I know what you mean about the back. I use fusible interfacing for everything I stitch. I press it on the back and it covers the stitches. As far as the fringe I have never done something with a fringe so can't tell you how to keep from unraveling except for sewing around the edges. If I was doing this for a baby I myself wouldn't want to have fringes because the baby could chew on them and swallow them. Guess I am overprotective. Myself I would just hem each side instead of fringing. I am sure others have other ideas for you.

Syagel: I thought about you when I asked this question and wondered if you would put interfacing on it too. I think that's a marvelous idea. Yeah, I'm not crazy about the fringes either unless someone comes up with a reasonable fix. I don't think they will use this blanket. I thought about putting it on a scroll hanger like a hardanger, what do you think? If I did that, then the fringe wouldn't be so bad or unravel, would it?

Perhaps if I put interface then stitch it with some fabric that you can use to linen clothes with and then stitch all 4 sides together?

What do you think Ladies? Afghan or tapestry? Lined or not lined?

You could do it like a tied quilt with white cotton backing, hemmed, & little yarn ties. Though, the tot would probably chew on anything in reach.

I was just talking about that last night (not the yarn ties). I have some liner fabric (like pants or skirt liner) and put that on the back and either hem it or put it just behind the fringe and zigzag the liner onto the afghan (this way it doesn't fray anymore.

This is for a newborn and I doubt it very much they will use it, just put it in the room to show.

Jclifford I think it would make a very beautiful tapestry to decorate the wall. When I do that I use dowel pins and decorative ends and stain them before hanging. Makes a pretty gift for a friend. I know it will be beautiful whichever way you decide to do.

I make some of these and my duaghter then makes them into a quilt. They turn out really nice this way.

Yes Syagel: I thought about that too. I looked for a hanger, but they were not long enough. Great idea about a dowel. I can paint it since it's for a baby and hang it by using diaper pins (maybe a novelty shop or someone would have big novelty diaper pins). About 4 of them.

I need to google it and see if I can find some. If anyone knows of a place, let me know please. Thanks Syagel, as always, you're so full of good ideas!! Everyone has been very helpful and there has been some good ideas floating on this chat.

Jclifford I would check a shop that carries items for baby showers. I bet they might have large diaper pins. I like that idea for hanging it. Good idea!

Yes, I'm going this Friday to Babies R Us and see if they have anything - even some type of baby shower curtain rings. I want to attach with Velcro so she can use it as a tapestry or blanket. I think a couple of hand stitches in Velcro on the back of the blanket and she can just pop it off if she wants to use it.

I love this collaboration, I get such good ideas from you girls.

I went to "Youtube" and learned how to crochet baby booties. I'm going to try it this weekend. I use to crochet a lot many many years ago, but I got tired of making blankets, and had no one to teach me to do anything else, so I gave it up. Thank goodness for computers and YouTube where you can learn to do anything!!!

I made a cross stitched baby afghan for my first grandson, and it's one of his most prized possessions.

To secure the threads on the back, I ironed on interfacing to the back of each picture and then did the final backstitch around the outside of the picture thru the blanket and interfacing together. Then trimmed the interfacing close to the edge of the picture.

For the "fringe", after you unravel several inches around each side, grab about 5 thread and knot them together close to the blanket. This will lock in the fringe.

My grandson's blanket has been washed several times, and continues to hold up quite well.