Post Christmas Christmas Sewing...

Finishing up a Christmas sewing project today... Totally normal right? Haha! Full post to come later, be sure to check back!

Faux Chenille Blanket

It is finally, FINALLY, done!!!


I started this blanket so. so. so. long ago. Whenever I would get frustrated by it whether it be because a pin pricking me one too many times or just being beyond bored, I would just put it off to the side for another day, another week, another month, another season. But the other day I bunkered down and finished it and I am so. so. so. glad that I did! I am madly in love with it!

This is not a tutorial as I used Aesthetic Nest's and MADE's tutorials for making this beautiful blanket. These are just how I did it, and my thoughts about it.

I used a heavyweight cotton from Hancock Fabrics for my top fabric, and four layers of flannel for my bottom layers. The two layers closest to my top actually have really ugly patterns on them but you can't really tell since they are covered and cut. That was one way that I cut the costs.

I did not use glue, or saftey pins (just straight pins). I used a chalk line (out of the boyfriend's tool box) to make my first line. My fabric didn't shift too much but I do wish I had used saftey pins because with so much fabric flapping around its hard to see where they are and not get pricked. I wish I had used the chalk line a few more times to straighten out every so often, since when one line gets out of whack it can lead to all of them being that way. Luckily you can't even really tell now that it is washed, but just a thought.

When I was sewing I was initally not taking my needle out just leaving it down and turning my blanket, but once I started doing it the proper way, I liked how taking the needle out and clipping off the extra thread broke up all that sewing.

I cut using my erganomic spring assisted scissors and I think that they made it easier not to cut through the top fabric than regular scissors. I do wish I put one more layer in and left it uncut, I missed my lowest layer in some sections and I like the look a little better.

The biggest problem I had with it was how to "square it up" (mostly because I was making a rectangle, not a square) once I finished all the sewing. I trimmed the clearly wonky ends with scissors then tried to clean it up with the rotary cutter. I could still tell that it wasn't totally perfect, then I got over it! It was as straight as I was ever going to get it, and who was really ever going to notice? I also rounded the edges because it looked so cute on both of the tutorial blankets, I used a plate as well.

I am not a very patient sewer, but once I looked at Dana's bias tape tutorial over at MADE I knew that I needed to take my time and do it the right, or proper, way as Dana calls it. Which meant going around not once, but twice. But it was totally worth it! I knew I would have messed up if I had done it the sandwhich way. The right way, gave me a little more control over sewing it in a straight line. It came out just as beautiful as I had hoped! 

I am so happy with this blanket. It took me forever and drove me nuts. It is almost maddening to make, but once it comes out of the dryer, you don't remember any of it. It makes it all seem totally worth it. It is so plush, heavy, beautiful, and perfect. I wish I had the patience to make a bigger one that me and my love could snuggle under together, but it will probably never happen. So this one will have to do.

Everyone loves to snuggle this blanket, no matter how many legs you have...

two...

or four ...

I'm not sure if I will ever make another one of these blankets, because it is so time consuming, but if I found the right sale on flannel, I just might be tempted...

Welcome to Blogland

Hello! My name is Leanne, welcome to A LoveLee Mix!

That is me and my boyfriend, Joe, of more than 6 years. I am starting this blog so that I can show you guys all that I craft, sew and create! I have blogged a little before, but after being obsessed with the craft blogland, I decided that I needed to get my own to show others what I make.

I have three fur-babies, Layla: a goldenlabrachow, Dylan: a mostly black lab, and Chloe: the best dressed kitty ever. 

I just started sewing, and have been pretty busy with it. I get super frustrated when something goes wrong, but I still love fixing it and seeing the final product finished. I got my sewing machine Christmas morning in high school and needless to say it came with a large round of tears! But years later I am so happy to have it. I like taking photos and I do a little bit of scrapbooking too. I am super open to trying new things. I love reading other blogs to get ideas of what to make next. I can’t get over how creative everyone out there is! So I will be showing you guys what I make and usually showing which or whose tutorial I used to get there. Sometimes I mix a few ideas to get the idea that is perfect for me. Most of my supplies come from Hancock Fabrics but we just got a Hobby Lobby, so I’m just starting to mix up my routine a little.

I work over nights at a boring but stressful job, so when I get home I either head to the gym or to my craft table! The hardest part about my ride home from the gym isn’t not stopping at the fast food joint, its not stopping at the fabric store!