Friday, August 17, 2007

Handmade Baby Changing Pad


Rolled up


23 by 26 inches

I bought a 'travel changing pad' from Etsy a few weeks ago, but was a little disappointed by the size when it arrived. It was only 12 by 18 inches - and, maybe for a travel pad it isn't that bad, but I wanted to make some bigger ones.

More pictures of a second version

Instructions:
I took two of the cloth diapers out of the pack Mark's parents gave us. I laid them down on some purple flannel and cut it about an inch larger on all sides.

Then I pinnned them down and stitched them down all around with the sewing machine, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch from the diaper edge. Then I cut another piece of cotton fabric the same size as the flannel backing and sewed them together like I did the burp cloths, just inside the very edge of the diapers, leaving a 2 inch gap on one side for turning inside-out.

Turn inside-out, point out the corners with a dowel or unsharpened pencil, and sew the gap shut from the outside. Sew 1/4 inch from the edge all the way around for stabilizing. Then sew a line (I used a decorative curvy line) from the top edge stitch to the bottom edge stitch at equal spaces across the cloth, about 3 to 7 times, for quilting and to give it more stability when you wash it. Finish all thread tails and fold lengthways, then roll up and tie with a ribbon.

Sewing Burp Cloths: Same process, except nothing in between the flannel and the cotton fabric, and just the stabilizing stitch around the edge after turning. I'm making the burp cloths about 11 by 21 inches (finished), which is the size the flannel cuts to if I cut one yard into six equal pieces (cut into thirds, then cut each third in half lengthways). I've seen the typical burp cloth is about 18 by 14 inches with a cloth diaper inner lining


Update: The burp cloths get used every day. I use them for several things as they are a handy size. They catch milk during breastfeeding, stick under Esme's backside when I'm doing a quick diaper change on the bed or in the bassinet etc.. and they still get used to wipe her mouth when she spits up, which was their original intention ;) The big changing pads are also great (for small baby) as blankets or big soaker pads for when Dad or Grandpa hold her and her diaper leaks. A variety of small pads like these are just great all around, and hold up pretty well in the hot water cycle of the wash. And since they were so cheap and quick to make when one does eventually wear threadbare you can just toss it into the rags and make another during a spare nap.



Pogo also agrees it's 'sleeping weather' lately...
Are we sure there is still a spine in there?

9 comments:

The Bashams said...

Oh - those will come in handy!! You can never have enough either so keep sewing!
Glad things are going well.

stuffed said...

Awwwwww. Baby stuff. :0)

Pogo is delicious, too.

Jennifer said...

Very cute! Both the changing pad and Pogo.

Anonymous said...

Super cute!!

Anonymous said...

Practical!

Pogo is so darling. Cats have spines? Nah.

Knittymama said...

That is just lovely!

Jeanne said...

You sew such nice things. Even better that you are improving the designs as you go.

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry- I'm totally confused by your directions. I'd really like to make a changing pad...but ?
Please help...

RheLynn said...

To start with you will have two pieces of fabric and two cloth diapers (the flatfold rectangular ones)

Pin the fabrics face together and place both of the diapers one on top of the other. Then pin the layered diapers on top of one 'wrong' side of the fabrics.

Take this to your machine and sew just within the edge of the diapers all the way around 1/4 to 1/2 inch from the edge. Leave an opening on one side large enough to pull everything inside out.

Turn inside out.

Make a long tube of fabric for the strap - turn it right-side out.

Tuck the strap in the open area on the changing pad and sew on top 1/4 inch from the edge all the way around the changing pad. This should secure the strap in place.

Do a little zigzag stitching in several places along the length of the cloth so it doesn't bunch up in your washing machine.

This is a diaper changing pad that is cheap to make and will be easy to throw in the washing machine and will keep messy diaper overflow from getting on your couch, bed, carpet etc... although it doesn't help much with soakage if baby pees on it when they are laying there.