Welcome to the 3rd day of Christmas on the CKC Blog.  Due to technical difficulties, this entry didn't post on Friday, so today we are doing days 3 and 4!  

And this is my all time favorite quick sew for toddlers, so I am so thrilled to share it with you.  I went through a pretty significant phase early in my sewing career of purchasing 1 yard panels and then... doing nothing with them... I just really liked them.  Then, my daughter went through a HUGE Disney's Cars phase, and I made Cars Blanky.  And since Cars Blanky (who is still around, by the way), I have used panels to make about 15 of these blankets.  

Recently, I thought I could turn them into pillows by adding a pocket into which the folded blanket could be tucked.  When it worked like a charm, I knew it was time to share this blanket with the world!  I named it McQueen's after that first blanky, all those years ago, and because it really is a lightning fast sew!  

Queen's is perfect for long trips.  We travel by car about 8 hours every year for Christmas and I know that my kids will be excited to have a snuggly blanket or pillow for the trip!  What's more is that the pocket can hold a few small items.  Even when being used as a pillow, there is still room!  So I plan on tucking a beloved toy and a few snacks inside for the car ride.

AND I have always used a panel or 1 yard of fabric to make this blanket.  But when I found the perfect panel for my son, but it was a 2/3 yard panel, I knew I needed to add a strip work version so he could have his Caterpillar Blanky!  Directions for the strip work version are included in this pattern.

As I was making this tutorial, I started thinking about how meaningful a gift this could be for a child who is having a harder holiday season than others.  Tucking a few personal care items inside the pocket make it a darling and easy gift for children experiencing housing transitions, living without housing, in foster care, or in the hospital.  Contacting your local service organization could be a great way to find out how to donate.  I love donating to those organizations this time of year because I know how challenging the holidays are for children experiencing hardships.

I cannot wait to see what you make!

Download McQueen's Here!

--Meg