picnic blanket - what do you think?

**perSue** · 03-02-2008, 01:33 PM

ok, so i dont have much, ok any, expendable dollars.

BUT i want to make a picnic blanket (as a father's day gift) for dh & go out for a picnic and make a day of it.

i was wondering what about making one using a shower curtain liner as the bottom and whatever fabric i want on top?

but if i wanted one i COULD put through the wash (and maybe dryer), what other ideas do you have for making one?

tia

**wanderinggrandma** · 03-02-2008, 04:28 PM

How about a couple of sheets? Or recycle jeans and flannel shirts?

**quiltergirl2** · 03-02-2008, 04:42 PM

Ours is a jean quilt. I made it when we were really poor and I needed "busy work." I have made many more since then. I back them with an inexpensive acrylic (not thermal) blanket. I used to get the blankets for $5 at K-Mart but I imagine like everything else they have gone up. They wash very nicely and of course are almost indestructable. We keep ours in the trunk of the car so we always have it and it could double as an emergency blanket if necessary. You could maybe put out a call to friends, relatives, church people, etc. for old blue jeans if you don't have enough.

I think you have a great idea for father's day gift by the way.

**ravenmaniac** · 03-02-2008, 05:52 PM

I've never made a quilt before but I love your idea. It will be a beautiful gift. How about just laying down a shower liner then the picnic blanket? That way you can wash your blanket without having to worry about the liner being attached.

**Marie78** · 03-02-2008, 06:06 PM

What about a table cloth (a vinyl one) one that you can wipe clean? I have seen checked ones before that might be manly enough for father's day and not to expensive. I was also thinking a throw blanket would work (you could probably even find a $10 one on sale online or in the stores).

**perSue** · 03-02-2008, 09:31 PM

wow great ideas!

i need to collect a bunch of fabric and see what i've got.

honestly i really like the jeans idea... quiltergirl2 - can you give me an idea how you turned jeans into a blanket??

thanks

i was thinking of using oilcloth, like what you, Marie78, are talking about... but it's SO expensive (so is fleece!!), so I've gotta budget for this.

I can't wait!

I'm really excited to get started.

thanks again everyone!

**quiltergirl2** · 03-03-2008, 08:20 AM

I have more information -- too much to post here. It's actually a "tip sheet" I put together years ago. I will pm you tomorrow when dh goes back to work and I have time to figure out the best way to get the info. to you.

**Lady_V** · 03-03-2008, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by quiltergirl2

I have more information -- too much to post here. It's actually a "tip sheet" I put together years ago.

There is no such thing as too much info

Could you make a separate post with the tip sheet? Maybe Sara can pin it

**zakity** · 03-03-2008, 11:55 PM

You can just cut the jeans into squares and sew them with a longer seam allowance. Sew all the seam on one side. Then, you go through and snip the seams and when you wash it a few times they fray and look cute.

**zakity** · 03-03-2008, 11:55 PM

You can just cut the jeans into squares and sew them with a longer seam allowance. Sew all the seam on one side. Then, you go through and snip the seams and when you wash it a few times they fray and look cute.

**quiltergirl2** · 03-04-2008, 10:30 AM

I found an easy way to get the shorter version of the article back online. It's a tip sheet with bulleted points.

If anyone is interested you can see it here.
http://geniebird1.bravehost.com/

I'm not sure how long I will leave it there, but it should stay for at least a few weeks.