DIY Nap Mat with Pillow (for Kids)

Cut 2 rectangles 40 x 50-inches each, one from fleece and one from Minky. Place the rectangles right-sides together and pin the edges to prevent shifting.

Sew side and bottom edges with a 1/4-inch seam, leaving the entire top edge open. Turn right side out.

Fold the fabric in half lengthwise, with the Minky on the outside. Pin the edges to prevent shifting.

You will sew the short bottom edge and the long open edge. Stop sewing 12 inches away from the top, so that the bag is easy to climb in and out of. Sew with a 1/2-inch seam, or just inside the bulk of the previous seam.

Turn right side out.

Cut two pieces of Minky that are 24 x 20 in. Layer right sides together and pin.

Sew the two short sides and the top with a 1/4-inch seam. Leave the bottom edge open. Turn right side out.

Measure 4 inches in from the unsewn bottom edge. Mark with pins. Topstitch down the length of the pillow, leaving a 6-inch hole in the center for stuffing.

Stuff the pillow with Poly-fill stuffing.

Topstitch the center hole shut.

Now we'll work on the carrying strap. Cut a rectangle from Minky to 16 x 9 in. Fold in half lengthwise and pin.

Sew down the long open edge with a 1/4-inch seam.

Turn right side out.

Slide the bottom edge of the pillow between the fleece and Minky layers on the back of the bag.

Cut 2 pieces of wide elastic to 14 inches each. Fold elastic in half, to 7 inches in length.

Place the bag face down. Slide the raw edge of the folded elastic between the fabric layers, about 4 inches in from each edge.

Fold the fabric layers inward 1/2-inch to conceal the raw edge. Pin through only one layer of fleece and Minky; don't pin through the layers on the other side. Pin the elastic in place.

Pin the looped edge of the elastic to the pillow to keep it out of the way while sewing.

Pin the ends of the strap piece in the middle of the bag, between the two elastic loops. Again, pin through only one layer of fleece and Minky.

Pin the loose portion of the strap to the pillow to keep it out of the way while sewing.

Open the bag around the arm of your sewing machine so you are only sewing through one layer of fleece and Minky (and the flaps at the end of the pillowcase). Topstitch close to the edge of the fleece with a 1-inch seam, removing the pins as you go. Sew slowly, as the fabric is thick.

Flip the bag to the front. Open the bag so you can fold under the raw edge of the Minky next to the pillow. Pin and sew with a 1-inch seam.

Finally, fold in the fleece and Minky on the top of the bag. Align the edges and pin.

Topstitch with a 1-inch seam.

To carry the bag, roll up from the bottom front.

Loop the elastic around each end of the rolled-up bag.

Use the carrying strap to tote the bag.