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Receiving Blanket Bear

Inspiring ideas for making the most of naps and bedtime

Baby and Receiving Blanket Bear Ages: newborn and up

There's no need to bid a fond farewell to that favorite fraying receiving blanket. Simply follow our low-sew directions, and in a fraction of naptime you'll have transformed a piece of flat flannel into an already familiar and cuddle-worthy bear.

You will need:

2 square receiving blankets -- your child's favorite plus one to use for stuffing (ours measure 28 1/2 by 28 1/2 inches)

Pencil

Needle and strong thread

2-foot length of 3/8-inch-wide ribbon

Fabric glue

Scissors

Nontoxic paint pens (we used Speedball Painters Paint Markers)

Step 1

Step 1: Fold one of the blankets in half to make a triangle, then fold it in half again. Make a pencil mark at the top of the crease. Unfold the triangle as shown, then make a pencil mark 2 1/2 inches on each side of that center mark.

Step 2: To make an ear, gather about a 1-inch-high fold of fabric at either mark (A). Pinch the fold of fabric in one hand. Sew around the base of the pinched ear, about an inch from the tip (B). It should take about 5 stitches. Sew the next stitch across the front of the ear (C), then pull the last stitch through to the inside of the blanket and tie it off. Repeat this process with the other ear.
Step 2

Step 3: Form the remaining receiving blanket into a tight ball for the head, then wrap the blanket with the ears over the ball, centering the ears evenly on each side. Knot the ribbon securely around the neck, then tie it into a bow. Add a drop of glue behind the knot to hold it in place. Trim the ends of the ribbon.

Step 4