A receiving blanket is two layers of fabric sewn together with finished edges

A receiving blanket is a small, soft blanket—usually 30 by 40 inches—made by sewing two pieces of fabric face-to-face, turning it right-side out, and stitching the opening closed. The whole project takes two to three hours on a sewing machine and requires only fabric, thread, and basic stitching. You do not need a pattern; you measure and cut two rectangles the same size, sew three sides, turn the blanket inside out through the fourth side, press it flat, and stitch that opening shut.

The result is a finished blanket with no raw edges showing and no binding required. The two-layer construction makes it soft enough for a newborn's skin and durable enough to wash and dry many times. Most people choose cotton flannel, cotton jersey, or minky fabric for the layers because these materials are gentle, breathable, and straightforward to sew.

Key Takeaways

  • Cut two rectangles of fabric exactly the same size—30 by 40 inches is standard, but you can make yours smaller or larger depending on your preference.
  • Sew three sides of the blanket with a quarter-inch seam allowance, leaving one short end open for turning.
  • Turn the blanket right-side out through the opening, press it flat with an iron, and sew the opening closed by hand or machine.
  • Use cotton flannel, cotton jersey, or minky for both layers; these fabrics are soft, washable, and beginner-friendly.
  • Trim the corners at a 45-degree angle before turning to reduce bulk and create neat corners.

Choose your fabric and cut two matching rectangles

Pick two fabrics you like—they can be the same on both sides or different. Cotton flannel is the most common choice because it is soft, affordable, and washes well. Cotton jersey (the knit used for t-shirts) is also popular and has a slight stretch. Minky is thicker and very plush but costs more and can be slippery to sew if you are new to sewing.

Measure and mark a rectangle 30 inches wide by 40 inches long on the wrong side of your first fabric piece using a ruler and fabric pencil or chalk. Cut along the lines with fabric scissors or a rotary cutter. Cut the second fabric piece to exactly the same size. Stack them with right sides facing each other (the pretty sides touching) and pin around all four edges to keep them from shifting.

Sew three sides with a quarter-inch seam allowance

Thread your sewing machine with thread that matches one of your fabrics, or use neutral thread like gray or tan. Set the machine to a straight stitch with a stitch length of 2.5 to 3.0 millimeters. Start at one corner of the short end (the 30-inch side) and sew along that edge, keeping the needle exactly one-quarter inch from the edge of the fabric.

Continue sewing down the long side, around the second long side, and up to the start of the second short end. Stop about 6 inches before you reach the corner where you started—this gap is where you will turn the blanket right-side out later. Backstitch at the beginning and end of your seam to lock the thread. Remove the pins as you go.

Trim the corners and turn the blanket right-side out

Cut off the four corners of the sewn blanket at a 45-degree angle, about one-quarter inch away from the stitching. This removes bulk so the corners lie flat and look sharp when you turn the blanket. Be careful not to cut through your seam.

Reach into the 6-inch opening you left and grab the fabric from the inside. Pull gently and steadily until the blanket turns right-side out through the opening. The seams should now be hidden on the inside. Use a point turner or the blunt end of a chopstick to push the corners out from the inside so they are crisp and square. Press the entire blanket flat with a hot iron, paying special attention to the edges and the opening.

Sew the opening closed by hand or machine

Fold the raw edges of the opening inward by one-quarter inch and press them flat with your iron. Pin the opening shut. You can now close it two ways: by machine or by hand.

To sew by machine, set your stitch length to 2.0 millimeters (a shorter stitch) and sew very close to the folded edge, about one-eighth inch in. This creates a neat, tight seam. To sew by hand, thread a needle with thread that matches the blanket, tie a knot at the end, and use a ladder stitch (also called an invisible stitch). Slide the needle through the fold of one side for about one-quarter inch, come out, cross to the opposite fold, slide through it for one-quarter inch, and repeat. Pull the thread gently every few stitches so the opening closes invisibly. Tie off the thread inside the fold when you reach the end.

Wash and dry your finished blanket

Wash the blanket in warm water on a gentle cycle with mild detergent. Dry it on low heat or hang it to air dry. Cotton flannel and cotton jersey can handle regular washing and drying without damage. Minky should be dried on low heat or air dried to prevent pilling.

The blanket will soften with each wash. If you notice any loose threads at the seams, trim them with scissors. The blanket should last through many years of use and washing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size should I make my receiving blanket?

Thirty by 40 inches is the standard size and works for most uses. You can make it smaller (24 by 36 inches) if you prefer a lighter blanket or larger (36 by 48 inches) for more coverage. Measure what you want before cutting.

Can I use flannel on one side and minky on the other?

Yes. Minky on one side and flannel on the other creates a soft, plush side and a breathable side. Minky can be slippery, so pin it well and sew slowly. The flannel side will be easier to grip while sewing.

What if my corners are not sharp after I turn the blanket?

Use a point turner or chopstick to push the corner out from the inside while the blanket is still damp from pressing. If the corner is still rounded, you may not have trimmed the seam allowance at the corner closely enough. On your next blanket, cut the corner closer to the stitching.

Do I have to hand-sew the opening closed?

No. Machine sewing is faster and just as strong. Use a short stitch length (2.0 millimeters) and sew close to the edge. Hand sewing with a ladder stitch is invisible from the outside but takes longer. Choose whichever method you prefer.

Can I add a ruffle or binding to the edge?

Yes, but it changes the method. Instead of sewing three sides and turning, you would sew the ruffle or binding to the right side of one layer, then sew the two layers together with the binding sandwiched between them. This is a more advanced technique; master the basic blanket first, then explore binding in a separate project.