Hey everyone. Today you will learn how to sew a small, snuggly baby lovey from a wide cut of Navy Cuddle.
Here we go.
Meet the fabric first
This is the 3 Yard Cuddle 110" Cut in Navy, from Shannon Fabrics.
It is their classic Solid Cuddle 3 minky plush.
It comes as a wide back pre-cut.
You get 3 yards, and the width is 108/110 inches.
That is a whole lot of soft, y'all.
The surface is smooth and ultra-soft.
The pile is 3mm, so it feels plush without getting bulky.
It is 100% polyester.
And Navy is a deep, classic blue. Calm, handsome, and beautiful for a baby gift.
Care is simple too. Machine wash cold with like colors. No fabric softener. Tumble dry with no heat, and no dryer sheet.
Why this fabric suits a baby lovey
A lovey is a small comfort blanket.
Think about 14 to 17 inches square.
Big enough to hug and hold. Small enough for a baby to grasp and carry as they grow.
This Cuddle is made for that job. The 3mm pile is soft against skin, and the smooth surface feels gentle when a little cheek rubs it.
I really, really like the size math here. One pre-cut is 3 yards by 108/110 inches wide. Cut one small lovey, and you will still have plenty left for a matching blanket, more loveys, or a quilt back.
We are not reinventing the wheel here. Two squares, sewn right sides together, turned, and topstitched. That is it.
Materials list
- 3 Yard Cuddle 110" Cut - Navy — about 1/2 yard for one lovey, with fabric left over
- Rotary cutter, long ruler, and a big cutting mat
- Pins or clips — lots of them, every 1 to 2 inches
- Walking foot for your machine
- 90/14 ballpoint or stretch needle
- Polyester thread to match, and a 3.0 to 3.5mm stitch length
- Chopstick or turning tool for the corners
- Optional: ribbon for short, securely sewn loops — or skip them completely
Brief steps
1. Shake the fabric outside first. Cut edges shed a little fluff. That is normal.
2. Watch the nap. Rub your hand down the fabric. Smooth is the direction you want running the same way on both squares.
3. Cut two squares at 15 by 15 inches for a finished lovey about 14 by 14 inches. Want it a touch bigger? Cut at 18 by 18 inches. Completely up to you.
4. If you are adding ribbon loops, cut them about 3 inches each, fold in half, and baste them to the right side of one square, loops facing inward. Stitch them twice so they are secure.
5. Lay the two squares right sides together. Pin or clip every 1 to 2 inches. This fabric likes to travel, folks. Pinning is how you tell it to stay put.
6. Sew around all four sides with a 1/2-inch seam allowance and that 3.0 to 3.5mm stitch length. Leave a 3-inch opening on one side for turning. Slow down at the corners, and pivot with the needle down.
7. Trim the corners at an angle, turn the lovey right side out, and push the corners out gently with a chopstick.
8. Tuck the opening edges in, pin well, and topstitch around the whole square about 1/4 inch from the edge. That closes the opening and helps the lovey lay flat. Just like that.
Practical tips from my table
Test on a scrap first. If the seam grins open when pulled, shorten your stitch a touch.
Use a walking foot. It feeds the layers together, so your squares line up instead of shifting.
Check the nap before you sew. I have sewn a panel the wrong way. Oh my goodness. The navy looked like two blues in the light, and yes, I fixed it. Learn from my seam ripper, y'all.
Keep it simple and safe. Skip buttons and anything small that could come loose. Keep loops short and sewn down securely, and follow your pediatrician's guidance on sleep items — a lovey is for supervised snuggling, not loose bedding in a crib for a young infant.
Wash it as directed before gifting. Cold wash, no softener, no heat to dry.
And here is your permission beat, because we all need one: it does not have to be perfect. A slightly soft corner still makes a beautiful lovey. You are your own worst critic. Take your time. It is not a race.
If I can do this, y'all can do it.
This is a super duper sweet little make from a very generous pre-cut.
Thanks for sewing along with me today, folks. We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the 3 Yard Cuddle 110" Cut - Navy at Linda's Electric Quilters.
