Homemade Blanket Sleeper Sewing Craft

Blanket sleepers remain to be a popular choice in children's pajamas. Using a sweatshirt and sweatpants of matching colors, a blanket sleeper can be assembled at home.

For the homemade blanket sleeper craft, the following is needed:

Matching sweatshirt and sweatpants, preferably a size loose

Sewing kit and scissors

Zipper

Sewing machine (optional)

Existing blanket sleeper as a craft guide (optional)

Basic homemade blanket sleeper craft; inside out sweatsuit:

Cut the elastic band off of the sweatpants. Set the elastic aside for other crafts such as sweatshirt sleeve sweatpants. Cut the bottom ribbing off the sweatshirt if length allows. Cut from the collar straight down the middle of the front of the sweatshirt. If the zipper is longer, cut into the sweatpants. Turn both clothing articles so the side meant to be inside is out and sew the sweatshirt to the sweatpants.

There are two ways to sew the zipper on. The sleeper should be turned so the side meant to be inside is inside. If the zipper is sewn to the edge of the cut-open sweatshirt, also sew two pieces of cloth to the inside so as to protect the wearer from having the zipper make direct contact with the skin. The alternative is to sew the zipper to the outside of the sweatshirt, an inch from the edge, and pushing a fold of cloth over the outer part of the zipper, sewing through the cloth fold, zipper, and sweatshirt all in one go. Either way, the zipper is covered and cloth underneath keeps the zipper from the skin.

Blanket sleeper craft variant; warmer, right-side-in sweatsuit:

Here the sweatsuit is not turned fuzzy side out as in a normal blanket sleeper. This produces a sleeper that is warmer and is most useful in winter in buildings where the heat is not amplified.

Blanket sleeper craft variant; hooded blanket sleeper:

In this craft variant, a hoodie is used to make the top of the blanket sleeper. Strips of cloth an inch wide are sewn to the inside of the hoodie on either side of the zipper.

Blanket sleeper craft variant, add "feet:"

Add "feet" to the blanket sleeper. Sew to the bottom of a pair of socks a piece of cloth then sew the socks to the feet of the blanket sleeper. Cut the top off each sock before sewing if the socks are too long.

Blanket sleeper craft variant, hide seams:

An inside-out blanket sleeper has the seams of the sweatshirt and sweatpants. The seams can be cut open and sewn again with a sewing machine. This craft variant is time consuming and usually not necessary.