Changing Pad

I am trying to finish up the crafts I have had in the makings and this is one of the 1st to be checked off my list. I have had this in the makings for a very long time, but I never got around to finishing it I got fed up one day and decided I would make something that would help make things easier for me, BUT my daughter decided to potty train and I had no use for it any more. Now that I have 2 sisters pregnant I decided to finish it up and hopefully get around to making another one soon:)

 
I designed this with 2 kids of experience. These are things that would have been helpful for me when I was changing a baby when we were out and about. When you are using a public changing station, all the items you need are handy and hang down right in front of where you stand to change the baby:) PERFECT! The pad is also extra long and wider for the wiggly babies on the go or a toddler. Now you don't have to wonder what your baby is touching in a public area;)

You need:
1 yard of 2 coordinating fabrics
1 yard vinyl (like THIS kind).
1 yard thick interfacing
1/2 yard stretchy netting (I got mine at Joanns)
2 packages of matching bias tape (or you could make your own from matching fabric)
Handle: You can make one from matching fabric or get 13 inches of belting
Iron on Vinyl (you get it in the Notions section at Joanns)

From vinyl, interfacing, and iron on vinyl cut out 1 piece that is 12 X 44
From your 2 coordinating fabrics (One will be the Outside cover and the other the inside) cut a piece that is 12 X 44 inches. Round the corners (I traced a bowl). Add interfacing to the outside fabric.
















Baste stitch the vinyl to the inside fabric. Make sure the waterproof part is facing the wrong side of the fabric. Following the directions on the package, iron on the iron-on-vinyl. You can see the sheen in the picture. It makes it so you can wipe off the fabric.

Flap Closure: From your "cover" fabric cut 2 pieces that are 6 1/2 X 3 Round the corners. Cut out 1 piece of interfacing that is 6 1/2 X 3. Iron onto one of the fabric pieces. Add a snap closure or a piece of Velcro. (I skipped this part and had to go back and do it so my stitches show on the outside.)
 RST (right sides together) sew them together, leaving a hole for turning. Turn right side out and press out the seams. Top stitch making sure to close the hole.















From your netting cut 1 piece 15 X 12 and 1 piece that is 12 X 18. Fold both pieces in half. Cut 2 pieces of bias tape that are 12 inches long and place along the open ends of both pieces of the netting you just folded. Sew in place. In the middle add a piece of Velcro.

Where the black line is in the picture, sew down.  On the end of the inside fabric place the 2 pieces of netting (the bigger one on the bottom).  Mark where the Velcro will go with a marker. (where the arrows are in the picture). Sew the Velcro onto the inside fabric.

I decided to add some bias tape here so it looked more finished.

(Ignore the netting in the middle). Here is where the Velcro should go.

To make a handle you can either make it from matching fabric or use belting. For belting cut a pieces that is 13 inches long.
For matching fabric cut a piece that is 2 1/2 X 13 inches. Add interfacing to the wrong side of fabric. Fold in half RST. Sew down the length of the fabric leaving the ends open. Turn right side out. Iron out seam and top stitch.
Place handle about 8 inches from end on the opposite end that the netting is on. The strap will hang over a little. Just make it the length you need to comfortably slide hand in. Pin in place then sew it down. Cut off what hangs off.

Center the flap closure. It should overlap  2 1/4 inches.  Sew down. I sewed around a few times and then put a big x in the middle.

Add the other piece of Velcro or snap closure 15 1/4 inches from the end. Make sure it is center and lines up with the other Velcro piece or snap closure.

With wrong sides together, baste stitch the main 2 pieces together. This step makes it easier to work with when adding bias tape:)

Pin the bias tape around the entire pad. I actually think when working with bias tape, bobby pins work better:)

For rounding the corner, go slowly. You have to lift the pressure foot several times to prevent buckling. Work it smooth as you go.

Reinforce the handle by sewing a box with an x in the middle.

Add diapers and wipes to your case and you are good to go;)

Extra long and wider changing pad for the wiggly babies on the move or a toddler:) Please ignore my foot in the bottom corner.