How to Make a Snuggie-Type Blanket

Create an Easy Snuggle-Blanket With This Free Pattern

Jan 29, 2009
S. Elliott

Fleece is Economical and Easy to Find - Courtesy of Morguefile

In a hour, you can make an easy Slanket-like blanket using a free pattern, or no pattern at all. Give it a try.

It's time for you to make a snuggie-type blanket. It’s a leisure revolution. It's a social phenomenon. Whatever you want to call it, the Snuggie, a blanket with sleeves, will probably be around for a while. According to USA Today, there are almost 255 clubs and groups, some numbering in the thousands, who either love or hate the blanket-coat, Slanket, coat-throw, fleece wrap that started appearing on television ads around the holidays.

If you've seen the commercials, and who hasn't, you know what a Snuggie is. You might also be thinking that the idea is great, but the retail selection... primary colors like red and blue, is a bit limited. Want a great solution? Make your own!

At least as far back as 2006, Snuggie-type cover-ups were available as patterns to sew. They have the advantage of being very easy to make. All you'll need is three yards of heavy fleece fabric and a sewing machine. That's it.

If you have a serger, then so much the better because your version will look finished inside and out. The beauty of polar fleece is that you don't even need to finish the seams if you don't want to. Fleece won't ravel. If you've ever wanted to try a sewing project that was light on the sewing part, this is it.

Here's How to Make a Snuggie Type Blanket

You will be cutting the sleeve portion from the three-yard length of fabric. About two feet should do it. Now you have two pieces of fabric.
On the large piece, make two evenly spaced holes (for the sleeves) about a foot from one of the cut ends of the fabric.
Folding the material in half from selvage to selvage, not the cut end, will guide you on where to make the cuts from side to side. Allow enough room in the center for the width of your body. Measure the width of your body, add a few inches, cut the number in half and use that to measure the distance from the fold to the center of the oval hole you plan to cut. You can even cut both layers of fabric at one time. The oval should be longer top to bottom. Measure the width of your arms to get an idea of how big you want to make the cuts, but keep in mind that you're going to add a seam that'll take up some room too.
Now, cut the sleeve piece of fabric in half and sew each half on the long side. You'll end up with two tubes. These are the sleeves that you'll connect to the holes.

That's about it. You can make the sleeves longer or shorter. Hey, you can customize the whole thing, make one for a child, even make a couples version if you don't mind seaming two widths of fabric together.

Need some decorating ideas? There are lots and lots of fleece fabrics out there, from your favorite sports team to your favorite color. You can fringe the edges or add ribbon or other decorations. Hey, try making some interesting cutouts. Just don't sacrifice warmth for style.

If this sounds confusing, the process isn't. There's a free pattern out there that might help make it clearer. It's available in PDF format.

The cold weather is here, and there's nothing better than a fire in the fireplace and a nice warm blanket to cuddle up with. Make one with sleeves and you'll have something to crow about.