Adding a touch of luxe is #8 on Miles Redd's decorating 'musts' list in the latest issue of Domino magazine. If you can use scissors, pin and stitch straight lines, you can handily make your own faux mink (or cincilla... or whatever other kind of faux animal fur there is) cozy blanket for a cold winter's night. Be sure to be discriminating about your faux. It should feel really luxurious, soft and heavy. Don't be tempted by the scrubby Halloween costume faux fur. Jump below for a step-by-step guide:
Tools and materials:
- 2 yards of plush faux fur - I couldn't find that deep chocolate brown mink look, so I settled on this shiny, thick soft gray (I don't know what kind of animal) look.
- 2 yards of soft lining fabric-same width and same length
- Straight pins
- Sewing machine
- Pretty ribbon for gift giving
Step by Step:
- Make sure your faux fur and lining are the exact same size
- Place fur on the floor or large cutting surface, right side up
- Place lining on top of fur, right side to right side, line edges up, cut to fit, if necessary
- Pin lining to faux fur with pins perpendicular to the raw edges
- To keep the fur and lining from slipping, add pins every 8 inches down the middle of the pieces
- Leave a 16" wide opening at the bottom of the throw that you will not stitch closed. You wil use this to turn the throw right side out
- Beginning on one side of the opening, stitch both pieces together with a 1/2" seam allowance. Remember to backstitch at the beginning and end of your stitching to secure the seams
- When finished, remove pins, and clip all corners at a diagonal for clean corners
- Turn throw right side out and using a pointy tool, push the corners all the way out
- At the bottom opening, fold raw edges under 1/2" and machine stitch closed or hand stitch the opening closed. If the fur is caught in the stitching, use a pin and pull the fur ends out from under the stitching
- If the lining and the faux fur slip around, take a few decorative stitches at measured distances to act as tufts holding the two fabric pieces together. You could do this with your sewing machine or with embroidery floss or yarn.
- Place that warm faux animal fur at the end of your bed for a cold winter's nap.
If you have a quiet weekend, plan on making a couple of these for the very special people in your life. They'll think of you often this winter.
For more sewing and no-sew projects check this out: DIY Inspiration from Etsy