- PRE-WASH YOUR FABRIC FIRST!!!
- 3 yards of fabric for main portion of cover (no less than 44″ wide)
- 1 yard of minky fabric for inside portion of blanket
- 3 yards of trim for straps
- sew on velcro strips
- sewing machine, thread, and pins
- nap mat insert (mine is approx. 18×42)
- small toddler pillow (mine is a lumbar pillow insert 12×20)
STEP FOUR: Lay your outer cover pieces right sides together. In this photo below, the edges you just sewed down are staggered at the bottom and the raw edges are together at the top. Fold the bottom piece up 16″ to create the envelop opening.
Now slide the blanket portion into the left side of the cover minky side up, raw side out. Pin around the three sides leaving the bottom open. Stitch in place. Turn right side out and make sure your blanket is properly attached.
Stick the two 4ft. long strips inside the bottom unsewn portion of the cover about 5 inches from the side seams. Pin and stitch in place. TIP: Back stitch over the trim so that it holds up to repeated pulling from use.
STEP SIX: Flip the cover right side out. Finish the edges of the trim by rolling them over and stitching in place. Now attach the velcro pieces. I used two 12 inch long strips. With the cover laying blanket side up, lay the straps over top of the blanket. I placed the softer loop portion of the velcro about 4 inches from the bottom of the cover. Flip the top pieces of the strap up and place the rougher hook portion of the velcro right at the end. Stitch in place.
SOURCES:
Nap mat insert (ours was provided by school, similar here) // toddler pillow // navy herringbone fabric // white minky fabric // green trim – Hobby Lobby
SHOP:
All the kids will be jealous. Shoot, I want one!
I love this! I think I need to make myself one. I could take it along to my kids' activities and curl up right there on the gym floor and take a little nap. You are a genius! I love that you are fearless with DIY projects.
Looks like you need 3 yards of trim for the straps.
You're right, Erica! Thanks for catching that typo!
Where did you get the mat insert/what kind is it and can you take it out to easily throw mat in the wash?
The mat insert was purchased from the school and I can't find a brand name on it, but it's the type that's blue on one side, red on the other, made out of foam covered in vinyl so it can be wiped clean with bleach if needed. It easily slips in and out when I need to wash the cover.
How thick is the mat you used? Looking online I see 1" and 2" options. Closest to a 18×42 mat I have found is a 19×45. Cant wait to make this!
Mine is 1 inch thick. The good thing is you can always adjust the measurements to get a custom fit for your mat. I could probably fit a 2 inch thick mat in the cover I made, it would just have a more snug fit.
Thank you!
Where did you get your fabric and trim? So so cute!
The trim was found at Hobby Lobby. Fabric is Joel Dewberry Modern Meadow Herringbone In Lake. You can find it here: https://www.fabric.com/buy/cw-437/joel-dewberry-modern-meadow-herringbone-lake
I believe the vinyl Kindermats can be purchased at either Walmart or Target for around $14.97. The size is 19 inches wide x 44 inches in length and they come in a 1 inch or 2 inch thick pad. The Pre-K where my grand daughter will attend in Mt. Pleasant, SC requires the 1 inch Kindermat. Thanks so much for your blog post. Your website is awesome! Can’t wait to make a special nap mat for my grand daughter, Monroe. Really loved your tutorial. Good things come from good people!
Susie B in Charleston , SC