Sewing: Minky Ultimate Couch Blanket (How-to)

I didn't get to much on my handmade list for Christmas this year, but I did make a blanket for my husband. He's a bit tough to buy for so I was excited and relieved to come up with this idea for him: the ultimate couch blanket. 

I know it looks simply like a beautiful, plush, minky blanket in a generous size (72" long and about 60" wide), and it is! But there is more...

It has a large pocket on one side for tucking your feet! Is it just me or is this what everyone needs? Don't you hate the awkward flapping of the blanket as you try to tuck it under your feet while lounging on the couch? I thought the pocket was the answer.  My girls agreed. Of course it is more like a sleeping bag pouch for their size--maybe a gift idea for them next year.

I didn't do a tutorial for this but I will explain how I made it so you can make one too.

To start, make a double sided minky blanket (I recommend 72"x60") and bind it according to your preference. I did a self binding (see tutorials here and here) with the Cuddle Shag minky (I bought this brown and cream shag locally but here is some online) so it forms a nice border around the edge of the patterned minky (Mar Bella Minky Valencia in Marina Blue). This seemed the easiest option since I didn't want to use a satin binding.

Once you have your blanket, measure the width inside the binding and create a pocket panel that same width and about 27" high. Do this by sewing two pieces of minky right sides together, leaving a space for turning, and turning it right side out so all four edges are seamed. I used the eyelash minky for the side that shows and a brown dimpled minky for the "wrong" side, the side inside the pocket.

Sew this pocket panel to your blanket by stitching very close to the seamed edge along the sides and bottom of the blanket. I used a zigzag stitch, which practically disappears in the nap of the minky. The top edge will be open forming the pocket.

To keep this oversized pocket from flapping open and hanging off the blanket I stitched along the design on the printed side (I outlined two of these medallion shapes) catching the center of the top of the pocket.

It is just enough to hold it closed and because the stitching follows the design it isn't distracting at all. In fact, it's pretty impossible to see. (You could stitch down the middle of the pocket, essentially forming two pockets, but I didn't think I'd like the look of the stitching line.)

That's it. Pretty simple but oh so luxurious! And another great reason to get the kids to bed and sit and relax a bit--without drafty toes.