Feeling Sew Crafty!

One of the nice things about summer is that I have time to catch-up on projects I've been putting on the back burner during the school year. Today, I checked one such project off my list that has been there since Fall!
I've really been unhappy with changing pads since my daughter has out-grown the one that came with one of our diaper bags (I think that one was maybe 20" long by 12" across.) I know this seems kind of trivial, but those public changing tables gross me out so much. I just want to sterilize the whole thing! I know there are disposable changing table covers, but since we are trying to be a waste & money conscious family I don't think those are up our alley. I shopped around a lot and the ones I liked all came with "changing kits" to hold wipes and diapers. If we were using disposable diapers or maybe even different cloth diapers these would work. However, with what we have they didn't fit well. Soooooo I made my own! I have to say I love how it turned out! It was SUPER easy. Check it out!

Making a changing pad:
Decide what size changing pad you want to end up with then add 1-inch to allow for a 1/2" seam then buy a little more than that so you can make sure you can trim it so all sides are straight.

Materials:
-PUL fabric (I used Babyville PUL fabric available from JoAnn for about 12.99-$14.99 per yard, but use a coupon for goodness sake! Note: They sell 3 packs of this fabric, but it is only 21" x 24" I wanted my changing pad to be longer so I bought the fabric off the bolt instead. If you're ok with a shorter pad then the 3-pack is a good option.
-Fleece or terrycloth to add absorbency and a little cushion (I used fleece for this one.)
-Cotton or flannel print fabric

Step 1: Cut the fabric to desired size including 1/2" seam allowance. 

I cut mine to 19" x 31"

Step 2: Pin the fleece to the back of the print.

Step 3: Stitch around several of the owls to tack down the print to the fleece. (This could be optional, but I think it looks nice and keeps these two fabrics snug together.)

This is how it looked from the back of the fleece.

Step 4: Lay the PUL fabric and print fabric face-to-face.

Step 5: Pin around the perimeter and several in the center to hold all three fabrics in place. Then stitch around the perimeter with 1/2" seam, leaving about 6" in the middle of the bottom open.

Step 6: Turn it right-side out.

Step 7:  Push out the corners & seams nice and tight. It's really important to then iron the seams flat. *This is before I ironed.

This is after.

Step 8: Finish the seams. I used a zig-zag stitch to finish the seam. I also ran 2 straight stitches down the length of it at 6" & 12" to hold it all together in the middle for washing and to make folding easier. I threw it in the dryer of 20 minutes to "seal" up the holes in the PUL fabric around the stitches per the manufactures recommendation.

Step 9: Come up with a closure. I sewed one end of a ribbon to the changing pad and attached a large button to it. I then sewed it into a loop at the other end of the ribbon, folded the changing pad into thirds and secured it shut with the ribbon. I'm sure snaps or Velcro could do a good job of closing it up too.

Folded up, not smashed down at all, it is about as tall as a spool of thread. It is able to be compressed much more though. if it was folded differently it could be thinner, but it would have a larger folded perimeter.

Folded up it is only  7" x 9" approximately! Nice and compact.

Unfolded it is 18" x 30"!!!!!

Ta-Da! It fits perfectly into my diaper bag!

I think it came out pretty well for my first attempt and I think it could easily be used for more than a changing pad. I like that it is waterproof so if she goes to the bathroom mid-diaper change it won't soak through. It could also be used a great outside tummy time blanket/picnic blanket if the grass is a damp. I obviously haven't washed it a bunch yet, but I imagine it will hold up well. I plan on line drying it with our CD covers since this is supposed to prolong the PUL's life.

I hope this has inspired you! If you like it & need more details please feel free to ask.


UPDATE:
I've now been using this changing pad for a year and it has been washed multiple times. It has held up beautifully! I always line dry it, though.  Pin It Now!