How To Make A No Sew Fleece Blanket

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Looking for an easy homemade gift idea? Learn how to make a no-sew fleece blanket. I’ve made so many of these over the years, for my kids, my aunt and uncle, and friends, and they’re always a hit. You can create a warm, personalized blanket in about an hour without any sewing skills.

One of my favorite parts is picking the pattern and colors for each person. It’s such an easy way to make a gift feel personal, whether it’s a favorite sports team, a movie they love, or just their favorite color.

These blankets make excellent gifts or cozy additions to your home, and they’re budget-friendly too.

This is one of those projects that looks like it took a lot more effort than it did. There’s no sewing machine, no complicated pattern, and no special skills required, just fabric, scissors, and a little patience for tying the fringe.

Below you’ll find exactly what materials to grab, where to find them affordably, and my tips for cutting and knotting so the edges hold up instead of fraying. I’ve made these for my family and friends over the years, picking colors, patterns, and sizes that fit each person’s style.

It’s simple enough for kids to help with, but the finished blanket still looks polished enough to give as a gift.

Why You’ll Love This No-Sew Fleece Blanket

• No sewing machine needed – All you need is fabric, scissors, and your hands, so this is a great project even if you’ve never sewn a stitch.
• Ready in about an hour – From cutting to tying the last knot, you can go from bare fabric to a finished blanket in one sitting.
• Completely customizable – Pick any two fleece colors or prints you like, so every blanket turns out different. I love picking patterns and colors that match each person’s interests when I’m making one as a gift.
• Perfect for gift-giving – Soft, cozy, and handmade, it’s an easy homemade gift for birthdays, baby showers, or the holidays.

Gather Your Supplies

• Two pieces of fleece fabric in your chosen colors and patterns
• Fabric scissors or a rotary cutter
• A cutting mat (optional but helpful)
• Pins with large heads
• A ruler

What Kind Of Fleece To Use

My favorite is anti-pill fleece because it’s so soft. Since it’s anti-pill, it doesn’t get those little fuzz balls on it over time. It’s thick enough to make a warm blanket, but still thin enough to tie the layers together easily.

Blizzard fleece is another good option. It’s usually cheaper than anti-pill fleece and comes in a lot of fun prints and colors. Just keep in mind that it can start to pill over time as it’s used and washed.

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Blanket Sizes And How Much Fleece You’ll Need

Fleece blanket sizes can vary quite a bit, so here’s a simple breakdown of how much fabric to buy depending on what you’re making.

Keep in mind that tying the fringe pulls a blanket in a bit, so your finished blanket will end up smaller than the fabric you started with.

Size	Fabric per color	Yards	Meters	Cut Size	Finished Size (after tying)
Baby	1 yard	1 yd	0.9 m	36 x 52″	~30 x 46″
Toddler/Kids	1½ yards	1.5 yd	1.4 m	48 x 60″	~40 x 52″
Throw (most common)	2 yards	2 yd	1.8 m	60 x 72″	~50 x 60″
Twin	2 yards	2 yd	1.8 m	60 x 72″	~50 x 60″
Queen/Full	4 yards	4 yd	3.7 m	86 x 90″*	~76 x 78″*
King	4 yards	4 yd	3.7 m	102 x 86″*	~90 x 74″*

*Standard fleece bolts run about 58–60 inches wide, so queen and king sizes need two fabric widths tied or seamed together to reach full width.

How To Join Two Pieces Of Fleece Without Sewing

If you’re making a queen or king size, you’ll need to join two widths of fleece together to get a blanket that wide. The good news is you can do this without a sewing machine, using one of two methods.

Tie the seam like fringe: Cut fringe along the edge of each fleece width, just like you would for the outer edges of the blanket. Sandwich this fringe between your top and bottom layers, then tie it the same way you’d tie the rest of the blanket. This keeps the whole project no-sew and gives you a seam that matches the rest of the edging.

Use iron-on fabric tape: For a flatter, less bulky seam, iron-on fabric tape is a great no-sew option. It fuses the two pieces together with a hot iron instead of fringe and knots, so there’s no bulky tied seam running down the middle of your blanket.

If you’d rather skip the fabric shopping altogether, you can also find premade no-sew fleece blanket kits, usually in 50×60 inches or 72×60 inches, that come with the fabric already cut and ready to fringe and tie.

A couple of tips: buy a little extra beyond the chart above so you have room to trim any crooked edges, and remember the fringe and ties themselves eat up more fabric than you’d think.

How To Make A No Sew Fleece Blanket

Cutting the Fabric

Start by laying out your fleece fabric on a large table or on your clean floor. Fold the fleece in half lengthwise.

Using a tape measure or ruler, measure the length you want for your blanket and, then place pins to mark this length on each side of the fabric.

Lay your ruler across the fabric, lining it up with your pin markings, and cut the fabric to length.

Use a ruler and scissors for a straight cut or a rotary cutter and mat for a quick slice. Just be careful not to cut your fingers!

Repeat this for the second layer of fabric.

Trimming the Edges

Examine the edges of your fabric, these are called selvedge edges. They might have writing or curling, which you’ll want to trim off for a clean look. This step ensures that your blanket won’t have rough, uneven edges.

Align and Pin

Align the fabric with the wrong sides together and pin about five to six inches in from the edge. Use pins with large heads, as smaller ones might get lost in the fleece. This step ensures the layers stay together as you cut the fringe.

Cutting the Fringe

Before cutting, make a square template to cut a corner from each blanket side, to the length you want your fridge to be.

The template should match the length of your fringe, which is typically three to four inches. Pin this template to the corner and cut out the square, then repeat for the other 3 corners.

Start Cutting

Decide how wide your strips should be, about 1 inch to 1 and 1/2 inches is common. Cut the fringe all the way around. They don’t need to be perfect, as tying them into knots will even out the look.

Tying It All Together

With everything cut, it’s time to tie the knots. Take a matching strip from each layer and tie a knot. Just like if you were tying your shoes but without the bow. If you’re worried about them coming undone in the wash, you can make a double knot.

If you prefer, you can also make a balloon knot by t holding both strands together, making a loop, and pulling both through it.

When done, remove all the pins, being very careful that you find them all.

Special Tips for Baby Blankets

For blankets intended for babies or young children, you should sew a seam just inside the fringe to prevent the layers from opening. Anytime you notice the blanket starting to crinkle or bunch up, just smooth it out.

And there you have it, your very own no-sew fleece blanket! It’s a quick and satisfying project that leaves you with a cozy end product. Whether you’re making a blanket for your own use or as a thoughtful gift, it’s sure to be appreciated.

Plus, it’s a wonderful way to explore your creativity with different color and pattern combinations.

Tips For Success

• Use a rotary cutter and mat if you have one. It makes cutting long, straight lines much faster and more accurate than scissors.
• Cut all of your fringe before you start tying. It’s easier to keep your spacing even when you can see the whole edge at once.
• Don’t pull the fleece too tight while tying. Fleece has some stretch to it, and pulling too hard can warp the shape of your blanket.
• Tie a double knot on each strip if the blanket will be washed often. It holds up much better over time than a single knot.
• Work on a large, flat surface like a table or clean floor. It’s much easier to keep your fabric square and even than trying to work on a bed or couch.

Substitutions

• Jersey knit (t-shirt fabric) – Pairs nicely with fleece if you want a lighter blanket, though it won’t be quite as warm.
• Cotton or flannel – These won’t work for this method. They aren’t knit fabrics, so instead of a clean fringe, you’ll end up with a ragged, stringy edge.

Variations

Personalize it – Add a monogram, appliqué, or iron-on patch to the corner before tying the fringe.

Try the braid method instead of knots – Cut narrower ties and braid three strips together instead of tying, for a different look along the edge.

Add a decorative edge – Sew a simple blanket stitch or attach ribbon trim along the fringe line for a more finished look.

Mix patterns and solids – Pair a printed fleece with a solid color instead of using two prints or two solids.

Size it up or down – Use the size chart above to make anything from a baby blanket to a full-size throw.