Waterproof Quilted Picnic Blanket

"Even though I'm back at work now, my mom friends and I text each other, message, leave comments on Facebook. And when daycare is closed and I know I'll be home with the baby on a weekday, I reach out and see who's going to be around. We usually meet up at parks – we have our favorites – and everyone unfurls her own blanket onto grass or wood chips. The blankets overlap a little so our babies can crawl or lean into or be passed from lap to lap, and as more of our friends arrive (tardiness always understood and immediately forgiven) our space grows, a flotilla of connected blankets brimming with sunscreen and stuffed animals and snacks. I'm so grateful for the afternoon hours I can still spend with them and their children. Last time we visited with them, one of our stroller blankets (which has a sort of sherpa fleece-y side) was dragged home clogged with wood chips. It was a pain to clean and wash, and I decided to sew a picnic blanket to use for the next visit. It's already proven perfect for use in our dewy backyard because...one side is waterproof!"

NotesWhen you're cutting the shower curtain liner to match the size of the fabric and batting, I recommend discarding the edges that have holes for the curtain rod and/or weights to help the curtain hang. You won't need these.

Also, if you'd like your picnic blanket to be machine washable, choose a machine washable shower curtain liner, and wash and dry it, the fabric, and the batting before you start. (Our blanket has survived so far with just wiping to clean.)

Project TypeMake a Project

Time to CompleteIn an evening

Sewn byMachine

Materials List

• A big piece of fabric, a big piece of batting, and a new shower curtain liner (These three should all be cut to the same size. Our blanket turned out to be roughly 3'x5'.)
• Contrasting thread
• Straight pins
• Sewing machine & basic sewing skills