Easy To Make Cozy Flannel Throw….

I know it is still very warm in some parts of the country but I decided to re-share a few of these lightweight flannel throws I made a couple years ago.  You will see how I made them in this post that I am re-sharing.

As I have said before, the Captain and I spend lots of time in the Secret Garden, and on our Lanai. We now spend time in the front foyer, now that we have two rocking chairs… and a cozy flannel throw is great for those nights when it can get a little cool from the ocean breezes off the gulf of Mexico. A lightweight flannel throw is perfect! 

Also, we have been known to make a fire in the outdoor fireplace in the Secret Garden during the colder weather.  We have roasted marshmallows and hot dogs which is so enjoyable until one has to take the blankets or throws back in the house, permeated with smoke.

Not good!

Enter the cozy flannel throws that I decided to make. These are so nice because they can stay outside and yet if they need washing, one can toss them in the washer and dryer without concern of shrinking or fading. Finding the flannel at JoAnn’s Fabrics at a half price sale was even better and you can make the flannel throws in the exact size or weight that suits you. If you want them very lightweight, don’t use an interfacing.  Or you can use a medium weight interfacing between the two pieces of flannel, which is what I used or you can use a heavy weight interfacing.

The flannel throw was so easy to make, and I bought blue and black plaid flannel for the foyer, green and yellow plaid flannel for the lanai and red and black plaid flannel for the Secret Garden to match the outdoor decor.  

Did I tell you that I love plaid?

I decided I wanted my cozy flannel lap throw to be large, so I made the size to be 44 inches  X  70 inches.

I bought 5 yards of 45 inch wide flannel, but I only used 4 yards for the throw.  I kept back 1 yard to make matching pillows which I have not yet made.  More to come on those.

I bought 2 yards of 45 inch wide Pellon fuseable interfacing and of course matching thread.

And here is how I put the blue and black plaid throw together.

First I washed and dried the flannel to pre-shrink the fabric. I then folded the flannel in half so it measured 45 X 72 inches and I cut along the fold.  Then I placed the fabric wrong side up on my (heat protected) table and laid the rough side down of the interfacing…. on top of the half piece of flannel.  The next step was to pin the interfacing to the flannel and iron according to directions on the interfacing package.  When the interfacing had adhered to the flannel, I placed the other half of the flannel (without the interfacing) right side up on my table and laid the flannel with the interfacing on top of that.  Be sure to put right sides together.

1. Make sure you wash and dry flannel before you sew it. This will pre-shrink the fabric so when it’s made into a blanket it can be washed and dried.
2. Fold the material in half so it measures 45″ x 72″. Cut the fabric in half along the fold.
3. Put the Pellon interfacing on top of a half piece of flannel (wrong side up) with the interfacing rough side down. Pin together and iron the interfacing to the flannel piece according to interfacing directions.
4. When the interfacing has adhered to the flannel half…set aside. Place the flannel half that does not have the interfacing on the table right side up and place the flannel piece with the interfacing side up… on top of the right side up flannel half. Pin the edges together and sew with a 1/2 inch seam allowance leaving about 1/4 of the final side open.  This is so you can now reach into the gap and pull the flannel throw inside out or in other words, turn it right side out.
5. With your fingers, turn under the raw edges of the gap and pin together. Finish by sewing a 1/4 inch seam all around the entire flannel throw including the gap area.

And there you have it….so easy.  You can make the pillow the same way, just on a smaller scale. Insert a pillow or other stuffing.

These cozy flannel throws make sitting outside in cooler weather so much nicer.  Warm and toasty.

Which brings me to talk about the front foyer and the rockers where the blue and black plaid throws will reside.

I have another confession to make….

The bench on the foyer was never too comfortable, but I have loved the weathered look she has achieved over the years from both Kansas City and Florida living.  

That is until the two rockers entered the picture.

The two black, sleek and really black rockers.

Just for the record, the weathered bench started out on her journey as sleek and black too.  (yes, the bench is a she)

But over the years she has become old and faded and just plain worn out.  (Is there a parallel here?)

So, I have decided to give her new life by spray painting her.

You  see, she has been speaking to me.  Actually, crying out to me to make her pretty again.

Just between you and me,….I really think she is wanting to keep up with her new neighbors, the sleek looking rockers.

So, in order to give her a last hurrah…before she goes under the paint sprayer, I took pictures of her sporting one of the flannel throws that I literally threw together one afternoon.

I can promise you this…the next time you see her…you will see just how nice she cleans up!

Have a great blessed day…and stay cozy!