Nursing Cover Tutorial

7/31/2019 Nursing Cover Tutorial

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2008 Robin HillThe information in this booklet may not be reproduced, distributed or modified for any reason without written permission.

DIY Instructions-

Single Sided Custom Nursing Cover


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cotton fabrics at most Wal-Mart locations for $2.50/yd. They may not be

the most trendy, but would be appropriate for a practice run.

yard soft knit, flannel, or terry cloth fabric for wipe/corner pocket.

Coordinating all purpose thread.

14 of boning. Rigilene is the easiest to work with. Two 1 1/2 D Rings.

3. Preparing Your Fabric

Wash and dry fabric according to care instructions. Do not skip this step!

Iron fabric.

4. Cutting and Ironing Your Fabric

There are two ways you can cut your fabric. How you decide to cut yourfabric depends on your personal preference and/or whether or not your

fabric has a directional pattern that would be effected by how you cut the

fabric. There are two diagrams below showing your choices. I prefer to

use Diagram A because I use the two scraps for other projects and they are


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already cut to the right size. You choose whichever is easiest and makes

the most sense for you. If you choose to follow Diagram B, you may want

to buy a little bit more than a yard and trim the edges since (1) the fabric

will have shrunk a bit from the wash and (2) fabric stores never cut a

perfectly squared yard. Follow the steps below to cut your fabric into one26 x 36 rectangle for cover, one 4 x 36 strip or two 2 x 36 strips for

straps (see below to choose) and two 8 squares for pockets. *Please notethat my photo illustrations of the two cutting methods show two different

fabrics. Please dont let this confuse you; you only need one fabric for

this project. Ignore the pattern and focus on the fabric placement and

photo notes.

Diagram A


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Diagram B

Cutting Method For Diagram A:

or Skip to Cutting Method for Diagram B

Cover Panels

A cutting mat with measurement markings, a straight edge ruler, and a

rotary cutter are very helpful here, but not necessary. You can use old

fashioned scissors and improvise by making your own mat using an extra

large piece of marked cardboard, or by making a cardboard or paper

pattern (old wrapping paper works great for pattern paper). You could also

do it on the floor with your fabric fold edge and top of your straight edge

ruler placed flush against a wall. Lay your fabric out flat with the Selvage (Finished) edges to the left and

right. Often times fabric edges are not squared correctly when cut at the store.


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To make sure your fabric turns out square, fold the bottom up and match

the selvage (finished) edges. It is ok, and very normal for the top raw

edges not to line up perfectly. Following this method, it will end up as

scrap, so there is no need to trim it. Be sure that the fold at the bottom is

smooth, even, and without any wrinkles. If you are using a marked cuttingmat, line up the folded edge with the a horizontal line near the bottom of

the mat, then line up the selvage edge to see that it is also straight and

following a vertical line. If you do not use the 0 vertical and horizontal

lines, make sure that you cut at the proper measurement, not the numbers I

list.

Measure 36 from the left edge, place your straight edge vertically making

sure it is square, and cut at 36. This will leave you with a scrap that isapproximately 7 x 36 and a larger piece that is 36 X 43. Do not unfold

the scrap, just set it aside for now. Optional: Most women find the

finished size of this cover to be rather generous; however, to increase


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coverage for extended sizing simply add a couple inches to the overall

cutting dimensions. Keep in mind that the cutting method you choose will

dictate just how much you can increase the size of your cover. Using

Method A, the length can be increased up to 10 and the width can be

increased up to 5 with a 2 reversible strap or 3 with a 4 single fabricstrap. Using Method B, the length can be increased up to the original

width of the fabric (varies, usually between 44-60) minus the strap size

of 2 or 4, but the width can only be increased if you purchase extra

yardage.

Pick up the top two opposite corners on the top layer of fabric and fold

them together while shaking out your original fold. Now you should have

the selvage edge matched up with the clean edge you just cut. Rotate thefabric so that the new fold is at the bottom horizontally, selvage at top, and

the raw edges are to the left and right. (Pics next page) Trim left raw edge.


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Measure 26 from the left edge, place your straight edge vertically making

sure it is square, and cut at 26. Now you have a cover panel that is 26 x

36 and a second scrap that is approximately 36 x 10. Do not unfold the

scrap, set aside for strap.

Cutting Method for Diagram B:

Or Skip to Strapsif you chose Diagram A

Cover Panels

A cutting mat with measurement markings, a straight edge ruler, and a

rotary cutter are very helpful here, but not necessary. You can use old

fashioned scissors and improvise by making your own mat using an extra

large piece of marked cardboard, or by making a cardboard or paper

pattern (old wrapping paper works great for pattern paper). You could also

do it on the floor with your fabric fold edge and top of your straight edge

ruler placed flush against a wall.

Lay your fabric out flat with the Selvage (Finished) edges to the top andbottom and the raw edges to the left and right.

Often times fabric edges are not squared correctly when cut at the store.

To make sure your fabric turns out square, fold the bottom up and match


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the selvage (finished) edges. Be sure that the fold at the bottom is smooth,

even, and without any wrinkles. If you are using a marked cutting mat, line

up the folded edge with the a horizontal line near the bottom of the mat,

then line up the selvage edge to see that it is also straight and following a

parallel horizontal line. If you do not use the 0 vertical and horizontallines, make sure that you cut at the proper measurement, not the numbers I

list.

Trim the left raw edge at 0, then trim the right edge at 36. Pick up the top two opposite corners on the top layer of fabric (selvage

edge) and fold them together while shaking out your original fold. Lay out

your fabric on the mat with the selvage to the left and right, fold at the

bottom.

Trim left selvage edge if printed different from fabric pattern, then trim the

right edge at 26. Now you have a cover panel that is 26 x 36 Do not

unfold the scrap, set aside for strap. (Pic next page.)


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Straps

After completing the cover panel, you should have one or two large scraps

remaining depending on which cutting method you chose.

Place your scrap on the mat with the fold at bottom, raw edges on top,

selvage to the right. Ensure it is squared, and cut at 4.


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Fold at middle along the length of the fabric placing right sides together

and iron the fold.

Pockets

Using your knit, flannel, or terry cloth fabric, repeat the above method to

cut an 8 square, or two if you want a pocket on each side. Because

yard is so much smaller, it may not be necessary for you to fold the fabric

to work with it for cutting; however, you still need to make sure your piece

is squared.

Take your 8 square and fold two opposite corners wrong side together

making a perfect triangle. The fold line will be the hypotenuse. Iron the

fold. If you bought a very thick, strong fabric for the pocket, you may not

want to double it. If this is the case, cut only one square, make it 8 , cut

along the hypotenuse, fold the hypotenuse of each triangle down

towards the wrong side and iron flat. (pics next page.)


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Yippee!!! You are done cutting!

Place the cover on the ironing board right side down with the bottom edge

closest to you. Turn up the raw bottom edge and iron in place. You

may want to use starch to help stiffen the fold, but watch out for starchy

gunk buildup on bottom of iron. Fold it up again, this time and

iron/starch in place. Pin the fold in place.

Repeat this process on the left and right sides of the cover, but leave the


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top edge raw.

Insert you triangles into the seams of the bottom corners of the wrong of

the fabric and pin securely.

5. Sewing Your Cover

Wind bobbin thread. Load your machine with top and bobbin thread.

Check your sewing machine manual for your machines ideal settings forsewing lightweight cotton fabrics using a straight stitch.

Start at the top right hand corner and position fabric to have 1/2 seam


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allowance. Start stitching using a straight stitch, after a couple stitches,

backstitch to secure your threads and prevent tearing. When you are

nearing the bottom edge, slow down, and when you only have your seam

allowance left, put the needle in the down position, raise the presser foot,

rotate the fabric, and lower presser foot again to sew continuously aroundthe outside. Repeat at the next corner, then stop at the 3rd corner and

backstitch. Cut your threads. I like to run a second seam at for added

durability, but you dont have to if you dont feel its necessary . Tip:

When nearing the bottom corners, double check to make sure your

pockets/wipes are tucked snugly in the fold, otherwise you may end up

with holes in your pockets. If you plan on using only as wipes, you can

sew all sides, otherwise do not sew the hypotenuse. Optional: To

reinforce the triangle and make stronger, more functional squared pockets,

sew a seam about 3- 4 in from the edge on each side of the hypotenuse

straight down to the adjacent edge of the triangle. Double stitch around

pockets for added strength.

Get your 4 strip strap, sew down the side of the strap leaving 1/8

allowance. Turn the strap fabric tube right side out by rolling it in on itself.


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Turn the seams so they are on the side of the strap and iron flat.

Cut the strap into two pieces, one 28 long and one 8 long. Depending on

your body shape and size you may want to shorten the long strap later.

Sew the D Rings in place by folding strap through both rings and sewing

as closely as possible to the rings.

Finish one raw end of the long strap by folding it in on itself, pressing flat,and sewing across the fold.

Take the cover, hold it by the top edge, turn down 1/2 and iron flat. Fold

it down again, this time and iron flat. Pin the fold to secure it.


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Measure in from each side approximately 10 and tuck the raw end of

the straps between fold, fold them up over the fold, press, and pin in place.

Tip: If you are right handed, you will want the D Ring strap on the right

side as you wear the cover and reverse this for lefthanders.

Sew a seam across the top leaving 1/8 seam allowance. (pic next page)


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Place boning inside the fold, flush with the top seam in the space between

the straps so that it curves inward and secure well with pins.

Secure the boning by sewing a second seam across the bottom edge of the

fold leaving 5/8 seam allowance. Tip: It is ok, even good, if you catch a

little of the boning in the seam as this will help secure it. If you think your


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boning might slide around between your seams, you can add a few vertical

stitches in the center of the boning.

Congratulations!You have finished your reversible custom nursing cover!

Now put that cute thing on and model it. Yeah, youre hot! Check to see if

youre happy with the strap length. If its too long, trim the tail and finish off

the end. Still have creative energy to burn? Try adding embellishments, like

rickrack across the top or bottom, cute buttons, or a matching bow. Now, if

youre not too exhausted, email me a picture and your success/horror story.

Id love to hear from you! In case your project did not turn out to be a

smashing success, Id be happy to make a custom cover for you. Email me at

[email protected] for current fabric selections and prices.

6. Care for Your Cover

Nursing Cover Tutorial

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Transcript of Nursing Cover Tutorial