How to Make a Mesh Crib Bumper
Anyone who has had a baby quickly realizes that, although the soft, cushy crib bumpers sold in stores are adorable, they're pretty useless, too, considering they're considered a smothering hazard. When a baby gets to the stage where they're rolling around, the real challenge is keeping little arms and legs from getting caught in between the crib bars, and that's where a good mesh bumper comes in. You can make one in just a few hours or less. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- 5 yards of mesh material, any color
- Sewing machine with thread
- 1.5 yards additional material of your choice
- Scissors
- Tailor's measuring tape or ruler
Instructions
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Mesh Foundation
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1
Laying the mesh material on a long, flat surface (the floor will work if it's clean), fold the mesh material in half twice (lengthwise). This will be the height of the bumper.
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2
After folding, there will be three "open" edges to the mesh material, two short (the height of the bumper) and one long (the length of the bumper). Starting with the short edges, fold over the material about one inch so that the open edges become closed and you can create a hem. Pin into place. Also pin the non-open edge to prevent shifting.
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3
Using the sewing machine, sew the pinned edges closed.
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4
Sew a seam down the long, folded but not open edge to solidify that side and keep the edge from shifting permanently.
Edging
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5
Cut the non-mesh material of your choice into long strips about 2-2.5 inches wide. (You can make them a little less wide or wider depending on your preference; if you go wider, you'll need a little more material).
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6
Fold the edges of a strip so that they meet in the center lengthwise down the strip (like French doors). Pin in a few places if needed.
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7
Fold the strip in half over the hem of the mesh material so that the part where the strip edges meet is on the inside.
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8
Sew the strip into place on the mesh.
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9
Repeat steps 2 and 3 around the mesh until all four sides have edging.
Ties
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10
Cut short strips (about 9 to 12 inches) of your non-mesh material.
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11
Fold the short strips as in Section 2, Dtep 2.
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12
Sew the short strips shut.
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13
Place a strip on top of the bumper edging, facing the same direction.
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14
Sew the strip to the edging by placing a vertical seam through the strip and edging. The seam should be in the center of the tie strip.
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15
Repeat steps 4 and 5 around, spacing at even intervals anywhere from 8 to 12 inches apart. Make sure there are four ties at the four corners of the bumper regardless of the spacing you choose.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Folding 5 yards of mesh lengthwise (twice!) can be a challenge by yourself. Get a friend to help you as if you were folding a long sheet.
Make sure all of your pins are removed from the bumper before placing it around the crib, and make sure that the ties are very securely sewn -- babies will pull on any extra material of the tie and will want to suck on them.
