Imagine if you had to wash your changing pad every time your baby messed it up or an accident occurred. Think about the many times you change your baby, and add cleaning the pad to the to-do list of an already busy day.
Hectic, right? Luckily, you don’t need to worry about this, thanks to changing pad covers. They not only keep your nursery clean but also keeps your child warm and cozy, especially when he/she is partially dressed.
The exciting part is that you can make it from the comfort of your home. Great right? So, are you a mum or dad wondering how to make a changing pad cover?
You are in the right place! I have compiled this quick guide to help you make a DIY changing pad cover. This guide covers everything including the tools, materials, and cost, etc. Let us get to work!
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Table of Contents
What to know before getting started!
Now, before you get started with this project, it is best if you know a thing or two about changing pad covers.
What’s a Baby Changing Pad Cover?
If you are new to this or don’t know what a baby changing pad cover is, then it is a sheet-like material that sits on your baby’s changing table pad covers and fits them on like a pillowcase.
It is simply attached to the hanging table to secure the baby and help deal with the mess that comes with diaper changes.
Why make Your Own DIY Changing Pad Cover?
You might want to go down the DIY route keeping in mind that the best changing pad cover will not come cheap.
We also love a simple DIY, don’t we?
DIY-ing a changing pad cover will give you the opportunity to put your craft into action and make something that will be the perfect addition to your baby’s nursery.
Make sure to have a look at my article on how to create a DIY changing table with this IKEA hack.
Features of a Good Changing Pad Cover
Just like most other baby products, they are made in a variety of materials for every season. Some of the best changing pad covers are made of muslin, cotton, and organic cotton.
Changing pad covers made with these materials are perfect for spring and summer. During cold seasons, you can make pad covers using fleece or plush polyester blends.
If you prefer something easy to wash off, you can DIY a changing pad cover made with vinyl
You should also know that changing pads are designed to meet several preferences. For instance, did you know that there are wipeable changing pad covers?
Well, that’s not all; you can find disposable pad covers, side changing, portable, etc., all designed to meet different user preferences.
This means, since you are creating your own version, you can try to add the different functionalities and come up with versatile creations.
This brings us to an important discussion on what you should aim for when making a DIY changing pad cover. While you can’t have all functionalities or preferences factored in, you can try to DIY a changing pad cover that is:
- Safe -ensure that your pad can remain secure in the changing table pad; make one that doesn’t slide so easily.
- Comfortable –ensure that it doesn’t stick on the baby’s bottom and creates discomfort.
- Big enough to accommodate your baby changing pad table or dresser- fits perfectly on your table
- Portable -you can easily carry it along with you
Again, the beauty is that this is quite easy. You don’t need a lot of craft to make a professional-grade changing pad cover.
Here is what you will need to get started:
Tools Required
You will need a sewing machine and a matching thread that will be used to seam the pad together.
- If you don’t have a sewing machine, you can invest in one. Good thing is that you will still use it for other DIY sewing projects. You can buy a good sewing machine from Amazon. – Check prices here
- Remember, you don’t need to be a pro at stitching to make a nice baby changing pad cover.
Supplies needed for DIY Changing Pad Cover
The supplies required to make the pad will depend on the size of the changing pad cover that you want to make.
Standard changing pad dimensions are somewhere around 16 in x 32 in x 4 in.
To make a standard one, you will need:
- 48in x 32in a piece of fabric. You can use up to 1.5 yards of fabric. The fabric covers can be bought from Amazon or any local store.
Tip: A cotton quilting fabric will work. However, if you are looking for extra absorbency, a terry cloth will come in handy.
- 36-inch piece of elastic
- A coordinating thread. Available in different colors and sizes. Ranges from $10-26 a pack. You can also get it at your local store or on Amazon. If you already have threads at home, you can use them to cut costs.
- Safety pin. You can get it here on Amazon or again, you can find them at your local store.
Cut list to DIY Changing Pad Cover
You can create a DIY diaper changing pad cover with the patterns you fancy.
In that case, go for the main fabric and an accent fabric to accentuate its look.
Related: Cool Alternatives to Changing Tables
Cost of a DIY Changing Pad Cover
The price of this DIY project varies depending on where you are getting the items from. It also depends on the number of DIY changing pad covers that you wish to make.
If you already have the sewing machine, safety pins, and threads, the total should be $10 or less. Yes, just $10 is all you need to make a nice pad cover.
Yes, a good fabric should cost you something around $3-5, and another $2 for the elastic.
This DIY project It has been an integral part of our playroom makeover.
Time
If you have hands-on experience in sewing, making a changing pad cover should take you an hour.
That said, a great changing pad cover DIY should take you two hours or less to complete depending on your skill sets.
DIY Changing Pad Cover – Instructions
Step 1 – Wash, iron, and cut your fabric
After you have picked the material or fabric of choice, proceed to wash and iron it.
Again, keep in mind that you can combine different fabrics depending on your preferences.
The overall design should guide your measurements, especially in the cutting process.
Step 2 – Fold and cut the fabric
After laying your fabric, proceed to fold your fabric in half lengthwise and then in half along the width. Make sure that your fabric is folded into one fourth its size.
Once your fabric is neatly folded, proceed to find the corner that has no folds. Measure 8inchx8inch square and cut through all four layers of fabric
Step 3 – Put the fabric together and sew the corners
Unfold your fabric, and bring the two sides of the square together with the right sides facing. Sew a straight line down the line.
Do the same in the remaining three cut corners.
Step 4 -Make the elastic casing
Find the inside raw edge, fold down, and iron ½ inch all the way around.
Once done, fold it another inch, iron, and pin it in place. While at it, make sure to enclose your raw edges (very important) so that you can create a pocket/tube for your elastic.
Find one corner where you can place two pins about an inch apart. These pins will ensure as you sew, you are leaving a small opening that will be used to insert the elastic.
Begin sewing from one corner of the pin, along the exterior of the cover, close to the edge, creating a tube all the way around your fabric. Stop at the other pin.
Get your elastic piece, cut out 36 inches. (you might need to adjust this depending on the material you are using, especially when it feels too tight? Get a safety pin (it will come in handy when feeding the elastic through the tube).
Pin one edge of the elastic to your cover and an elastic pin to the other edge. Now start feeding your elastic through the opening you created until you end up back to the other side/corner.
Step 5 – Sew the elastic casing
Remember the two ends we created when beginning the elastic insertion process?
Now once the elastic case is all through the tube, sew the two ends together.
Finishing Instructions
Tip Nr.1
Ensure your elastic stays flat when feeding it through, do not turn or flip it. Make sure to adjust your fabric as you go to maintain this form.
Tip Nr.2
After sewing the ends of the elastic together, make sure to run a seam back and forth down the edge. In the middle, sew in a couple of stitches to ensure that it remains sewn together for a long time.
Quite easy, right? And just like that, you are done. You baby will never again have to lie on a cold mat while you clean up.
What’s more, you can now bring on your smug attitude since you managed to maintain the décor vibe in your nursery after all.
Wrapping up
From this guide and tutorial, you can see that changing pad covers are necessary and they are quite easy to make.
It requires a few materials and just a few hours of fun to come up with the perfect DIY changing cover.
The good part is you can tailor it to your preference and looks.
Well, you can always start out with simple designs and slowly advance to make sophisticated ones with advanced level features.
