nursing covers

When my first son was a baby, a friend of mine showed me a nursing cover she had been given at her baby shower.  I thought it was the coolest thing ever for nursing moms!  I measured hers and saw how it was put together.  When we got back to Virginia (where we lived at the time) I made one, then another, and another.  They are so easy to make!  Let's get started making some.

You need:
18" of 1/2 boning- this is sold by the yard and is usally by the elastic and velcro
2 D rings I think mine are 1", but smaller would work well too (that is the measurement of the flat end)
        (if you don't like the D rings, you could also use a button)
a rectangle of lightweight fabric 36" wide and 25" tall
two strips of that same fabric- one 2-1/4" (or bigger if you want fatter straps) by 26" and one 2-1/4" by 7"
       you can make the smaller one shorter if  you want the D rings closer to the cover
       (if you are using a button instead of D rings, you want only one strip 33" long)

I usually just use the pretty cotton prints from the fabric store, but I made one out of a silky fabric once, and it turned out really nice.  You just don't want it to be too heavy, or the baby might get hot and sweaty. 

Okay, first you want to wash, dry, and iron your fabric.  Then cut out your rectangle and straps.  In this picture my straps are already sewn into tubes.  I forgot to take the picture before I started sewing.

Sew the straps into long tubes with the right sides together.  Then turn them out and press with the seam along one side, or in the middle (if you are using a button, put it on the side so it's not in the middle of your button holes later).  Or, if you have a serger, you can just fold it in half with the wrong sides together, and serge down the open side (or both sides to make it match).

If you have a serger, finish all four sides of your big rectangle now.  If not, skip to the next step.

Fold under, pin, and iron three sides of your rectangle, leaving the top (one of the longer sides) alone for now.  If you serged the edges, fold them under 1/2".  If you did not serge them, fold them under 1/4" first, then 1/2" to hide the raw edges.

I usually fold over and iron the two short sides and then fold the bottom up over them, but you could do it how ever you want.  It would probably look really nice if you folded the corner in first, then brought the sides up to meet eachother, but that's more work and I'm kind of lazy. 

Sew the three sides using just under 1/2" seam allowance.  Make sure you go all the way to the edge to get all the seams sewn down (you will sew each side separately).

Before we work on the top, we need to finish the ends of the straps.  One end of each strap will be sewn into the top hem, so it's only the other end we need to work on.  It doesn't need to be anything fancy, just tuck in the raw edges and sew close to the edge to hide them.

Do this for one end of each strap.  They should look like this (or better hopefully).

Now, find the middle of your top edge of the cover by folding it over in half. 

Mark the center with a pin.

To make a casing for the boning, fold the top edge over about 3/4" and pin and iron it.  Do not sew it yet.

Mark the center of your boning with a pen or sharpie (the sharpie might show through light fabric) or just hold onto the center with your fingers.  Line it up with the center of the casing you just made and slip it in there.  Now, boning has a natural curve to it.  You want it to bow out away from your body when you are wearing the nursing cover to make a little "window" to see your baby, and to let the air in.  So make sure it is bending down in the middle, and up at the ends.

Pin the casing closed on each side of the boning and under it at the center to keep it in place.

Now it's time to add the straps.  Take your short strap and insert the raw end of it up into the casing over (or under) the end of the boning to your left.  Make sure it is on the boning, not next to it.  (If you are using a button instead of D rings, this is where you'll put the button when you are done, so don't do this step)

Then fold it up so it is sticking out over the top of the cover.  Pin it in place.  Do the same for the longer strap, but this time on the right edge of the boning.  (If you are using a button, put your strap in this spot)

It should look about like this now.

Sew the casing closed all the way across, making sure to keep the straps coming out of the top so they get sewn in.

After you sew the top hem, sew a square on each strap to sew it and the boning in place.  (If you are using a button, sew it on through the boning where the short strap's square would be.  Then, sew a few button holes along your strap starting 14" from where it attaches to the cover and putting one every 2" or so.)

To attach the D rings, fold the short strap over the two rings about an inch and sew in place with a line or two of stitching. 

D rings are really easy to use.  Just slide the long strap through the midlle of both rings, then back over the first one and under the second one.  You can tighten or loosen the strap all you want to get the fit that's right for you. 

That's it! You're done!  Now you have a super cute and really useful gift for yourself or someone else.  To use it, just slip it over your head like an apron.  Then you can nurse your baby without worrying that your blaket will fall off (or be pulled off by baby).

Here's a picture of one I made with a button instead of the D rings.

They can be customized a lot of different ways.  You can add a triangle of flannel in one of the bottom corners to use as a wipe for baby's face, and a pocket for nursing pads (though I've never thought the flannel was very useful for me).  You can also add cute embelishments on the front, like fabric flowers, buttons, or yo yos.  Just make sure they are well attached, and will hold up well in the wash.  I'm afraid this cute one probably gets squashed after going in the washer.

This is one of the first ones I made and is still one of my favorites.

After using one of these a few times, I was hooked.  I have nursed all three of my babies until they were one, and have a few of these covers that I just love!  I had two boys when my little Berkeley was born, and we spent many days at the zoo or park or who knows where.  These really did make it easier to nurse when we were not at home.  They are light-weight, hands free, and fold up nice and small to put into that diaper bag that's already overflowing with all the other crap you need.  They can also double as a blanket, changing pad, stroller or carseat cover/shade, or a towel at the splash pad if they need to.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy these as much as I do.  I think nursing your baby is so awesome, and I'm all about things to make it easier!

Fourth of July

Sorry I haven't posted anything for a while.  I had a tutorial I was getting ready to put on here, but I've been having problems with the pattern PDF.  While I was working on it at the computer last week, our power went out.  It stayed off until 11:30 that night (which was not fun since it was over 110 that day!).  Most of our city was out, and ours was the last area to get it back.

Anyway, that was on Thursday, and we left Friday to go up to the mountains.  Our cabin doesn't have internet, so I couldn't do much until we got home.  I'm finishing up that pattern, and have another tutorial going at the same time too.  Hopefully they'll both be done this week and I can get them on here.

So, we spent our Fourth of July up in the pine trees with lots of family and friends.  Blake's mom made the cutest skirts and dresses for the girls and shorts for the boys to wear to the parade in Show Low.

They had such a great time! They love all the candy that gets thrown durring the parade and seeing the forest service fire trucks. 

Here are my three cuties before we left for the parade.  I knew I needed to take a couple before we left if I wanted their clothes (and faces) clean in the pictures.  Wow! I think their hair is even still combed!

Berkeley hasn't quite figured out smiling for the camera without saying cheese with a weird face yet.  But it's still cute to me. (yes, lamby goes everywhere with her)

Here's our whole little bunch. I know they look small, but I can't believe how big they are getting already!

We had a great time in Pinedale.  I think this was the longest we've stayed up there at one time.  The kids love love love having all their cousins to play with.  Grandma and Papa came up with a couple of cousins, and Blake's older brother has a place close by, so his family was there also.  His younger brother stopped by for a few days on his way back from Georgia with his wife.  They are having their first baby in a few weeks. YAY!!

Every year on the Fourth, there is a big horseshoe tournament with all the Tuckers and all the Gunnells.  I didn't go this year, so I don't have pictures.  But Blake's brother made a cool trophy for the winner to put up in their cabin for the year.  It's a block of wood with an old horseshoe on top and lots of places for plaques with the winner's name and year on it.

They are trying to evolve the tournament into a whole series of events to make the Pinedale Games.  So they were practicing their disc golf skills as well as lasso golf and darts. 

Stephen thought he was part of the action with the disc golf, and was actually pretty good at darts (as long as the board was on the ground leaning on the tree).

Berkeley was in heaven with five older girls around to play with and entertain her.  I think her favorite things to do though were ride with dad on the quad or in the rhino, and swing in the tire swing.

This was HER swing.  She was being very grouchy about letting anyone else have a turn, but she eventually gave in and stopped crying (so much at least) when someone else was in there.  Last time we were there, the wind was increadible, but she wasn't going to let that stop her from swinging.  She fell asleep in there durring 40+ mph winds!  She sure loves that swing!

It's not as hot in the mountains as it is here in the valley, but there were some days that were in the 90s.  While Blake had the hose out, the kids decided it was a good time to get a little wet.  They ran back and forth quite a few times.  I'm not sure any of them anctually got in the water though.  It did rain a few times in the afternoon (usually right when I would start painting the outside of the garage) and they had a good time running around durring the rain to cool off.

It was a nice week full of family, friends, fun and food, but sadly no fireworks because of the forest fire nearby.  Hopefully they will be back on for next year!  We had so much fun, but are glad to be home!

We had a great Fourth of July!  I hope you did too.

PUL Wet Bags

Lately we have been doing an extreme amount of swimming: our house, swim lessons, my Mom's, and every splashpad in between.  In Arizona it's a must!  But I HATE getting my whole bag of stuff, and my stroller, and the car, and everything else wet on the way home.  Enter the wet bag (YAY!!!).

About a year ago, my little girl had super diaper rash (sorry, TMI).  Seriously, it would NOT go away.  Finally we started using cloth diapers, flannel wipes, and good ol' cornstarch.  It worked great! And it was finally gone!  Anyway, the store my mom got the diapers from had some awesome wet bags for sale.  I got a small one that fits one cloth diaper in it, and a medium one that will fit two or three.  With all the swimming we've been doing lately, we have been using the medium size wet bag non-stop.  So, I decided to make a few more.  They are perfect for all the wet swimsuits and swim diapers (I use the all-in-one BumGenius cloth diapers instead of disposable swim diapers).  It all goes in there, and all my other stuff that gets toted along stays DRY!

The bags are made with a fabric called PUL (or polyurethane laminate) as the liner, and any fabric you want for the exterior.  I used cotton quilting fabrics from JoAnn and the scrapbook store by me.  The PUL can be purchased on-line at various retailers.  I got mine from fabric.com, but they also sell it at JoAnn now by the recyled grocery bag fabric (which is great for making reusable sandwich wraps).  When sewing with PUL you want to use a denim needle or a ball point needle (but I don't have either, so I used my universal one) and you want to use polyester thread instead of cotton.  Also, try to avoid using pins- use hair clips or paper clips instead to hold fabric in place to lessen the amount of holes yo put in the PUL.

So, to make a medium sized wet bag you need:

   a 12" zipper

   1/2 yd PUL

   1/2 yd exterior fabric

If you don't want to use PUL, you could easily use a light-weight vinyl or plastic sheeting, but I don't know how to waterproof the holes from the needle.  Maybe a line of fabric glue along the stiches when you're done.

Okay, cut two pieces 12" by 18" from your fabric.  Also, cut a 12" by 35" piece from your PUL or plastic so it is 12" by 17 1/2" when folded (you can cut your outer fabric so it is folded like this too if you prefer).  You want the fold on one of the 12" sides because this will be the bottom of the liner and needs to be the most waterproof.

Place one piece of your outer fabric right side up.  Lay the zipper on top of that with the teeth side down and the pull tab to your left, lining up the top of the zipper with the raw edge of the fabric.

Place your PUL on top of the zipper with the shiny side down, aligning it with the fabric and zipper.  Clip these three layers together with hair clip or paper clips. 

Using your zipper foot, sew all three layers together along the edge.

Flip the outer fabric and PUL back so they are wrong side together, and topstitch all three layers close to the zipper.

Now take the other outer fabric and place it right side up.  Lay the zipper on top of it like you did for the other side.  With the zipper teeth down, the pull tab should be on your right now.

Take the other end of the PUL and pull it up to the top of the zipper, shiny side down. (I forgot to take a pic of this)  With the three layers lined up at the top, sew them together like you did for the first side.  Fold this side out so the wrong sides of the outer fabric and PUL are together and topstitch like you did before.  This will be a little trickier on this side because the PUL is folded around.  Just hold the folded side out of the way and be careful not to snag it under itself while you topstitch by the zipper.

Now, slide your zipper open about halfway, or flipping it right-side-out will be very difficult later. 

Place the outer fabrics right sides together, and the PUL should be shiny sides together.  Starting in a corner by the folded side of the PUL, sew along one long side of the PUL and outer fabric, the short side of the outer fabrics, and a couple inches down the other long side.  Leave about a 3" opening for turning later.  Then continue sewing the rest of the remaining long side of the fabric and PUL. (pictures below)

When you get to a zipper, fold the teeth up toward the outer pieces of fabric, and the flaps should point toward the PUL.  Hopefully these pictures help my description.

The orange lines of this picture were supposed to show where I sewed.  I guess I should have made them bolder.  The opening is being left in the outer fabric instead of the liner because we want to seal the seams on the PUL to make them very water proof, and I don't think we can do that if we have to close up a hole later.

This next step can be done a few ways.  I have heard that running a bead of fabric glue over your stitching seals them up.  Also, washing and drying it on high heat is supposed to work.  The way I am going to use is a hot iron to melt the shiny PUL sides together.

I use my wooden yard stick as a guide so I don't iron too far into my liner, and so I have a nice even seam.  Make sure there is no shiny part of PUL sticking out, or it might melt onto your iron.  Turn your iron up to a high heat with no steam.  Placing your yard stick about 1/4" inside of the seam, and holding it very firmly, iron very slowly over the seam and outer edge of PUL.  Go over each side a couple of times for a good seal.

Trim off any excess from seams, and clip corners of the exterior fabric.  Turn the bag right side out through the opening you left and the zipper you left open (you did leave it open right?).  If you forgot, try to wiggle it open a little so you can turn your bag.  Don't worry, I've had to do that a few times too.

Check your PUL to see if it's sealed by gently pulling one of the seams open (GENTLY). 

If you have a tag, insert it in your opening, then sew it closed with a very small seam allowance.

You are done!  Go hit up the closest beach, pool or splashpad, or just go out back and slide it up, and have a blast!