Breast-Feeding Cover Tutorial

I came across a Breast-Feeding Cover in the shops the other week and was astounded by the price. So I came home and gave it a whirl. In the end, it was quite simple. I added in a pocket for practicality and I was quite happy with the finished product. Let me know what you think!

1. Iron and cut the following fabrics:

• 26" x 38" pattern fabric
• 30" x 3" pattern fabric (for straps)
• 10" x 3'' pattern fabric (for straps)
• 12" x 8" pattern fabric (for pocket) x 2
• 24" x 36" plain backing fabric
• 14" boning
• 7" elastic (0.25mm wide)

2. Fold the strap pieces in half and sew together with 1/4" seam, right sides together

3. Turn them in the right way using a safety pin, then iron flat with the seam in the middle

4. Fold one edge of each of the straps by 1/4" and iron

5. Fold this same edge, on the short strap, over the D-rings as below, and attach with a strong seam (2 rows of zig-zag stitch will work)

6. If you are adding a pocket, now is the time to do so. Photos and instructions are included at the end of this post.
7. Centre the backing fabric in the middle of the pattern fabric, wrong sides together. Fold the bottom edge of both fabrics by 1/2" and iron, the fold another 1/2", iron and sew in place with a straight stitch.

8. Repeat on the shorter sides.

9. Fold the top edge of the cover over by 1/2" and iron, then fold 1" and iron

10. Using a ruler, measure 7" either side from the middle of the fabric and sew a straight stitch between these two points.

11. Insert the boning

12. Now attach the straps. Insert the strap under the hem, abutting the boning, right side up (Short strap on the left side of the boning)

13. Fold it up and over the hem and sew in place with a strong straight stitch (try forming a box).

14. Repeat on the other side for the other strap.
15. Sew the remaining seam

Done. How simple and effective! Why not try some different patterns?

Now if you wanted to add in the pocket. Do the following at Step 6.
1. Place the 2 panels of pattern fabric wrong sides together

2. Sew along both long sides with a 1/2" seam

3. Turn in the right way and iron flat. Sew along the top edge with a 1/4" seam.

4. Insert elastic into the seam (using a safety pin)

5. Sew along one end to attach. Pull the elastic taut, until happy with the amount of gathering and pin it in place. Cut the elastic and sew closed.

6. Position in the centre of the backing fabric and pin straight across the bottom of the fabric. Try to pin the edges as straight as you can, with out pulling the backing fabric.
7. Attach with a 1/4" seam along the side and bottom edges.

Beautiful work!

Phoebe
xo