Even before the baby is born, the expectant mother thinks through all the little things, including things that will be required in the first days of life. One of them is a blanket for discharge, which will also show off in the first photographs of the child. When choosing an envelope, some mothers prefer to buy finished products in specialized stores, others - sew it with their own hands. Just the second option we will analyze in the article, we will talk about what are the blankets for discharge, how to sew it yourself and so on.
Envelope Purpose
Some newly minted mothers and grandmothers do not understand why to buy an envelope and spend money on it, when you can use the old way and wrap your baby in a blanket, bandaging it with a beautiful ribbon. In fact, the purpose of these products is much wider than it seems at first glance, and the functionality too. So, how can I use a blanket for discharge in everyday life.
- The envelope for the newborn is very convenient to use for the first exits to the street, and individual samples can even replace a blanket or plaid in the first months.
- In the envelope, the newborn is completely protected, there is no discomfort and tightness, which cannot be avoided in a tightly tied blanket.
- If the baby was born in the winter season, the lightweight but insulated envelope would be an ideal option. This is much more convenient than putting several layers of clothes on the baby and wrapping them in a thick blanket.
- Practical materials, from which light and winter blankets are sewn for discharge, as well as the convenience of their use, allow you to do only this thing, there is no need to purchase additional accessories.
The reliability of these products plays an important role. A lot of locking mechanisms make it possible not to pinch the child, but at the same time be convinced that he will not fall out.
Types of envelopes, properties and distinctive features
So that the choice of an envelope-blanket for discharge in the winter or at any other time of the year does not turn into an impossible mission, these products are usually classified according to several indicators - type, decoration and the presence of additional mechanisms.
Envelope bag
A children's blanket for discharge in the form of a bag is ideal for walking both in a stroller and on a sled. The main advantage of the envelope bag is its simplicity. The kid just gets in a bag, which closes with Velcro and zippers. Bag envelopes are summer, winter and demi-season. The top layer of the product is made of waterproof fabric, respectively, the child will remain dry in any weather and will be comfortable. The disadvantage of the envelope bag is that the children grow out of it very quickly.
Envelope blanket
An envelope-blanket for a newborn for discharge is most often found in the form of a thin and light transformer blanket, which must be folded in a certain way, fastening with Velcro, special fasteners or ribbons. The result is a cone shape. This model usually comes in a light version, but you can also find insulated envelopes - blankets for discharge for the winter. In this case, when choosing, it is important to make sure that voids do not form in the knotted form (otherwise the baby may catch a cold). When purchasing an envelope in the form of a blanket, you should pay attention to the properties of some materials. The satin model looks festive, but this bundle will slip and runs the risk of slipping out of hands.
Another sample is a jumpsuit or an envelope with sleeves. This sample is suitable for energetic children who do not tolerate movement restrictions. The bottom of the envelope is made in the form of a bag, and the top with compartments for the hands.
Latest news
Recently, new models have appeared on store shelves.
- Hard bottom envelope. The new model, made in the image of an envelope bag. This product differs in that it has a removable dense mattress. The presence of this element allows you to keep the child’s fragile back in a certain position. This is most important for inexperienced parents who are not used to how to hold their baby.
- Car envelope. This model has special "pockets" that allow you to thread automobile seat belts through them.
Each of the mentioned models has its own advantages and disadvantages. When choosing any product, you should consider how often it will be used, the time of year and the dimensions of the stroller. In addition, it will not be superfluous to pay attention to models that have special fasteners that allow you to adjust the size of the envelope. Such a product will serve you for more than one year.
Features of sewing a transformer blanket for discharge with your own hands
The process of sewing an envelope is quite simple, so even a novice craftswoman can handle it. The fabric for the product must be selected depending on the season for which it is provided. In the winter season, it is necessary to use a dense fleece fabric or synthetic winterizer, in the fall less dense materials will do.
Not sure how to sew a blanket for discharge? Some mummies sew an envelope with a removable lining so that you can use it at any time of the year. That is, a simple insulated cover is taken as the basis, in which, if necessary, any blanket is placed.
Where to start and what is required from materials?
For sewing the basics of the blanket, two cloths are taken for discharge from the hospital, the third is done separately as a removable blanket. The material for the inside of the product should be pleasant to the touch, for this reason most often for this purpose a cotton cloth or soft fleece is used. For the outside, which will not come into contact with the skin of the newborn, a raincoat fabric is perfect, since it will be in constant contact with the external environment and act as a kind of protection. The size of each side of the canvas should be approximately one meter.
As for the intermediate insulation layer for a blanket for discharge in winter, in this case it is recommended to use a synthetic winterizer of the same size. Intricate craftswomen make it interchangeable and replace it depending on the temperature regime (for example, a lining of sheepskin or two-layer batting).
In addition to the fabric, an envelope will need a tractor lightning, 50-60 cm long, ordinary lightning 30 cm, a linen elastic for a pocket (about 60 cm) and a meter oblique bek.
Instructions for sewing a transformer blanket
How to sew a blanket for discharge with your own hands? The process of creating a envelope consists of several steps. The first is the manufacture of patterns. Since it is extremely simple, you can immediately draw on the fabric - draw a standard (almost) square with sides of 90 and 85 cm. These sizes are the same for all three parts - 2 squares for the base and 1 removable insulation. There is no need to make allowances for seams, since one “sewn” centimeter will not reduce the size of the product.
Pocket
When cutting a pocket, it is necessary to take into account some peculiarity, namely that it should be in the form of a trapezoid with slight rounding in the corners from a wide base. The width of the smaller base should be 45 cm, and the larger 50 cm, of which 2.5 cm go down a little on each side. The height of the pocket should be the same everywhere - 25 centimeters. The need for this form is explained by the fact that an elastic band runs along a long base, which will slightly shorten it, and if the pocket is made from the very beginning in a rectangular shape, then deformation will occur after the elastic is inserted. The pocket is cut out of only two fabrics without insulation.
The next step in sewing an envelope-blanket for discharge with your own hands is making a pocket. The cut-out elements of the pocket are superimposed on each other with the front side and stitched only along the long side, after which they are turned out and ironed. After that, a new seam is made on the front side to create a drawstring into which the elastic is then threaded. The width of the drawstring should be 2-3 mm greater than the elastic itself.
Gum fixing
After the seam is made, an elastic is threaded into this hole using a pin attached to it. On each side, the elastic should protrude 2-3 cm so that you can “grab” it on the sides and close the sides. As a result, the drawstring should be slightly gathered. Then, along the perimeter of the pocket, a slanting inlay is applied, fixed with pins and stitched. The pocket for the transformer blanket is almost ready.
An important point of sewing a pocket to a newborn’s blanket for discharge is that after inserting the elastic, the sides should visually appear semicircular, but it is still necessary to attach them in a straight line so as not to make its volume smaller. Subsequently, the pocket when turning out will cover the baby's legs, so it is necessary to note the even lines on the fabric, carefully attach the edges of the pocket to them and stitch them. The bottom edge of the pocket should align almost exactly with the bottom line of the blanket.
Now you know how to sew an envelope-blanket for an extract with your own hands, but how to insulate it? We will talk about this later.
Adding insulation to a transformer envelope
At that moment, when it comes to stitching zippers, it is already necessary to determine exactly what insulation will be located between the two main layers, and also decide whether it will be removable or permanent. If you are going to use the blanket for discharge from the hospital more than once, but several seasons, changing the insulation, then on the side you will need to make another zipper.
According to the classical scheme - with a non-removable insulation, lightnings are arranged as follows: a short lightning (30 cm) is placed on the upper part, stretching from the center to the sides. A long zipper (tractor) is divided and sewn along the edges. At this moment it is very important not to get confused with the directions. Firstly, do not forget about the attractiveness of the product, so the zippers are stitched between the layers of the blanket. Secondly, the short lightning should be positioned so that its teeth are directed inside the envelope, and not outside. The upper part of the “dog” is directed to the main fabric, and the tail sticks out outside the blanket. With the side zipper, the same pattern: in length, it leaves the bottom of the blanket and rises to about the middle.
Sewing an envelope-blanket for discharge
At this stage, all layers are sewn together, and it is recommended to do this from the bottom edge, that is, from where the pocket is located, moving gradually to the edges and up. So that the fabric does not “travel” and does not mow during sewing, all zones are fastened with pins. A technological hole of about 10 cm is made at the inner edge so that the blanket can be turned out. After the product is turned out, the hole is sewn with a hidden seam by hand.
It’s not difficult to sew a blanket for discharge with your own hands, difficulties can arise only when stitching zippers and subsequent transformation of the product. But even with this in mind, the process will not take more than one evening. To insulate a transformer blanket, it is enough to insert a thick insulation inside, into a hole prepared in advance (as in duvet covers).
Benefits of Transformer Envelopes
Transformer blankets for discharge from the hospital in the winter season are especially popular due to their practicality, convenience and functionality. This product completely replaces winter clothes for a child from birth to a year. After the baby grows up, the envelope-transformer is modified into a jumpsuit. Almost all models of this product include a removable insulation that allows you to use it at different times of the year.
The operation of envelopes of transformer type is notable for its simplicity - the product is fastened with Velcro or zippers. On branches of overalls for arms and legs there are cuffs protecting the child from moisture and wind. In addition, some models have valves for adjusting the tightness of the collar zone and protection for the chin. Envelopes are sewn so that they can be used for at least two seasons. Products are easy to clean, look beautiful. If the house has a sewing machine, try making an envelope yourself. This is less expensive, and it is always nice to make something for your baby with your own hands.