How to make a swaddle (hooded)

1. Materials & tools

Materials (baby swaddle)

• Outer fabric (double gauze, terry or cotton) — a square of the body side + seam allowance
• Lining (same; a contrast is nice) — the same size
• Optional: lace, ribbon or a decorative button

Tools

• Sewing machine (or needle and thread)
• Fabric marker or pencil
• Ruler and scissors
• Iron
• Pins or clips

2. Make the pattern (auto-generated in Katagami)

With the Katagami pattern tool, you just enter the finished size and it drafts a seam-allowance-included pattern, tiled to print at actual size on Letter or A4.

1. Open the tool
   Open the pattern tool and choose “Baby” → “Swaddle (hooded)” from the tabs at the top.
2. Enter the size
   Enter the body side length and the hood side. Larger = more wrapping room.
3. Set the seam allowance
   Use the slider at the bottom (beginners: 1.0–1.5 cm / about 3/8–5/8 in).
4. Print
   Press “Print (actual size)”, then in the print dialog set Scale = 100% and turn “Fit to page” OFF. Check the 50 mm calibration box on the first guide sheet with a ruler.

3. Cutting the fabric

1. Cut the body
   Cut one square each in outer and lining.
2. Cut the hood
   Cut one triangle each in outer and lining.
3. Corners
   Clip the corner seam allowances so they turn out crisply.

4. Sewing

4-1. Make the hood

1. Sew the hood outer and lining right sides together along the long (diagonal) edge, turn and press.

4-2. Baste the hood to the body

1. Pin/baste the hood to one corner of the body outer, right sides together, matching the corner.

4-3. Sew the body and turn

1. Place the body outer and lining right sides together (hood sandwiched) and sew around, leaving a ~10 cm turning gap.
2. Trim the corner allowances, turn right side out and shape the corners.

4-4. Finish

1. Slip-stitch the gap closed, or topstitch all around to close it.
2. Press to finish.

5. Tips & variations

• Soft and absorbent: terry on one side makes a cozy blanket.
• Lovely gift: a contrasting lining and a name make a great baby gift.
• Add a hood point: a small tassel or ear detail is cute.