How to Make Your Own Snuggie Style Blanket

The Snuggie blanket took the country by storm - maybe because of all the storms that swept the country this winter. The sleeved blanket is both simple and ingenious - the perfect solution to the age-old problem of using your hands while still keeping them under the covers. If you've looked at the Snuggie and thought to yourself "I could make one of those!" - you're right! Here's how to make your own version of the Snuggie blanket.

Things You'll Need

• 3 yards 60 inch wide polar fleece
• Measuring tape
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Fold the polar fleece fabric in half lengthwise with right sides facing.

   Polar fleece can be stretchy, so be sure to smooth the edges and match them up carefully. Use scissors or a rotary cutter to even off the top and bottom so your Snuggie blanket doesn't turn out lopsided.

2. Cut off one end of the fleece fabric 24 inches from the end.

   The easiest way to do this is to measure 24 inches from the end on each side edge of the fabric and mark it with a pin. Fold the fabric at the pins. Now have a friend or one of your kids hold one edge of the top fold while you hold the other end. Slip the cutting edge of the scissors into the fold and zip it across. You'll have a perfectly straight cut.

3. Make the sleeves.

   Just cut along the fold at the end of the 24 inch piece of fleece to make two sleeve pieces for your Snuggie blanket. Fold the sleeves in half lengthwise with right sides facing. Using a stretch zig-zag stitch or a serger, sew a seam up the long open edge of each sleeve piece to make a 12 inch by 30 inch tube.

4. Cut the arm holes in the body.

   Here's how to figure out where to make the holes.
   - Measure the width of your body from shoulder to shoulder, then divide that figure in half.

   - Make a mark about 11 inches from the top of the long piece of fabric on the folded side.

   - Now use the measurement you figured out above to measure in from the mark you just made. Make a mark there.

   - Using that mark as a center, draw an oval that is 9 inches wide by 16 inches long.

   - Cut out the oval along the line you just drew. Since the fabric is folded, you'll be cutting both sleeve holes at once.

5. Sew the sleeves into the arm holes.

   Unfold the body. Pin the sleeve tubes into place along the cut edges of the arm holes to check for ease and fit, then sew the seam using a stretch zig-zag stitch.

6. Finish the edges of your Snuggie blanket as desired.

   Since fleece doesn't ravel, you can leave the edges as they are and let them curl naturally, or finish the edges of your blanket and sleeves with a zig-zag stitch to make it look neater.

Tips & Warnings

• Pick your favorite color fleece - you're not limited to just the three Snuggie colors!

• Choose a print for the snuggie blanket body and a solid for the sleeves - or vice versa. It will make it easier to find the sleeves.

• Print fleece is pretty - but the patterns can be hard to match up. Take that into consideration if matching patterns at the seams is important to you.