DIY Network

Crib Bumper Keep your baby safe in style with this pretty print crib bumper. From "Uncommon Threads" episode DUCT-118

Sarah Lewis, of Stitching Sisters, starts off by demonstrating how to sew your own crib bumper.

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Fits standard crib (28"x52").

Materials:

Crib Bumper

3.5 yds. 44"-wide nursery-print fabric
1.5 yds. contrasting fabric or 18 yds. contrasting 2"-wide ribbon for trim and ties
matching threads for both fabrics
10 yds. piping
45"x60" extra-loft quilt batting
24" snap or hook-and-loop tape
sewing supplies: sewing machine, rotary cutter and mat, thread, pins, scissors, iron and ironing board

	Figure A
	Figure B

1. Cut 9 12" strips from print fabric.

2. Cut one strip in half. Sew 4 strips plus half-strip together end to end; repeat for remaining strips; press seams open.

3. Cut 3 11"x60" strips from batting; hand-sew ends together to create one long strip.

Piping (figure A)

Note: If your crib has particularly wide slats, you may want to make longer ties.

1. Cut 16 2" strips from coordinating fabric. Sew 9 of the strips together. Wrap piping with fabric and baste (figure B). With remaining 2" strips, cut into 20 14" strips, fold in and press raw edges and sew for ties.

2. If using ribbon (easier but more expensive), wrap ribbon around piping and baste; cut 20 14" lengths of ribbon and hem the ends of each piece.

Assembly

1. Layer as follows, aligning raw edges:

• Print fabric, right side up

• Piping

• Print fabric, right side down.

2. Pin together and baste, using 0.5" seam (should be snug against piping).

	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F

3. Insert ties as desired, starting 4" from on end, loosening basting and pinning in place. Where you want the ties may depend on what type of crib you have, but roughly at corners, center of short sides and in thirds on long sides (1", 14", 28", 45", 63", 80", etc.).

4. Sew ties in place, using 0.5" seam allowance.

5. Flip right side out (figure C) and test out the tie placement by attaching the bumper to your crib, if desired. Adjust as needed.

6. On one side of the bottom of the bumper, place piping against right side of fabric and sew in place, 0.5" from edge (snug against piping). On the other side, pin ties to right side of fabric (opposite ties at the top) and sew in place. On both sides, fold raw edges down 0.5" (wrong sides of nursery fabric together) and press. Repeat for bottom of bumper, inserting ties opposite those already placed.

7. Turn bumper right side out and insert batting, hiding edge of batting under nursery -print edge (figure D). Pin bottom seam closed (figure E), and topstitch as close to piping as possible, while still catching the batting. Then topstitch 0.25" from piping on both top and bottom. If desired, topstitch vertically at corners to sharpen them.

8. Trim batting approx 1" from end of bumper, fold in raw edges and topstitch close. Test fit of bumper and cut to desired length, leaving 2" on either end.

9. Undo topstitching and piping seams for 2" at both ends. Fold piping down into seam, fold in all raw edges and topstitch. Sew snap tape (turn under raw edges) or hook-and-loop tape along edge on one end, adjust second side to overlap correctly and sew tape in place (figure F).