Instructions for Sewing/Serging
A Modified Snuggle

This item acts in a swaddling manner to provide a stable (womb-like) environment for a premature baby. The baby's feet are nestled against the padded "supports" (on the right in the photo) with its head laying on the base (on the left in the photo). The straps gently hold the baby in position, and the opening between the "supports" is adjustable in size, depending on the equipment needed for the baby.

Hand-made snuggle; click for larger view. Illustration of a snuggle in use; click for larger view.

Table of Contents:

  1. Materials
  2. Cutting out the pieces
  3. Making the supports
  4. Attaching the supports to the base
  5. Attaching velcro to the supports
  6. Attaching straps to the base
  7. Attaching label to the back

Materials:

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Cutting out the pieces:

  1. Cut base from pre-quilted fabric with ready-made backing.

  2. Cut supports from matching/corresponding flannel (cut 2).
  3. Cut two layers of extra loft batting for each support, using flannel support pieces as "pattern".

    4. Cut the batting, using flannel pieces as guide. Click for larger view.
  4. Cut straps (2/snuggle) from knit cotton fabric (white OK); cut ~3.5"x24".

    5. Cut the straps from knit jersey. Click for larger view.

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Making the supports:

  1. Sewing through both layers of batting and flannel support, baste down center lengthwise center of support (holds batting in place); make two.
    Baste down center of support and batting. Click for larger view.

  2. Fold support along basting line, right side out; baste curved raw edges together ~1" from raw edge (start from pointed end); you will probably end up with one edge sticking out over the other; do not worry about this (honest!)
    Baste all layers together ~1 inch from raw edge. Click for larger view.
  3. Serge the straight end; make sure you catch all layers; use knife while serging to get clean edge; use this opportunity to cut off the extended edge (overrun), if there is any, that may have been created by basting in step #2 above.
    Using knife on serger, serge the raw edge of the support. Click for larger view.
  4. Clip serged thread ends even with raw edge; run other serged thread ends back into the serged seam
    Run beginning serger thread back into the serged seam. Click for larger view.

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Attaching the supports to the base:

  1. Find the center of each end of the base; mark with pin.
  2. Align the serged straight edge of one support with the center pin at one end of the base.
    Align the vertical edge of the support with the center of the base. Click for larger view.
  3. Using the knife on your serger, serge the curved edge of the support to the base, being sure to catch all layers. (It's OK to cut off some of the edge; this is not critical.) Once you've reached the opposite end of the support, discontinue using the knife on the serger. Continue to serge around the base just past the next middle mark on the base. Run both serged end threads back into the serged seams.
    In this view, the support has been successfully serged onto the base. Click for larger view.
  4. Repeat steps 1-3 for second support.

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Attaching velcro to the supports:

  1. Cut soft side of velcro ~3" long (cut 2). Cut curly side of velcro ~.75" (cut 2).
    Soft side of velcro on top; curly side of velcro on bottom. Click for larger view.
  2. Sew soft sides of velcro to the straight end of one support; sew curly sides of velcro to straight end of other support, aligning the pieces so they hold the straight edges of the supports against each other.
    Showing curly side of velcro. Click for larger view. Showing soft side of velcro. Click for larger view.

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Attaching straps to the base:

  1. Fold one strap in half lengthwise; without the knife on your serger, serge raw edges together on all but one short side. Run non-raw-end serged threads back into the serged seam; make 2.
    Run serged thread end back into the serged seam. Click for larger view.
  2. Sew straps onto the snuggle, both on one side. Place one where support narrows down to the base, and place the other one ~1" below the first one. Stitch straps into place , then flip straps over and stitch again.

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Attaching label to the back:

Sew a label on the back of the base; doesn't matter where.
Bottom, showing label placement. Click for larger view.

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VOILA! You have made a primo modified snuggle!

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