4.24.2008

nursing cover tutorial

while pregnant with my second boy, my husband and i attended a REAL salt lake soccer game. while there i noticed a cute lady nursing her baby with a really cool nursing cover. this unique cover had a stiff top so that she could see her baby. it was lightweight, hip and convenient. it was also $35-50 -- something that i could easily make myself.

i am definitely a big time pro-breastfeeding gal but i also don't like my chubby belly or muffin top hanging out for all the world to see. a boob is no big deal but i'll be damned if anyone is catching a glimpse of my belly! it is also nice because unlike a blanket, the straps tighten as little hands try to rip if off.
i hope you enjoy the tutorial, please let me know if something is unclear. i am a very visual person so i tried to take alot of pictures.also if you are not a sewer or don't have the time, i make and sell nursing covers for $20.
you will need :
1 yard of cute fabric
1 16 inch piece of boning
2 metal d rings
thread
water soluble pen
step 1.
from your fabric cut:
--one rectangle 26x 38 inches ( for the main body) --one strip 4 1/4 inch wide by 38 inches long. then cut off 12 inches from that, leaving you with two strips . these will be your straps. sometimes if i feel like it i will make the straps out of a contrasting fabric.
step 2.
on the main body, fold over the short sides 1/2 inch. press and fold again. do the same for the long sides ( top and bottom). first, sew up the short sides,then the bottom. save the top edge for later so that you can thread your boning through. step 3.
lets work on the straps shall we? ok ... take your shorter strap ( 12 inch) and press in half with right sides together. sew 1/4 inch away from raw edge. turn tube right side out. maneuver the seam so it's going down the middle as depicted in the photo below. press ,then top stitch both long edges.

now fold the shorter strap in half and slip it through the 2 d-rings. sew a line across the strap, right up next to the edge of the rings to keep them in their place. step 4.
press the long strap in half ( with right sides together)and sew 1/4 inch away from raw edge. when you get about 3 inches from the bottom of the strap, start stitching inward curving like so...
this allows the d ring to fit around the strap properly without coming lose. in fact the more you pull,the tighter it becomes. trim the curved seam to 1/4 inch. turn fabric right side out and press the same way as you did the other strap ( with the seam in the middle). top stitch all the way around.
step 5.
it's time to go back to the main body. fold over the top edge 1/2 inch, press and fold over again, press . on the wrong side of the fabric ,at the top edge, mark 10 inches from each side with the water soluble marker. with the wrong side together pin the long strap to the mark on the left mark, lining up the center of the strap to the mark .do the same with the short strap on the mark to the right. make sure that the raw edge of the straps is tucked snugly into the future casing. ( enlarge the picture to see what i mean) step 6.
sew a perpendicular line across the casing, where you drew your mark at the shorter strap. this keeps the boning in place. make sure that you back stitch.
step 7.
sew the top casing like you did on the previous 3 sides. thread your boning through the open end of the casing ( left side). making sure that the curve of the boning is facing outward. then at your other mark ( the left mark) sew another perpendicular line through the casing again, securing the boning between the straps.
step 8.
flip the straps up now and top stitch around the whole top of the casing. don't worry about sewing on the boning, it is sewable.

step 9.
thread longer strap through both d-rings, then back though one.slip ever your neck and adjust as needed.
tada! enjoy your nursing cover you can even embellish it to your liking. i have done some with rick rack and a pocket on the outside. you can also do a pocket on either of the inner corner, made of terry cloth , to use as a burp cloth.

80 comments:

Arkerchi said...

thanks for the tutorial. I had sewn one before but it does not have the stiff opening.

Stephanie said...

Nice tutorial. I am interested in making one, but have never seen one in use. Could you post a picture to explain how you wear it?

acmcs said...

I second STephanie's request for a picture of it in use!

Christina Lane | The Sometimes Crafter said...

Nice work! I wish I had your tutorial before having to stumble through making one myself (without ever having seen one in person). I like how you do the boning, i'm going to give that a try on my next one. Thanks for sharing!

Buffy said...

Great tutorial Jackie - I had Pat and Val make me one with this last baby and I was going to try making some for gifts and feel very capable of making one now after reading your tutorial. Your instructions were great and very easy to follow. By the way congratulations on the upcoming baby boy!! Welcome to the 3 boys club - boys are great and we love having 3!! :)

Mommyput said...

This is the nicest tutorial I have seen. Very easy to understand, and I never understand directions! The photos are very relevant to your text, which makes all the difference! Thank you!
Marci

Misty said...

Thanks for the tutorial. I made one before and it was too short. I followed yours today, it didn't take long at all! I didn't quite get the curved part of the long strap right when I turned it right side out but I think it turned out okay.

Thanks for sharing!!
Misty
Mommy to 4 girls (the youngest is 2 weeks old now!) from FL

Laura said...

love the tutorial--thanks!

Unknown said...

Thanks so much for the great tutorial. Instead of using the D-rings, I used velcro on the long strap and made a small loop for the short strap (similar to the Bebe Au Laits).

Little Bits Of Everything said...

Oh, I love that nursing cover. I have a 6 month old and nursing in public is getting more difficult due to her increased mobility. noticed you are doing the favorite things swap...me too! I think it would be fun to do a favorite baby item/things swap.

bkbills said...

thank you thank you for your instructions!

SD said...

Do you have a picture with this in use

Unknown said...

Look here for pictures of it in use. http://www.bebeaulait.com

I have one that i bought while BF my son... I LOVE it! I am so happy to find this now i can make them for shower gifts.

Kathleen said...

for the past 2 days I have been scouring the internet trying to find a tutorial for these. i have an 8-month old that makes it a little difficult for me to remain modest while nursing in public so i would really like to make one of these. thanks for the great step by step!

angie said...

Thankyou so much for the great tutorial. I can't wait to use it!

Gumbo Lily said...

I went googling for the best tutorial on nursing cover-ups and YOURS was my favorite. Thank you for sharing it. I'm making one for my DIL and another for her friend -- both nursing moms.

Jody

Donna said...

Thanks so much your detailed directions were just what I needed I just finished my second one and it's beautiful!! Thanks!

Kerstin said...

I've bought a sewing book for dummies and took a sewing class and still can't sew. But your tutorial was so awesome that I was able to create a hooter hider without a single mistake. I am so proud of what I've made, thanks to you!

Leslie said...

this is so great...i know i am going to have to have one when i have my next but in the meantime i think i might be making this for a friend...thanks for a great tutorial

Andrea said...

Thanks! Baby #3 is nearly here and I've always wanted to try one of these!

Unknown said...

Hello! I love that you have the pattern available. Unfortunately I do not know how to sew! Are you still making them for sale? I even have a specific fabric I would like to use. Please contact me to coordinate this. Thank you so much! I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Kate said...

Thank you!!! I have been needing one of these DESPERATELY, and I just finished the first of many using your wonderful tutorial! I really appreciate your posting the pattern for use. My girlfriend is expecting her second soon, and I think I may make this for a few other friends. Thanks again!

Heather said...

Thank you so much for the tutorial. I made one today and it turned out really well. I can't wait to try it out. You're awesome!

Rachel said...

What a great tutorial. I have been trying to figure out how I could make one myself. Thanks!

Elizabeth said...

Thank you for the Wonderful tutorial. I made one today with a few interuptions it only took 2.5 hours. I have a 4 month old and I can't wait to use this. I even added a pocket to fold it up in, easier to carry in the diaper bag.
Thank you for the clear pictures. This is too easy.

Jenny Garland said...

Thank you so much for this tutorial! It was very clear. Here are a few I made yesterday :) Thanks again,
Jenny

http://jennycrafts.vox.com/library/post/a-couple-of-nursing-wraps.html

Emily said...

Thank you so much for such a useful, fun, and simple tutorial! I couldn't wait to make one for our second baby, due in January. I am SO happy with how it turned out and with the money that I saved! Thanks again!

Deron and Tina said...

My BIL calls it "a busted can of biscuits", but "muffin top" I love! I have a 3 month old and I know exactly where you are coming from. Thanks for the tutorial and the laugh.

Nade said...

I've seen one, but haven't access to it now. I thought the boning was in the center. Your picture in the making seems to show inserting the boning from one side, but the text sounds like it's between the straps. Couldn't be there, can't put 16" of boning in a 6" space..... can you even put it in 10"? Can you help, please, need to get this done. I'm ready to measure spots for straps. Also, do I need to cut down the width?--it calls for 1 yard minus 4 1/2", but gives finished piece of material as 26" wide. I didn't measure the 26", assumed it was the remainder from a yard, so mine is too wide. Can the top measurements be adjusted,--which are the crucial ones?-- or do I need to crop it and re-hem the side? Thanks.
Nade nade@gorge.net

Vanessa/NessieNoodle said...

thanks so much for posting this tutorial. I made mine today and it was quick and easy peasy!

cheers-

Andee said...

This is a great tutorial. I was able to whip this up in no time, and I consider myself to be a beginner sewer. Thank you SO much!

Anonymous said...

WOw what a nice tutorial and i would like to try this and this tutorials help a lot to breastfeed mother...this is my next list in sewing project...TQVM

PeavoyMom said...

Okay, my best friend has one of these (she spent a small fortune) and I was like, "pfffff, I can totally make that" and then I tried and got frustrated and quick, but now that I have your tutorial I'm going to atempt it again. Thank you soooooo much!!!!! I don't know you but I think I love you.

PeavoyMom said...

Alright, I actually sat down and made one today, and it's official, you are a tutorial genius. Thanks again.

mandy said...

Hey how can I order one? thanks! my email is acchadwick1@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

About how much to make one yourself like you described? If I can't make how do I go about ordering? My email is voltolin@bellsouth.net

Thanks,
Kim

Cher said...

Here's a girl I know, Carli, who makes these and sells them for those who don't want to make their own. http://www.eznursingcover.com/

antbuddey said...

Hi,
I'm right in the middle of this project, and it is going well, but I have a question that I can't solve on my own. Are you available for help?
Thanks,
Meagan

antbuddey said...

Hi, I'm right in the middle of this project, and it is going well, but I have a question, and I can't figure it out. Are you available for help?
Thanks

antbuddey said...

Hi, I have a question about the construction. Are you available for assistance?
Thanks

antbuddey said...

Hi, I'm right in the middle of this project, and it is going well, but I have a question, and I can't figure it out. Are you available for help?
Thanks

Rommel and Christy said...

How do I order one of these? They are darling! E-mail me at christyvalladares@Yahoo.com

Kara said...

I have always wondered how these were made. I am preggos with #3 and an avid nurser myself so this will be WELL loved! Hopefully I can figure it all out! I am not the best sewer but I can usually figure things out! Thanks again for the tutorial! I cannot wait to start it!!

U+Me=Us said...

Great tuturial! I wish i had found it sooner. My fiance gave me so much slac about exposing my self in public while nursing.

send_flowers said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
. said...

Thanks for the tutorial! It was so helpful that I made my own. You can check it out at http://laceysapplesauce.blogspot.com/2009/02/finished-memory-board-and-nursing-cover.html

JoannS said...

This is great. My daughter-in-law used the Hooter Hider and loved it. My daughter is pregnant and expecting in March. I found your tutorial to be great and just finished hers. I can't wait to show it to her. Thanks for the tutorial. I would be glad to make one for someone if they furnish the fabric and pay postage.

Anonymous said...

Thank you!! I was going to attempt to figure it out how to sew one myself, but seeing that I can barely hem pants, I'm sure it wouldn't have turned out so well without your tutorial! Mine turned out great thanks to your page!!

dani_mccabe said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
dani_mccabe said...

If someone doesn't have to the time to make a hooter hider my friend makes and sells them. Here is her web site.
www.hooterhidersbabyblankets.webs.com

Unknown said...

Yippee!!! It's made! Thank you so much for the incredibly clear instructions! You made my first major sewing project for ME very simple (other than problems with my second hand sewing machine.) I love it! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

Kent said...

LOVE this tutorial!! I just finished and it's my favorite sewing project so far :o)

Marilyn said...

I can't tell you how much I appreciate you taking the time to post these wonderful instructions! I can tell that you are a beautiful sewer by the explicite detail of your words and pictures. My daughter has a new baby and wanted one but couldn't afford the expensive ones. Now I can make her one and also one for my daughter-in-law who is expecting TWINS! THANKS AGAIN!

Mare said...

I have a friend who was driving me crazy for one of this, now I'll have to make one for her!

Miss Mike said...

What an awesome tutorial! Thanks so much for taking the time to share. Your instructions and pics are great and easy to follow. I made one last night and I am so happy with the way it turned out. I also made some coodinating burp cloths. It is a pretty cool little gift set.

Qudanil said...

I can here the new knowledge.
Thanks for the great reference post.
Kenali dan Kunjungi Objek Wisata di Pandeglang | Blog SEO | cah bagoes | oes tsetnoc | blogger

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jacob Tawney said...

Thank you so much for the excellent tutorial. I made this as a gift for a friend and it turned out beautifully!

Very Terry said...

Do you have a fabric recommendation? Someone suggested home-dec weight, but there are so many beautiful quilting cottons (and batiks!) I don't want it to be too heavy or too lightweight, but have no idea what will work well.
Thanks so much!

Unknown said...

thank you!!! very helpful!!! had fun making it with hubby!

sb said...

Great tutorial - thanks for sharing! Could you please share what size boning you use?

Caitlin said...

So fab! I'm starting my fourth. :) Super presents!

Unknown said...

Great tutorial! I just finished making one for my friend and plan to make one for myself in a few months ;)

Synergy Girl said...

SWEET!! I am super excited...!! I made two of these thanks to you...and am going to the store today for more fabric...sigh...okay, so i am probably nesting...but it is fun to MAKE something of my own...i am NOT a sewer, and I accomplished this!! Thanks a HEAP!!!

Anonymous said...

this nursing cover is very very nice ... I'm going to do when I stay a little while

Patricia A. Price
taebo training

Sharon Clark said...

I made one of these for my daughter today. We made it out of batik, which was nice because it looks good on both sides of the fabric. I'm sure I will make many more. Price at local store was $44.

Admin said...

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FB
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restlessrisa said...

Thanks for the tut. I made one, and posted it on my blog, giving you credit :)

http://restlessrisa.blogspot.com/2010/06/what-are-these-things-called.html

<3

Risa

admin said...

nice post,thanks for the great sharing.
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marco josue said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Little P Design said...

Quick and easy tutorial! Thanks for posting. I chose two coordinating fabrics and it turned out very cute. The only suggestion I have is to choose the body fabric CAREFULLY to avoid see through issues. I am very modest when it comes to breast feeding and when I make this again I will choose a dark, heavier weight fabric for the body.

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for an awesome tutorial! I just finished making one, and it was very easy to follow.

Star said...

Thank you for the easy to follow directions. I too am a visual learner and loved the pictures. I refered to them several times. The only thing I changed was the length of the short strap. I made it 3.25 in. long. When I tried it on after I had the straps pinned in place the d rings were clear around the back of my neck once I got it cinched where I liked it. I loved how detailed you were. Bet you didn't think you'd still be getting comments about this 2 years later. LOL

Anonymous said...

Thank you for posting this tutorial. I see that you posted it a couple of years ago, but I wanted to tell you that it is still being used. I am making one for my daughter. My first grandchild is to be born in just a couple of weeks. Thanks.

cv said...

Excellent tutorial and seems i was too late to come here .. anyways thanks for keep this online!


Nursing Cover Letter

roweboat said...

Just finished one for my daugher who is expecting her first child in three weeks. Thanks for the great tutorial.

Tiffany Shanks said...

Thank you for the tutorial it was easy and I made two and love them I can't wait to use them.

think in print said...

Hi Mama Monster! I just finished a sewing class and purchased my very first sewing machine! Your nursing cover was the 2nd thing I've made on my own (first was a tote bag), and I'm THRILLED! I'm expecting my first child in 2.5 months, and I was thrilled to find your tutorial!!! Easy for me to follow (as a beginner), and I learned a few things while I was working on this! I have 6 friends/family members expecting babies in the next few months, and this could very well be the perfect gift to encourage nursing in public :). THANK YOU! xo

Dan, Joline, Gianna and Vinny said...

Where can I find boning? Michaels doesn't carry them.