A cocoon mattress is a convenient device that helps the smallest children lie or sleep in comfort and comfort, and makes the life of young parents easier. Typically, a cocoon mattress is suitable for babies up to 4-6 months. You can sew such a “cocoon nest” with your own hands for your child or as a gift. The cocoon turns out to be double-sided: it can be easily turned out and used on both sides, which is very convenient. It can be washed by hand and in the washing machine.
For the cocoon, take cotton fabric that is not too thin, but not coarse. Before work, it is better to wash, dry and iron it.
You will need:
Two pieces of cotton fabric measuring 105x65 cm (same or different colors);
Ready-made bias binding 3-4 cm wide, about 2.5 m long (it is better to take with a small margin) under the tape (cord) for tightening the nest;
Ready-made bias binding about 70 cm long for processing the edge of the nest;
Satin ribbon or cord about 2.8 m long;
Foam rubber 2 cm thick, piece 68x28 cm (the size is already cut to the required measurements, so when purchasing, use slightly larger measurements);
Hollow fiber, also known as synthetic fluff - 1 kg;
Lace - optional, length from 2.4 m;
To create a pattern: a large sheet of paper, a ruler, a square, a pencil, scissors;
Chalk, pencil or fabric marker;
Sewing machine and threads to match the color of the fabric;
Pins;
Safety pin;
Threads and hand needle for basting;
Tailor's scissors;
Sequence of work:
1. Transfer the pattern to a large piece of paper and cut out the pattern. (For this master class, transfer to paper and cut out half of the pattern, dividing it in half lengthwise.)
Cocoon pattern:
Photo: pinterest.ru/yulianagunawan99
2. Fold each of the two pieces of fabric in half lengthwise, right side inward, and pin together. Place both folded pieces of fabric one on top of the other so that the fold lines match exactly.
3. Place the pattern on top of the fabric so that its edge coincides with the folds of the fabric pieces (to prevent the pattern from moving, it is convenient to place, for example, a long ruler on top). Trace the pattern.
4. At a distance of 1 cm from the drawn line, draw another one, marking the seam allowances.
5. Make a reference mark as shown in the photo.
6. To be sure, pin both pieces of fabric together (piercing 4 layers of fabric, respectively) and cut out both parts of the cocoon at once. Remove the pins you just pinned.
7. Turn over the cocoon part, half of which already has markings, and, attaching the pattern, circle it (repeat step 3) - this way you will have a fully marked part. Don't forget to put a control mark (see point 5).
8. Remove the remaining pins from both pieces, unfold the pieces, and place them face to face. Pin them around the perimeter.
9. Using a sewing machine, sew along the drawn line from one reference mark to another, sewing the parts together along most of their perimeter. Make bartacks at the beginning and end of the stitching. Take out the pins.
10. Make cuts with scissors in all rounded areas of the cocoon near the seam, not reaching the seam by 2-3 mm. Then iron the entire seam and turn out the cocoon.
11. Now along the entire length of the made and ironed seam you will need to sew bias tape. Lay out the cocoon and attach the folded edge of the tape to the beginning of the seam, as shown in the photo. The binding must be sewn with two seams to the edge so that the seam connecting the parts of the cocoon remains in the middle under the binding - this is how we form the drawstring. Backtack at the beginning and end of each seam. In very rounded areas, sew more slowly to ensure a neater seam.
12. Straighten the cocoon, fold it evenly and pin it around the perimeter with pins. It is necessary to fix both sides relative to each other.
13. Cut out the central part from the paper pattern (see photo). Attach the remaining rounded part of the pattern to the cocoon, as shown in the photo. The rounded edges of the pattern and the cocoon should match.
14. Trace the pattern on the inside of the fabric. Make a reference mark as shown in the second photo. Repeat on the other side and connect the two reference marks with a straight line.
15. Sew along the inner rounded line, starting a little earlier (see photo). Tape at the beginning and end of the seam.
16. Now you need to insert a ribbon into the bias tape drawstring to tighten the cocoon. Use a safety pin.
17. Cut the ends of the tape diagonally and secure with a lighter.
18. Through the two holes at the bottom, tightly stuff the outer roller of the cocoon with holofiber.
19. Use pins to carefully pin the areas through which the roller was stuffed. At the same time, move the holofiber inward so that it remains inside. The line along which you lay the pins should go about 1 cm deeper than the line drawn on the fabric along which the cocoon will then be sewn - that is, you need to pin these areas along a line about 2 cm from the edge.
20. Now you need to cut out the part from the foam rubber. Lay the foam rubber on the work surface, place the paper piece on top that was cut out a little earlier from the middle of the paper pattern, and trace it twice so that the edges match.
21. In order for the foam rubber part to fit into the cocoon, you need to take into account the thickness of the foam rubber. Divide the thickness of your foam rubber by 2 and reduce the part by the resulting distance by making markings directly on the foam rubber. For example: the thickness of the foam is 2 cm, which means you need to reduce the part by 2 / 2 = 1 cm. Draw a new line parallel to the existing one, stepping 1 cm inward from the original line. Cut out the part.
22. Insert the foam piece into the middle of the cocoon and straighten it well.
23. Now pin the hole at the bottom of the cocoon with pins. Please note: as in the case of the holes through which the roller was stuffed (see point 19), the foam rubber needs to be moved inward a little and the hole needs to be pinned along a line 1 cm retreating inward from the line along which the cocoon will be sewn.
A nest or cocoon for a newborn is a special warm and cozy mattress with sides, on which the baby will be comfortable anywhere - in his own crib, on the sofa, or in a large bed. In addition, with such a device it is much easier to lull the baby in your arms and then put him in the crib without causing him discomfort. It is very easy to sew a nest for newborns with your own hands using a detailed master class. Even beginning needlewomen can cope with this task.
We sew a warm nest for newborns with our own hands
The closed shape of the nest is very comfortable for the baby; he takes the most physiological and correct position. And the space around creates a feeling of warmth and comfort, similar to that which surrounded the child in the womb.
Regardless of the size of the bed, the baby feels more protected and sleeps peacefully. This is extremely important for the child, since excessive anxiety leads to digestive dysfunction, colic and negatively affects the baby’s nervous system.
The nest is indispensable in cases where the child needs to sleep with his parents in bed, and at the same time separate his personal space. Parents are often afraid of disturbing the baby in his sleep, pinning him down or accidentally pushing him out of bed, so such a device will come in handy.
The nest will definitely come in handy when traveling if you need to spend the night in a hotel where there is no cot.
In addition to sleeping, such a nest is convenient to feed the baby and engage in its physical development (gymnastics, massage). This is especially true for night feedings if the mother finds it difficult to feed her baby while sitting. The sides will also provide support when placing the baby on his side, on his tummy, and will help him learn to hold his head up.
Beautiful ideas for nest colors for a boy and a girl can be seen in the photo:
- Two pieces of fabric (plain and patterned), measuring approximately 100 cm. For girls, it is customary to choose pink and lilac tones, for boys - blue and light blue. And shades of yellow, green, white and beige will be universal.
- Sintepon as a filler.
- Lace – 3 m.
- Bias binding – 2.6 m.
We begin our master class by drawing a pattern according to the dimensions indicated in the photograph:
Using the pattern, we cut out 2 parts from different fabrics. Then they need to be basted, folded inside out and stitched, leaving the bottom part open (starting from the middle of the tongues).
Turning the work right side out, we sew bias tape along the seams on both sides.
We cut out a three-layer piece of padding polyester 30x60 cm for filling and round the corners.
Fill the mattress and make a stitch around it (approximately 15 cm away from the edges).
Using a 200x60 cm padding polyester tube, we stuff the sides of the mattress. You can also use trimmings.
You need to insert a lace into the resulting “path” between the seam and the bias tape (using a pin). We machine sew the open edges and close the seams using bias tape.
By tightening the lace, we give the mattress the desired shape. The lace can be replaced with a beautiful ribbon.
The baby's nest is ready!
A large pattern of a nest for a baby looks like this:
These nest sizes are suitable for a child up to 6-7 months. When choosing a fabric, it is very important to pay attention to the fact that it is natural (preferably 100% cotton), soft and pleasant to the touch. You can use any cotton material, including calico and flannel.
For decoration you can use ribbons and small embroidery.
How to sew a cocoon with Velcro:
This pattern will help you sew a cocoon nest with Velcro legs, which will also be very comfortable for a newborn and a child in the first months of life.
The dimensions of the cocoon are 85x60 cm. The legs do not need to be cut out separately, but the work can be done in the form of an envelope. To securely fix the cocoon on your head, you will need a cord for the hood.
For sewing, fleece, flannel, and fleece knitwear are used. In the cold season, it is recommended to make a double cocoon, consisting of a lining and main fabric. Such cocoons are very convenient for sleeping and attending doctor’s appointments, but you should not overuse them, since the baby needs to move actively and freely.
Cocoons for newborns can be knitted or crocheted. To do this, you need to choose soft hypoallergenic yarn. The measurements you need to use are the girth of the torso under the armpits and the length from the armpits to the heels. You can choose the pattern to your liking; patterns that are too large and complex can create uneven pressure on the baby’s skin and cause discomfort, so it’s worth choosing simpler ones (elastic band, rice pattern, etc.).
Video on the topic of the article
For everyone who is interested in the topic of sewing cocoons and nests for babies, who wants to take a closer look at the sewing process and get new ideas for creativity, we have prepared a selection of lessons:
Recently, a lot of different devices have been created to make life easier and make the movements of young mothers and babies more comfortable. Various carriers, pillows and rugs are created specifically for the convenience of movement of mother and baby and a more comfortable rest. A nest for newborns is no exception to this list. Many mothers can make such a cocoon with their own hands.
Cocoon - a nest for newborns: what is it?
Initially, a nest for newborns was created as device for premature babies to ensure the correct and comfortable position of the baby. After all, the cocoon made it possible to position the baby like an embryo in a woman’s belly, which created additional comfort for the child after birth.
Today, the nest for newborns is actively used by ordinary children. All newborn children experience a stressful state at birth, and a cocoon-nest for newborns makes it easy to adapt to the surrounding reality.
The design of the nest resembles mattress with high soft sides. Foam rubber is used as the basis for making a mattress. The sides are made no more than 15 centimeters in height and holofiber is used as filling. It is used as a filler because of its ability to hold the desired shape and its inability to accumulate moisture.
To create comfort and convenience for the baby, the sides are tied with braid or a beautiful ribbon. All materials undergo mandatory certification and are safe for children. Some materials in the production of cocoons are also used in the manufacture of mattresses for cribs. Cotton fabric of various colors is used to cover the cocoon.
The nest is made to standard sizes, where the sleeping place is made 62 centimeters long. This allows the nest to be used for newborns immediately after birth and up to six months. The sides relax the baby as he grows so that he has enough space.
What are the benefits of a cocoon - a nest for a newborn?
One of the initial requirements is creating a cozy space for the baby. The cocoon limits space and allows the baby to feel protected in a large and unfamiliar world. This approach has a beneficial effect on the baby’s sleep and its duration.
The newborn nest is compact in size, so it can be used anywhere. The cocoon helps to lull the baby in your arms and put it to bed without disturbing the baby's sleep. When visiting, the baby will also not experience discomfort, because he will sleep in his usual nest.
Many young mothers approve of co-sleeping with their baby. In this case, the nest for newborns will be simply irreplaceable. The sides of the cocoon are made at a sufficient height to limit the baby's movements and protect him from turning over.
In this case, the baby will not be able to roll under the parents, and they, in turn, will injure the baby in his sleep. Such sleep is convenient for everyone: mommy does not need to get up at night to feed the baby, and the baby feels very comfortable next to his mother.
DIY nest for newborns: how to make
Cocoon - a nest for newborns has one significant drawback: very high cost with a fairly short service life. But you can do it yourself without much difficulty. For this purpose, it is enough to have initial skills in working with a sewing machine and a little free time. In this case, you will only have to pay for the materials for sewing and filling the product.
Materials needed to make the nest:
How to sew a product yourself
The product should be sewn in the following way:
- A pattern of the product is made, which is subsequently transferred to the fabric. When transferring the pattern onto the fabric, do not forget about seam allowances. The center and seam line should be marked on the fabric. This can be done by folding the pattern in half. Sewing with your own hands is also wonderful because you can make a cocoon of any color and make the product double-sided. For this purpose, two pieces of fabric of different colors are cut out.
- Next, the parts are folded inward with the front side and they begin to sweep the parts. After this, the seams are sewn and the edges begin to be sewn.
- After the product is stitched, it must be turned out and ironed.
- A strip is sewn along the edge of the product to insert a ribbon or braid. To do this, 2 centimeters are retreated from the edge of the product.
- At the next stage of manufacturing, it is necessary to fill the sides with holofiber and stitch the product along the edges of the sides.
- Now all that remains is to fill the mattress area. To avoid the holofiber from rolling up during use and washing, it is necessary to sew several oblique seams.
- Now you can use a pin to thread the ribbon.
- At the final stage of making the nest, all that remains is to pull off the ribbon and tie a bow. Cocoon - a hand-sewn nest for newborns is ready.
Compared to factory products, a nest Do-it-yourself has many advantages:
To create a unique product, you can start implementing your own ideas or order a custom product.
In anticipation of a small miracle, many expectant parents awaken a natural instinct that provokes them to buy all the necessary things in advance. We are talking not only about the standard set for babies (stroller, crib, clothes), but also about new gadgets for young parents. Recently, the cocoon, a nest for newborns, has become increasingly popular. However, not everyone can afford such a thing, based on the high price in children's stores. Then the expectant mother thinks about a dowry for her child, which she can sew with her own hands, putting all her love into it.
Sewing a cocoon for a baby is not as difficult as it seems at first glance. However, this matter requires special perseverance and accuracy. You need to have a lot of patience, think through the design down to the smallest detail, prepare all the necessary materials (tools, fabric, accessories) and the end result will be very stylish, original, and most importantly a comfortable accessory, which is in no way inferior to nests from global children's brands.
Cocoon - nest: description, types, advantages
Initially, the cocoon was intended for premature babies, because its main purpose was to create a comfortable space and correct positioning of the newborn. The position of the baby inside the cocoon resembles the position of an embryo in the mother’s belly. That is why he is less stressed and feels comfortable.
As it turned out later, such a simple design is also useful for ordinary healthy babies, since all babies experience enormous stress when they are born. And the small space that the cocoon creates helps the baby adapt more easily and quickly in a large and unfamiliar world.
A cocoon for a baby consists of a small mattress, which is surrounded in a circle with soft sides. The mattress contains lightweight and hypoallergenic material, such as foam rubber. The sides are about 15 centimeters high and filled with . This filler has earned great recognition in the handicraft market, as it is a breathable, non-allergenic material that holds its shape perfectly, does not accumulate moisture and does not crumple after washing.
For a more cozy effect, the sides are tied together with lacing or a beautiful satin bow. All materials used are completely environmentally friendly and safe for children. As for the fabric component, as a rule, it is 100% pleasant, discreet colors.
The standard size of the nest is 62 centimeters. This is the most universal size as it is suitable for babies from 0 to 6 months. If necessary, the sides can be loosened or completely dissolved.
Varieties
In such a rapidly changing world, it is very difficult to classify anything, because innovations are born almost every day. A great example of this is cocoon mattress Cocoonababy, produced by the French children's goods company Red Castle. This type of nest very quickly spread throughout the world. It is mainly used for up to 4 months as a place to sleep, play or for feeding. Its shape fully matches all the curves of the baby's spine. If you make a nest-mattress with your own hands, then you should give preference to materials such as polyurethane or.
Carrying bag- This is another very common type of cocoon. Often this accessory is included in the set of transformable strollers. It has a solid base and side handles, making it very convenient when transporting a baby over long distances. Basically, the carrier bag is used until the age of ten months.
However, when talking about how to sew a cocoon for a newborn with your own hands at home, textile accessories come to mind. These include diaper cocoons, envelope cocoons and nest cocoons for newborns:
- cocoon - used when discharged from the maternity hospital, for visiting the clinic and for walks in the cold season. Outwardly, this type looks like an ordinary envelope, hence the name. The accessories include buttons or a zipper. In order to sew such a cocoon, warm fabric is usually used: fur, wool,...
- Cocoon diaper for newborns. The very name of the cocoon makes it clear that this type is used for swaddling and stronger fixation of babies of any age. It is very convenient that the product is fixed with Velcro. When sewing a diaper, it is necessary to use breathable cotton material.
Useful qualities of a cocoon
The main advantage of the nest is cozy limited space for baby. In it, he feels comfortable, comfortable and fully protected, like in a mother’s belly, which has a beneficial effect on the child’s sleep and its duration. When starting in a dream or waking up, the baby is not afraid, as he feels support, protection and warmth.
The cocoon can be used anywhere: in a crib, stroller or on a changing table. It can also be placed on the parents’ large bed, thereby creating a separate sleeping place for the baby. By holding the sides of the cocoon, the baby can be lulled to sleep with small rocking movements, and when he falls asleep, he can be transferred to a crib without disturbing his light sleep.
It is also convenient to take the nest for newborns with you. This accessory will be easy indispensable when traveling long distances. Even in a new place and in a different environment, the baby will be comfortable and comfortable.
If young parents practice co-sleeping with their baby, then the nest will be very useful. You can safely take your child to bed and not worry about his sleep, because the high and tight sides will limit the baby’s turning over and will not allow him to roll out of the cocoon. With all this, the mother will not have to get up several times for night feedings.
We sew a cocoon with our own hands
Nesting for newborns is a fairly easy task for almost anyone. But, of course, this all depends on the skills and preferences of the beginning needlewoman.
Exists several options for sewing a cocoon for a baby:
- sew from fabric;
- knit;
- crochet.
The highlight of such an accessory will be the unique decor. These can be some kind of beads, ribbons, appliqués. For girls, flowers and butterflies are suitable as drawings, and for boys - cars, airplanes and soldiers. And a photo cocoon for newborns with the ears of various animals will also look very original.
Undoubtedly, first of all it is necessary to take measurements of the future owner of the cocoon and make a pattern for sewing. Basically, for a newborn, the pattern has standard dimensions: length - 90 centimeters, width - 60 centimeters.
Tools and materials
So, for sewing you will need:
- Two pieces of fabric measuring 0.8*1 m. The colors of the canvas may vary. You can also sew a double-sided nest for babies.
- 2.6 m lace.
- Approximately 3 m of satin ribbon.
- 1 kg of holofiber or synthetic fluff for the base and sides. The mattress in the nest can be padded with synthetic padding in several layers. The bottom needs to be soft.
- Color-matching threads.
Step-by-step sewing instructions
- First of all, you need to transfer the pattern to the fabric, taking into account all seam allowances (1.5 - 2 cm). On the fabric you need to mark the middle and seam line. If the cocoon is in one color, then the canvas must be folded in half when cutting.
- Cut out and baste the two resulting parts with the right side inward along with the lace. Then sew the seams and overcast the edges.
- Turn the resulting workpiece inside out and iron it.
- Sew the place for the ribbon, stepping back exactly 2 centimeters from the edge.
- The next step will be sewing the mattress into a nest. To make the nest comfortable, you need to make several bottom parts from padding polyester or other hypoallergenic filler according to the pattern and fill the fabric blank. The mattress must be soft. To prevent the filler from rolling and forming lumps during washing, you can make several transverse or oblique seams along the bottom of the cocoon.
- Using a pin, thread the ribbon through.
- Fill the sides with holofiber.
- Carefully hand stitch open edges using a blind stitch.
- Pull the edges of the ribbon and tie a bow. The ribbon should not be cut too short so that in the future it will be possible to adjust the size of the nest as the baby grows. It is advisable to process the edges of the tape so that they do not crumble.
Knitted cocoon-diaper
First of all, for a knitted diaper you need to stock up on hypoallergenic yarn, approximately 100 - 200 grams. It is better to choose knitting needles from sizes three to five, and the thickness of the threads should correspond to the selected tool. The larger the future accessory is supposed to be, the larger the size you need to choose for the knitting needles.
Before purchasing tools and materials, you need to take measurements of the future owner of the diaper. Two indicators are important here: the length of the baby’s body from toes to armpits and the circumference of the chest. Of course, you can stick to the standard pattern sizes, but then the diaper may turn out to be large or, on the contrary, a little small for the baby. The number of loops should correspond to the size of the chest. You can choose your own knitting method or choose from the following options:
- rubber;
- convex elastic band;
- pearl pattern;
- corn pattern;
- garter stitch pattern.
You can also knit a cocoon diaper according to the baby hat pattern. You need to start from top to bottom, while gradually decreasing the loops in the rows. Various decorative elements in the form of beads, beads, ribbons, etc. will serve as an excellent decoration for such an accessory.
A homemade nest for a newborn has many advantages over a purchased product, since it is made with mother’s love and warm thoughts about the baby. Another advantage is that mommy can choose the color of the materials, style of the product and decor.
Also, an important quality is that the cost of a DIY product is much less than a finished product. That is why, if you want to purchase a high-quality, inexpensive and individual nest, then there is nothing left to do but sew it yourself.
It is customary to swaddle babies to ensure a restful sleep without being scared by the movements of their arms. To facilitate the process, a cocoon diaper with a zipper was invented. It makes the swaddling process easier for new parents. The cocoon-shaped diaper allows the baby freedom of movement.
Features of the cocoon diaper
In the modern world, they believe that there is no need to swaddle children tightly. This type of diaper leaves the baby freedom, only slightly limiting it. Does not require special swaddling skills from parents.
The shape of the cocoon gives the baby a feeling of security, like in the mother's belly. This helps the baby adapt to the new environment. The cocoon diaper for newborns with a zipper is sewn from cotton jersey. It does not cause allergic reactions and fits well to the skin and does not restrict movement. The design is incredibly convenient and compact.
If we consider which is better, a knitted diaper or a cocoon diaper, then the second one wins in many properties. Sewn like a cocoon, it has no internal seams and will not rub the baby’s delicate skin.
The cocoon diaper with a zipper is not suitable for premature babies.
When choosing a cocoon diaper, pay attention to its size and the quality of the material from which it is made. The neck should be wide so as not to put pressure on the neck. Keep this in mind if your baby is large. Buy them in specialized stores to avoid low-quality goods. A low price may indicate poor quality, uneven seams, or unnatural materials.
Pattern of a euro cocoon diaper with a zipper
The usual diaper has been replaced by an incredibly comfortable euro diaper, similar to a bag with a lock. It provides comfort for the baby, in which he remains in the fetal position to which he is accustomed.
It is easy to sew this type of diaper with your own hands. The pattern is very simple, so any mom can handle the sewing, even if she has no sewing skills.
Choice of fabric. First, we select the fabric, it should be natural and stretch well. You will need a cut about 120 cm long and 150 cm wide. The pattern for a cocoon diaper with a zipper is made first on paper, and only then transferred to fabric. Allow seam allowances of about 0.5 - 1 cm.
Dimensions. When choosing a size, take into account the child's height. For every 2 centimeters of growth, add 12 cm of canvas. The main condition is that the seams and zippers are made on the outside of the product. This is done so as not to cause irritation to the skin. For stitching we use a zigzag stitch. The time for cutting and sewing a diaper is about one hour.
You just need to put your baby in this diaper and fasten the clasps. The baby's arms can be placed on the sides or so that they are at the chest. He will feel comfortable and calm in it.
How to sew a cocoon diaper with a zipper?
Sewing the product is quite simple. It is much better to make the pattern yourself, since the mother knows the size of her baby.
For sewing you will need:
- a piece of knitted fabric;
- sewn-in lock;
- threads;
- interlining.
Try not to be distracted while sewing to avoid making mistakes. You can sew a cocoon diaper with your own hands, a warmer one with a fleece lining, or by laying padding polyester inside. You can choose any color, or complement it with various applications.
How to swaddle a baby in a cocoon swaddle with a zipper video:
Of course, it’s easy to buy everything you need for a newborn, but a DIY cocoon diaper will not only be convenient and practical, but will also fit perfectly. Made with soul and maternal love, it will delight the baby with warmth and comfort for a long time.
