So as you know if you’ve read this blog for any length of time, I’ve made a lot of baby stuff, from plush animals to blankets.
Well, over the summer, a friend had a baby and asked if I could make a baby swaddle with matching cap: two things I’d never made before. But I decided to give it a go. I had some extra flannel on hand; I borrowed a store-bought swaddle from my cousin whose babes are too big now; and I scoured the interwebs for a simple hat pattern.
I did a prototype first with my extra flannel; the hat was too small and the swaddle a bit narrow in the legs (got to be able to have those froggy-knees!).
Second, go was a success! I went shopping for round two, and not really knowing how much I’d need as binding for the swaddle, decided to get a full yard. Well, a yard was more than enough for the swaddle and hat. I actually had leftovers enough to make a burp cloth, bib and pacifier leash too.
Here’s what you’ll need to make your own ultimate baby gift:
One yard flannel, washed and dry
2 inch hook and loop (like Velcro) (I prefer non-sticky, sew-on)
Fat quarter terrycloth for bib backing
One flat cloth diaper
Pacifier clip and coordinating hair elastic
Snap for bib
For the bib:
Cut the bib pattern once each from the flannel and terrycloth (I use this pattern from the Mary Martha Mama blog)
Sew the bib layers together, right sides facing, leaving a 2-inch gap along the bottom.
Cut the seam edge along the neckline to allow stretching
Flip right side out.
Pin opening closed and top stitch around the perimeter. Add snap to ends.
For the burp cloth:
Fold the cloth diaper in half, then half again, so you have a long strip. Cut a piece of flannel this size.
Place the flannel over the folded diaper (right side down). Pin being sure to get all the layers.
Sew around the perimeter.
Flip right side out, pin opening closed, and top stitch (use something fancy if you like!)
For the pacifier leash –> Instructions here!
For the hat:
Cut two each of a hat pattern (think a semi-oval with a 9 inch diameter and 4 inch height, from the center cut a wedge about an 1.5 inch deep) and 2 each of the cuff (a 9 by 5 -inch rectangle).
Fold the cuff in half with the right sides facing. Roll the dome part of the pattern until you have about an inch along the flat side and place that inside the folded cuff. Sew along the long side. You should have cuff, dome, cuff. Turn out through the side. Repeat with the second set of domes and cuffs.
Line up the cuts of the wedge, right sides together and sew on both halves.
Place the two halves together, wrong sides together, being careful to line up the seams of the cuff and the seams of the darts (sewed wedges) and sew around the perimeter of the hat. Trim the overhang, flip so right sides are facing and sew around the perimeter again for a French seam.
For the swaddle:
Cut three 2.5-inch strips the full width of the fabric (typically 42 to 44 inches). This is your binding.
Cut one front and one back piece of the swaddle pattern. (I’m still working out how to scan such a big pattern, but try your hand at drawing one yourself. It only took me two tries!)
Fold the strips in half and sew their raw edges to the top parts of the swaddle front and back pieces (on the wrong side of the fabric). Then fold the folding edge of the binding over to the right side of the fabric and top stitch.
Place the two swaddle pieces together and sew the perimeter of the foot pocket. Trim the seams to be pretty short and even. Flip inside out and sew the perimeter a second time to create a French seam.
That’s it. Five pieces you can put together in a few hours once you get the hang of it. Or if you don’t have time for that, I’m happy to make a custom set for you. Send me at message through my Etsy shop at etsy.com/shop/makesbakesreads.
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