I do mine 42 x 42 for two reasons. If they want to swaddle, it is much easier if the blanket is larger and also, later on, they can lay it on the floor while the baby is doing tummy time and such. I love to put decorative stitching around the hems (all sides) and I use variegated thread. My daughter was very impressed, I didn't tell her that the machine did all the work...lol