Sewing Tutorial: "Sitting on the World" Picnic Blanket

One day while walking through JoAnn's I came across a world map panel. Boo's fascinated with maps so I showed it to him. He loved it and this idea jumped in my head: this would make a perfect picnic blanket! I've been wanting a small-ish project to try my hand at quilting before diving into the mountain of college t-shirts I've been saving to make a T-shirt quilt with. This is the perfect beginner project, I thought. Plus, we needed another picnic blanket. We've outgrown our other one.

Here's what you'll need if you want to make this map picnic blanket:

Fabric map panel {available at JoAnn's}
6 fabric quarters in coordinating colors
2 packages of extra-wide double fold bias tape
2 yards low-loft batting
2 yards flannel-back vinyl tablecloth fabric OR a 52 x 70 vinyl tablecloth

I found an outdoor tablecloth on clearance for a couple bucks so I worked the size of my picnic blanket around that. So rather than give precise measurements, I'll lead you through a general step by step to do it yourself. All that's left to figure out is a little math.

First, lay out your tablecloth or other vinyl fabric that's cut to your desired size. Place the map panel in the center. Determine the measurements for your border pieces of patterned quarters fabric.
I used 6 rectangles along the top with finished measurements of 9 inches wide {along map edge} by 8 inches tall. For the sides I had 6 smaller pieces measuring approximately 4 1/2 inches wide by 8 inches tall {along map edge}. Confused? Just determine how much space you have between the edge of the map panel and the edge of your tablecloth and allow for 1/4 inch seams.

Take your time deciding which fabrics you want to use and the layout that looks best. Be sure to double check your measurements and don't forget to allow for your seams.
I cut out my border pieces using a rotary cutter, self-healing mat and acrylic ruler. I quickly realized why quilters rely on these tools so much. They make quick and precise work of cutting your pieces.

Order your top row, not including the corner pieces, according to how you want it laid out on your blanket. Sew the pieces together to make the top edge of your panel.

Repeat for the bottom row and side rows. Include the corner pieces on your side rows.

Once you've made the four border rows, sew them to the map panel, starting with the top and bottom rows first.


As I sewed the borders to the panel, I folded the seams I ran across toward the darker fabric pieces as shown here.
I ironed all of the seams flat after the front was all sewn together.
Lay the sewn blanket top out flat. Smooth the batting out over it. Cut the batting to just 1/8 inch shorter than each side of the blanket.

Next, lay out the vinyl fabric, flannel side up. Then, center your batting on that. Lay the sewn blanket over the batting, careful to make all layers line up. Pin the layers together to hold in place. Sew along two horizontal "latitude" lines on the panel and then three evenly spaced vertical "longitude" lines. Sew in the ditch {where your previous seams are} around the map panel and where each border piece joins with another.

Trim any edges if needed. My top fabric scooted a bit during quilting and wasn't lined up just right with the vinyl backing. I just trimmed where I needed to and ended up with a slightly shorter top row than bottom row. No biggie. It is just a picnic blanket after all!

Finally, finish with double bias tape to bind the edges.

I know picnic season is coming to a close, but now is a great time to find those vinyl tablecloths on clearance or snag some similar fabric on sale. Using vinyl fabric makes the picnic blanket waterproof and more durable.

I also made a sash {with leftover fabric from the quarters I used} to tie up the rolled picnic blanket to store or carry.
I love this picnic blanket for so many reasons. It was a great first quilting project. It gets a lot of use because we're big into picnicking around here. The kids LOVE it. And it's an easy teaching tool. While we're munching on grapes and relaxing in the shade, we can talk about the different countries, continents and oceans we see on our map. It fits in perfectly with our approach to homeschooling: learn as we go about our day. Hope you like it too!