Gina Johnson
Sewing a child's sleeping bag is a fun project that can be completed with relative ease. It is a great way to create a cute and functional item for occasional glamping trips or sleepovers. Making a sleeping bag for children involves similar steps to creating a duvet cover, but with some additional steps, such as attaching a zipper and adding batting for extra warmth. The process involves cutting and sewing fabric, as well as pinning and stitching layers together. The fabric choices and creative possibilities are endless, making it a highly customizable project.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fabric | Outer fabric, inner fabric, lining fabric, fleece |
| Fabric Length | 3 yards for children, 4 yards for adults |
| Fabric Width | 44"-45" |
| Batting | Polyester quilt batting, cotton batting, or other |
| Zipper | Dual separating zipper, 48" |
| Zipper Length | 75"-80" for children, 100" for toddlers |
| Other Supplies | Embroidery thread, tapestry needle, fabric safe paint, paintbrush, cardboard |
| Sewing Tools | Sewing machine, fabric marker, pins, needles, snap press, pliers |
| Climate Rating | Consider the application, e.g. camping, sleepovers |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing fabric and batting
When making a child's sleeping bag, the fabric and batting you choose are important considerations. The ideal fabric depends on the season and intended use. For summer, light cotton or jersey is recommended, while flannel or quilted fabrics are suitable for winter. It is important to avoid synthetic materials that will be in direct contact with the child's skin. Pre-washing fabrics before sewing is also recommended to prevent shrinkage.
For the batting, you will need three yards of fabric for a child's sleeping bag. You can cut the fabric in half to get two equal lengths, and then place them with right sides together and pin them in place. If you want to add extra warmth, you can include a layer of medium loft batting. Cut the batting about an inch narrower than the sleeping bag along the long sides and bottom. You can choose to add another layer of batting to make the sleeping bag thicker.
When sewing, you will need to leave an opening for the zipper. Place your batting on top of the lining, and then fold the main fabric back down, sandwiching the batting between the layers. You can quilt the layers together using straight lines or any pattern you prefer. Sew along the top of the sleeping bag, joining the lining and main fabric.
Finally, trim any excess batting so that it is about an inch shorter than your sleeping bag. Fold the top ends in on themselves and pin them in place before sewing all the way around the top. This will secure the batting in place and ensure it does not shift during washing.
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Cutting the fabric
To cut the fabric for a child's sleeping bag, you will need about 3 yards of fabric for both the outer and inner fabric. For the outer fabric, cut the fabric in half to get two equal lengths. Place the right sides of the fabric together and pin them in place. You can then stitch down the length of the pinned side and remove the pins, creating a square shape when unfolded. Repeat this process with the inner fabric.
Next, place your outer fabric on the ground with the right side facing up. If you have non-carpeted floors, you can tape the fabric down to prevent wrinkles. Cut your coordinating fabric in half so that you have two pieces of equal length and width. Sew one of these pieces to the top of your main fabric with a seam allowance. Press the seam down and repeat for the other pieces.
Before sewing the pieces together, use them as a pattern to cut two lining pieces of the same length and width. Place the outer fabric on the ground with the right side facing up, and tape it down if needed to prevent wrinkles. Cut your coordinating fabric in half so that you have two equal pieces. With right sides together, sew one of the coordinating fabric pieces to the top of your main fabric.
If you are adding batting, cut it narrower than the sleeping bag along the long sides and bottom. Open up your sleeping bag and place the batting on top of the lining. Fold the main fabric back down, sandwiching the batting between the layers. You can add another layer of batting for extra thickness and warmth.
Finally, prepare the zipper by measuring and cutting it to the appropriate length. You can then sew the zipper into the sleeping bag, lining up the bottom stopper of the zipper with the bottom center of the bag.
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Sewing the fabric together
Now that you have your fabric and zipper ready, it's time to start sewing!
First, lay your zipper on the outer fabric, facing down and about 2 to 3 inches from the top edge. Then, place the inner fabric on top, facing down, so that the right sides of the fabric are together. Pin the fabrics in place and sew straight down the edge, catching both fabrics and the zipper in between. Repeat this process on the other side of the zipper with the remaining fabric pieces.
Next, sew through all four layers across the bottom and up the other side. Turn the fabrics right side out, and you should now have something resembling a flat sleeping bag. Place your batting on top and cut it to fit, making sure it's about an inch narrower than the bag. You can add an extra layer of batting for more warmth. Now, wriggle the batting inside each half of the sleeping bag and pin it in place, smoothing it out as you go.
Draw a couple of horizontal lines across your bag, about a third of the way from the bottom and top. Sew along these lines to secure the batting in place. Trim any excess batting at the top, so it's about an inch shorter than your sleeping bag. Fold the top ends in on themselves and pin them in place before sewing around the top of the bag.
Finally, lay your sleeping bag on the floor with the middle seam running vertically. Use yardsticks to divide the panel into equal sections and pin them in place. This will ensure that the batting stays put during washing and adds texture. Now, you're ready to attach the zipper.
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Adding the zipper
Now that you have cut and sewn your fabric, it's time to add the zipper. First, separate your zipper and place the bottom stopper of one piece of your zipper between the main and lining fabrics, starting at the bottom center of the bag. Make sure that the layers of the bag are folded under 1/2" toward the inside of the bag. If you are working with fleece, you do not need to press it; just fold it to the inside as you go and pin it in place.
Next, lay your lining fabric down, right side facing up, and lay the main fabric on top, with the right side facing the right side of the lining. Pin all the layers together, ensuring that the separating zipper bottoms line up and meet up at the middle seam of the sleeping bag. Both sides should be 1/2" from the top on each side. When pinning the corners, clip the zipper tape a few times to help the zipper curve with the sleeping bag.
Now, using a zipper foot, sew all the way around and through all layers. Start at the top and end about 5" short of where you began, leaving an opening. If you do not have a zipper foot, that is okay; just be careful when maneuvering the fabric.
Finally, trim all four corners to reduce bulk when turning the bag right side out. Be careful not to clip through any stitches, and take extra care around the corners with zippers. You may need to clip the fabric seam allowance to ensure a neat finish when turning the bag right side out.
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Finishing touches
Once you have finished sewing the sleeping bag, there are a few finishing touches you can add to make it perfect.
Firstly, if you want to add ties to your bag, you can do so, but be aware that ties are not recommended for young children or children who will be unsupervised during use. You can also add snaps to your sleeping bag. These are great for kids, as they are easy to use and act as a closure. You can buy a snap press, which is more expensive, or you can use pliers or kits that you hammer in.
If you want to add a zipper, measure your zipper to about 77 inches. Zip it up and mark about one inch above that, then cut off the excess zipper. Using needle-nose pliers, clamp the zipper stops back onto the trimmed zipper. You can also sew new zipper stops by hand. Lay the lining down, right side up, and lay the main fabric on top, with the right side facing the lining's right side. Pin all the layers together, ensuring the zipper bottoms line up and meet at the middle seam. Sew all the way around and through all the layers. Trim all four corners to reduce bulk, being careful not to clip through any stitches.
Finally, if you want to add some extra flair to your sleeping bag, you can use fabric-safe paint and a paintbrush to decorate it. You will need a cardboard surface or something similar to protect the paint from bleeding through.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need 3 yards each of outer and inner fabric for a child-sized sleeping bag.
For the outer fabric, choose a bottom-weight or heavyweight fabric. For the lining, choose a flannel or cotton fabric.
You will need a zipper, typically around 75-80 inches in length, and batting to provide warmth. You may also want to use fabric paint to decorate the sleeping bag.
First, lay the zipper on the outer fabric with the zipper facing down, about 2-3 inches from the top edge. Then, place the inner fabric on top, with the right sides facing each other, and pin it in place. Sew straight down the edge, catching both fabrics and the zipper in between. Repeat on the other side.
Yes, you can use plastic snaps as an alternative closure, especially if you are sewing for young children.
