How to make a baby comforter

Sew little ones a huggable fabric friend for comfort and learning, featuring an embroidered friendly face and ear detail to help with tactile development. Going to a baby shower? Make a matching teething ring as a gift set, with bunny ears that can easily be removed for washing.

Looking for more accessories to make for a baby? You can also make this matching baby romper sewing pattern or learn how to make a hooded baby towel. Looking for more inspiration? Take a look at our baby sewing patterns.

Fabrics used

• The fabrics used are from the Essentials collection by Makower. Mini Dot Pewter. Ref: 302/S3. Star White/White. Ref: 306/W1. Hearts White/White. Ref: 1901/W1. Hearts Pewter. Ref: 1909/S3. For stockists, visit http://www.makoweruk.com

Notes

• Use a 1cm (³⁄₈in) seam allowance.
• Download the templates baby comforter templates

You will need:

• Fabric (Fabric A: 10x45cm (4x18in), for the teething ring outer.Fabric B: 10x45cm (4x18in) for the teething ring lining.Fabric C: 35x50cm (14x20in), for the comforter face, ears and back. Fabric D: 35x45cm (14x18in), for the comforter front and ears)
• Wadding (32x45cm (13x18in))
• Wooden teething ring (7cm (23/4in))
• Bondaweb (10x10cm (4x4in))
• Embroidery hoop (optional)
• Cotton (black and pink)
• Erasable fabric marker

Cutting out

Step 1

Download, print and cut out the templates.

From Fabric A cut:

• Tie outer: one using teething ring template.

From Fabric B cut:

• Tie lining: one using teething ring template.

From Fabric C cut:

• Comforter back: 32x32cm (13x13in)
• Ear appliqué: one 10x10cm
• Ears: two using the template
• Bunny embroidery: one using the template

From Fabric D cut:

• Comforter front: 32x32cm (13x13in)
• Ears: two using the template

From the wadding cut:

• Comforter wadding: one 32x32cm (12⁵⁄₈x12⁵⁄₈in)
• Ears: two using the template

Making the teething ring tie

Step 1

Place the tie outer and tie lining pieces right side (RS) together and sew all the way around, leaving a turning gap. Clip the corners.

Step 2

Turn RS out and press, tucking the raw edges in. Topstitch all the way around.

Step 3

Fold the teething ring tie into a loop. Push the loop into the teether ring then thread the two fabric ends through the loop, pulling the loop tighter and adjusting the fabric as you wish.

Creating the ears

Step 1

Transfer the ear central appliqué details to the Bondaweb.

Step 2

Press the Bondaweb onto the wrong side (WS) of the ear appliqué piece and cut out the two ear appliqué details.

Step 3

Iron the two appliqué details onto the Fabric D ear pieces then topstitch around the appliqué. These are the ear fronts.

Step 4

Staystitch the wadding to the WS of the ear fronts.

Step 5

Place the Fabric C ear pieces RS facing the ear fronts and sew together around the curved edges, leaving the bottom unsewn. Clip the corners and trim off excess fabric. Turn RS out through the bottom.

Step 6

Mark the centre point along the bottom of the ear, then mark 1cm (³⁄₈in) either side of this point. Fold over the ear from one side point to the other. Staystitch along the bottom edge to hold.

Step 7

Repeat these steps to make the second ear, this time folding over the ear crease to the other side – so you have a mirror pair.

Adding the embroidered face

Step 1

Transfer the embroidery onto the bunny embroidery triangle piece and embroider the face.

Step 2

Draw a line along the bottom of the triangle, 1cm (³⁄₈in) up from the bottom edge.

Step 3

Fold the fabric to the WS along the marked line and press.

Assembling the comforter

Step 1

Place the embroidered triangle RS up on top of the comforter front fabric, in the top left corner. Staystitch around the two edges and topstitch along the diagonal folded edge.

Step 2

Staystitch this whole piece to the comforter wadding, WS facing.

Step 3

Place a bunny ear 6cm (2³⁄₈in) away from the top left corner, with the ear RS facing the embroidery and aligning raw edges. Staystitch to hold. Repeat for the second ear.

Step 4

Place the comforter back fabric square RS facing the bunny main. Pin or clip all around.

Step 5

Sew together all the way around, leaving a turning gap along one edge. Clip the corners and turn RS out through the turning gap. Push out all edges and the seam and press.

Step 6

Close the gap with a neat ladder stitch.

Sew a cuddly companion

Making a baby comforter is a simple, rewarding project that creates a soft, soothing companion for little ones. Once finished, it’s perfect for gifting or keeping as a cherished handmade keepsake.

Make a handmade romper

Use our easy-to-follow baby romper pattern to craft a cute and practical garment for babies.

Jessica Entwistle

Jess is a fabric crafts designer who’s work is regularly published in Simply Sewing and Love Patchwork & Quilting magazines. She shares her work on her website http://www.jellybgood.com. She inherited her love of fabric, colour and sewing from her mother and specializes in creating easy-to-sew, accessible designs with a fresh modern style, making her projects popular with magazine readers and crafters online alike. She’s got a thing for neon threads and a serious love of fabric. She runs her own craft business creating everything from hair slides and brooches to bunting and quilts. She has previously appeared as a guest designer on Sewing Quarter TV and shares her work on Instagram @jessjelllybgood

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