Make a bandanna picnic blanket! So easy and quick and perfect for picnics, the beach, or keeping cozy on a cold day! To simplify it even more, tie the blanket instead of quilting it! This is a great sewing project for beginners. 
As the kids get older and our schedules get more and more hectic, spending time as a family in the evenings is something that we cherish. Sometimes we eat dinner around the table, sometimes we gather in front of the TV to watch an episode of a show together, sometimes we eat on the go, and sometimes I pick up dinner and we head to the park for a picnic. That is always a favorite for the kids. It is especially a great option if we are all in town running errands. We'll sometimes grab a pizza and stop to eat before we head home.
More easy blankets and quilt projects you'll want to check out:
For 60 more sewing projects, check out my sewing book for kids!
Don't worry, if you don't know how to quilt or don't feel like attempting it this time I have another easy option for finishing your bandanna picnic blanket!
Bandanna Picnic Blanket Tutorial
I'm not a master quilter, in fact, I'm self taught. Or Pinterest taught? 😉 Those who have been quilting for decades would probably cringe on how I make my quilts, but that's ok. They come together fairly quickly and I think I do ok with my little sewing machine instead of investing in a fancy quilting machine.
- For beginners: If you don't want to tackle a quilt, just sew your bandannas together and press the back seams open. You have an instant picnic tablecloth or light blanket to use on the grass! This takes about an hour.
- For those a bit more adventurous: Grab 5 yards of fabric or a queen size sheet, OR sew more bandannas together to create a backing for your quilt! Sandwich batting in between, add a few quilting lines, and bind the edges. I'll show you how! Since you are using 22" bandannas for your quilt top you don't have to cut or measure squares. This cuts out so much time and makes this a project that you can complete in a day. Mine was finished in 3 ½ hours. If you tie your quilt instead of quilting it you can finish it in about 2 hours.
Supplies for a 16 bandanna picnic blanket:
Fabric for quilt backing (about 5 yards)
1 yard coordinating fabric for quilt binding
pins
How to make a Bandanna Picnic Blanket
Step 1. Iron each bandanna open so that all of the folds are smooth.
Step 4. Sew all 4 rows together. Iron seams open.
Step 5. Cut out a piece of batting the same size as your quilt top.
Step 6. Cut out a piece of fabric/sheet, slightly larger than your quilt top for the backing. If you use 5 yards of fabric for the backing, you will need to cut it in to 2 (2 ½ yard) sections and sew a seam up the center to create a backing wide enough, and it will still be tight. Finding an inexpensive queen sized sheet would be a great solution. If you use a queen size sheet it will be wide enough to not have to sew a center seam.
Step 8. Quilting can be as easy or complicated as you want it to be. If you don't want to quilt at all, you can tie your quilt with small knots of yarn in the center and corner of each square. This would take about 30 minutes. You can find a great tutorial for how to do that here.
To quilt your squares: I use my sewing machine and my a walking foot attachment that feeds the fabric into the machine evenly. I also keep to simple quilt designs.
The more quilting your quilt has, the flatter it will be, but it also takes time to free motion quilt a quilt this size or to quilt any sort of pattern. I just wanted something to keep the batting secure, so quick and easy was the route I picked.
Almost done!
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Jeannie Thouvenin Turner says
Love this quilt I’m definitely going to do this. Thank you so much for the beautiful work and effort for your time.
Brandy says
Thank you Jeannie!
Ellen says
Several years ago I made window treatments out of bandanas, so this is right up my alley!
Christine says
I love the colors you used. A modern day version of a timeless blanket. Great job!
Bright says
I love it. Its going on my to do list. Great project for teaching my girls to use the sewing machine. All straight lines!
Brandy says
Yes! My favorite kind of sewing projects!
Susan says
I bought a bunch of bandanas at Dollar Store but when I layer them out I found they are not all same size ?..
Brandy says
How frustrating! I'm so sorry, Susan! Is there any way to trim some of them?
Susan says
I am going to try to stretch a bit and if that does not work I will try trimming.
gerri nathanson-cook says
love the quilt. I used a heavy plastic table cloth to back it just in case the ground is a little damp and it does make clean up easier.
Debbie Blalock says
Good idea Gerri Mathanson-Cook.
createwithjoy says
Love your beautiful quilt Brandy - thanks for sharing it with us at Create With Joy - congrats - you're one of our Featured Guests at our Inspire Me Monday Party #229 this week! 🙂
Brandy says
Yay! Thank you!
Navy Wifey Peters @ USS Crafty says
Such a cute quilt! I have so many bananas, and I had no idea what to do with them until now! Thanks for sharing at the Submarine Sunday Link Party!
Estelle @ Petit Bout de Chou says
I love the idea and the colours work so well together. Thanks for sharing.
Marigene says
I love the quilt...I don't sew, but have a sister that does!
Let me tell you, those 5 years may sound like a long time, but they will fly by...enjoy those children while you can, once they leave the nest, it is just different.
Have a great week.
Sheila Jones says
Do you have a printable version of the directions?
JESS44903 says
OH my gosh. I love this! The colors are perfect together! 🙂
I would love for you to share this with my Recipes, Crafts, Tips and Tricks Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Lauren says
Love your quilt! I will have to make one! My twins will go to college in five years. It makes me sad to think about it, too!
wyominggirlcoastiewife ~ Client says
I love this!!! It's so awesome that you make your own quilts--this one is so bright and fun and the perfect thing for a pizza park dinner!