I have the 3 blankets hemmed, washed & dried. All I need to do now is the hard press. I used a straight twill threading & treadling for all, and I’m quite pleased with how soft they all are.
Here’s the first one, the custom weave for TB.
The warp colors are cobalt, bleu, & thin stripes of marine; the weft is cobalt with the thin marine stripes. TB specifically wanted a rolled hem, not binding, so I had to choose which would be the ‘right’ side when I made that hem. I opted to have the side with the deeper colors, what you saw from underneath while still on the loom, be the right side.
Here’s my niece’s blanket, same warp, woven with all 3 colors in the weft for plaid.
My niece is pretty serious about the materials for her soon-to-be-born son, so I opted for a rolled hem for her, too, not a polyester satin binding. Again I had to decide which was the right side, and again I opted for the brighter side.
Finally, here’s the 3rd blanket I wove on this warp to have in my stock for shows. This is the only one I photographed with both sides showing so you can see the difference.
I opted to bind it, and I’m not sure that was a good decision. That binding is far more pucker-y than I’d like. Should I take the binding off and try again? Should I revert to a rolled hem? I haven’t yet decided & I’d love your input on this.
I had to buy a new sewing machine….the one I inherited from my mother was behaving badly, despite regular servicing. All I need to do is forward, backward, & zigzag. No fancy stitches needed. So I opted for a Janome model that is supplied to schools.
It didn’t like sewing that slippery binding. As guided by folks on the internet, I reduced both the tension & the stitch length, which definitely helped. If I have to do it again I’ll try with the tissue paper in there, too.
I think the shiny binding detracts from the lovely blanket. My eye is constantly pulled toward the shiny. But maybe that’s just me. :-/
Thanks for chiming in, Laura. Even though I figured out how to ‘fix’ the puckers in the binding, I’d be happy to never put binding on a blanket again, but I often get comments from customers that the babies love that binding. Maybe I’ll try my other idea (not yet revealed or tried) to blend the two – a simple hemmed edge and something ‘silky’ for baby.
[…] when I was hemming those baby blankets, I thought I might as well hem the towels. As the days passed I got them washed, dried, and […]
I had similar issues when I put binding on my handwoven baby blankets for my grandchildren. I really struggled with the first one. Three years later for the second one, I used a walking foot on my sewing machine. That made a ton of difference!
Thanks, Susan. I have a walking foot and was using it. I’ve decided I’m definitely taking this binding off & trying with some scrap fabric. If I can put it on without all the puckering, I have another idea brewing in my little brain.
ps… I love the plaid one with the rolled hem the very best of all. What a lucky little boy! : )
Beautiful Peg!!!! Simply beautiful!!! What an incredible gift that will be and what an awesome Aunt you are to create such a lovely gift for the little one! I agree that while the bindings are often well loved by the little ones, the pucker look isn’t the best to draw attention to the beautiful weaving you do. Good luck with your new machine.
Thanks, Judy. I’ve decided I’m definitely removing the binding. I’ll try with some scraps, and if it doesn’t work well, I have another idea…….
nice blankets! Go with the rolled hem rather than subtracting from you hand woven by adding binding!
Thanks, Carol. I think I’m going to play with some scrap fabric & binding and see if I can make it smooth before I simply call it quits. People do like the binding’s presence.
I have that same problem with binding. I make baby blankets from flannel and fleece and try to put the binding on but it always looks messy so I’ve opted out.
What are your measurments for woven baby blankets?
Thanks, Tobie. I think I might have to try again. Maybe with some scrap fabric????
My blanket measurements vary, but usually they’re about 27″ wide and 36-45″ long.
I would leave the puckery satin binding on. I remember my blanket as a kid and LOVED the satin binding. Also remember my Grandmother replacing it when it wore out. Perhaps the recipient will like it as much as I did.
Thanks,Charlene. I know people who see the binding like that it’s there, and my daughter made me replace the binding on her blankie several times, but I don’t like the way this looks. Can I make it look better????