from fabric.com and gave it a whirl. I remembered reading tips about sewing with Minky on various blogs, namely, you need to pin a LOT! So, I got out the pins, and the big folding craft table and started pinning. I got the first one all pinned out, and sewed it together.

this is the first one I made- friendly monsters with Minky Dot backing

It really wasn't too bad. I was kind of expecting a big fight with the fabric based on things I had seen online, but it was pretty simple. I have made 3 blankets so far, but only two are pictured here. Each one took me an evening to finish, with Steve taking care of Ryan.

the second blankey- POW! flannel with smooth Minky backing

I haven't taken pictures of the third yet. I also have fabric to make 3 more. One is a nice big one for my husband, Steve, using the full width of the Minky (60") paired with extra-wide quilters cotton, and one is for me. I haven't done the big ones yet because I don't know where I can pin them out yet! It's kind of difficult with a small baby and a dog that likes to get in the way. Maybe this weekend I can get Steve's big blanket done. Perfect for the weather that is just getting hot here in the desert! 100 degrees(F) is good blanket weather, right?

Now, I have extra Minky left over from the first 3 blankets I've made (each piece is about 14"x 1 yard). Any ideas on what to do with the remnants?

The Buttercup Bag!

I fell in love with this pattern as soon as I saw it, and I knew I had to make it. It's from madebyrae.blogspot.com. It took me a little while to pick out the fabrics, and actually get it done, but I'm really happy with it.



It was my first time doing pleats, and first time using magnetic snaps.



I was a little afraid of getting the magnetic snaps near my computerized sewing machine, so I left them off until the very end. I just put them on right before closing up the slit in the lining. This was a great pattern. I highly recommend it!