RBD Home Dec Love Blog Tour: Picnic Throw Tutorial

July is the month of parades and picnics around here!  I decided we needed a convenient throw we could keep in the car to have on hand for these fun events.  As a part of the Riley Blake Home Dec Blog Tour, I chose to make a picnic throw from one of my favorite home decor prints (Quatrefoil in Navy) and a coordinating Riley Blake basic (Small Dots in Yellow).  I loooove navy and yellow together – yummy!



Using the home dec fabric adds a nice weight and durability, without needing the extra step of adding interfacing.  



I added a simple strap from 1” wide webbing to make it easy to carry, or loop over the handle of the stroller.  Since finishing this throw last week, our family has already put it to good use! 

Here’s what you’ll need to make one of your own:

• 1-1/2 yards of Riley Blake Home Dec fabric
• 2-1/3 yards of any Riley Blake coordinating quilting print
• 2 yards of 1” wide webbing

Step 1:  Remove selvages from the Home Dec fabric and cut to measure 54” x 54”

Step 2:  Remove selvages from the coordinating quilting print.  Cut 1 piece that is 40” x 54”.  From the remaining fabric, cut two pieces that are 14.5” x 27.25”. 

Step 3:  Sew the two 14.5” x 27.25” pieces together end to end with right sides together and using a 1/4” seam.  Press seam to one side.



Step 4:  To the panel created in step 3, sew the  40” x 54” piece, again right sides together and using a 1/4” seam.  Press seam to one side. 



This piece should now measure 54” x 54”

Step 5:  Take the 2 yard length of webbing and sew the ends together.  Before stitching, make sure there are no extra twists in the loop.  I used a zig zag stitch and stitched over both raw edges to keep it from fraying.



Step 6:  Fold the loop in half and mark both end points. 




Step 7:  We are going to place the webbing loop on to the TOP LEFT corner of the RIGHT side of the Home Dec fabric.  This loop will become the handle for the picnic throw.  

Remember the pins we placed in step 6?  Those are the pins circled below.  They should both be placed 4” down from the top edge of the fabric.  The left pin should be 2.75” from the edge and there should be 6.5” between the straps. 



Step 8:   Next, add a pin 3” above and 3” below each of the center pins. 



Step 9:  Using a straight stitch, sew straps in place.  You’ll be sewing a rectangle – with the top and bottom edge of stitching where the top and bottom pins are located.  Repeat for second strap.



Step 10:  Place the 54” Home Dec square right sides together with the 54” quilting fabric square.  Pin around all edges, making sure that the straps are tucked inside.  Sew around the outside edge of the square using a 1/2” seam and  leaving about 7” or 8” open for turning the throw right side out.  As you sew, be careful not to catch the webbing straps in the stitching. 

Step 11:  Turn the throw right side out and carefully push out corners.  Press edges.  Fold in raw edges of the opening and press.  Top stitch around entire throw.  The top stitching will sew the opening shut. 


Your throw is ready to use!  Here’s how to roll it up – it’s quick and easy!



First lay the throw with the Home Dec side down and the straps in the top right corner.  Fold throw in half and then half again, and then roll up from the bottom. 



Now get outside and use it! 



The Riley Blake Designs Home Dec Blog Tour is just getting underway with some fun projects already added to the list.  You can see more of the RBD Home Dec fabrics here.  And stop by each day on the blog tour to get more fun ideas for using those RBD Home Dec fabrics!

6/15 - Riley Blake Designs

6/16 - Jina Barney Designz

6/17 - The Girl Inspired

6/18 - Rae Gun Ramblings

6/19 - The Happy Housie

6/22 - Choo Choo Skadoo

6/23 - A Bright Corner -- You are here :)

6/24 - Tea Rose Home

6/25 - Pie Plate Patterns

6/26 - Life After Laundry

6/29 - Sew Like My Mom

6/30 - Simple Simon & Co

7/1 - Smashed Peas & Carrots

7/2 - The Stitching Scientist

7/3 - Heart Zipper

7/6 - Quiltscapes

7/7 - Fearlessly Creative Mamas

7/8 - Diary of a Quilter

7/9 - Jedi Craft Girl

7/10 - Freetime Frolics

7/13 - Modkid Boutique

7/14 - Riley Blake Designs - Giveaway