DIY Crib Mattress Cover: Keep Your Baby’s Bed Cozy and Clean
Making your own crib mattress cover is surprisingly easy and a great way to add a personal touch to your baby’s nursery. Plus, it gives you full control over the fabric you use!
Materials:
- Fabric: Choose a soft, breathable fabric like cotton flannel, muslin, or jersey knit. You’ll need around 2 yards, depending on the size of your crib mattress.
- Elastic: Enough to go around the entire perimeter of the mattress cover.
- Sewing machine or needle and thread
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Pins
Instructions:
- Measure, Measure, Measure: Carefully measure the length, width, and depth of your crib mattress. Be sure to add about an inch to each measurement to account for seam allowance.
- Cut It Out: Cut two fabric rectangles using your measurements.
- Secure the Corners: At each corner of both rectangles, cut out a square. The size of these squares will depend on the depth of your mattress. (Example: For a 4-inch deep mattress, cut out 4-inch squares).
- Pin and Sew Corners: With right sides of the fabric together, pin the matching edges of the squares you just cut out. Sew these edges together, creating a box-like shape in each corner.
- Hem It Up: Fold over a small hem (about ½ inch) on all the raw edges of your fabric pieces and pin in place. Sew the hems for a clean, finished edge.
- Elastic Time: Create a casing for the elastic along the bottom edge of one piece. Leave a small opening to insert the elastic.
- Add the Elastic: Thread your elastic through the casing. Pull it taut enough to fit snugly around the mattress, then sew the ends of the elastic together and close the opening.
- Put it Together: With the right sides together, pin both pieces of your cover. Sew around the entire perimeter, leaving a small opening to turn the cover right side out.
- Finish and Fit: Turn the cover right side out and slip it over your crib mattress. Check for a snug fit.
Tips:
- Pre-wash your fabric to prevent shrinking after you’ve sewn your beautiful cover.
- Choose fun patterns or colors to personalize your baby’s space.
- Make multiple covers so you always have a clean one on hand!
Additional Considerations
- Waterproof layer: If you want to add a waterproof layer, insert a piece of waterproof fabric between the two fabric pieces before sewing them together.
- Zippers: Consider adding a zipper for easier removal and washing.
Creating a custom crib mattress cover is a simple and rewarding project. Your little one will love sleeping on a comfy cover made with love!
