How to Make a Personalized Pocket Pal Blanket

Cut out the blanket pieces. Lay the print blanket out on a flat surface and fold in half lengthwise. Cut a 10 inch length off of each end. Lay these two end pieces to the side. Next, cut out 1 large heart, about 10 inches tall, and 2 smaller ones, about 8 inches tall. Lay them aside, with the end pieces. Cut a rectangular block, 16 by 12 inches. Lay this aside with the other cut out pieces.

Cut the child's name out of the print material. To do this you can draw letters directly onto the material, or draw them onto paper, cut them out and then pin them onto the material to cut out. Drawing the name in fat, puffy rounded letters instead of squared off letters makes them easier to sew around.

Assemble the blanket. Spread the solid color blanket out on a flat surface. Pin the 10 inch sections of the print blanket that you cut off, to the top and bottom ends of the solid blanket, making sure all 3 sides match up. For the bottom end of the blanket: the ends of the blanket become a double thickness. Sew a straight stitch across the length to secure the added piece. Then sew another line 1/4 inch of an inch from your first stitch line, to create a double stitched seam. Cut the print add on into strips for fringe, being careful not to cut into your stitch line. The 10 inch piece on the other end will be the top of the banket. Sew this piece around all four sides, 1/2 inch from the edges, on top of the solid blanket.

Fold one of the 16 inch sides of the cut rectangle over 1/4 inch and hem it . Position this "pocket" in the center of the solid blanket with the hemmed side toward the top of the blanket. Pin the pocket on and sew around both sides and the bottom, using either a straight stitch or a zigzag decorative stitch. Arrange the heart shaped cutouts between the pocket and the bottom of the blanket. Sew them on using either a straight stitch or a zigzag.

Arrange the child's name across the top of the pocket area, in whatever design you'd like, and pin each letter down, using plenty of pins. Depending on your sewing expertise, you can sew these letters on, using a straight stitch to go around each letter, or you can use a zigzag stitch. If you have never appliqued letters or patches onto something, sew the letters on with the straight stitch.

Toss in a pillow. Cut two 16 X 12 inch rectangles. Pin the two rectangles together, matching all sides up. Sew a straight stitch down each of the 16 inch sides. Sew across the entire length of one of the 12 inch sides. On the other 12 inch side, sew a little more than halfway across it. Use a back stitch to lock the thread. Turn your pillow right side out and stuff it with the pillow stuffing. Once the pillow is stuffed, hand sew the opening shut.