Make Your Own Snuggie

Intro: Make Your Own Snuggie

Now you can make your own Snuggie style blanket with this free pattern! 

Tired of the weird color choices and less-than-plush fabric the commercial Snuggies offer you?
Finally, you can make your own out of any color and pattern you choose! 

I went with super thick leopard print (of course!) fleece.  But with the variety of novelty print fleece on the market, and the ability to change up the colors all you want, you can finally have the Snuggie style blanket of your dreams.

Even though I joked about it at first, I've finally given into the temptation of the Snuggie.  It keeps me super warm during all of my lounging, knitting, reading and internet surfing.  Jealous? I know you secretly are.  And if you're a doubter, it's clear you have not yet enjoyed the sweet sweet embrace of your own custom snuggie. 

It's everything you love about a blanket plus sleeves!

Now, you can make one for kids too.

please save your backwards bathrobe comments for the end.

STEP 1: Supplies

This is a great opportunity to repurpose some fleece blankets you have lying around that aren't getting the job done.  You'll want two - one for the body, one for the sleeves.

If however, you don't have fleece blankets lying around and that's why you need the Snuggie in the first place, well, then you're gonna need 3 yards (2.7 meters) of fabric.  That may seem like a lot, but 2/3 of a yard (0.6m) goes into the sleeves.  If you're well over 6' (180cm), you probably want to go with 3 1/2yds (3.2m).

Also, scissors, chalk, a ruler and a sewing machine.  I used a serger for this project, and if you have one, you can either serge of flatlock the seams together, according to you manual.  If you don't have a serger, a straight-up sewing machine is really all you need.  The edges of fleece don't fray, so you don't have to worry about how to treat the cut edges!

If you don't have a sewing machine, don't fret! You can totally sew this by hand.  There are only four seams to sew!

STEP 2: Measure Twice, Cut Once. Ok, Twice.

The first thing you'll want to do is even up the cut edge of the fleece.  If you're using blankets, this part is done for you!  If not, the easiest thing to do is align the selvage edge (the long side) with the edge of a table and align the cut edge with the perpendicular edge of the table.  This is your straight edge guide, so trim away!  Repeat on opposite end.

Now check out the diagram I drew up of how you're going to cut down your fabric.  This should give you a good overall idea of what the next few steps will entail.

Next, measure up 24" (61cm) from the newly cut edge and mark a line across the fabric.  This is where you'll cut to make the sleeves.

Fold the newly cut 24" (61cm) long piece in half lengthwise and cut along the fold to make two rectangles for your sleeves.  No, rectangle isn't the traditional shape for a sleeve, but I'm trying to make this easy here, and frankly, I ended up enjoying my rectangular sleeves!

STEP 3: Make Armholes

A 6"x9" (15cm x 23cm) oval is a pretty good shape for most adult armholes.

I've provided a scan of the oval I made out of paper for this purpose, because I don't have the right software today to draw one for you digitally.  :D

Fold the large piece of fabric in half lengthwise.  Measure down from the top 12-14" (30-36cm) and in from the fold 10-11" (25-28cm) depending on your preference.  Place the edges of the oval template at these measurements.

Trace the oval in chalk.  Remove the paper pattern.  Pin the fabric together well and cut out the oval from both layers of fabric.

STEP 4: Sew It All Together

Make the sleeves by folding in half and pinning together the two shorter sides.  Sew along this seam with 1/2" (15mm) seam allowance.

Next, pin the edge of the sleeve to the circle you cut out for the armhole.  It's hard to illustrate in a photograph, but it's pretty easy to figure out in person.  Make sure you're pinning the outsides (right sides) of the fabric together. Just ease the edge of the sleeve to fit into the circle of the armhole you cut in the body.  It's best to pin them both in at the same time, so you put them both on the right way.  My first go, I accidentally put one on inside-out.  So learn from my mistakes :D

Sew or serge along this edge with 1/2" (15mm) seam allowance.  Turn right side out and repeat on other sleeve.  Voila!

STEP 5: Enjoy Your Snuggie

This is it! You're done! Congratulations, you made yourself a wearable blanket that all will probably mock but secretly admire.  Wear this while you're watching late night tv on the couch, or at your computer when you work from home.  You can do anything in your new snuggie!  Except maybe jogging.  I don't recommend jogging.  Or swimming.  But you can do any sort of lounging- or seated-type activities, and keep yourself warm at the same time.

Stay tuned for more snuggie style related Instructables, including one for kids and one for dogs!

Comments

[Skrymmorie]

Loved this! Made two today. Was sooooo fast and easy, I made them both in less than 2 hrs.. I made one in my brother in law's fave football team, and I made one in a pretty zebra print. I used the ovals left over from the armholes, cut the tops off and then sewed them to the front for pockets! Voila! Now I have nifty place to stash my phone, the remote, snacks, etc. Again, totally awesome and loved this. Thanks!!

[scoochmaroo]

Fantastic!

[Kinnishian]

Just finally finished the one I was making for someone special. :). I rolled the cuffs triple, and added some purple velvet like fabric on the inside of the sleeve (5" near wrist). I also added a yellow trim/fluff to the side on the neck. ANnndd, two leopard 4" stripes on the red material bordering the outside [red was the predominant color]. This was my attempt to make a super-luxury snuggie, and also, my first attempt to use a sewing machine. Your instructable was a surprisingly formative experience for being what a first seems a basic snuggie :p.

*thanks!*


[annndd, i'm taking a break from sewing for a while. My marginal additions to the design took me ages and ages to sew.]

[sunfaceback]

Thank You! Turned out Awesome!!!

[Nemesis201077]

Today, I saw a commercial for the Snuggie. I thought it was stupid idea, but I couldn’t change the channel because I was under a blanket and I didn’t want my arms to get cold…

Nice work on the 'ible, the OH was looking at buying one. Maybe she'll make one now in her choice of colour, I'm guessing powder puff pink, sigh!

[garrett.tillman]

 Hi! I made one of these in my own special way. 

hope you enjoy it!

[scoochmaroo]

I just saw your post yesterday and commented on it!
Nice work :D

[czarria60]

Just made this in a llama pattern fleece for my oldest daughter who’s obsessed. I added a pocket for her iPhone or whatever. Sooooo easy to do and I love the simp,e instructions! Will definitely do more of these! Thank you!!

[Sarah Hinman]

can this pattern be used for a guy? my 19 yr old bro is at college and he wants one, but I am new to sewing, and I don't know if this pattern will work for a girl and a guy.

thanks! :)

[CeciliaP14]

Mine turned out pretty large. If he is not too big, it will work. You can increase the distance between the ovals for a wider chest area.

[CeciliaP14]

Thank you for showing how to make the snuggie! It ended up perfect.

I suggest you just mention the width of your fabric. It may seem obvious somewhere else but I am in Brazil and different fabrics come in different widths. I used microfiber material for blankets and it worked perfectly. The only thing I had to do was the seams (it frails) but all the rest looks amazing.Thank you. It will be a gift for my son's girlfriend.

[ilyy]

How wonderful! I'm planning on Minkee and your instructions make it possible to make adjustments of all kinds.

Thank you so much

Ily

[sarah.young.2345]

I may have missed it but I assume you sew up the back seam? Or finish any of the edges? I did make one and it turned out looking great. Also made one for a friend wheel chair bound. I did not sew up the back but put a piece of velcro at the neckline and another about 12 inches down from that so it is open from there down and does not get in the way. I used velcro because it does not bulge and is comfortable to sit against. I tip for using velcro on fleece: Cut a piece of velcro 'soft' the same size as the 'hook' side of the velcro. When it is time to wash the item put the 'soft' piece of velcro on the 'hook' piece and you will not have any velcro 'hooks' attaching to the item in the washer and dryer. Simply remove the 'hook' piece and save it by the washer for the next time. Thanks for the instructions.

[annadjohnsen]

Did you ever get a response to your question because I was wondering the same thing...

[SarahO25]

No, you don't sew the back up. It's like a backwards robe-blanket hybrid that you can wear to keep warm while watching tv, knitting, etc.

[TomB12]

ive got a better way
Step 1: spend the money you would have spent of fabric on a cheap Dressing Gown
Step 2: put the dressing gown on backwards
COMPLETE

[sabbiesmom]

my show shirt snuggi!

[sabbiesmom]

I made a show-shirt snuggi using your Instructable. It was quite the project, but it turned out great.

[sgbd]

[sgbd]