I’m on a plane to Miami right now, next stop Grenada! I’ll be sharing plenty of sunny adventures from this trip with Jeff and our good friends Ashley and Jared. To kick things off, here’s a cheerful DIY that blends shibori dyeing with simple patchwork: a versatile blanket that works as a beach towel, picnic blanket, or just a pretty throw.
For this project we repurposed leftover shibori-dyed hankies, sewing them together into a colorful patchwork blanket to enjoy the last days of summer. You can use scarves, hankies, or any textile scraps you have on hand.
Follow the steps below to make your own patchwork piece for picnics, beach days, or even wall decor.
What you need
- Scarves, hankies, or textile scraps (shibori-dyed pieces work beautifully)
- Sewing machine and thread
How to make it
1. Iron each square or piece. If some pieces are different shapes, fold and press the edges so every tile is roughly the same size. This makes assembly much easier and gives the finished blanket a neater edge.
2. Decide on your layout. We used nine squares arranged in three rows of three, but you can expand or reduce the number to suit the size you want. Once you know how many tiles will go in a row, lay them out and pin each set together.
3. Sew each pinned seam. If you want extra durability, double-stitch the seams, but a single straight stitch is fine for lightweight textiles like scarves and hankies.
4. After completing the first row, add the next row of tiles. Pin the new row to the completed row so edges match and the length stays consistent. Pinning rows together before sewing helps avoid uneven edges and reduces the need for hemming later.
5. Continue adding and sewing rows until all tiles are joined. Finish by pressing the entire blanket with an iron to flatten seams and smooth the fabric. If desired, add a border or backing for more structure and to conceal raw edges.
Photography by Amelia Tatnall
Sewing by Rachel Brewer
Modeling by Michelle Douglas
Are you working on any end-of-summer projects you’d like to finish? I’d love to hear what you’re making—this simple patchwork is a great way to use up fabric scraps and create something functional and beautiful for the season.