Rainbow Striped OlyFun Picnic Blanket

Categories: Utility, Decor, Oly*Fun, Spring, Summer, Outdoor

This picnic blanket is made with OlyFun to create rainbow stripes using reverse applique and quilt binding techniques. I chose a rainbow of colors, but you could use any of the 19 OlyFun colors. This blanket will roll up small for travel, and expand large for picnics, festivals, concerts, and any outdoor event. OlyFun cuts like paper, making it great for a reverse applique technique that won’t fray. OlyFun is suitable for short uses outdoors, but isn’t recommended for long term weather exposure. This means it’s totally fine for your concert use, but not as an outdoor rug. Speaking of outdoor projects, I used this same technique to make this OlyFun Waves Spring Outdoor Flag, which was ok for short use, but started to break down after being outside for a few months.

What you need to make this project

Materials: OlyFun in Bubblegum; OlyFun in Cherry Pop; OlyFun in Orange Crush; OlyFun in Lemon Drop; OlyFun in Clover; OlyFun in Sky Blue; OlyFun in Blueberry; OlyFun in Jelly; OlyFun in Jet Black; White thread; Black thread

Supplies: Clear quilting ruler; White chalk; Scissors; Straight pins; Sewing machine

Quick Shop

Instructions

Step One

Using the ruler and chalk, draft and cut rectangles of OlyFun that are 12″ wide by 60″ long. I cut my big rectangles from Bubblegum, Cherry Pop, Orange Crush, Lemon Drop, Clover, Sky Blue, Blueberry, and Jelly.

Step Two

Load the sewing machine with white thread. Overlap two OlyFun rectangles 4″ lengthwise. Sew down the overlapping pieces curving back and forth. Clip the excess thread. Repeat for each OlyFun rectangle.

Step Three

Using scissors, trim away the excess Olyfun on both the blanket front and back, following the curves of the stitching.

Step Four

Using a ruler, chalk and scissors, even up any crooked sides.

Step Five

Cut multiple strips of Jet Black OlyFun that are equal the bolt width and 2″ tall. Load the sewing machine with black thread. To connect the strips for continuous binding, overlap two strips perpendicular. Stitch diagonally as shown. Cut away the excess OlyFun. Make sure all the pieces are connected on the correct side, to make binding easier.

Step Six

Starting at one blanket corner, wrap the binding around the edge evenly. Straight pin in place every 3″.

Step Seven

This blanket isn’t bound traditionally, because OlyFun doesn’t fray. Straight stitch the binding on around all sides. Blunt cutting the binding at the corners.

Step Eight

I used left over binding for the ties. They were 2″ wide by about 24″ long. Fold the long rectangles in half and pin in place. Straight stitch around all sides including the fold 1/4″ from the edge.

Step Nine

On the blanket, I used a seam ripper to remove the stitches at the center of a long side. I inserted one tie on either side of the opening, pining in place. Restitch the opening closed, reinforcing at the ties. Push the ties outward and stitch the ties again along the blanket edge.

Step Ten

To roll up the blanket for traveling, fold in the short sides in thirds towards the ties twice. Then, roll the blanket up from the bottom. Wrap the ties around the rolled blanket in opposite directions, back to the beginning. Tie in a bow.