How to Make a Nursing Blanket

Step 1

Lay your fabric out on a flat surface and measure out a 100 inch long section of fabric. You will fold this over to make a 48 inch by 36 inch nursing blanket. The extra material will be folded over and sewn to make a solid edge that won’t fray as you use and wash your blanket.

Step 2

Fold over the entire edge of your fabric and sew the edge with your needle and thread or sewing machine. Take care to keep the tension even to avoid gaps or bunching in your thread.

Step 3

Pull down one corner of your blanket to form a small triangle and sew one side of the triangle closed. This triangle will be used to form a pocket to hold your beanbag weight. The weight in the corner is placed over the shoulder of the nursing mother with the rest of the blanket covering the baby and exposed breast. Weighting the blanket prevents it from shifting too much or falling forward if the baby moves or wiggles while nursing.

Step 4

Push your beanbag through the open hole in your triangle and center it in the pocket you’ve created. This weight will help hold the blanket over the mother’s shoulder and prevent it from sliding off while the baby is nursing. Sew the last side of the pocket shut to secure the weight inside.

Step 5

Personalize your blanket with paints or patches. Iron on transfers come in a wide variety of designs to add just the right touch to your new blanket. You can also use decorative paints to add names, sayings or verses to your fabric to make the gift as individual as the new mother you’re giving it to.