Bumper Pads and Bindings

Here are some photos of the bumper pads I made. It's really very easy, as I am sure many of you know. I have a hard time finding just what I want, and of course, I am cheap. Uh, I mean frugal, yeah, that's it. At any rate, making them myself, I get just what I want.

Bumper Pads

1. You can buy bumper pad batting. It is at least an inch thick, which I don't really like. But it is layered when you buy it, so I just separate it to the thickness I like. (You could also just layer quilt batting as well.) The one bag was enough to make two sets, and I could probably make one more if I really wanted, which I don't.

Anyway, pick out the fabric you like and measure the piece 2x the height of the batting, then sew your pieces lengthwise to the desired length. ( you're going to put the fabric on like a giant taco, with the batting the guts and the fabric the shell) Wrap the fabric around the batting and pin, then sew the top closed all along the top edge. I like to then sew, "quilt," on the pad itself. I did stripes on another one, and I stippled on this one using contrasting thread. (stippling is this random sewing design, if you didn't know

This is a picture of Ruby's bumper pads and bedskirt I made for her. Same technique.

2. Then you bind the edges. Basic binding instructions are listed below. I am sure you all have your own way to bind, this is the best way for me. Use whatever you know or works best for you.

3. Finished binding.

4. I LOVE ribbon! So I used alternating brown and blue ribbon for my ties. Pick the length of tie you want, double it and fold it in half on the pads in the right spot. (take it to the crib and measure just to be sure - learned that the hard way.) Fold the ribbon down the front and back and sew across the top, go over it a couple of times to secure it.

5. TAH-DAH!!

Binding

1. I used three inch strips of fabric for this binding. Cut a sample of fabric and try what you think would look good. You have to fold the fabric in half, twice. (width wise) So basically with a three inch strip, I got a 3/4 inch binding. Measure the length of the pad and the ends, and double that. (so you have measured enough for the top, bottom, and both sides) You'll have to sew your three inch strips together because most likely they'll only be 45 inches long, and you will need more. (a lot more!) I think mine took 6 strips of 45 inch fabric sewn together.


2. This is how long your strip should now be.


3. Fold the sides of the binding into the middle, and iron. (so your edges are now touching each other, meeting down the center of the fabric) USE a water bottle to spray it! This will make your life SO much easier. The water stiffens the crease and it will hold better.

4. After you do the entire length once, then actually fold it in half and spray and iron again.

5. Finishing. For quilts I do some hand work here, but for this I would just use my machine. Unfold the piece, just so it is now in half. (width wise) Line up the center crease with the closing seam on the batting, this is now your center point. Sew the binding on the batting, with a very minimal seam allowance. (I use like 1/8 of an inch) So you are keeping the crease and the edge of the batting lined up, but are sewing almost 3/4 of an inch away as you are sewing on one side of the binding. Leave about 2 inches at the end, once you come full circle.

6. Corners are a little tricky, they may take some practice. But you can do it. Just do your best. I find it almost easier to get the general shape of the corner, then go in after and finish these by hand. A few minutes of hand work could save you a TON of grief on the machine.

7. After you have flipped the pad over and sewn almost all the way around on the other side, giving you a very clean, finished look, you now have to close off the end. With that 2 inches of extra fabric at the end, you now need to fold it under 2 or 3 times. Fold it back to where the binding starts. Then pull it snuggly around both sides and sew it closed.

Tip: Pay attention to your thread showing onto lighter fabric on the opposite side you are working on. This happens easily, just keep an eye on it.