With just store-bought freezer paper you can make this adorable baby blanket with your Cricut. Perfect for upcoming baby showers.
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I love my Cricut and use it for so many projects. Now that I’m expecting, I’m crafting even more for my baby girl. Personalized baby gifts are everywhere, and many friends are having babies, so I decided to make a custom name blanket myself rather than pay a premium for one.
One technique I wanted to try was the freezer paper method for screen-printing on fabric. I already had screen printing paint, and finally remembered to pick up freezer paper. The results are simple and professional-looking.
For materials I used a fabric screen printing ink set so I could mix colors, and a very soft fleece baby blanket. The ink set gives several base colors that mix well, and a soft 30″ x 30″ fleece blanket is perfect for baby and feels great to the touch.
Gather your supplies: a baby blanket, freezer paper, scissors, a ruler, fabric screen printing ink, a foam paint brush or sponge brush, an iron, a computer, and your Cricut machine.
Measure and cut freezer paper to fit your Cricut mat. You may need multiple pieces depending on the size of your design. Place the shiny side down on the mat so the blade cuts through the paper backing.
Design your layout on the computer. I chose the baby’s first and middle name to span corner to corner. Measure the blanket to determine the proper size. I used a 12×24 mat but cutting on a 12×12 and combining pieces also works well. For cursive or script fonts, be sure to weld the letters so the design cuts as one continuous piece instead of separate letters.
Set your Cricut to Custom and choose the paper/parchment setting around .04mm. This cuts freezer paper cleanly without tearing.
Preheat your iron to medium. Position the shiny side of the freezer paper against the fabric and press with the iron. Instead of sliding the iron, press straight down for about 10 seconds in sections, moving around the design. Start by ironing the outer border and then press smaller interior pieces so they stay put.
Use a sponge or foam brush to apply the fabric ink. Dab and lightly brush the paint into the fleece, making sure you cover every area that should be colored. Fleece soaks ink differently than smooth fabric, so take care to fill the textured surface thoroughly.
I tested the large name first to see how it looked, then added a second, smaller name in a different font and color. You can keep just the large name or add additional elements—this is a great place to get creative.
After the paint has fully dried and you remove the freezer paper, heat-seal the design. Put an old cloth or shirt over the painted area and press with a hot iron for about 30 seconds in sections. Repeat across all painted areas. Heat-sealing helps the design endure washing and wear.
That’s it—you’ve made a custom baby blanket. I recommend washing it once before gifting. The freezer paper method works on many fabric projects, so once you get the hang of it, you can make personalized items beyond baby blankets.
