Children's Dino Magic Blanket Tails

Dino Blanket Tail

Difficulty Level = Beginner

Climb inside this fun and magical blanket tail. Great fun for children and adults alike – there is even a doll size too. With front overlapped scales and a spine, you can really set your imagination free! The blanket tail has an optional elastic at the opening to fit comfortably over your hips with your feet fitting into the ends of the tail. Pull it up to your shoulders and snuggle inside.

Our Facebook group is a great place to get help, share your tips and creations! We are a friendly bunch, and we love to help and see what you have made.

Please read the full instructions before getting started.

Wash, dry, and press your fabric before starting your project. A bit of prep now prevents shrinking and means your garment will stay the same size you made it.

Never leave a child or baby unattended or allow to sleep in a garment made from one of our patterns with ties, snaps, buttons, or anything they could remove, choke on, or get caught on. Always use caution if you are unsure. We love our patterns, but we love your bundles of joy more!

Size Range

12mo - 12yrs

Size Chart

This pattern is drafted to the sizes listed below. If your child is between sizes, choose the larger size and adjust the pattern to remove the extra width/height to achieve the intended fit.

Finished Measurements (Inches)

This is not a fitted garment – it’s a cuddle blanket style. The sizes are listed above. 

• Picking your size – Choose your size from the hip measurement in the size chart above. 
• Height adjustment – Child’s height is listed in the chart above. It’s oversized and created for comfort so no need to adjust for height.

If you get stuck with fitting, see our favorite resources on our Pinterest Sewing Fitting Advice board.  

You will need a light to medium weight woven or non-stretch fabric for the body e.g. quilting cotton, cotton, felt, lightweight fleece or lame. You can use the same for the body lining, although we wouldn’t recommend using lame.

You can use non-fraying fabric, such as felt, for the Scales. If you are using a fabric that will fray, you can use a different fabric as the lining. If for example you are using a thick fabric, this will help reduce bulk.

Fabric Requirements 45 inches/115 cm wide (in YARDS)

Fabric Requirements 60 inches/150 cm wide (in YARDS)

* If you are using a narrower fabric, a directional print, or a fabric with nap you may need more.
** Make sure to wash, dry, and press all fabrics before cutting out in case they shrink.

You will also need:

• OPTIONAL lightweight interfacing for Scales and Spines – approximately 1 yard will be sufficient for all sizes
• OPTIONAL 1-inch wide Elastic – approximately 0.8 yards will be sufficient for all sizes
• Thread to match

Tools needed are sewing machine, pins or clips, optional pinking shears, and scissors. Optional serger/overlocker.

Settings

The pattern is a separate download. Choose either the US letter paper, A4 paper, or A0 paper size based on the printer you wish to use. If you are in the US or Canada then your printer will likely use US letter paper. Other regions normally use A4 paper. Some people prefer to print their patterns at a print shop: A0 is best in this case.

Print at 100%.

On the second page, you will find a 1-inch and a 3-inch square test box. Print this page first, on its own, and measure these squares.

Once you are happy that the test box is accurate, print the rest of the pattern pages.

Please follow this video for information and assistance on assembling this pattern.

Also, please note that some Rebecca Page patterns and projects also come with cut files and a printable design page which you can use to plan your project if you wish. These are provided in a separate section below to avoid any confusion!

Cut each of the pieces according to the directions on the pattern piece. Seam allowances are all included so just cut them as is.

Cutting Charts – All pattern pieces are included, however if you prefer to cut using a cutting chart, the dimensions for the rectangular pieces are below: 

Cutting Checklist:

• Body – Fabric cut 1 on fold, Lining cut 2 on fold
• Front Panel 1 – cut 4 on fold
• Front Panel 2 – cut 1 on fold
• Front Panel 3 – cut 1 on fold
• Front Panel 4 – cut 1 on fold
• Front Panel 5 – cut 1 on fold
• Spine – Fabric cut 10, OPTIONAL Interfacing cut 10
• Scales:
  • OPTIONAL NON-FRAYING Scales – Fabric cut 45, OPTIONAL Interfacing cut 45
  • OR OPTIONAL Fraying Scales – Fabric cut 45, Lining cut 45
  • NOTE – You can cut fewer or more Scales. This will depend on the look you wish to create. You may need to overlap each piece by more or less than in the tutorial. 
• Waistband – cut 2 on fold 

NOTE – To cut fabric on the fold, fold your fabric over parallel to the selvage edges. Align the pattern piece so it is on the fold of the fabric. Cut around the edges, leaving the fold. If you have folded your fabric correctly the fold will be parallel to the two edges of the fabric that are finished. The raw edges (e.g. the ones you could pick at and threads would come off) will be at a right angle to your fold.

½ inch seam allowance included – Top stitching ⅛ inch – Basting ⅛ inch

Preparation – 

1. PATTERN MARKINGS – Transfer all pattern markings and labels.
2. OPTIONAL INTERFACING – Apply interfacing to Spines and non-fraying Scales.

Sewing –

1. SCALES AND SPINES – Stitch two Scales, right sides together, along the outer curved edges. Clip top. Trim seam allowance. Turn out and press. Topstitch. Repeat for all Scales and Spines.
2. ATTACHING SCALES TO FRONT PANEL – Lay Front Panel 1 right side up. Starting a ½ inch from the side, pin a Scale onto the Front Panel. Place the next Scale, overlapping the first Scale. Pin. Continue pinning until you have a ½ inch left. Baste. Repeat for all Scales and Panels. Flip the Scales up on Front Panel 4. Take Front Panel 5 and place it onto Front Panel 4, matching the top and bottom edges, rights sides together. Stitch. Repeat for all Panels.
3. ATTACHING SPINE TO BODY – With the Main Front Body laying right sides up, flip the Scales along the left side up and toward the middle. Baste the Spines along the left side, right sides together.
4. BODY – Fold and pin the Scales and Spines on right side into the middle. Place the Main Body onto the Main Front Body, right sides together. Stitch. Repeat for Body Lining.
5. WAISTBAND – Stitch the Waistbands, right sides together, at the short edges. Stitch the Waistband to the top edge of the Main Body, right sides together. Place Body Lining inside, matching raw edge to the seam allowance. Fold raw edge of Waistband ½ inch. Fold Waistband over and stitch in the ditch, leaving a 3-inch gap for the optional elastic, or stitch closed if not adding elastic. Thread elastic, overlap ½ inch and stitch. Topstitch gap closed.

Congratulations, your Dino Blanket Tail is done. Enjoy!

We would love to hear how you got on and see photos of your finished project!

Join us at our Facebook Group, tag us on Instagram, or use the hashtag #rpmagicblankettaildinosaur.

Thank you for using a Rebecca Page pattern.

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If you wish, you can download and print a diagram of your project which you can use for planning purposes.

Color in, or glue scraps of fabric, on the diagram to try different fabrics and looks.

As with the pattern files, please download the appropriate file to download based on your printer. If you are in the US or Canada then your printer likely supports US Letter size paper. All other regions generally use A4 paper.