https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/nap-mat • Posted by Jenny Garland
My friend needed a nap mat for her daughter for preschool rest time. I love the fabric on this nap mat; it's so girly and fun. Minkee fabric is pretty slippery when sewing, but other than that, the pattern was a breeze. Speaking of a pattern, I couldn't find one I liked so I created this nap mat tutorial. Feel free to download it for personal use :) I used a foam insert instead of batting to add extra cushion. I also finished one length of the mat with velcro, so the foam can be easily removed before washing. Nap Mat Features Highlights: This nap mat is great for preschoolers and kindergartners. Below you will find a tutorial to make a nap mat that measures approximately 20” wide by 50” long. The nap mat has velcro on one length to allow for easy removal of the foam pad to wash. It also has a shoulder strap and button tabs. All seam allowances are 1 inch unless noted otherwise.
My friend needed a nap mat for her daughter for preschool rest time. I love the fabric on this nap mat; it's so girly and fun. Minkee fabric is pretty slippery when sewing, but other than that, the pattern was a breeze. Speaking of a pattern, I couldn't find one I liked so I created this nap mat tutorial. Feel free to download it for personal use :) I used a foam insert instead of batting to add extra cushion. I also finished one length of the mat with velcro, so the foam can be easily removed before washing. Nap Mat Features Highlights: This nap mat is great for preschoolers and kindergartners. Below you will find a tutorial to make a nap mat that measures approximately 20” wide by 50” long. The nap mat has velcro on one length to allow for easy removal of the foam pad to wash. It also has a shoulder strap and button tabs. All seam allowances are 1 inch unless noted otherwise.
Get Stuff Ready For the attached blanket: -Cut two 36” squares from the minky fabric. Sew right sides together (leaving a opening to turn!). Turn right side out. Top stitch around the blanket. For the front and back of the nap mat: -Cut two 22” x 52” rectangles from your other fabric for the front and back of the mat. -Cut four 4”x 6” rectangles from the same fabric for the button tabs. For the strap: -Make a tube for your elastic by sewing two pieces of fabric right sides together. Turn. Insert elastic.
Placement of Shoulder Strap Attach it already - Lay one 22” x 52” rectangle right side up. - Measure up 10” from the bottom left and right corners and mark. Sew the ends of the fabric- covered elastic with a 1/2” seam allowance on each mark.
Make Button Tabs Get your 4” x 6” rectangles out - Stitch two of the 4” x 6” rectangles right sides together along both long sides and one short side, using a 1/4” seam allowance. Clip corners. Turn right side out. Press. Topstitch around the three edges you just stitched. - Repeat with the other set of rectangles. - Use your sewing machine to stitch a vertical buttonhole in each rectangle. -Pin the open side of the button tabs on the bottom of the right side of the 22” x 52” rectangle you already sewed the elastic on. PLEASE make sure you point the button tabs upward (toof the mat!). Stitch the tabs in place with a 1/4” seam allowance.
Attach the blanket Get your other 22” x 52” rectangle out (the one you haven’t sewn anything to) -Right sides together, line up an edge of the square blanket along the length of the 22” x 52” rectan- gle, leaving a 4” gap on the lower edge of the 22” x 52” rectangle. -Pin. Stitch blanket edge to rectangle with 1/2” seam allowance. Fold excess blanket toward the cen- ter of the mat.
Let’s Connect the Top and Bottom It’s “Go Time!” - Leave the 22” x 52” rectangle you just stitched the blanket to, right side up. - On top of this, place the other large rectangle right side down. - Pin the two pieces together. Stitch the top, bottom, and Oattached together. Leave the other length open.
Add a Pillow Turn mat to the right side. - Measure 10” down from the top of the mat. Stitch a line across the width of the mat. This stitch line will be the bottom of your pillow. - Now you have one opening on the side to stuff the fiberfill in. Stuff it. Then edge stitch closed.
Velcro is our Friend We’re putting velcro on this baby to make washing easy. -You have one open length on each rectangle below the pillow. Sew your velcro to it. (Make it pretty though and press 1/2” of the unfinished fabric edge inside before you sew the velcro).
Insert Foam That’s it. - Seriously, that’s it. Put your foam in. Velcro closed.
Sew on Buttons Fold up your nap mat, rolling the pillow down first. - Once you roll up your nap mat and see where your button tabs hit, make a mark where you need to sew each button. - Remove the foam. Sew the buttons on. Put the foam back in. Celebrate!!! :) If you have any questions about this tutorial, feel free to let me know and I will do my best to clarify. Thanks! Jenny