Tips for Making a Blanket


​When your blanket is completed, please look at it! Make sure this is a blanket you would be happy to give to a loved one.  Also, while the sentiment is appreciated, we ask that you do not donate store bought blankets as we are unable to distribute them.  Our standards are high as required by UPMC facilities.



​All blankets should be laundered, after completed, in scent free laundry products.

General

  • DO make blankets from NEW, CLEAN, WASHABLE materials in infant, child or teen friendly colors. Remember these blankets are meant to be colorful, cheerful and cuddly.
  • DO when complete, wash using only “free and clear” laundry products. If leaving blankets at a drop-off site, please indicate your blankets have been washed according to specifications.
  • DO each time you donate blankets, please provide your name and address, phone number and email address so that we may acknowledge your donation.
  • ​DON’T add fringe on blankets; it is a choking hazard.
  • DON’T make your blankets out of tapestry, burlap, upholstery fabric, 70’s type double knit, felt, vinyl, or wool.  These are not washable nor practical material for a blanket.
  • DON’T attach buttons or decorative items to a blanket. They can be a choking hazard.
  • DON’T use thick fabric paint on the surface of your blanket. Use ONLY permanent fabric markers made specifically for fabric when coloring on muslin.
  • DON’T use fabric that has been stored in a damp area and has a musty smell. The mold spores can cause an allergic reaction in a child and are very difficult to remove from the fabric.

Crochet/Knit

  • DO use light colors on blankets for preemies and small babies.
  • DO weave all yarn ends on blankets
  • DO make blankets with acrylic yarn.
  • DON’T make your blankets out of chunky blanket yarn.  The blankets become too heavy for children and the stitches are not tight enough to prevent little fingers and toes, or IV tubing, from getting caught.
  • DON’T make lacey patterns that produces large open holes for little hands, feet or hospital equipment to get caught. This includes “granny square” patterns.
  • DON’T use yarns with metallic threads.

Quilting

  • DO Check and RECHECK your blanket carefully for straight pins.  They pose a huge hazard to blanket recipients.  We suggest using quilting pins with large heads so they are easily found and removed from the blankets.   
  • DO secure batting into outer seams and if the blanket is tied, please anchor it every 4-6 inches, cutting ties to 1 inch or less in length.
  • DO make blankets from cotton fabric, flannel, fleece.
  • DO consider colors together and size relative to finished quilt when choosing fabric combinations. Babyish prints and colors should be made in sizes appropriate for infants and young children. Blankets for elementary age children should be larger size and in colors and style appealing to their age. Blankets for teenagers should be still larger and in fabric designs, color and style attractive to older children, no babyish designs.
  • DO attach quilt layers, either by machine sticking or with hand tied knots. 
  • DON’T use heavy yarn for knots as they become hard when washed.
  • DON’T when securing quilts by tying, please use floss, not yarn or thread, and tie using a square knot.
  • DON’T make flannel rag quilts.  The loose fibers, even after laundering, pose a choking hazard.

Fleece

  • DO only SINGLE layer fleece blankets.  We have very few recipient locations that can use double-layer fleece. See instructions  for single layer blanket directions on the Instructions & Resources for Blankets page under the tab titled "~No-Sew Fleece~".
  • DO remove selvage before the blanket is tabbed. 
  • DO hem (fold the edge over) when crocheting the first row. 
  • DO use acrylic yarn when making the border.
  • DON’T make knotted edges.  Area facilities prefer blankets that are not knotted as knots are comfort/safety issue. 
  • DON’T make borders with more than three rows.  When too many rounds are added to a fleece blanket it makes the edge too heavy
The children and their families are deeply appreciative of your donation of time and talent!