Make Your Own Picnic Blanket

Summer brings the opportunity to dine out-of-doors, so make your own picnic blanket and hop to it! Now is the time to break out the sewing machine and the cheese and wine! It's easy, it's fun, and it's so very necessary for all of those lazy afternoons on the beach or in your own backyard under the old apple tree.

Picture the atmosphere-shade or sun or both-add a few sandwiches, some wine and cheese and viola! Perfecto! (Imagine the fun you and your special date will have on a beach blanket in the sun or under the boardwalk or on a picnic blanket beneath a shady tree...just the two of you.)

The picnic blanket I've chosen to create is a red, white, and blue Americana blanket-great for the Fourth of July-which matches my picnic basket perfectly and which can be used year round. I made this blanket on my sewing machine for a family reunion that was held in July. But remember, since we are using store-bought bandannas, you need not limit yourself to these particular colors. Quilt patterned picnic blankets will hold up for years-even when used often. Whether romantic dining under the boardwalk is what you had in mind or a tea party in the shade with your children, this type of homemade quilt, created in "patchwork" style, will do the trick.

Needed Materials:

• Sewing machine
• White thread
• Scissors
• Material
• 6 navy blue bandannas
• 6 red bandannas
• 6 white bandannas

Use more or less bandannas, depending on the size you want to make, and use the extras as napkins.

Directions:

• Decide on a pattern
• Lay the bandannas out on the floor in the desired pattern
• Sew one row of bandannas together, set aside (put it back in place on the pattern to prevent confusion)
• Do the same with each consecutive row until all rows are done
• Sew rows together until you have the finished patchwork design
• Set aside
• Cut solid material to fit the size of the patchwork design
• Pin together-right sides facing
• Sew the blanket around the edges with a ½ inch seam allowance. Leave the space of one bandanna (about 12 inches) open and turn the blanket right side out, again)
• Iron the blanket flat (right sides up)
• Using matching or contrasting yarn or several strands of embroidery thread (your choice) tie at intervals around the blanket to hold front and back together and prevent bunching
• Sew the opening closed by hand or using bias tape, and, if desired, sew a stitch--one fourth to one half inch --around the blanket perimeter for a more finished edge

Don't forget the Importance of Vision!
The table cloth, picnic blanket or quilt is just the beginning. Remember to accessorize your table. Visual appeal is very important. After all, you want to rest and relax, therefore, you want your picnic to be as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate. As a final touch, make sure you have a picnic basket big enough to hold all accessories.

ACCESSORIZE:
To complete my picnic ensemble, I purchased eight extra bandannas to use as napkins. Also, I scoured the stores and found plastic plates in a very similar design-in both red and blue-and added matching silverware for a complete table, and a blue plastic tub, just the right size for one or two chilled bottles of "something good" to drink.

HINTS:
This picnic blanket is easy to make and will offer years of enjoyment. Simply pick out the bandanna color you prefer, set the pattern, and get out the sewing machine for the perfect handmade picnic blanket or quilt-or table cloth-and enjoy some of the finest summer dining...under the boardwalk...beneath a tree...or right out in the hot sizzling summer sun! If you have enough material left over, you might want to line your picnic basket with the matching fabric.

• If you do not purchase all of the bandannas at the same store, you may end up with different sizes…check to be sure.
• Prewash bandannas separately before sewing. (Some colors will bleed. I originally purchased yellow, purple, pink, and lime green bandannas at a discount store, two for a buck - every one of them continued to bleed each time they were washed…even after 10 washings! I eventually tossed them and went with the red, white and blue, purchased at a department store for $2 each. To my delight, this batch of bandannas did not bleed. However, don't take a chance, always wash new fabrics beforehand to be sure.)