For this Baby Sew Along pattern, I’m sharing my tips for how to sew with minky fabric along with the pattern for the super simple Cuddle Lovey. I’ve also included a sizing chart so you can pick the right size lovey for your baby blanket project.
This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation (at no added cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links. I’m a Baby Lock Ambassador and this post is part of our ongoing collaboration. All opinions and thoughts are my own. Additional supplies for this project were provided by Clover USA and Shannon Fabrics.
Minky is a super soft and cuddly fabric that makes great loveys and baby blankets. In today’s post I’m going to share tips for how to sew with minky fabric, a baby lovey and blanket sizing chart, and the pattern for the Cuddle Lovey, so read on for details!
This is the sixth pattern in the Baby Sew Along. Are you just hearing about the Baby Sew Along? Get all the details here.
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How To Sew With Minky Fabric
Are you new to sewing with minky fabric? Not to worry! I’m sharing tips for cutting, sewing, and caring for minky fabric to make luxuriously soft baby blankets and loveys, or any minky projects!
First, what is minky fabric?
Minky is an extremely plush polyester fabric that is often used for baby projects such as loveys, blankets, and accessories. Some people also use minky for quilts or for quilt backs. It’s very, very soft and cozy — kind of like fleece — with a raised surface known as the pile. Minky is also very light. Different companies have different names for minky fabric; for example, Shannon Fabrics calls their minky fabrics Cuddle and Luxe Cuddle. (They even have Digital Cuddle with continuous prints.)
How to cut minky fabric
If you’re used to sewing with 100% cotton quilting fabric, you’ll find that minky fabric is quite a bit different to work with, starting with the cutting. You don’t need to pre-wash it as it doesn’t shrink. Rather, as minky is a knit fabric, it can stretch. Mark your fabric before cutting. Use a rotary cutter for regular minky and a craft knife for minky with a higher pile. If you’re cutting shapes, use a pair of fabric shears with a pointy tip.
When you cut minky, it will shed and can make a mess, so use a lint roller or portable vacuum cleaner to clear off your cutting area when you’re done before you start sewing.
If you don’t want to deal with the fuss of cutting, Shannon Fabrics has an entire line of pre-cut minky fabrics. Cuddle Cuts are 2-yard pre-cuts and Cuddle Sweet Strips are bundles of 5 strips cut to 10” long. They also sell a variety of pre-cut quilt kits.
How to sew with minky fabric
Minky is a knit fabric and it can stretch. It can also shift while sewing since it’s so smooth. Be sure to use lots of Wonder Clips or pins to keep it in place — more than you’d use for other fabrics.
Don’t iron your minky! Heat can negatively impact the pile and also melt the polyester. If you need to press out wrinkles, put your iron on a low setting and place a piece of cotton fabric over the top of your minky fabric to protect it.
When you’re ready to sew, set up your sewing machine:
- Use 100% polyester thread for both the top thread and the bobbin.
- Change your presser foot to a walking foot for best results. This will help move this thicker fabric easily through the machine.
- Adjust your stitch length to make it longer. (I set mine to 3.5).
- And, finally, you may find that switching from a universal needle to a stretch, jersey, or ballpoint needle will help you get more even stitches.
- Sew with a 1/2″ (0.5”) seam allowance.
How to care for projects made with minky fabric
Once your project is finished, wash it in cold water on a gentle cycle and tumble dry low for just a few minutes (about ten to fifteen, rather than a full cycle). This will keep your minky project fluffy and prevent heat damage.
Cuddle Lovey
Sewing Project by Underground Crafter
This simple minky blanket makes a super soft project that baby will love! This is the sixth pattern in the Baby Sew Along.
Baby Blanket Sizing Chart
This simple project is made from two pieces of minky fabric. Both the front and the back are the same size. Here’s a sizing chart to help you decide how much minky fabric you need and what size to cut it to. Most minky fabric is 58” to 60” wide; yardage is based on 58” to make sure you have enough for your project.
| Blanket Size | Finished Size (Square) | Size To Cut 2 Equal Squares (Includes Seam Allowance) | Minky Fabric Yardage Needed for 1 Blanket |
| Micro Preemie | 10” – 17” | 11” – 18” | 1/2 yard |
| Small Preemie or Lovey/Comfort Blanket (for 9 months and older) | 18” – 20” | 19” – 21” | 3/4 yard |
| Large Preemie or Car Seat Blanket | 22” – 28” | 23” – 29” | 1 yard |
| Stroller Blanket | 30” – 35” | 31” – 36” | 1-3/4 yard for blankets up to 30” Finished Size;2 yards for blankets 31” – 35” Finished Size |
| Baby Blanket | 32” – 36” | 33” – 37” | 2 yards for blankets up to 35” Finished Size; 2-1/4 yards for blankets 35” – 36” Finished Size |
| Child Blanket | 42” – 48” | 43” – 49” | 2-1/2 yards for blankets up to 44” Finished Size;2-3/4 yards for blankets 45” – 48” Finished Size |
Tools
- Sewing machine such as Baby Lock Jubilant with Walking Foot. (Read my review of the Jubilant here and my Sewing Machine Presser Foot Guide here.)
- 45 mm Rotary Cutter, Acrylic Ruler, and Cutting Mat OR fabric scissors and marking pen.
- Iron and iron-safe surface.
- Clover Mini Wonder Clips or Flower Head Pins.
- Basic sewing supplies (seam ripper, thread snips, etc.).
- Optional: Stretch, jersey, or ballpoint needle
Materials
- 2 squares of minky fabric. See Sizing Chart above. The photographed sample is a Micro Preemie Blanket made with 11” squares of Shannon Fabrics Cuddle Dimple embossed minky fabric in Aqua. You can find Shannon Fabrics at your local fabric or quilt shop, or online at Fat Quarter Shop.
- 100% polyester thread in your choice of color for stitching and bobbin
Instructions
Prepare Fabric
- Cut fabric into 2 squares for your size of blanket based on the sizing chart and following the tips for how to cut minky fabric above.
- Place right sides (embossed/plush sides) together.
- Use Clover Flower Head Pins or Mini Wonder Clips to keep pieces together.
Prepare Machine for Sewing
- Following instructions for how to sew minky fabric above, change your stitch length to 3.5…
- …and put on your walking foot. I used a fresh universal needle but you can also change to a stretch, jersey, or ballpoint needle. Use polyester thread in the top spool and bobbin.
- With a 1/2″ (half inch) seam allowance, begin sewing at middle of one side as shown below. NOTE: Do not sew over pins as that can damage your needle and the machine. I used the pins for positioning only and removed each pin before sewing over that area.
- Sew down that side through both layers with a 1/2″ seam. Continue sewing through both layers with a 1/2″ seam on the next 3 sides.
- When you turn to the first edge, finish sewing but leaving an opening about 3” (7.5 cm) wide for turning.
- Clip the corners.
- Pull the fabric through the opening so that the right sides are facing out. Be sure to push out the corners to keep the edges squared.
- Sew a 1/4″ top stitch around all 4 sides, being sure that you seam through the opening you left for turning the fabric right side out.
- That’s it! Wasn’t that easy?
