Baby Swaddler

My original plan was to take lots of photos during my Pattern Drafting by Draping class and upload them at night and tell you about all of the wonderful things I’ve been learning.  Obviously, that is not happening!  I’m loving the class and have a lot to share with you but the class is also very intense and I have several hours’ worth of homework almost every night.

But, my attention has also been seriously diverted by Baby Alice.  Alice is now 3 pounds, 11 ounces and the medical staff is very pleased with her progress….So much so, in fact, that she might be going home with her parents sometime next week!  That is ahead of schedule.  Apparently this little peanut is always going to be early *smile*

My sister asked me to make some swaddling blankets for Alice.  Being the geek that I am, I, of course, had to do some research.  There are several resources to buy a swaddling pattern but the design I liked the best was available from the Embroidery Library.  I wasn’t too keen on the instructions, though, so I used  the pattern and pretty much relied on my own sewing expertise for the rest.

Details for 2 Swaddlers:

1 yard flannel*

1 yard coordinating flannel*

1/2 yard of flannel for the inner pouch

1 package of soft sew-in hook & loop tape

Pattern (printed or photocopied four times)

A 13 1/2″ x 13 1/2″ square pattern cut from pattern paper, kraft paper, photocopy paper,  or drawn onto fabric

*You will be able to get two ovals laid lengthwise on 45″ inch flannel.  If the design is crosswise, you will need to get about 1/4 yard more fabric.  Just remember that all woven fabric is slightly stretchy on the crossgrain because of how it is woven, so it is not quite as stable as it is on the lengthwise grain.

Steps:

• Prewash and dry the flannel using a baby-friendly soap.

• Cut out the pattern and tape the pieces together.  Then tape them all together to create the oval.

• Make a 13 1/2″ by 13 1/2″ pattern for the inner pouch (if you haven’t done so already).

• Fold fabric lengthwise making sure to align selvages.  “Budget friendly” fabric is notorious for having some twist after washing.  If you try to straighten it by stretching, it will simply relax back into its twist after the next wash.  For our purposes, having a slight twist in the fabric won’t be a problem as long as we make accommodations  for it before cutting into the fabric.

• Lay the pattern on the fabric lengthwise.  You can use the center line made from taping the pieces together as your grainline.  Cut out the pieces.

• Repeat process using coordinating fabric.

• Pin pouch pattern to folded fabric and cut out squares.

• Finish the top and left sides of the each pouch by folding 1/4″ along the top and left sides, pressing, and then folding another 1/4″ and pressing.  Use a mitered corner, if possible.

• Make a  3/4″ pleat on the bottom edge 1/2″  from the finished edge.  Do this by marking 1/2″ from the edge and then making another mark 3/4″ away from the first mark.  Bring the marks together to form the pleat.

• Make another 3/4″ pleat along the bottom edge, only making this pleat 1″ away from the unfinished edge (instead of 1/2″)

• Baste the pleats closed.
• Fold one of the coordinating ovals in half and then in half again and then lightly press along the folds.  When you open it up, you should see two middle sections and the two “wings” that will wrap around the baby.
• Right sides together, lay the unfinished edge of the pouch along the fold furthest to the right.

• .Sew side seam 1/2″ from edge.  Press and then fold pouch to center of oval.  Press seam “open.”  Top stitch pouch 1/4″ from seam.

• Pin bottom of the pouch along bottom of the oval.  Stitch pouch to oval using a 1/4″ seam allowance (it will be stitched again in a moment).

• Pin outside oval to the coordinating/inner oval RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER, enclosing the pouch within the oval pancake.  Stitch, using a 1/2″ seam allowance and leaving an opening large enough for your hand to fit through (I made the opening right next to the pouch).

• Grade and clip the wing ends of the oval.

• Reach into the “baby burrito” and turn it right side out.  Reach back in and make sure that the entire seam is pressed out and smooth.  Press.
• Fold the opening in by 1/2″ and pin it closed.  Top stitch around the edge of the swaddler.

There are no pictures for the applying the hook and loop tape because I was frantically trying to sew it on before Alice’s shower!

• Add a three-inch vertical strip of the loop part of the hook and loop tape to the far left end of the oval (as you are looking at it).
• Turn the swaddling over.  Add two five-inch horizontal strips of the hook part of the hook and loop tape to the left side of the oval, about 6 inches from the edge and about 1″ apart (should look like a giant equal sign: = ).

Placing the strips of hook and loop tape this way allows for adjustment and baby growth.

To use: Place baby in the pouch.  Tuck any extra pouch fabric behind her.  Wrap the wings around the baby–folding down the wings as needed–and secure with the hook and loop tape.