My church women’s group got together to do another service project. This one involved making fleece lap blankets for hospice patients. We had a great time making these blankets from fleece scraps before, but a lot of the women don’t know how to sew. For that reason, we decided to make no-sew fleece blankets instead. I’m not a huge fan of the tied-edge blankets, so I figured out how to make them with a braided edge instead. They turned out really nice, so I thought I’d show you how to make them. Be sure to watch the video at the top of this post to see step-by-step instructions to make the blanket. (If you are using an ad blocker, you might need to turn it off to see the video.) If you like this post, also check out my other easy homemade blanket tutorials: how to make a tie blanket from fleece, no-sew fleece mermaid tail blanket pattern, and things to make with fleece scraps. I also have a post that shows you how to make a no-sew baby blanket with minky fabric.
I wanted to make the no-sew fleece blankets as easy as possible, so we had people bring one yard pieces. We used two, one yard pieces for each blanket. You can make yours bigger, but I don’t suggest going smaller. This is a good size for a lap blanket or baby blanket.
So the blankets don’t end up too long and skinny, I cut each piece to be about 48 inches x 36 inches. Lay both pieces that you are using on top of each other, wrong sides together, and make sure they line up. Next cut a 2 x 2 inch inch square out of each corner.
Now you want to cut two inch long slits that are one inch apart, like the photo below. It helps to have a long yardstick for this part. Do this on all four sides of the blanket.
Fold each of the fringe pieces in half, and cut a small slit in the middle. If you want your blanket to lay flatter and/or have a little bit of a tidier edge, you can also make your slit closer to the end of the tab. Not too close, or it might rip through. I recommend experimenting with the look of the “braid” on some scraps first.
Now for the “braiding” part. It’s not really braiding, more like crocheting, and it’s pretty simple once you get the hang of it. Basically you want to take the fringe piece to the left and put it through the hole on the fringe piece to the right. Pull it though, and that becomes the next hole that you use. Make sure you grab both layers of the blanket and treat them as one. If this is confusing at all, watch the video at the top of this post. It will show you the entire process. (If you are using an ad blocker, you might need to turn it off to see the video.)
When you get to the end, separate the two layers of the last piece of fringe. Put one of the layers through the starting hole.
Use the two layers of fringe to tie a double knot and then tuck it into the inside of the blanket.
That’s it! A completely no-sew fleece blanket with a braided edge!
Take a look at these other posts:
How to make a Fleece Blanket from Scraps
20 Things to Make with Fleece Scraps
How to Make a Blanket for a Baby
How to Make a Tie Blanket from Fleece
No-Sew Fleece Mermaid Tail Blanket
How to Make a No-Sew Blanket with Minky Fabric
How to Make a Weighted Blanket
Jacquelin Wiggins says
This is brilliant!!! Thank you for sharing
Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts says
Thank you! So glad you like it!
Antoinette mcdonald says
What are the measurements for a baby blanket that you would recommend ?.
Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts says
I think the measurements we used for the lap blankets would be fine for a baby blanket. You could go as big as a yard and a half of fabric, but I wouldn’t go over two yards.
Darla says
If using a yard and a half what would the measurements for the corner squares be? Love the design! Thank you for sharing ?
Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts says
Same measurements for the corner squares and fringe no matter what size blanket.
Lov2quilt says
What a great finish. Thanks for sharing.
Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts says
Thank you!
Christine says
Love this. I will do this for my next blanket! Thanks for this.
Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts says
Thanks! So glad you like it! 😀
Meridel says
I love this too! Much nicer than the tied ones!
Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts says
Thanks Meridel! I think it looks much better than the tied ones too! 🙂
Abigail Martinez says
Please email me the directions. It’s a long reason why, just a few problems trying to get the directions the usual way. PLEASE
Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts says
Just emailed them to you. 🙂
Pat says
That’s much nicer looking. Going to try it. Thanks for sharing.
Maureen says
Really like this edging. Not a fan of the fringed edge but love this edge. Not sure if I will be making one but am so glad you shared this.
Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts says
Thank you so much!
Glenda Hyde says
Wow ! This is AWESOME ! GOD BLESS & THANK YOU SO MUCH _ Glenda
Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts says
You’re welcome! Thank YOU for the comment! 😀
Madge says
I have tried this method and had a problem. The blanket pulled up and cupped at the edges. I like the look of these, can you help me to get this finish right, please? Thanks so much.
Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts says
Mine curled up a little on the edges too, and I was okay with it. I gave the blanket a little stretch, and it layed flatter. I think if you put the little slits closer to the ends of the fringe, it would lie flatter too.
Stacy Foster says
Hello,
I am looking for a craft to do for my son’s teachers. This looks very doable. How does the braid hold up in the wash. I would hate to give this as a gift and it fall apart after a couple of washes.
Thank you,
Stacy
Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts says
I didn’t keep the ones I made, but I imagine they would hold up just as well (if not better) than the tied blankets. My kids have tied ones that have been washed a lot, and they are just fine. It’s not really a braid, more of a crochet.
Barbara Holland says
I have made two for baby gifts and asked the people to honestly let me know how they hold up in the wash. They are still good after multiple washings and being drug around! I don’t tie the end though. I put the last one through and then find a medium size coordinating button to sew it down. I sew it extra tight since it’s for babies.
Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts says
Thanks for the feedback! I love the idea of using a button instead of a knot. So cute!
Barbara Holland says
The first baby blanket I made like this was for a coworkers baby. I told them that after they used it for a while, washed it several times, and the kid drags it around, that I wanted to know how it held up, or if it fell apart. They just had their second baby now 2 years later, and said it is their first daughter’s favorite blanket, and now using with the new baby, and is still holding up great! I don’t knot the last set of fringe though. I pull it over the top of the first one and sew a medium to large coordinating color button to hold it together. Therefore, I always find the center on the top or bottom and then move over one so at the end, the button will be centered.
Linda EARL says
Hi,
I use the braid method to make fleece ottoman covers for my daughters 3 cats !
It washes perfectly,
I don’t do the fringe look
Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts says
What a great use for it! I imagine fringe wouldn’t be very good with cats. Thanks for letting us know that it works for this kind of thing.
Rachel says
Mine has held up through hundreds of washes
Natalie says
I’ve been doing this for years as a way to finish a single piece of fleece. I use a button at the end (i decide where the end may be). It makes a really cute decorative edging for a scarf. And while sewing the button in place is sewing, its just a small amount.
Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts says
Oh, that sounds really cute! Thank you for sharing!
GK says
So excited for this! I really dislike the feel and look of the knitted ones, this is so much classier! Bought fleece today!
Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts says
Yay! Hope it turns out for you! It looks so much better!
Nokuthula says
I love this and it was quit easy for me to learn. Apparently in Zimbabwe where I am fleece isa bit scarce especially prints.
Would love to have more,
Thank you again for sharing a brilliant idea was actually looking for something to do and raise school fees for my 2 kids
Denise says
Will this work to make pillow covers with fleece?
Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts says
I’ve never made pillow covers, but if you can do it with the tied blankets, I assume you can do it with this. It’s two layers, and the edges are secure.
Lynda G says
I must be doing something wrong because I can’t get it to work.
Whenever I get to about the 4th loop it comes apart.
Any suggestions?
Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts says
Oh no, that’s frustrating! It definitely shouldn’t be able to come apart! Make sure you are moving both layers of the blanket at the same time. Once you pull a tab through, that becomes the new one that you use for the hole. I know it’s hard to explain with words and photos. Maybe you can find a video on youtube that can show you how to do it.
Becky says
When do you turn it right side out? I read thru directions couple of times but can’t figure it out. You lay pieces together with ‘wrong’ side facing. Cut slits and start crocheting edges. What’d I miss?
Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts says
It should be “wrong sides go together”, so the ugly parts on the inside and pretty parts on the outside. So it should be right side out the entire time. No turning necessary. 😀
Linda Champion says
I love this idea! I have been making fleece blankets for years. I made the tie knots and sewing the edge to make a braided edge. I have made a 2 yd and a I yd blanket so quickly I cant wait to buy more fleee. Thanks again. Nana
Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts says
So glad you like this method! I like it a lot better than tying too. 🙂
Shea says
I tried making this after seeing a little video of it on Facebook. I don’t know what I have done wrong but the braids are messy. Am I supposed to turn them in a certain way to make them neat as I am making it or is it supposed to look somewhat messy?
Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts says
I just posted my own video that might help. Watch how I turn the tabs while braiding and maybe that will help. It still turns out a little messy, but you can adjust it at the end to make it better. Keep in mind that it will probably get messy again when washed. You can also try making the slit a little closer to the end of each tab. That might leave less fabric to poke out and make it messy.
Sally E. Goff says
I have a machine,{ Singer treadle} but it needs work. SO this is GREAT no sewing !
Thank you so much.
Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts says
Yes, so much easier without having to sew! Glad you found it useful. 🙂
Anita Profitt says
There isn’t a video at the top of the page. It is a blank rectangle
Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts says
Sorry it isn’t working for you. Do you have an ad blocker on? That could be causing it. I forgot to mention that in the post that you might need to disable ad blockers to see the video. If that doesn’t work, here’s a link to my YouTube channel with the video: https://www.youtube.com/c/cutesycrafts
Diane Quinlan says
I am so happy you posted a video using this method of making the fleece blanket. I want to make blankets for the Linus Project and I know they only allow single layer blankets. Does this work using only one blanket? I bought a lot of fleece last year that was on sale. I don’t mind making two layer blankets, and I should contact them to see if it would be ok. I am curious as to whether one layer would work. Thank you, again, for doing the video. I really appreciate it!❤️
Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts says
So glad you like it. I think this would definitely work for a single layer blanket! I’d do a little test on some scraps to see if you like it first. The only problem I think you will run into is hiding the knot at the end. You could either add a little sewing to keep it secure of just have a knot that shows.
Carla says
Thank you for your detailed instructions! I had looked at several other tutorials, but could not figure out how it was done!
Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts says
Oh, that makes me so happy to hear! I’m glad I could help you figure it out!
Ofelia says
Will the braid hold after the blanket has been washed. How are they kept tight? I would think the braid comes apart since the pieces are so short.
Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts says
The way it’s done is more of a crochet than a braid. It just looks braided. It should hold together fine in the wash. I might get a little messier, but it shouldn’t come apart.
Laura says
I had the same concern about it holding up in the wash. I’ve made several of the tied kind and they held up great after a couple washes. I’d love to try this method but a little nervous.
Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts says
The braided/crochet part itself isn’t really at risk of coming undone unless the fleece rips. I need to make another one that I don’t donate and give it a few test washes.
Andrea says
I have 2 1/2 yds of fleece. Will the measurements be the same? I’m new to the fleece blanket world. Thank you!
Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts says
Yes, your squares will still be 2×2 and the fringe will be 1×2.
Patty T says
Hi. I am wondering if the fleece blankets CAN be made with right sides together then turned inside out, (thus showing the underside of the braid I would imagine) but tucking in the edge a bit better? Has that been tried?
Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts says
I would think you could, but I’m not sure how you would finish it off. Like how would you braid it if that last part is inside the blanket? I’d give it a try with some scraps first to see if it’s doable. Come back and let us know if it works!
Charlotte Capps says
I’m wondering if you tried a curved corner instead of the regular corners would it make it easier to make the corners? (Obviously I haven’t started mine yet!) Also, I’m making one for a tall adult so I bought 2.5 yds. Is that going to be too long and will it shift apart or will it need some stitching through the middle to keep it together.
Thanks for your help.
Charlotte
Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts says
You wouldn’t be able to cut even strips in a curved corner. You’ll see how it works out when you start cutting and putting everything together. Lay out the 2.5 yards that you bought and subtract 4 inches. That’s how long it will be. If that looks okay, then you should be fine.
SirXena says
For curved corners you just square up the strips around the survey(cutting little triangles, fat end at the edge and point at the blanket) so instead of slits around the corners you’d cut inverted “V” shapes. The edge would then come out just as on straight edges.
Bettie Ramsey says
I want to do a single thickness baby blanket using the tie method. Seems to not work as well or lay flat as well as the double ones. Help!! Our winters aren’t usually really cold here in Middle GA so I’m thinking a double thickness won’t be as useful as a single. Suggestions, please,,Bettie
Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts says
Oh that stinks. Did you try cutting the slits closer to the end of each tab? Maybe the tabs need to be cut thinner for a single layer? I haven’t made one with only a single layer, so I’m not sure. Please come back and let us know if you figure it out though!
Taina says
Is it possible to do a braided edge with just one piece of fleece or do you have to have two to make this work?
Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts says
It should work, but I haven’t tried it. Someone commented either here or on my YouTube that it didn’t look as nice though. I would try on a scrap first.
Cathy Bedard says
Have you tried making covers fr a round pillow with the fleece? I want to make a cat bed but not sure how to do it without cutting the corners out.
Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts says
I haven’t, but I think it would work. You wouldn’t cut any corners, but you might need to cut the fringe a bit differently. Take a look at the mermaid tail blanket that I made here: https://cutesycrafts.com/2018/11/no-sew-fleece-mermaid-tail-blanket-pattern.html. See the photos around the tail’s curve that I had to take some wedges out of. I think that would work.
Anita Trudell says
Enjoyed finding this site. Have done the fleece tied. Thought this idea was much prettier and perhaps more stable. What about shifting with the two layers of fabric. Do you do some type of stitching to “anchor” it?? Thanks so much for sharing. Anita
Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts says
I haven’t really had a problem with the fabric shifting. You could do a few anchor stitches if you wanted to, but I found the fleece sort of likes to stick to itself.
Laurie says
I just bought 2 yards of two different fleece but it looks huge. Should I have only got 1 yard for a baby blanket. I guess the baby will be able to use it longer this way. Hope it’s ok. New to this too.
Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts says
Yes, you just need one yard of each color, so two yards total. That will make a really big blanket, the size I would make for an adult. You can still totally do it. All the cuts for the fringe and everything would stay the same. OR you can cut the pieces in half and make two blankets. 🙂
allison Wyatt says
could this work with flannel fabric? cause me a beginner didnt think when I bought the fabric today
Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts says
Unfortunately it won’t. Flannel will fray when cut, so it won’t hold up. You need fleece or minky fabric for it to work properly.
Mackenzie says
Do you think this would work with one piece of fleece and one piece of cotton? The pattern I want only comes in cotton and I’m trying to figure out how best to do it. Thank you!
Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts says
You can only use fabrics that won’t fray. Cotton will fray unless it’s Jersey cotton (like a t-shirt). Even then, I probably wouldn’t use jersey cotton with fleece. I think the jersey would bunch up more than the fleece and cause a problem.
Virginia says
Thank you for this alternative! I wanted to try something a little different for the blankets I donate every year to my local animal shelter! Thank you truly! 🙂
Nancy says
I looked at fleece at Jo-Ann Fabrics online and saw two that I liked:one is a “blizzard” fleece but the other is a “no-pill” fleece. Can I use two different types of fleeces together?
Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts says
Yes, that should be fine.
Nancy says
Also, if you buy one yard for a baby blanket, how many yards would you buy for an adult?
Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts says
I would do 2 yards for an adult.
Barbara says
I don’t care for the tied knots either, so when I get to the last one, I sew a big button in a coordinating color there which looks cute, gets rid of the knot, and stays together just fine.
Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts says
What a great idea!
Jenny says
Hello! I’m making a blanket for my son (15 months). I like the tidy look of the braid, but I think he’d like the tied edge to play with. Do you think it would look ok to do the braided on three sides, and the tied on one? Thank you for your time and opinion!
Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts says
Not sure. You could always try it and see. Make the ties kind of loose, and if it looks funny, you can untie them and do it the other way.
Amy says
Can I use anti pill fleece is my first question and my second question is how long would you say it takes to make one blanket about 36 in by 58 in?
Jessica @ Cutesy Crafts says
Yes, any kind of fleece should work. I never time myself when doing things, so I really don’t know. The braids do take a bit longer than just tying because you have to cut more. I would say 3-5 hours??? I really have no idea though. Haha!
Kim says
I love this idea instead of fringe. I purchased a blanket kit and used this idea instead of the fringe. I did use one shortcut on cutting, I used a buttonhole cutter to make the slits it was the perfect size and cut through both layers. Thank you for your idea and video.