Introduction: Make Your Own Snuggie

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Now you can make your own Snuggie style blanket with this free pattern! 

Tired of the weird color choices and less-than-plush fabric the commercial Snuggies offer you?
Finally, you can make your own out of any color and pattern you choose! 

I went with super thick leopard print (of course!) fleece.  But with the variety of novelty print fleece on the market, and the ability to change up the colors all you want, you can finally have the Snuggie style blanket of your dreams.

Even though I joked about it at first, I've finally given into the temptation of the Snuggie.  It keeps me super warm during all of my lounging, knitting, reading and internet surfing.  Jealous? I know you secretly are.  And if you're a doubter, it's clear you have not yet enjoyed the sweet sweet embrace of your own custom snuggie. 

It's everything you love about a blanket plus sleeves!

Now, you can make one for kids too.

please save your backwards bathrobe comments for the end.

Step 1: Supplies

This is a great opportunity to repurpose some fleece blankets you have lying around that aren't getting the job done.  You'll want two - one for the body, one for the sleeves.

If however, you don't have fleece blankets lying around and that's why you need the Snuggie in the first place, well, then you're gonna need 3 yards (2.7 meters) of fabric.  That may seem like a lot, but 2/3 of a yard (0.6m) goes into the sleeves.  If you're well over 6' (180cm), you probably want to go with 3 1/2yds (3.2m).

Also, scissors, chalk, a ruler and a sewing machine.  I used a serger for this project, and if you have one, you can either serge of flatlock the seams together, according to you manual.  If you don't have a serger, a straight-up sewing machine is really all you need.  The edges of fleece don't fray, so you don't have to worry about how to treat the cut edges!

If you don't have a sewing machine, don't fret! You can totally sew this by hand.  There are only four seams to sew!

Step 2: Measure Twice, Cut Once. Ok, Twice.

The first thing you'll want to do is even up the cut edge of the fleece.  If you're using blankets, this part is done for you!  If not, the easiest thing to do is align the selvage edge (the long side) with the edge of a table and align the cut edge with the perpendicular edge of the table.  This is your straight edge guide, so trim away!  Repeat on opposite end.

Now check out the diagram I drew up of how you're going to cut down your fabric.  This should give you a good overall idea of what the next few steps will entail.

Next, measure up 24" (61cm) from the newly cut edge and mark a line across the fabric.  This is where you'll cut to make the sleeves.

Fold the newly cut 24" (61cm) long piece in half lengthwise and cut along the fold to make two rectangles for your sleeves.  No, rectangle isn't the traditional shape for a sleeve, but I'm trying to make this easy here, and frankly, I ended up enjoying my rectangular sleeves!





Step 3: Make Armholes

A 6"x9" (15cm x 23cm) oval is a pretty good shape for most adult armholes.

I've provided a scan of the oval I made out of paper for this purpose, because I don't have the right software today to draw one for you digitally.  :D

Fold the large piece of fabric in half lengthwise.  Measure down from the top 12-14" (30-36cm) and in from the fold 10-11" (25-28cm) depending on your preference.  Place the edges of the oval template at these measurements.

Trace the oval in chalk.  Remove the paper pattern.  Pin the fabric together well and cut out the oval from both layers of fabric.


Step 4: Sew It All Together

Make the sleeves by folding in half and pinning together the two shorter sides.  Sew along this seam with 1/2" (15mm) seam allowance.

Next, pin the edge of the sleeve to the circle you cut out for the armhole.  It's hard to illustrate in a photograph, but it's pretty easy to figure out in person.  Make sure you're pinning the outsides (right sides) of the fabric together. Just ease the edge of the sleeve to fit into the circle of the armhole you cut in the body.  It's best to pin them both in at the same time, so you put them both on the right way.  My first go, I accidentally put one on inside-out.  So learn from my mistakes :D

Sew or serge along this edge with 1/2" (15mm) seam allowance.  Turn right side out and repeat on other sleeve.  Voila!



Step 5: Enjoy Your Snuggie

This is it! You're done! Congratulations, you made yourself a wearable blanket that all will probably mock but secretly admire.  Wear this while you're watching late night tv on the couch, or at your computer when you work from home.  You can do anything in your new snuggie!  Except maybe jogging.  I don't recommend jogging.  Or swimming.  But you can do any sort of lounging- or seated-type activities, and keep yourself warm at the same time.

Stay tuned for more snuggie style related Instructables, including one for kids and one for dogs!