Warm Play Mat for Toddlers

Step 1

It's gotten chilly outside, and many moms are now firmly against their little ones crawling/lying/sitting on the floor playing their favorite games. Bummer! But there's a solution for that 😉

Look at this great tutorial I found online—my kids aren't little anymore, but crafters with preschoolers in the family will definitely find this useful! Presenting: a warm play mat 😍

Illustration 2

Step 3

Here's what it looks like without your beloved child riding on top ))

Illustration 4

Step 5

For this simple project, stock up on faux fur. This will likely be your only significant expense. If you have an old fur coat you've been moving from place to place for ages, great—that will help you save money 👍

For a medium-sized mat, you will need one and a half meters of fur/pile fabric for the main piece, a little brown felt to detail the face, a length of wool yarn to embroider small details, color-matching fringe, dark lining fabric, and polyester batting for stuffing.

Illustration 6

Step 7

On the wrong side of the main fabric, use a fabric marker to draw an improvised "body." Cut it out, and cut an identical piece from both the lining fabric and interfacing (such as fusible interfacing).

Illustration 8

Step 9

Stitch all the pieces together along the perimeter, leaving an opening for stuffing.

Illustration 10

Step 11

Now we need a round piece for the lion cub's head—to cut it out, an ordinary dinner plate works perfectly (cut two pieces). At the same time, draw and cut the muzzle pieces from white fabric and the ears (4 pcs.).

Illustration 12

Step 13

Stitch the ear pieces together and trim the seams so the edge looks neat once turned right side out. In the meantime, detail the face: sew on the felt nose and embroider the mouth.

Illustration 14

Step 15

Once the face is completely finished (eyes and ears are sewn on), stitch the front and back head pieces together, tucking the fringe into the seam first—this gives the lion its recognizable mane.

Illustration 16

Step 17

Stitch the head pieces together, making sure to leave an opening for stuffing after turning right side out.

Illustration 18

Step 19

By the way, the surface of the "pelt" will look more expressive if you spot-add short "tails" made from doubled yarn—just secure them with knots. And it wouldn't hurt to define "toes" on the front paws ))

Illustration 20

Step 21

All that's left is to sew the head to the body—and the soft, cozy play mat is ready to delight the kids! 😛

Illustration 22