How to Make a Toddler Nap Mat

Make your little one a nap mat that will be the envy of all the preschool moms. With creative fabrics, you can customize a toddler nap mat that will be a dream for your child to sleep on during naps at school. With a little sewing ability, you can make this mat in no time at all.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 yards minky fabric
  • 1-2/3 yards fabric
  • Thread
  • Two buttons (1-inch diameter)
  • 40 inches Velcro
  • 8 ounces fiberfill
  • 1-inch foam cut 20 inches wide by 40 inches long

Instructions

  1. Get Started

    • 1

      Cut two 36-inch squares of the minky material. Sew the right sides together (be sure to leave an opening to turn). Turn it right-side-out and top-stitch around the minky fabric. This will be the cozy blanket for the nap mat.

    • 2

      Cut two 22x52 rectangles from the other material. This will be for the front and back of the nap mat. Then cut four 4x6 rectangles out of the same material for button tabs.

    • 3

      Stitch two 4x6 rectangles together. Do this by stitching the right sides together along the two long sides and one short side; use a 1/4 stitch allowance for this. Clip the corners and then turn right-side-out. Top-stitch around the edges that you just stitched up. Do the same thing for the other set of 4x6 rectangles. Use your sewing machine and sew buttonholes in each of the rectangles.

    • 4

      Pin open the side of button tabs onto the bottom of one of the 22x52 rectangles. Make sure the button tabs are pointed upward toward the top portion of mat. Stitch tabs into place with a 1/4 seam allowance.

    • 5

      Take the other 22x52 rectangle and line up an edge of the square blanket along the length of the rectangle. Leave a 4-inch gap on the lower edge of the rectangle. Stitch the blanket edge to the 22x52 rectangle with half an inch seam allowance. Fold the rest of the blanket toward the center of the mat. The blanket is now attached to the mat.

    • 6

      Leave the rectangle that the blanket is sewn to right-side-up. Put the other rectangle on top of this right-side-down. Pin them together. Stitch the top and bottom. Then stitch the two sides together that have the blanket attached. Leave the other side open.

    • 7

      Sew the Velcro to the open length. This will make the mat easy to wash. Put the foam into the open end of the mat and fasten it closed with the Velcro.

    • 8

      Roll up the mat so you can see where to sew the button on. Once the mat is rolled, mark where the button tabs hit. Take the foam out and sew the buttons on.

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