I'm looking for a fast shortcut!
 

Hello all,
I want to make a LOT of baby blankets make of snuggle flannel 1 piece for the top and 1 piece for the back. They will be 42" X 42" ....of course I do not have a template that big haha...and squaring these pieces up takes time...so lets brain storm, do anyone have a fast way I can square up pieces? I get them from the fabric store cut at 42 x 42 but of course they are never exact...anyone have a way I can make a template orrrr some other quick way I can do these so I can make a lot of them with ease? Thanks :D

You said you get the fabric already cut to 42" from the store. So ask them nicely to TEAR the flannel into 42" pieces.
Presto, already as square as it can get. No reason why they can't do it, but they might not want to do it your way.

wouldn't you want the back larger until you quilt it? as for squaring it up, I'd fold it into quarters and use a ruler/mat to measure from the folds to the edges and trim to the size you need.

The flannel comes 42 in (salvage to salvage) then I just have them cut it 42 inches but you know how that goes they can never cut the front and back the exact same size...

-the way I make these blankets is I put the pretty faces together pin them all the way around, then lay the batting on top, pin that down, then sew all 3 parts together around the perimeter, then leave about a 6inch hole and pull it all inside out :D fast huh!? :D then after I am done doing that I will tie them or I will quick pin them on my frame(all sewn together) then make little designs here and there to tack everything in place :D they are just the baby blankets that toddlers drag around haha :)

Why don't you buy the yardage, wash it up and shrink it (it's a baby lovey, it's going to get wash a million times, right!?). Then tear it at the length you want it. Flannel shrinks a TON; if they rip it for you before washing, it's not going to be 42 x 42 once you pull it out of the dryer the first time anyway.

My MIL used to get diaper flannel and make swaddling cloths out of them. She turned them and and embroidered the edge. They were rarely square, and I can promise, nobody cared. That nice soft diaper flannel is dreamy.

I would fold the fabric in 1/2 then 1/2 again. Here is a pattern that is a little different, but the tape idea would be great for this idea. I used painters tape on my mat that works great and is easy to get off.

Good luck!

Use two rulers to square up, one a long ruler, one a large (12") square.

Jan in VA

Check www.youtube.com ---- key in . square up fabric easy

That's what I would do too - fold into quarters.

#1, that flannel is rarely straight enough to rip. You will go crazy trying to do that.
#2 make sure you measure the width of fabric. Some are no longer 42 or if they are, one end has a Joann's name that takes up at least an inch. I have had trouble even getting 4 x 10" squares out of wof.