This project is a cinch. It’s not really a tutorial…just an idea that I have found that works for me.
I like to swaddle my babies.
I think they sleep better as newborns in a nice tight, snug swaddle.
Owen, my oldest stayed in the swaddle phase for a few weeks. Then he started busting out of them and waking himself up with his spastic arm movements. It took a long time for him to learn to sleep through the night.
Reid, loved the swaddle so much that I had to put him on a 10 step swaddling weaning program at eight months. 🙂 He also learned to sleep through the night (6 hours) at 5 weeks.
So…I’m a big fan of the swaddle. I hope this little girl takes to it like Reid did.
Now, I don’t like the fancy swaddling blankets with velcro and pockets and such. I think they are too expensive, too much fuss, and you can’t get them snug enough.
Knit receiving blankets are nice, but make for a less secure swaddle.
We’ve found that the best swaddling blankets, for us, are single layered flannel receiving blankets. The double layer is fine. I have used both, but my favorites have always been the single layer blankets my mom would make for our boys from leftover flannel from a quilt or other project.
They keep the baby warm but not too warm, they are soft and comfy, and they wrap that baby up nice and tight into the perfect little burrito. 🙂
Sometimes…often times…simplicity reigns.
And this is SIMPLE.
Just buy 1 1/4 yard of flannel.
I got my floral print at Walmart for $2.27/yd….score! The green polka dot is from JoAnn, on sale for $4. If you don’t like to have a wrong side to your blanket like mine do, look for the solid flannels.
Cut the sides to even things out.
Round the corners, using a cereal bowl as a guide.
Serge all the way around.
You could also double hem the sides {fold and iron them under about 1/4 inch two times and then straight stitch all around} instead if you don’t have a serger. I would keep the corners square if you decide to do this.
Done! So easy.
And now our little girl has some fresh, clean, blankets ready to swaddle her to sleep…hopefully. 🙂
P.S. You may have noticed the absence of a giveaway today. I just need to snap some photos and then I’ll be back Monday with the fun sewing giveaway I have planned.
And speaking of giveaways. I had one winner not contact me back for the Two Girls Patterns Giveaway.Â
So congrats to Lyn who said, “Two girl patterns for my next granddaughter…”
Please email me back asap.
Have a great weekend!
This kind of thing is a favorite gift of mine. Only I use double-napped flannel. That means it’s fuzzy on both sides, so there really is no ‘wrong’ size.
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Love this. These blankets look perfect for new babies, and, like you said, so simple to make! And I love how the rounded corners makes it so fast and easy to serge. Wish I had thought of that when I was serging some flannel for something else the other day. 🙂
Here’s a link to a tutorial I posted a while back on the swaddle blankets I make for my babies. I like to swaddle my babies too, up until they can stand up in their cribs usually. These blankets are big, with newborns I usually have to fold down the back but then again I’m still using them to swaddle my 10 month old. The satin binding is a favorite of most kids. My 2 1/2 yr old still sleeps (more like goes every where) with hers and it’s actually still big enough to cover her.
http://momma-makes.blogspot.com/2011/09/receiving-blankets-tutorial.html
We have been SLOWLY trying to wean my 6 month old out of the swaddler. I never had this problem with my first son, but it seems this little guy loves to be swaddled. I would love to hear your “10 steps” (lol)…. And how you dealt with the rolling. We are finally at two arms out for naps, but still one hand out for night time.
Love your site btw! Just found it recently!!
This tutorial will be super helpful, because this is the one thing that I have 0 of. 🙂 I will definitely be whipping some of these up in the next few weeks. I love being able to use advice from experienced mothers, so helpful!
I really want to swaddle our baby when the time comes. I don't have a serger, but perhaps my grandma will help me make some.
(Link: http://pinterest.com/pin/230457705901940022/)
Do you mind if I ask where you got your crib sheet? Or did you make it?
Hi! I am trying to figure out how to end the serge on something like this. Which method do you use since you can’t backstitch on a serger?
Great question. So curving the corners allows you to keep serging without stopping at the corners. When you circle back to where you started you can do a few things:
– weave the serged tail of thread into threads with a tapestry needle or a small crochet hook
– sew it down with a regular machine using straight stitch over the other serged stitches
– or make sure to overlap your stitches a couple of inches, trim the ends off and then apply fray check or fabric glue to keep it from unraveling.
I hope that helps!
Hi Delia, just happened on your single layer flannel baby blanket , I want to make some of these for several baby showers coming up. I don’t have a serger, do you think a narrow rolled hem will work?
Lynn,
Yes! Absolutely. I would even make the hem a little wider and add a decorative top stitch. That would be beautiful!
Delia
Thanks, that’s a great idea!