Making a Nursing Cover

[@llli*aprilsmagic]

I got the idea for this from a cover I saw at an LLL meeting. It's not hard to make -- I'm a novice relearning to sew -- and hopefully I can post a photo soon.

The idea is to make a "cape" that is held over you by a little neckstrap, adjustable with D-rings, that allows you to have both hands free but gives you an opening so you can see the baby with no obstructions like mesh.

You'll need fabric, matching thread, 2) 1 1/4 inch D-rings, boning (read later for more information), an iron so you can make flat seams, and maybe an hour of time.

First, get a length of lightweight washable fabric you like that will cover you from shoulders to your hips, plus about 6 inches. I have found I like the silky type washable fabrics. Check for wrinkleness -- it will be crammed in your diaper bag, after all, and if you don't like wrinkles, it might make you unhappy. I like the 56 inch wide fabric since that will allow for more coverage.

Trim it into an approximate square. I like it to be a bit wider than long, since I always feel exposed on the sides with my shirt up. Make sure one of the strips you trim off is about 2-3 inches wide and save that one.

Decide which edge you want at the top.

Finish the edges. I typically turn under twice, to hide the raw edges and selvages, iron flat, and seam with a straight stitch. Make your TOP finished edge wider than the others, like 3/4 of an inch wide, to make a casing for the next step. Leave an opening into that edge's seam for the next step.

Then, get a piece of plastic corset boning (1/2 inch wide). I find it in the notions department of my local Jo-Anne's Fabrics. I am thin, so I need a piece about 1/4 to 1/3 of a yard -- the measurements between the outer points of my collar bones. It should be curved from being on the reel. Don't flatten it out. Slip that into the casing, with the curve to the right side of the fabric and away from you, and center it in there. Finish seaming it in. Set aside.

Take the 2-3 inch wide strip of fabric you have left over from finishing the edges, cut off about 4 inches from the length, and make one long strap and one 3-4 inch long strap out of it. I like my straps to be about 1 inch wide, so I fold it in half and then fold the sides to the middle so the raw edges are hidden and stitch down the sides. I also finish the ends so they look nice. An iron will help a lot in making a nice flat strap.

Use the short strap to attach a pair of D-rings, following the instructions on the package. I use the Dritz 1 1/4 inch D-rings. Sew that to the area where the boning ends to help keep it from sliding around. Stitch the long strap to the other end of the boning, so you have a neckstrap to hold the cover on. I'm right handed, so I put my D-rings on the left side, working from the wrong side of the fabric.

Final step: THIS IS IMPORTANT! To hold the boning in the proper place, you need to stitch the TOP of the casing holding the boning to the straps above the boning. This is why you wanted that edge wider than the others, so you can stitch above the boning. If you don't, the boning will not stand "up" and away from you but will sag down due to the weight of the fabric. Stitching the very top edge to the straps keeps it in place. Took me a little while to figure that out.

The idea is to make a little half-circle, created by the boning curving away from you, at your chest so you can look down and see the baby, have both hands free, but you are covered up and nobody can really tell what you are doing.

This is probably confusing, and I need to put a picture of this up. It may also make more sense if you try making this project and can see what I mean.

Total initial investment was about $10, but that included a yard of boning ($2 a yard), 2 sets of D-rings, thread and clearance fabric at $5 a yard. I have fabric to make a second one, using the second set of D-rings and the rest of the boning, so they only really cost maybe $5-6 each. A similar cover commercially made apparently sells for about $20+ dollars in some children's catalogs. I'd never seen it before that LLL meeting, so it must be in a catalog I don't get!

To use, put the neckstrap over your head and adjust so the opening is at a good height for you to see down into. Arrange the fabric over you and your baby. Nurse.

Besides being great for new moms who still have to help the baby latch on, moms who are shy about NIP, and large breasted women, it would probably be helpful for moms whose babies pull blankets off or are nursing easily-distracted babies.

[mommyfab]

[sbbeana]

I also add boning to the middle part of the neckline like the "hooter hider" aka Bebe Au Lait covers. That way you can see your LO and he/she can breathe while nursing. I had a crummy first years nursing cover and i know it got hot in there for my son...plus I couldn't hold him and see him at the same time. You can get the boning at Joann's and Hancocks just to name a few. It's usually sold by the yard...near where they sell elastic

[@llli*cmasevemom]

LOVE these! They have become my standard babyshower gift (my not-so-subtle way of saying "you'll love bfing!!" )

I have a couple of diagrams that I made for a friend to show her how to make one, and some pics too if you guys want me to post those (don't want to steal your thunder, Susan, but just accommodate those visual people out there!).

NAk

[@llli*rachel.abelson]

I make them too! They are the BEST shower gift! when my friends tell me they are pregnant first thing they ask me to do is making them a cape. It's probably my favorite thing to make. I use velcro on the neck strap, but I like the d-rings better. I also do boning at the top and a small pocket in one of the corners. That was great for the plane, I put her paci in it.

How fun!

Rachel

[@llli*dotking]

I made a nursing cover using a pattern that I got at spindle To sashes. I lOOOOOVE it! It turned out perfect the first time, so I made a few more.