Personalized Diaper Changing Pad

You  may remember my Wipeable Diaper Changing Pad, from last summer, if you don't, you can find the link to the tutorial on my side bar.

I really do love these diaper changing pads, and use it whenever I can with Clark (oh how I wish he was potty trained...or at all interested in being potty trained). It wipes clean, and is very convenient for when I'm on the go.  I stuff a partially emptied package of wipes, and a couple of diapers inside the changing pad, and I'm off.

I recently made this personalized changing pad for my niece that is due to arrive in early spring.

My new sewing machine has the ability to stitch a few basic fonts.  The letters aren't very large, but it has been a lot of fun to play around with.

Brother SA114-Non Stick Foot

Now, working with vinyl is not the easiest thing to do. Because this particular project has two sides of vinyl, it becomes even more complicated. Often times the vinyl will stick to either the presser foot, the strike plate, or both.  To make the sewing process go a bit smoother, I like to use a non-stick presser foot.  It allows the vinyl, leather, or other hard to sew material, to slide beneath the presser foot without as much "stick".

To prevent the vinyl from sticking to the strike plate or sewing machine, I like to pull the material, by gently lifting the bottom layer of vinyl away from the sewing machine (rather than pushing the material through the machine with my hand on top of the material).  You can also place a layer of gift wrapping tissue paper under the bottom piece of vinyl.  It will allow the material to move with greater ease as well.
Hope that helps.

Thanks for reading.

Wipeable Changing Pad for Baby

You might recognize the materials from this project-they are the remnants from my reversible bib project.  We had enough fabric and vinyl left over that we decided to make these very useful little changing pads.  I would love it if my 20 month old was potty trained, but he's not yet.  I'd been using the same changing pad since he was born.  I made the first changing pad as well, but it wasn't wipeable or vinyl, consequently it has mustard yellow stains all over the soft terry cloth and flannel.  While I've loved the old changing pad this is a welcome edition to the diaper bag.

This was really simple to make the dimensions of the cut fabric are 19x12 inches.

 Materials we used were:

• 2 pieces of coordinating fabric cut to size
• 2 pieces of medium weight vinyl cut to size 
• 1 piece of thin batting (such as warm and natural) cut to size
•  1 package of extra wide double fold bias tape
•  1 square  piece of velcro, ours was 7/8".  (Wouldn't it be fun to try the magnetic closure on this as well?)

After cutting out our fabric, lining, and vinyl we rounded the corners of the rectangle using a bowl as a guide. You will want to position the materials in the following order: vinyl, 1 fabric, lining, fabric, and on top the remaining piece of vinyl.  I then stitched around the perimeter of the changing pad, 1/4" away from the edge (you will want to stitch close enough to the edge that the bias tape covers the stitch).   Next I folded the diaper pad in thirds and marked the fold marks.  I then stitched along the fold marks to anchor the materials in the middle.  After anchoring the materials it is time to sew on your bias tape.  Simply keep your bias tape pulled rather taut and maintain the edge of the pad in the crease of the tape.  I like to fold in the raw edges of the bias tape when finishing my ends.  After attaching you bias tape fold your changing mat into thirds and determine the positioning of your velcro or closure (see the last picture).  I used the softer of the velcros for the outer flap (the velcro will be attached to the inside of the mat which is the changing surface).  I stitch around the perimeter of the velcro piece and then sew corner to corner forming an X through the center of the piece of velcro.  Attach your second piece of velcro on the outer layer of the inside flap, your velcro will be positioned near the fold.

That's it and that's all.  A really simple and quick project that will be a great edition to the diaper bag, this is also a great thing to give to a new mother and a great project for new sewers.