Toddler Blanket Topper to Comfy Couch Afghan

Toddler Blanket Topper to Comfy Couch Afghan

A while back Mich in the Fabriculous Fabric Facebook group posted a diagram showing how she took the toddler topper that Fabriculous Custom Fabrics sells and turned it into a child sized blanket. I loved that idea and, at the time, wanted a cozy afghan for our couch. I kept an eye on their monthly preorders and jumped at the end of July when they included an adorable coffee themed topper.

I’m not able to share the specific Facebook post about altering your toddler topper to make a child blanket but if you join the Fabriculous Custom Fabric group you can search for the post that starts with “***Toddler Topper to Child Blanket Hack ***” to find the original post and subsequent questions and answers.

Take a simple toddler blanket topper and easily turn it into a larger kid blanket... or a comfy afghan for couch. So easy that the hardest part is not letting your family steal it.

Overview (tl;dr)

  1. Cut the blanket topper in half separating the top and back sides. Trim the excess white fabric from either side.
  2. If you want to confirm sizing measure both the top and back.
  3. Set aside the top.
  4. Cut the back into four strips
  5. The first two strips will be cut skinnier. Both the Fabriculous post and I made them four inches wide.
  6. Then cut the remaining backer in half. The Fabriculous tutorial had these set to 10 inches across but since these strips are going to be added to the blanket after the skinny strips it doesn’t matter how wide they are so I just cut the remaining backer in half.
  7. Clip and sew your two skinny strips to either side of the blanket topper (along the tall side).
  8. Clip and sew your two wide strips (along their side) to the top and bottom of the blanket (perpendicular to the last seams).
  9. You’re done. I left it at that but you could continue by backing the blanket to hide the seams or add binding along the sides. This fabric was so fluffy and cozy that I left it as is without the seams bugging me.

Planning and Prepping

I may have started by overthinking the concept of the blanket and went over the calculations in my sketchpad before starting. Since this was taking, essentially, a blanket topper and bottom and making it into a single layer I knew the seams would be exposed on the back of the blanket.

Even though I wasn’t too worried about the comfort of the seams, I debated whether I should attempt to hide them so started thinking about doing a flat fell seam (I looked up a list of seam finishes on Sew Mama Sew) but was worried it would waste too much fabric and make my blanket too small or maybe the fabric type would result in a seam too large my sewing machine. I then thought about making an edge to edge seam (abutted seam) by having both fabric pieces touching without overlapping and then sewing them together with a zigzag stitch. I found an example to show what I was thinking of on Whafi.com: How to sew an Abutted Seam. I wasn’t sure if the loss of seam allowance on the blanket would affect the measurements but was still going to go ahead with an abutted seam to maximum the size of blanket and thus coziness before realizing I didn’t have an edge joining (or stitch in the ditch) foot for my sewing machine. I instead ended up going with a small seam allowance  and used a stretch zigzag stitch to join my fabric together.

When I decided to start on the blanket I started by re-sketching the diagram Fabriculous had and then going over it, my couch dimensions (to make sure it would be wide enough), and seam types in my sketchbook as I was worried it wouldn't turn out.
When I decided to start on the blanket I started by re-sketching the diagram Fabriculous had and then going over it, my couch dimensions (overboard but to see if it would cover the cushion and by how much), and seam types in my sketchbook as I was worried it wouldn’t turn out.

Calculations and Cutting

After I prewashed my fabric and decided I was ready to cut into such luxuriousness I started by cutting down the center of the fabric to separate the blanket topper from the back. The topper is going to become the center of my blanket and the coffee beans backer will frame it. At first I was going to leave the white edging on the two outer sides of my fabric and have it disappear into the seam allowance but was worried it would show on the front of my finished blanket so I didn’t take the chance and later trimmed it too.

The first actual step involving cutting the fabric was seperating the blanket top from the bottom my cutting along the center.
The first actual step involving cutting the fabric was separating the blanket top from the bottom my cutting along the center.
Either end of the fabric also had extra white fabric that I at first left on but further down the line I cut off. At first I was going to leave it on and cut after sewing that piece on but I didn't want the white to show on the top of the finished blanket.
Either end of the fabric also had extra white fabric that I at first left on but further down the line I cut off. At first I was going to leave it on and cut after sewing that piece on but I didn’t want the white to show on the top of the finished blanket.

The next step is to cut the blanket backer into your four stripes. The two smaller strips are going to be sewn to the sides of the blanket topper first and then you’re going to be adding the two wider strips, on their side, to the top and bottom essentially creating a frame around your blanket topper. The smaller strips are the most important to get right.

Right before I started cutting my fabric I decided to measure the blanket topper and backer to check against the diagram from Fabriculous. I was pleasantly surprised to find mine was about an inch taller and about two inches wider than the diagram but after re-calculating based on the new measurements I still cut my first strips to four inches wide. In case you also wanted to do your own calculations this is what I did:

Skinny strip width = ( height of blanket topper – blanket topper width ) / how much side edging you want included
= ( 37 – 30 ) / 2
= 7 / 2
= 3.5 plus the seam allowance

After coming to my calculation and realizing I needed to include a seam allowance I decided it was okay to round up to four inches. Additionally, I knew I could stretch the wider (top and bottom) strips if needed while clipping them onto the blanket if the skinny strips were too wide.

The wider (top and bottom) strips are easier to calculate since it’s their height that matters the most which is already set for you. I took the remaining blanket bottom, after cutting the skinny strips, and cut it in half. I think mine ended up being a bit larger than the 10 inches which I was fine with. Of course since the width of your strips don’t matter as much you could always cut it off-center if you want one end of the blanket to have a wider frame than the other end. Depending what fabric you use for your blanket the design of the backer may factor more into your decision if there are images you want to refrain from cutting. Just remember you’ll be losing some of your image into the seam allowance too.

My ongoing calculations to determine if the slightly different sizing should alter the four strips I cut. I then realized that it still became 4 and 10 inches and I shouldn't have questioned the calculations.
My ongoing calculations to determine if the slightly different sizing should alter the four strips I cut. I then realized that it still became 4 and 10 inches and I shouldn’t have questioned the calculations.

When cutting my fabric I lined up the edges making sure it was perpendicular to the fold line and then trimmed any overhang since the fabric might’ve gotten distorted while washing it. I tried to keep this cut piece as small as possible to not lose too much of my blanket. I then measured and cut two four inch wide stripes. These were the two strips that mattered as they go on the sides of the quilt before you sew the top and bottom on. If these are too wide then you won’t have a wide enough strip to attach to the top and bottom. If you cut them too skinny then the top and bottom will be too long and you’ll have to trim the new strips (and lose some size to the finished blanket).

I started by folding my backer in half to better fit on my cutting mat. After squaring and trimming the edge I then used my acrylic ruler and set it up four inches in from the edge so I could easily cut my strip. I did this one more time to get my second strip.
I started by folding my backer in half to better fit on my cutting mat. After squaring and trimming the edge I then used my acrylic ruler and set it up four inches in from the edge so I could easily cut my strip. I did this one more time to get my second strip.

After cutting the four inch wide sides I had to cut the top and bottom of the blanket. Since these strips are going in sideways it doesn’t matter how wide they are. I took my remaining ‘blanket backer’ and cut it down the center making two equal sized strips.

With the remaining blanket backer I checked how wide it was to find the center before cutting it in half with my rotary cutter.
With the remaining blanket backer I checked how wide it was to find the center before cutting it in half with my rotary cutter.

And my cutting was done.


Sewing Your Blanket

For sewing you take your two skinny (4″) strips and clip them along the long side of the blanket topper right sides together. I found when clipping it was easiest to the start with the corners, then center, and then fill in the between spaces with clips. After both sides were clipped I sewed along the edges with a zigzag stretch stitch.

Then take your two skinny (4") strips and clip or pin them right sides together along the long side of the blanket topper.
Then take your two skinny (4″) strips and clip or pin them right sides together along the long side of the blanket topper.
After sewing them on you have the topper edged with the backing fabric on the left and right side.
After sewing them on you have the topper edged with the backing fabric on the left and right side.

I then took the wider strips and turned them so their long side can be clipped to either end of the blanket. Again I started at the corners, center, and then the empty spaces in between. I also made sure to clip the seam allowance down to help keep it pointed the right way while sewing.

With the sides done it's now time to clip the top and bottom on.
And your blanket is essentially finished and fully framed by the backer.
And your blanket is essentially finished and fully framed by the backer.

And you’re done. I left the blanket as is but if you’re worried about the exposed seams you could add a backer to your blanket.

I left my seams exposed and the fabric is so soft that it doesn't matter. I sewed the skinny strips on with my regular sewing machine (zigzag stitch) and foot then remembered to switch to a walking foot when I added the wide seams. If you have a serger or working stretch twin needles on your sewing machine I could see topstitching your seam down after each section.
I left my seams exposed and the fabric is so soft that it doesn’t matter. I sewed the skinny strips on with my regular sewing machine (zigzag stitch) and foot then remembered to switch to a walking foot when I added the wide seams. If you have a serger or working stretch twin needles on your sewing machine I could see topstitching your seam down after each section.

There’s also the option to add some type of binding along the edge but I didn’t want to take away from the coffee beans. This fabric was so fluffy and cozy that I left it with the exposed seams and all.


Clipping The Edges

I wanted to include how I’ve started clipping my edge. If you have a better method feel free to post yours in the comment below. I’d love to hear about it.

For knits in particular I’ve found it easiest to start by clip at the corners, then if you have a large space the center, and finally clip the in between spaces while stretching it a bit to make sure it fits. I go a step further and decide ahead of time which corner I will start sewing from and clip that corner differently. I use two clips and put both a bit further away from the corner so I can start sewing without my clips getting in the way of my machine’s foot and yet still keeping my fabric lined up.

For the starting corner I leave the corner itself bare so I can easily get it under my sewing machine foot. I clip close to the corner (just outside the range of the foot) and around the corner (beside the foot) to make sure the two fabrics stay lined up well until I can get my needle in.
For the starting corner I leave the corner itself bare so I can easily get it under my sewing machine foot. I clip close to the corner (just outside the range of the foot) and around the corner (beside the foot) to make sure the two fabrics stay lined up well until I can get my needle in.

On the other corner I clip the two layers together perpendicular to the seam line. In the picture below I’d be sewing along the bottom from the right side and end at the clip. This way I can hold onto the clip to keep the fabric lined up easily when I approach the end and have that little bit of extra security before having to remove the clip to finish the last stitches.

For the ending corner/edge I clip it right at the edge so when the sewing machine is stitching close to the end I can hold the clip and keep the edge lined up until I finally have to release it.
For the ending corner/edge I clip it right at the edge so when the sewing machine is stitching close to the end I can hold the clip and keep the edge lined up until I finally have to release it.

After clipping the two corners I lined up the rest of the two layers of fabric, find the center-ish to clip, and then start adding clips along the space.

Once either corner is pinned you can slightly stretch it and line up the two fabrics making sure to clip as you go. You can start by lining up the center and then keep halving each space or clip along the edge making sure both fabrics don't get distorted as you go.
Once either corner is pinned you can slightly stretch it and line up the two fabrics making sure to clip as you go. You can start by lining up the center and then keep halving each space or clip along the edge making sure both fabrics don’t get distorted as you go.
Edge is all clipped together and ready to be sewn.
Edge is all clipped together and ready to be sewn.

And then it was all ready to sew. I do this for my garments too.


Finished Afghan Throw

Finished blanket!
Finished blanket!
Laid down on the couch ready for you to sit down to a good book... or your morning coffee.
Laid down on the couch ready for you to sit down to a good book… or your morning coffee.
And already stolen by the four year old who loved the 'jellybeans' until I broke the real name.
And already stolen by the four year old who loved the ‘jellybeans’ until I broke the real name.

I love how I was able to buy a simple toddler blanket from Fabriculous and make it into an amazing-feeling afghan for the couch. I love how vivid and realistic the coffee beans are on the fabric and how perfectly it frames the blanket topper. In the example on the original Facebook post they turned the toddler backer/topper into a big kid blanket so I can definitely see keeping an eye on the preorders in case your child’s favorite ‘thing’ shows up. Perfect if they might need a new blanket… or you can’t resist one for yourself.

How have you finished your blankets? Is there an easier way to hide your seams without having the find a blanket backer that may change the feeling of awesomeness? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below, on my Facebook page, or through Instagram. Have a great day!




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