How to sew a sleeping bag with your own hands? DIY sleeping bag: features of cutting and sewing

A newborn baby is still so small and helpless that he is not able to warm himself at night by covering himself with a blanket. How can I help him? How to save precious warmth, giving a cozy, sound sleep not only to your baby, but also to yourself? Different families come out of this situation different ways, but today we want to talk about a very convenient, and most importantly simple tool - a sleeping bag. You can buy such a simple thing at any children's store, but you can give yourself the pleasure of sewing it with your own hands. The period of waiting for the baby is the optimal time for such pleasant work. The baby will be warm not only from a comfortable little thing, but also from mother’s caring hands, which gently sewed each line.

In anticipation of the birth of the baby, the mother needs to prepare everything necessary for him, for example, a sleeping bag

Pros and cons of sleeping bags

Sleeping bag for newborns is much superior to a blanket and here's why:

  • thanks to the comfortable location inside the pouch, the baby can easily turn over in his sleep;
  • in the version with a blanket, after turning over, the baby remains undressed, which means he becomes cold; by choosing a sleeping bag, you eliminate this problem - the baby is always covered, which means the whole family sleeps peacefully;
  • feeding can be done directly in the bag, so the baby will not experience temperature changes;
  • a compact option compared to a blanket, which means it will take up less space when traveling;
  • the safety of the design eliminates the danger that the baby will have difficulty breathing if he covers his head with it, as can happen with a blanket;
  • a sleeping bag will prevent a sleeping bag from getting out of the crib for a baby up to one year old;
  • a more convenient option for use in a stroller: it is always securely fixed and puts on very quickly.

We list the disadvantages that this product has:

  • Changing the diaper. Check the baby for changing clothes, and also for the process of changing the diaper itself, you need to unzip the bag. A child, getting out of his cozy place, may run wild, which means he will have to be calmed down and rocked to sleep again.
  • When buying a bag not for a newborn baby, but for a slightly older one, there is a danger that he will not be able to get used to the new sleeping conditions.

Buying a sleeping bag in a store or sewing it yourself is the decision of each individual mother. Today you can find a wide variety of materials for products. So it's easy to pick up good option for any season.


When choosing a sleeping bag, you should focus on the child’s age and the required thickness of the envelope; it is also important to pay attention to the quality of tailoring and fabric

Features of choosing a sleeping bag

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When making your choice before purchasing, be sure to pay attention to the following important points:

  • Size. Make a choice in favor of longer sleeping bags (reserve +10-15 cm for height). It's not worth taking it right away. Having slightly increased in height, the baby will be uncomfortable in such a sleeping bag; he will not be able to comfortably stretch and stretch his legs. A size that is too large is also not suitable. The little one might just get confused there. When choosing, you need to focus on the following parameters:
    • 65 cm - from 0 to 4 months;
    • 75 cm - from 4 to 9 months;
    • 90 cm - from 9 to 15 months;
    • 105 cm - from 15 months. and older.
  • Material. Pay great attention to the components of the bag - they must be completely non-allergenic! Depending on the temperature, there may be the following options: from 20˚С – cotton; 17-20˚С – with a little insulation; below 16˚С – insulated; very warm and quilted options are an excellent choice for walks in spring and autumn. The recommended option for washing such items is a machine at 40˚C. Please note that the sleeping bag should be light.
  • Sleeves. There are a lot of options: envelopes, with sleeves, with detachable and sewn cuffs and others. When buying an envelope with sleeves for a newborn, choose an option with sewn edges or the ability to fasten them - this way there is less chance that the baby will scratch herself in her sleep. When planning a long-term purchase, choose an option with detachable sleeves and the ability to shorten the length by moving the buttons. For children from birth, a sleeveless vest is perfect, because in this case the child will have good thermoregulation. Heat does not escape “through the handles,” which means the body will not overheat, which has a beneficial effect on further good health and resistance to colds.


A wide range of sleeping bags allows you to choose an option for every taste, but it is important to monitor the quality of the fabric and tailoring so that the baby is comfortable and safe
  • Neck. A prerequisite is that the gap between the neck and neckline should be at least 1.5-2 cm. Avoid tight-fitting options that can rub the skin or interfere with free movement.
  • Clasps. For convenience, manufacturers usually use a zipper as a lock. This fastener allows you to quickly unfasten and fasten the sleeping bag. Options with Velcro, buttons and snaps are somewhat less common. For older children, they produce options with a zipper that closes from the bottom up, so the child is protected from accidental unfastening while sleeping.
  • Embroidery, appliques. They are considered unnecessary elements, as they can cause chafing of the baby’s skin. The ideal option is printed delicate designs on soft fabric. A monochromatic option would also be appropriate.

If there is filling in your sleeping bag, read the information on how to wash it. Caring for such things is special.



TOP 7 ready-made sleeping bags

There are a lot of models of sleeping bags on sale today. Among such diversity it is not difficult to get confused. A number of models are equipped with the ability to attach handles for carrying babies. Of some models, after opening the envelope, you receive a mat on which the baby can lie down and play. Colors, materials, styles - manufacturers are trying to please moms and dads. Let's look at some examples:

  1. COCOBAG red Castle – made in France. Its shape really resembles a bag, which has a wide elastic band under the arms. The bag has side and bottom seams with zippers, making it easy to put on.
  2. The beautiful Sweet Dremas from George has a nice light blue striped color scheme. There is an unfastening mechanism familiar to all models of this manufacturer - there is a zipper on the side and bottom, and there are locking buttons on both hangers.
  3. Polish ECO sleeping bags have their own pleasant difference - they have sleeves. This sleeping bag will also be comfortable during a walk. Thanks to the comfortable design, the little one's legs and arms are always warm and free to move.
  4. The Chinese JYQ envelope has a slightly different style: the lower part of the body is “packed” into a bag, and the upper part (starting from the shoulders) is fixed in two halves with Velcro. Made from fleece.
  5. The SwaddleDesigns muslin sleeping bag is designed for use in a crib, in a room with a temperature of 22-24˚C. The zipper is located in the middle and can be unfastened both from the top and from the bottom. This zipper design allows you to change the diaper without disturbing the baby.
  6. The Summer Infant textile envelope is made in the USA. This option will be convenient for both the baby and the mother. The zipper allows you to unfasten the sleeping bag along the entire perimeter. The sleeves have a wide cut, which allows for slight ventilation.
  7. The CAM SACCOSPASSO sleeping bag is convenient to take with you in the stroller. This will be a good option in the autumn-winter season. The foot cover is complemented by a warm envelope. There are holes around the perimeter for securing with seat belts. You can form a hood.

How to sew a sleeping bag with your own hands?

You can sew a convenient envelope with your own hands. Select suitable type fabrics: wool, cotton, knitwear, flannel, fleece or something else. The choice of fabric will depend on the season of use. When planning to sew a sleeping bag for the outdoors, buy additional insulation, holofiber or padding polyester. Sewing is done using a pattern. Below we will offer you various manufacturing options.

When sewing, it is important to consider the following important points:

  1. When cutting out the back, make sure that it is solid. The seams will disturb the baby while sleeping. The front halves are connected with a zipper.
  2. The sleeveless model requires sewing snaps, Velcro or buttons on top.
  3. When planning to sew an insulated sleeping bag, prepare paired pieces for sewing inside the warm lining.
  4. It is recommended to stitch the insulated version for use in a stroller with squares or another shape so that the lining does not deform during wear.
  5. It is not necessary to decorate the envelope with decorative elements, but if you still want to decorate the work, avoid decorations on the back, otherwise they will “dig into” the baby’s body.

Fleece bag with zipper

Working with fleece will be very pleasant: the material does not crumble, stretches a little and easily takes the required shape. If you have no sewing experience, you can still cope with this task without difficulty. We are sewing a model for children 6 months of age. See the manufacturing master class below:

  • We apply the pattern of the back and front parts to the fabric, securing it with needles and cutting out the corresponding shapes (the front and back parts of the product in photo 4):
  • Now you need to insert the zipper. Fold the front part in half with right sides together and sew in a straight line from top to bottom, leaving about 1-1.5 cm from the edge. Cut the resulting “pocket”, attach a zipper, as shown in the photo:
  • Baste the zipper, then sew it along the fabric using a machine. Turn the product over with the right side facing you and open the center seam. Sew the front and back of the product from the wrong side. Decorate the armholes and décolleté area.

The simplest pouch with Velcro/snaps

Some people don't like the hassle of sewing a zipper or want to use a zipper for some other reason. There is another scheme for making a sleeping bag - a simple and comfortable style with Velcro that is attached to the shoulders.

For work you will need the following materials:

  • pattern;
  • fabric (fleece or cotton);
  • bias tape;
  • Velcro.

The principle of cutting and sewing is the same as in the first example, with the exception of the zipper steps. Follow the simple photo instructions:

Knitted sleeping bag

Without sewing skills, but skillfully using knitting needles, a mother can knit a bag for her unborn baby. Such cocoons follow the shape of the baby’s body as accurately as possible and are more comfortable compared to padding polyester options (see also:). You can knit with wool or combined (cotton + wool) threads, then the sleeping bag is made entirely from natural materials.

For one knitted product for a newborn you will need about 400 grams of wool. Also prepare buttons or a zipper, depending on which pattern you choose to knit. If necessary, purchase additional knitting needles 4, 5, circular knitting needles 3 and 5, as well as an auxiliary knitting needle. We offer you several photo options for knitting patterns:


We have already talked about what advantages a seemingly optional piece of camping equipment can provide -. There are many ready-made options in stores, including from well-known brands, but the simplicity of the product tempts many to sew it with their own hands. So, let's look at the sleeping bag liner pattern and sewing features.

What are sleeping bag inserts made from?

The choice of material for the liner depends on the purpose for which you are going to sew it and for what time of year. Some sew such an element of equipment to increase the thermal insulation of a sleeping bag, while others are more interested in the issue of hygiene.

Fleece sleeping bag liner– a good option for the cold season. It will help if you don’t want to spend money on a warmer sleeping bag or if your bag has lost its thermal insulation properties. The disadvantage of fleece liners is their relatively large weight and volume. If you can still fight the volume with the help of a compression case, then with a weight of 500-600 grams. you have to come to terms with it.

Cotton liner– excellent for hygienic purposes, since cotton is easy to wash, absorbs moisture well and is pleasant to the touch. It weighs a little, on average about 300-400 grams. And, importantly, it is very easy to sew such a liner for a sleeping bag with your own hands - just fold a regular sheet in half, cut it to the desired size and stitch it.

Polartec liner– ideal for thermoregulation, since this material is usually used for sewing thermal underwear. Polartek removes moisture well and retains heat - you can expect that the comfort temperature of the sleeping bag will increase by about 20-30%. The disadvantage will be the relatively high cost of the material (higher than cotton and fleece).

Silk liner- an option more likely for summer, although it still gives a slight plus to the comfort temperature of the sleeping bag. It has one plus – it’s very light weight. The downside is the “capriciousness” of silk. You can make a pattern for a sleeping bag without any problems, but creating a flat seam on a silk blank is very difficult.

Sleeping bag liner pattern

How to sew a sleeping bag liner with your own hands?

Lay a roll of paper or an old newspaper on the floor and place a zipped sleeping bag on top. Trace the outline of the sleeping bag on paper with a pencil. Mark the neck line separately (where the hood begins).

Cut out the resulting pattern along with the hood - this will be the back part of the sleeping bag liner. You will get the front part if you turn the paper along the neck line.

Transfer the patterns for the back and front of the liner onto the fabric. Cut everything out and baste the product.

Sew the liner and be sure to zigzag along the seam to prevent it from fraying. It is optimal if sewing machine It is possible to make flat “rubber” (stretch) seams.

Instructions for sewing a sleeping bag liner

And finally, a little advice: if you want to sew a fleece liner for a sleeping bag with your own hands, take into account the features of this material - it stretches. Sometimes it’s easier to stitch it on a machine through newspaper, which you can then simply pull out of the seam.

You will need

  • Soft cotton fabric 90 cm wide – 3.6 m;
  • waterproof fabric or fabric with water-repellent impregnation 90 cm wide - 3.6 m;
  • detachable zipper 2.5 - 2.6 m long;
  • non-woven fabric 90 cm wide - 10.8 m.

Instructions

A piece of soft cotton fabric cut in half into two identical pieces of length 1.8, sew them along the length, iron the seam, turning the edges to the sides. This will be the inside of your sleeping bag. When choosing fabric for it, keep in mind that you should use colors that are not very easily soiled, since it is often used in a bag in camping conditions, where it can quickly get dirty.

Also cut the second piece of waterproof or impregnated fabric in half into two pieces 1.8 meters long, sew both pieces along the long side. Sew both resulting pieces of different fabrics together, along the side where there is a middle seam. This will be the top edge of your sleeping bag.

Cut the interlining into six pieces, each 1.8 meters long. Stack them in two stacks of three layers each.

Place the sewn pieces of waterproof fabric and soft fabric on the floor with the seams facing up. Wrap the soft fabric, and on a piece of waterproof fabric across the seam, place both stacks of layers of non-woven fabric next to each other, butt jointed. Take a thread and a needle and baste the interlining to the fabric layer, securing it around the perimeter and in several places so that the interlining layers are securely fixed to the surface of the fabric.

Unfold a piece of soft fabric and place it on top of the interlining so that the seam running down the middle is across two stacks of interlining layers laid side by side. Baste the fabric around the perimeter and inside using large stitches.

Helpful advice

To prevent your sleeping bag from getting dirty while hiking, you can sew inner liners-envelopes for it from cotton fabric. After each use, you will wash them, not the sleeping bag.

After finishing another trip to the bosom of nature, it’s time to return home, where after swimming it’s time for the big wash. In order to prevent the whole apartment from smelling like a fire, and the ants not building an anthill in it, you need to be careful about cleaning and washing all things, starting with socks and ending with a sleeping bag. It may contain one of three types of thermal insulation - synthetic fiber, down or non-woven wool. So how to wash it correctly? sleeping bag, and is it possible to do this at all?

Instructions

If your sleeping bag is made of natural down, then it is not intended for frequent washing. In fact, experienced tourists do not recommend it at all sleeping bag, consisting of down filling, since over time, down from excess moisture collects into lumps. Accordingly, after washing, the uniformity of the warm layer is disrupted, and the sleeper will no longer be able to fulfill its direct duties. On sale you can find English products for cleaning things; they will allow you to get rid of unpleasant odor and dirt, and will also help keep the down filling safe.

With padding polyester sleeping bag Oh, things are much better, they can be washed, but better by hand. To do this, you need to turn the sleeping bag inside out and lower it into a bathtub or large basin with warm water, which requires pre-liquid soap or a special detergent sleeping bag ov. He should be in this composition for no more than 30 minutes. You can age it, but not everyone can do it. Therefore, it is much easier to climb into the bathtub with your feet and trample on your sleeping bag. True, heavy dirt and stains will still have to be washed by hand. Drain the dirty water and add new water, repeat the procedure until the water is completely clean, free of soap and debris.

Also, a sleeping bag made of padding polyester can be machine washed, but it may soon deteriorate. Turn it inside out sleeping bag zipped up and load it into, add liquid detergent and start gentle mode. The water temperature should not be more than 35 degrees. It is also recommended to set the additional rinse mode. It is advisable not to use, as this may damage the filler and the fabric itself.

After washing, let the water drain completely, while keeping the sleeping bag in a horizontal position. It should be dried in a well-ventilated place, away from direct sunlight. Do not use for drying sleeping bag and radiators or other heating devices, this can damage its structure.

A sleeping bag is an essential necessity for tourists when camping overnight. A “cocoon” bag or “blanket” will reliably protect you from the cold and make life in extreme conditions more comfortable. It is important for a beginning outdoor enthusiast to learn how to quickly and deftly assemble the necessary equipment so as not to create unnecessary problems for himself on the road. For example, fold your sleeping bag compactly.

compactly fold your camping equipment, your the main task– release as much accumulated air as possible from the bag through the head hole.

Tighten the resulting small roll with special straps, which are usually included in the travel kit. After this, roll the upper edges of the compression bag outward for storing the sleeping bag and begin to gradually tuck the rolled bag into it. Carefully unscrew the packaging little by little until the sleeping bag is completely inside it. If it doesn’t fit, all you have to do is roll out the product and repeat step No. 2 again. Try to roll the linen cylinder as tightly as possible.

Upon arrival home, it is recommended to remove the sleeping bag from the compress packaging and store it in a closet in a straightened or slightly crumpled state. Usually, when packing in traveling conditions, the product is folded along the same line, and with prolonged use, places with severe wear of the internal insulation appear on its surface. In order for camping equipment to retain its high performance characteristics longer, when storing a sleeping bag, it is necessary to always bend the fabric in different places.

I propose to make sleeping blankets for relaxation, which can be used outdoors, in the country, and even at home during periods of no heating.

You will need: for 2 bags 90 cm wide: 2 detachable zippers (180 cm and 75 cm) 2 magnetic buttons Tafeta raincoat fabric 6.2x1.45 m shervisin (density 200 g/m) 4.2x2.2 m 7 m wide slings 20 mm 8 three-slot buckles lining fabric threads nylon tips fasteners cord.

Warm sleeping bag

From raincoat fabric we cut out a rectangle 180x206 cm (I got 2 parts, because the width of the fabric is 145 cm). We cut out the same parts from the lining and wool seal.

We sew together the seal and lining, laying parallel lines along the width of the workpiece at a distance of 50 cm.

We attach zippers to the raincoat fabric part. First, we sew in a zipper 75 cm long: unzip it, apply it to the middle of the bottom edge and sew both zipper strips from the center to the edges of the workpiece, not reaching the corners of the part about 5-7 cm. We sew detachable fastener strips (180 cm) to the long sections, also not reaching the edge.

Place the quilted lining and top fabric right sides inward, match the corners and stitch at a distance of 0.7 cm from the edge on three sides. We trim the insulation in the corners and turn the product inside out through the unsewn edge.

We install magnetic buttons in the corners (photo 1). In the future, they will help to combine two sleeping bags when lashing them together.

Lay out the workpiece and level the top. The length of the zipper is such that the sleeping bag does not close to the edge of the top by 12 cm. We bend the upper unsewn section by 2 cm and sew it with a zigzag, forming a drawstring (photo 2). We insert the lace into it, install the clamps and tips. We sew the second sleeping bag in the same way.

Reliable protection

We sew covers for bags from the remnants of the outer fabric. For each, we cut out one square with sides of 80 cm. We bend one section and sew it on - we get a drawstring for the lace. Then we sew the blanks along the side and bottom edges. For the volume of the bottom, we draw off the corners (photo 3, 4). We insert the lace, the fastener, the tips and place the bags.

Compact storage

Compression ties (a system of straps with buckles that allows you to tighten a sleeping bag and reduce its volume) greatly save space in a small car trunk or backpack. For each of the ties, cut out 2 squares (25x25 cm). We bend and stitch all the cuts. We attach 65 cm long slings to two of them (the lower parts) in the corners. In the remaining 2 squares we cut holes in the middle (they are needed so that when tightening the sleeping bag, air can escape more easily). We sew slings (16 cm each) with buckles onto the corners, and a handle on top (photo 5, c). The tie is ready (photo 7) - you can get ready for fishing or hiking.

*Shervisin is a volumetric non-woven insulation made of sheep wool and highly crimped hollow polyester fiber, has both insulating and medicinal properties: perfectly absorbs moisture, allows the body to breathe and neutralizes harmful substances that are released with sweat.