Mini Blankets
For angel babies that are too small and fragile, even for our diapers, we offer tiny little mini-blankets or mini-quilts and stockinette hats for our hospitals. These are in great demand at hospitals across the country. We provide one mini-blanket with 2 stockinette hats per family to requesting hospitals. These special mini-blankets are NOT paired into sets with diapers.
These are finished sizes:
For angel babies 14-16 weeks gestation:
Between 11 x 11 and 13x13 inches square with two 2" stockinette hats
For angel babies 17-18 weeks gestation:
Between 13x13 and 16x16 inches square with two 3" stockinette hats
These particular mini-blankets must be sewn rather than knit or crocheted, due to bulk. You may create them with flannel on both sides or with flannel on the inside and cotton on the outside. They may be "scrappy quilted" on the outside. Mini-blanket (and larger blanket) corners may be squared or rounded, per seamstress preference. The sizing is provided in ranges to allow maximum flexibility for our volunteers.
Most hospitals request both sizes of mini-blankets. It is easiest for us to match you with a hospital request if you are sewing both small mini-blankets and large mini-blankets.
You can find out more about the stockinette hats that we include with these blankets by visiting this link.
(For more information regarding LARGER blankets that may be included in sets along with diapers for babies 18-32 weeks, please visit this link.)
For more information about participating in our project, please visit this link. The link describes in great detail the way our project works for the distribution of Teeny Tears diapers, per the terms of use of our diaper patterns. However, we handle the distribution of mini-blankets with hats to our participating hospitals through the same effective methods.
Mini Blanket Tutorial
We have made blankets out of two different combos: cotton and flannel or flannel and flannel. We would recommend you stay away from fleece since it is known to stick to the delicate skin of the baby. All measurements in tutorial reflect a 1/4" seam allowance so your patterns/measurements should always have 1/2" added. For example: to make an 12" x 12" blanket you will cut your squares 12.5" x 12.5".
Materials you will need: Coordinating Flannel and Cotton, Iron, Sharp Fabric Scissors, Marker or pen & patterns if you have them. Make sure all creases and wrinkles are ironed out of your fabric for the best results.
I start by cutting of the selvedge edge that often has the designer, company name, etc. on it. Iron it out and turn it right sides together.
Once the fabric is folded right sides together I use a pattern I created out of cardboard. I lay it on the fabric and trace with a marker. Once it is traced you will cut out the blanket. I recommend cutting the blanket from cut edge to folded edge. This way you will end up with pieces that could possibly turn into diapers.
Here is an example of a rounded corner 12” x 12” blanket. I liked the rounded edges for many reasons, but they are really easy to sew since you are not stopping, turning and starting again at every corner. It is totally your preference what you do.
Now you do the exact same steps with the coordinating fabric. In this example it was a solid pink flannel.
Then you match up the two sides right sides together.
Time to start sewing! I use a 1/4” seam allowance and start in the middle of one side of the blanket. I sew around the entire blanket, leaving about a 2” opening to flip the blanket through.
Trim the edge half the distance between the raw edge and stitching. About an 1/8” from the stitching. Remember to not trim across the opening.
Turn the blanket inside out and press with an iron. Tuck the opening inside the blanket.
Top stitch the blanket edge for a finished look and to close the hole. Then you are done!
Mini Blanket Folding Tutorial
The majority of mini blankets are folded and packaged with two matching no-sew stockinette hats. If you do not have hats please reach out to our HQ team to receive hats to pair with your donation. When sending to hospitals or headquarters, it is preferred that the blankets are bagged with the hats and a distribution card to keep the set all together. Any bag will work as long as it is closed by a zip or a tie/ribbon.
Mini Blanket Folding PDF Tutorial Link: Sleeping Bag Fold
