How to Make a Baby Crib Bumper

Decorating a nursery is one part of being pregnant that almost every expectant mother enjoys. Lovingly collecting all of the various pieces and items that her new baby will use is an activity that has been performed for generations. If you have the ability to sew, perhaps you are even sewing your own bedding for the crib. This can be a great way to create the exact look that you desire for your new baby's bed. Making your own baby crib bumper is one project that is much easier than you might expect. The techniques are easy and the materials are few. This is a project that could easily be completed by even a novice seamstress.

Things You'll Need

• 2.5 yards of two different complementary cotton fabrics
• 2.5 yards of upholstery batting (72-inch width)
• Sewing machine
• Sewing notions (thread, scissors, pins, etc.)
• Tape measure
• Fabric pen
• Iron

Instructions

1. Cut four 8-inch by 80-inch panels from the primary bumper fabric. Cut eight 2.5-inch by 80-inch strips from the secondary bumper fabric.Cut 16 2-inch by 16-inch strips for the ties (either primary or secondary fabric). Cut two 12-inch by 80-inch rectangles from the batting.

2. Lay out the four panels with right sides facing up. Place one strip along each long edge of the panel (right sides facing each other). You will have four panels with two strips laying on each. Pin to secure.

3. Sew the strips to each panel with a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Press the seams toward the panels.

4. Turn under and press 1/4-inch on all four edges of the 16 strips. Fold each strip in half length-wise and press the fold. Sew along the long folded edges to sew the ties. Fold each tie in half width-wise.

5. Measure 26.5 inches along a long edge from a short edge on a panel. Make a mark at this point with the fabric pen. Measure 26.5 inches along the same long edge from the other short edge on the panel. Make a mark at this point with the fabric pen. Turn the panel over and make a mark at the same points on the other long edge. Repeat with the other panel.

6. Place the folded edges of the ties at the raw edge of a panel at the marks made in Step 5. Sew the folded ties in place at each of the marks made on the two panels.

7. Lay one of the panels with the ties sewn to it on a work surface with right side facing up. Place a panel without ties face down on the first panel. Line up the edges and corners. Place a batting rectangle on top of the two panels and pin all three layers to secure. Repeat with the two remaining panels and the one remaining batting rectangle.

8. Sew the three layers of panels together with a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Leave an 8-inch opening along one long edge for turning.

9. Turn the bumpers right side out and carefully hand stitch the opening closed with small, concealed stitches to finish the crib bumper.