This is hands down the best baby swaddle blanket. I have used them personally and gifted so many to new moms because this tutorial makes it SO easy to make your own or pair it with a little outfit or DIY Moby Wrap for your next baby shower!
Today I’m going to share with you my favorite thing that I have made for my baby so far. If you had told me that these simple baby swaddle blankets would be my favorite baby project a month ago I would have said you were crazy.
As I sit here updating this 6 years later I can attest to the fact that we used these while Teddy was a baby daily and as he got older we used them as snuggle blankets, extra layers, and more. I’ve had friends request these when they get pregnant after seeing me use mine. Trust me these baby blankets are seriously the best!
I had totally expected my pouch sling or moby baby carrier to be my most valuable creation. But no, today I am here to share my baby swaddle blanket tutorial because even as ridiculously simple as these are they don’t sell them in the stores and I use them CONSTANTLY!
Why Make a Baby Swaddle Blanket
After watching this great video on swaddling I wanted to take the nurse on the video’s advice and get some blankets that were at least 40×40 inches but there was nothing except those really expensive muslin organic kind so I decided to make my own.
And even though I ended up being gifted some of the pricey ones I actually ended up preferring the ones I made myself. They stay in place and helped our little one feel so tucked in and secure.
I know a lot of people may be tempted to buy the super thin loose fabric to swaddle and I had some of those but we found that even in the summer we kept on pulling these home made swaddlers out.
How to Use Swaddle Blankets
Teddy was a super wiggly baby. He was definitely a flailer. I’m sure if we didn’t master swaddling he would have had to be held to stay a sleep.
Thankfully these are so so easy. Obviously they are great for bundling babies up so they feel safe as they sleep but there are so many ways to use these simple blankets you will soon find yourself carrying them around and tucking them throughout the house!
- swaddling
- warmth (you know like a regular blanket)
- to tuck in with a car seat
- to lay out for a clean surface
- as a nursing cover
- a makeshift changing pad
- a quick spit up rag
- personal kiddo picnic blanket
- comfort cuddler
- fort material
- rolled up for makeshift pillows
How Do You Make a Baby Swaddle Blanket?
First of you will need fabric. I did a lot of research and I found that around 40X40 inch squares seemed to be the preferred size for swaddling babies. And I can attests that have using them for years that worked out great for us.
What Size Fabric Do you Need for Baby Swaddle Blankets?
I did a lot of research and I found that around 40X40 inch squares seemed to be the preferred size for swaddling babies. And I can attests that have using them for years that worked out great for us.
I used flannel from Jo-Ann Fabrics because it’s cozy, wallet friendly, and comes in lots of get prints.
Most of mine were 42 inches wide so I had them cut each piece to 42 inches so it would make a square. But if it was 44 inches I had it cut to 44. Also some weren’t quite enough so I have a couple that are 42 x 40 and they still work great.
I love using flannel but I think a lightweight knit would also work. If you have your heart set on muslin you can absolutely use this tutorial to make affordable lightweight baby wrapping blankets as well!
Steps for Making Swaddling Blankets
These take me literally 5 minutes to make. It can be even faster if you start with the size you want them already cut from the fabric store.
- Cut your fabric so that it is a square 40×40 inches or larger.
- Next finish the edges. I used a rolled edge on my serger but you could use any overcast stitch on your sewing machine or even a zig zag. you just want something that will prevent the edges from unraveling.
- Finally fray check the corners so that they stay in tact.
One word about fray check. You don’t want the baby to chew on it but we used these so young that Teddy wasn’t in that type of phase while the fray check was new and I never had to reapply after the very initial application.
If it makes you nervous you can skip that step. If it starts to fray just refinish it leaving a long serving tail and tie a knot.
And that’s really all there is to it. Super easy but super functional. Now you won’t look at flannel the same way again.
Make Your Own Swaddling Blankets
Instructions
- Cut your fabric so that it is a square 40×40 inches or larger. I used flannel from Jo-Ann Fabrics because it’s cozy, wallet friendly, and comes in lots of get prints. Most of mine were 42 inches wide so I had them cut each piece to 42 inches so it would make a square. But if it was 44 inches I had it cut to 44. Also some weren’t quite enough so I have a couple that are 42 x 40 and they still work great.
- Next finish the edges. I used a rolled edge on my serger but you could use any overcast stitch on your sewing machine or even a zig zag. you just want something that will prevent the edges from unraveling.
- Finally fray check the corners so that they stay in tact.
I am definitely guilty of having a whole box full of cute flannel prints ready for making these and my favorite bibs for gifts!
If you liked this make sure to check out these other great posts:
Things people forget to tell new moms. I wish I new these sooner!
How to hem knits. Seriously this trick is like magic.
How to professionally finish seams even without a serger.
Summer says
Oh he is so cute! I loved swaddling blankets when my children will little – best thing ever!
Megan says
These are adorable! Also, we had a few of those muslin ones because we received them as gifts, and they were just too stretchy for my little escape artist! The flannel stayed put much better (although the muslin ones were nice for summer and later nursing when she wouldn’t stay under the cover anymore – they just didn’t keep a baby swaddled through a nap for me.)
Jill || Made with Moxie says
These really are a life saver for new moms! I made a ton for my kids when they were born. We are still using them: couch blankies, car seat blankies, sick blankies (flannel absorbs all sorts of bodily fluids), baby doll blankies. I plan on cutting them all up one day too and sewing the squares into a larger blanket for a twin sized bed too!
Ashlee says
mine loved being swaddled too! I perfered my fabric to have a little stretch to hold the baby better, but the only thing that matters is the baby staying asleep, so whatever works! And in another few weeks you will LOVE that Moby!
Jessica w says
one of the other bloggers I read suggest these blankets http://www.target.com/p/aden-anais-for-target-zooaroo-swaddle-wraps-4pk-gender-neutral/-/A-11219328?ref=tgt_adv_xasd0003&afid=73861&clkid=869728068&lnm=1-6759 which are pretty big, but way more expensive than sewing your own. Thanks so much for the tutorial!
Shannon P says
Swaddling was so great for my daughter I am sure we will swaddle our next baby–but she will be born in June. Is there another type of lighter-weight fabric you would use for the summer months, or do you still normally use flannel?
marissa says
I know we always have the are conditional on in the summer so we’ll probably still use the flannel ones. It seems like some of the flannel I bought is thinner so I might make a point to use that more. But I’m going to wander the fabric store next time I’m there since I think any natural fiber fabric would be great.
Stephie n says
They actually sell the same muslin fabric ( called something else like gauze or cotton gauze ) that Aden and anais blankets are made from at Joanne’s as we’ll, so theoretically you could sew I our own lighter weight blankets, although I found I loved my Aden and anais blankets no matter what season it was with all three of my kiddos so far
marissa says
I actually have some of that Joann’s stuff to play with it’s a little more rough than the Aden and Anais stuff I’ve been trying to think of ways to soften it up or find a supplier with softer stuff but yes you can definitely make lighter weight ones for the Summer!
Jane says
My son lives in Houston and they used seersucker. It worked great in a hot humid climate
Delia says
love seeing the blankets in action on that sweet sweet baby boy! SO cute!
LonnieQ says
I have used these ‘blankets’ for all 5 of my children and all 12 of my grandkids and I’m still making
them for friends and yes, stocking up for great grandkids. They are totally awesome and if it’s a winter baby or you live in cold climate you can always double the flannel and have a really cozy wrapper.
p.s. Gorgeous baby. Is this his first modeling job??? :)
marissa says
Aww thanks. Yes we’re a big fan of the blankets and the boy ;)
Cindy M says
Thanks for the post. 2 points: 1. Reconsider the Fray Check. The baby will eventually be sucking on anything they can get in their mouth. Do you want the fray check to be in their mouth? Even if dry, yuck. Just reinforce the corners with sewing. 2. Someone asked about summer wt fabric. Our favorite was Jersey Knit, double side it and trim with binding tape or slightly round the edges and no funky points to contend with in the fraying department.
Hannah T. says
What kind of machine is your serger? Pros, cons, preferences to look for? Love the blankets and love simplicity!
marissa says
The one I use the most is a Juki and I love it. Here’s a whole post about my thoughts on sergers and what I have http://www.raegunramblings.com/2011/12/q-advice-on-buying-serger.html
Susan says
You can’t have enough. Wrap baby gifts with them. Use them as table toppers at a baby shower.
Use flannel, cotton, muslin type, jersey knit or even your old soft sheets.
Double up for a warmer wrap.
Recycle them to soft hankies, rags, quilt backups, picnic cloths or to the local animal shelter.
If you don’t have a serger, just a narrow flat- fold hem will work. For fun, play with leftover threads and the embroidery or fancy stitches on the hem.
Always trim all ends as threads can wind around little toes and fingers and cut of all circulation.
Crystal says
Do these have 2 sides of print or is it white on the other side?
marissa says
Typically the fabric is one sided but I have seen it printed on two sides before but I’ve never thought the price difference was worth it. When you swaddle a baby it won’t show if you fold it down at the top like I do (and most parents won’t really care about that kind of stuff while trying to get a tired bubby to bed).
Cathy says
I love making these oversized swaddlers a gifts. Instead of the square corners, I round them, just using a cereal bowl as a guide on the corners when I am cutting them out. No need for fray check and you can just serge the whole way around.
Vivian says
Cute baby! I love DIY post and looks easy to make your own swaddle.