fleecy blankets, what to make to keep kids warm at night?

betterlife

hi, i have a load of fleecy blankets, some have been cut as i use to make reusable wetwipes with them, i was wondering what i could do with the rest? i already have enough that i use as blankets, i have 4 kids, 2yrs, 4yrs, 6yrs and 9, our house is quite cold in the winter and with talk of even colder winter this year and delays in my wall/loft insulation:mad:. im trying to think how to make bedtime warmer.
i thought maybe fleecy pillow cases? matress covers? any other ideas would be greatly appreciated thankyou.

parsonswife8

What about making a sack type thingy, up to their collar bone and then having a strap over each shoulder like a dungaree type thingy, with a button on either side on the front, like dungarees (or some popper type things).

Oh, and put a duvet or a blanket between their mattresses and their bottom sheets.

Fruball

Love the sleeping sack idea, altho i would just make a large pillow case type thing leaving the top unsealed so they can snuggle down in it

I will be making 2 of these.... errr and maybe one for myself would be good for snuggling infront of the tv too.

actually, you could make simple fleece tunics that nearly reach the floor... then you could walk round in them too... oooohhh snuggly

jackieglasgow

My boys have fleece sleeping bags which their gran bought them when they were little which they go inside, under their duvets, in the winter. The side they lie on is longer with a slot in to put their pillow inside, so they have the warm fleecy pillowcase too. It also means a bit less sheet washing in winter, as they don't really get dirty, and the fleeces as you know, dry really quickly. They also use them when they're sick on the sofa, or for family movie nights for a snuggle.

babyshoes

Ponchos or long baggy shirts or dressing gown style garments perhaps? Something big enough to be worn over a thick tracksuit with layers underneath it. Make sure it has pockets to keep hands warm too!

Put the tattiest ones under their bed sheets after patching them up - it is amazing how much warmer a bed is with a thick cover on the mattress.

What about making an extra pair of fleecy curtains to keep out the cold?

Do they have large slippers? Are your sewing skills good enough to make fleecy socks for underneath the slippers? How about mittens?

A lot of heat is lost through the head - how about making beanies or those hats with ear warmers.

jackieglasgow

I should just add that the sleeping bags are just a single layer of fleece.

betterlife

great idea`s everyone:D, i love the fleecy sleeping bag idea, bedsocks would be a good idea but im not a very keen sewer and may find this above my abilities lol:o, but saying that my mum use to be a seamstress;) so that could be worth a thought! keep em coming:p

adelight

Mattress covers sounds good. What about a shall/poncho type thing for you? Get a triangle and wrap it over yourself like http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQMyIDFCF5Qc3zMpyfxWInq0SUeJckZ8xujq36DB3Ylh_kVZ1k&t=1&usg=__sCrCuwXsdQZSEieGXncKdUAu6NU= and sew from the edge inwards to make little divides for your arms. If that makes any sense! Can pop a button or use a big safety pin to close it at the front. I wish I had a spare blanket to make something like that.

seasalt_2

Years ago, the hospital where I worked used "cuddlies" -a flannelette blanket that could be put INSIDE the sheets if it was cold (only one blanket per bed then and wards could be freezing at night!) and was also used as a modesty blanket for bedbaths etc. I'm sure fleece would be even warmer, like Jackieglasgow's sleeping bags. I also use fleeces as a mattress cover for warmth/comfort and we have a couple that we all use for keeping warm while watching TV etc too.

Hot water bottle covers? Just make a rectangular bag and then elasticate loosely about two inches from the top to draw it in around the neck. Ours are like this - or, even simpler, an "envelope" style - rectangular bag with deep flap that can be tucked in. The great thing about fleece is that it doesn't fray so no hemming/binding etc unless you want to!

catnap53

adelight wrote: »

I wish I had a spare blanket to make something like that.

Don't know if you have Ikea near you, but the plain pale blue ones are 99p at the moment. I bought some yesterday for DS and DD2 as they are going to university in a couple of weeks and it is colder in the east!

We also use them at home in front of the TV, much to OH disgust.

Zzzz

roosterpotatoes

jackieglasgow wrote: »

My boys have fleece sleeping bags which their gran bought them when they were little which they go inside, under their duvets, in the winter. The side they lie on is longer with a slot in to put their pillow inside, so they have the warm fleecy pillowcase too. It also means a bit less sheet washing in winter, as they don't really get dirty, and the fleeces as you know, dry really quickly. They also use them when they're sick on the sofa, or for family movie nights for a snuggle.

My boys have these too, they are called snugglesacs and homebargains sell them, well, they did last winter I think they were about £3.99
They are great because they come in all different designs, i got spiderman and bart simpson for mine :T