How to Make Your Own Baby Sleeping Bag

A baby sleeping bag (sometimes called a "bunting") is one of the simpler sewing craft projects that you can complete in less than an hour. These wearable blankets can be made of different materials from fleece to lightweight cotton. If you are less than an expert with a sewing machine, you can still successfully complete this project. Only a minimum of sewing is required, and you can use a needle and thread with excellent results. This version of an infant's sleeping bag makes an ideal gift for expectant parents and is the perfect size for most newborns. As time passes, its simple seams can be adjusted to permit continued comfort, warmth and sound sleep.

Spread the baby blanket evenly on a flat surface. Position it so that the longer length is vertical (up and down) from your vantage point. The shorter length (or the width) should extend horizontally (left to right).

Fold the last 4 inches from the bottom of the blanket up across the width. If the material is 32 inches in length, it should now measure 28 inches. Stitch across the top and sides of the fold to hold the material in place. As the baby grows, remove and reposition this seam downward to extend the length of the sleeping bag.

Measure the total width at the bottom of the blanket. Divide the total width in half and note the number for the center point. Mark this center point with fabric chalk. Divide this half-width number in half. The second number will guide you in folding the left and right sides of the sleeping bag.Example: If the width equals 28 inches, 1/2 of 28 equals 14 inches. Place a chalk mark on the blanket 14 inches from the side of the blanket at the bottom. Divide 14 in half and your answer is 7 inches. This tells you that you need to place a vertical fold 7 inches from the left side of the blanket. Create a similar fold on the right side. The two sides of the blanket should meet neatly in the middle. If it helps you, place a chalk mark where the folds will be created as a guide. After marking the fabric, open the folds before proceeding to the next step.

Place adhesive hook-and-loop strips or tabs on the sleeping bag. The strips or tabs should be on the inside of the uppermost fold when the sides of the blanket are folded over the baby. Position them so that they begin about 8 to 10 inches from the top of the sleeping bag on the edges of the folded lateral sidep. The sleeper shouldn't be able to close any higher than the center of the baby's chest for safety reasons. You should be able to easily overlap the material slightly to secure the tabs and close the sleeping bag over the baby.

Secure the center or the edges of the strips or tabs with stitches to keep them in place. This will prevent them from coming off during washing or normal use. The bottom of the sleeping bag has still not been closed. With the tabs closing the sides of the sleeping bag--ensure they're overlapping--stitch closed the bottom end. Wash the sleeping bag in hypoallergenic detergent and dry it completely before allowing the baby to use it the first time.

How to Make a Speed Bag Board

Speed bags are a great way to train to box or just increase the speed of your hands, and mental and physical reflexes. But while the bags are easy to come by, the boards are not, and often you have to pay a pretty penny to get one. So make your own.

Pick a place in the house to put your speed bag board. Since it will be constructed of bare wood, and the punching of a bag is loud, you might consider a workout room, the garage, a finished basement or outside under the porch.

Go to your local lumber home store and either buy a pre-cut round board (about 18" in diameter) or buy a square board and cut it with a jigsaw to size.

Take two 2 x 4 x 12-inch boards and screw them in to the table, making sure that they are about 4 to 6 inches in from the side and that you screw upwards through the boxing board first, then into the 2 x 4s. If you do it the other way around, you will have less of a "grip" and the points of the screws will show through. It may help to drill a hole first.

Take four 2 x 4 x 12-inch boards and position one on the inside two corners of each of the two boards previously secured down. Using a drill to make a pre-hole and your screws, secure these boards into the corners.

Take two more boards of equal size and measure out on the ceiling where they will go. Make sure they are measured the exact same distance as the first two boards you placed on, and that they are facing the same direction. Also, make sure you have them directly over the beams in the ceiling.

Secure those boards to the ceiling, then screw in the tops of the other four boards into the sides of these.

Mark the exact center of your boxing board and screw in the chain base for your bag. Place the bag on and you are ready to go.