SINGER PROJECTS Stadium Blanket, Cushion & Tote Stay warm at those fall outdoor events! This versatile tote not only serves as a convenient carrier for your stadium blanket, but it s your seat cushion as well! One side contains the foam cushion, and the other side has a pocket for a stadium blanket. Two layers of fleece are used for the blanket to provide extra warmth, and the fringed ends add an extra bit of fun. PROJECT SKILL LEVEL:
Shopping List Everything you need to complete this project in one place. Use this convenient checklist to ensure you have all required materials in your sewing room, or take it with you when you shop for supplies. For Blanket: o 3⅓ yards (3.1 meters) fleece o All-purpose sewing thread o Rotary cutter and mat o Clear ruler, at least 18 long o Fabric marking pencil For Seat Cushion & Tote: o 1¼ yards (1.15 meters) fleece o All-purpose sewing thread o Two packages of 1 (25mm) wide webbing o One package of ⅜ (1cm) wide elastic o One package of ⅝ (1.6cm) wide hook-and-loop tape o 18 (46cm) square 2 (50mm) thick foam cushion o Fabric marking pencil o Large safety pin
Sewing Directions Note: All seam allowances are ½ unless stated otherwise. Directions for Blanket: 1. Cut two pieces of fleece, each measuring 50 (127cm) wide x 60 (153cm) long. Make sure the 50 (127cm) is across the greatest degree of stretch and the 60 (153cm) is along the lengthwise grain of the fleece. 2. Pin the fleece pieces together with right sides facing, then stitch along the two 60 (153cm) edges. Tip: If unsure which is the right or wrong side of the fleece, gently pull along the cut edge with the most stretch and it will roll to the wrong side. 3. Turn the whole piece right side out so it looks a bit like a big tube. Topstitch along both seamed edges, about ½ from the edge.
4. Mark a line across the fleece 5½ (14cm) from the cut edge on each open end of the blanket. Mark lines here 5. Stitch on the marked lines. 6. Using a ruler, rotary cutter and cutting mat, cut 1 (25mm) wide fringe 5 long across each end of the blanket to complete the blanket. Cut fringe in these areas
Directions for Seat Cushion and Tote: Cut from Fleece: NOTE: Greatest degree of stretch is along 20" (50.8cm) side One 20" x 40" (50.8cm x 101.6) piece (outside piece) One 20" x 21" (50.8cm x 53.4cm) piece (cushion pocket piece) One 20" x 19" (50.8cm x 48.3cm) piece (blanket pocket piece) Cut from Elastic: One 18" (45.7cm) piece One 8" (20.3cm) piece Cut from Hook-and-Loop Tape: Two 4" (10.2cm) pieces from hook side Two 5" pieces from loop side Cut from Webbing: Seam short ends together forming one long piece, then cut to create one webbing piece measuring 103" (261.6cm) in length Cut from Foam Cushion: Trim Cushion to measure 16" (40.6cm) square TIP: To cut foam cushion, first mark cutting lines on the cushion with a felt tip marker and ruler. Use a serrated or electric knife to easily cut the foam on the marked lines. 7. With right sides facing, place the webbing ends together and stitch. Finger press the seam open. 8. Place the wrong side of the webbing handle piece onto the right side of the outside fleece, as shown in the illustration below. Pin the webbing in place. TIP: When placing webbing on the fleece, take care to position the seams of the webbing where they will be stitched down on the fleece and NOT be positioned where the open, unstitched area of the handles are on the piece. (8.9cm) (8.9cm) (8.9cm) (8.9cm)
9. Stitch the handles in place along both edges and across the webbing, stopping 3½ (8.9cm) from the edge of the fabric as shown by the X s in the illustration (see diagram in previous step), leaving handles free. 10. To reinforce the handles, stitch an X at the top edge of the stitching as shown in the diagram shown in Step 8. 11. Fold down 1 (25mm) along one 20 (50.8cm) edge of the cushion pocket piece and pin. Stitch ¼ (7mm) from the cut edge to form a casing. Backstitch at the beginning and end of the stitching to secure the stitching.
12. Mark lines on the fleece as shown in the illustration below. Attach a large safety pin to one end of the 8 (20.3cm) elastic piece and insert it into the casing. Use a pin to secure the end of the elastic (without the safety pin attached) close to the marking. This will prevent the elastic from traveling too far into the casing. 13. Secure the ends of the elastic in the casing by stitching on the marked lines. Remove the safety pin. 14. Place a 4 (10.2cm) piece of hook-and-loop tape (hook side) on each side of the casing with elastic. Stitch securely in place.
15. Fold down 1 (25mm) along one 20 (50.8cm) edge of the remaining fleece piece. Stitch ¼ (7mm) from the cut edge to form a casing. 16. Attach a safety pin to one end of the 18 (45.7cm) piece of elastic and insert it into the casing. Secure both ends of the elastic in the casing. 17. Place two 5 pieces of hook-and-loop tape (loop side) onto the WRONG side of the fleece piece with handles, as shown below. Stitch securely in place. (48.3cm) (25mm) (25mm) Wrong side of fabric
18. With right sides together and matching raw edges, place the pockets onto the outside piece with the handles, making sure the pocket with the hook-and-loop tape and elastic is positioned on the same side of the outside piece that has the loop side of the hook-and-loop pieces attached. Stitch each pocket in place along the three raw edges, keeping the handles free. 19. Turn the pockets right side out. Topstitch ¼ (7mm) from the seamed edges, keeping the handles free. 20. Insert the foam into the pocket with the elastic AND hook-and-loop tape at the top edge. Fasten the hook-and-loop tape sections together to hold the foam cushion securely in place. 21. The stadium blanket can be folded up and placed in the remaining pocket when not in use.