Friday, December 07, 2007

Nursing Cover / Apron Tutorial

Here is the big tutorial! You would be surprised how many hits I get for a breastfeeding cover. Hopefully soon I will have modeling pics from my SIL and her baby. Also, I will turn it into a downloadable tutorial over the weekend, but here it is for now. I have a 2-layer version coming very soon.


Nursing Cover/Apron

Materials
1 yd of fabric A
¼ yd of fabric B
½ yd of Rigilene boning
2 D rings


Instructions
1. With fabric A cut:
1 piece 36 x 28 inches
1 strips 2 x 6 inches
1 strips 2 x 20 inches

2. With fabric B cut:
2 strips 2 ¼ x 28 inches - these are strips #1
2 strips 2 ¼ x 37 inches – these are strips #2

3. Press fabric B strips in ½ lengthwise.

4. Line up raw edges of folded strips #1 with raw edges of right side of fabric A large piece. For strips #2, fold in the extra ½ inch on each edge of the 37-inch strips before sewing so there are no raw edges. Then only sew one of strip #2 (this will be the bottom edge).

5. For the second strip #2, fold in and pin the ½ inch at the raw edges. Next, mark the center of the strip and measure out from the center 8 inches and mark these points. Then insert the boning and tack it at the two 8 inch lengths from the center. Then stretch out the strip (because it will want to curl with the boning), and sew right down the middle lengthwise to create a casing for the boning.

6. Now attach this strip #2 to the last raw edge of fabric A.

7. Press all seams toward the inside of the cover, and then topstitch on fabric A all the way around to hold the seams in place.

8. To create the straps – fold the straps lengthwise with right sides together, sew lengthwise and then sew one end closed. Turn straps right side out. If you have a tube turner, use it to flip the straps right side out. If you have a chopstick or a knitting needle, you can do this easily as well.

9. Line raw edge up with seam of the back cover. (It does not matter which side is the shorter one). Pin raw edge of each strip to back of cover at the edges of the boning. Tack at topstitching and at the edge of the cover on both straps.

10. Take short strap and insert it through both D rings, then fold over the edge and tack it.

11. Now insert the larger strap through one D ring and under the second D ring and pull back through the first one (like a belt).

...And you are done!

14 comments:

Sarah Jones said...

Thank you so much for sharing this tutorial. Being a nursing mom myself, it'll be very helpful.

I tried to use just a blanket when I was out in public. Well my baby girl flung her arm towards the blanket, which caused the blanket to fall off my shoulder. I was totally exposed and completely embarrassed!

So I can't wait to use one of these!

stephanickety said...

You are so welcome!! I wish I had made one for me back when my kids were newborns and we nursed a lot in public.

Sprigg said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

I am so excited to make these. I have been looking for a set of directions.

I agree with the previous posting BF in public with a blanket is difficult and to buy a nursing cover is expensive. Thank you so much for sharing.

Angie said...

I am so excited to have found your blog and the directions for this!

Thank you!!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the pattern I am having my mother-in-law make this for me. It will be so much cheaper than buying one.

Gumbo Lily said...

Thanks for the tutorial! I'm making one of these for my DIL who just had a baby. These cover-ups are about $35 retail!

Jody

Crystara said...

Thank you for sharing! I have made one of these for myself and am working on two for baby shower gifts. I did alter it a little. I made the whole thing just a little larger for maximum coverage and I think this time I'll add some interfacing to the strap that goes around the neck. It's so great because I can make these for about $4 when they retail for $35!

Anonymous said...

cool, Thanks

Freddy

Shaz said...

Thank you so much for this. I have looked at lots of expensive designer photos on the internet and wanted to make one and now you have made it so easy for me. Will post a photo as soon as I have made mine.

Unknown said...

Thank you for so generously sharing your tutorials and knowledge. I will sew a nursing cover for my daughter. Also loved the Tag Making and the Appliques. Thanks so much!!

Unknown said...

Thank you so much for so generously sharing your tutorial and knowledge. I will sew a nursing cover for my daughter. (New grand daughter is 5 days old...yea) I also loved the appliques and the tag making. Thanks again!!

Unknown said...

Thank you for so generously sharing your tutorials and knowledge. I will sew a nursing cover for my daughter. Also loved the Tag Making and the Appliques. Thanks so much!!

Anonymous said...

Great blog, thank you! I really like it.