How to Make a Dinosaur Comforter

Most girls and boys go through a stage of fascination with dinosaurs. Create a priceless keepsake for your child by sewing a dinosaur comforter using material with dinosaurs in the pattern or by enlarging a silhouette of his favorite dinosaur and using an applique technique to apply the dinosaur to a comforter. The dinosaur comforter will make an excellent focal point for a dinosaur-themed room.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fabric for comforter top
• Fabric for the comforter backing
• Fabric for the dinosaur applique
• Fusible webbing
• Sewing thread
• Sewing needle
• Sewing machine
• Scissors
• Measuring tape
• Iron
• Quilt batting
• Pins

1. Measure the bed the comforter will be made to fit, taking into consideration the amount of comforter you desire for hanging over the sides or tucking under the end. Sometimes a little extra length for tucking works well with children's comforters so they stay tucked in. Add two extra inches to both the length and width measurement to account for batting thickness and 1/2 inch seam allowance.

2. Select fabric for the comforter in a dinosaur pattern or select a background fabric for the comforter top and fabric to use with a dinosaur applique. Also select the backing fabric for your comforter and the appropriate batting thickness. For a reversible dinosaur comforter, select fabric with a dinosaur print for the backing and fabric for the top with fabric for the applique. The amount of fabric needed for the applique will depend on the size and number of dinosaur appliques you use.

3. Cut the material for the comforter's top sheet, batting and backing. Download and print dinosaur templates from heatherinks.com/crafts/dino-applique-pillows.html, adjust the template size if needed by decreasing or enlarging on a copier. Cut the fabric selected for the applique in a square or rectangle large enough to accommodate the dinosaur applique's final size. Cut the fusible webbing in a square or rectangle slightly smaller than the applique material.

4. Follow the fusible webbing product's directions for ironing the webbing on the material at the manufacturer's suggested temperature settings and ironing times. After material cools, cut out the dinosaur applique. Peel off the fusible web paper and place the dinosaur applique in the correct spot on the top of the comforter. Cover with a clean cloth, dampened if recommended by the webbing product's directions, and iron in place.

5. Sew using a zigzag or another desirable finishing stitch around the perimeter of the dinosaur applique. Add eyes if desired using buttons or other eye options found in a sewing supply store.

6. Spread the comforter backing on the floor right side down. Spread the batting directly on top of the comforter backing. Spread the comforter top right side down (facing the batting--the side with the applique facing the batting). Pin together the top and two sides of the dinosaur comforter. Sew these three pinned sides together.

7. Turn the quilt right side out. Fold about 1/2 inch of both sides of the fabric on the open end in to make a finished seam. Press with the iron and pin together. Sew the last side closed.

8. Sew a grid, lines vertical and horizontal, or a random freehand quilting design across the comforter to fix the batting firmly in place. Take into consideration the placement of the dinosaur applique or appliques when determining the placement of the seams.

Tips & Warnings

• Tan dinosaur appliques on a black or dark green comforter can work well for older boys. Consider letting the dinosaur comforter recipient select her favorite dinosaurs to use in the comforter and to pick her own simple color scheme (e.g. pink top fabric with purple dinosaurs).
• Remember to prewash the fabric before beginning the dinosaur comforter to avoid shrinking discrepancies later.

References

• Dinosaur Templates for Personal Use