Happy napping!

Today was the perfect day for a nap. A beautiful sunny morning, followed by the skies opening up just after noon. Having stayed awake until the very wee-ist of hours last night finishing my daughter's new nap mat for the beginning of summer camp today, I was exhausted - so as it started down pouring just as I tucked my littlest in for her nap, I went right ahead and indulged in one myself!

When I realized "rest materials" were on the packing list for camp just a few days ago, I started looking online for a quick solution. I saw covers for Kindermats and figured I'd make one myself and buy the insert, but then I read the toxicity warning on the vinyl mats and decided to look for a healthier alternative. I looked at other handmade mats, but didn't see one that incorporated a travel pillow the way I wanted to. So I tracked down some high loft batting, picked a bright durable denim to use for the bottom, and sketched out a design that fit my idea. At first I was going to sew the pillowcase into the top panel of the cover, but then I remembered all the KAM Snaps I had on hand and thought how it'd be nice to have it removable, and redesigned.

The end product turned out great! The mat is soft and well cushioned, folds in on itself with attached snap-close handles for easy carrying (and no bottom-that-touched-the-floor coming in contact with the top to appease the germ freak in me!), and the pillow case can detach for use alone or separate washing. I'm planning to tweak the design a tad further and add these to my product list - they'd be great for travel, school or camp, and naps at grammy's house : )

Next up, this mom is getting a night out all to herself! Well, herself, some happy fellow sewers, and a great instructor at Atelier Stitch. I'm taking an a-line skirt class this week and can't wait to share how it turns out!