DIY Travel Changing Pad

This is the simplest of sewing DIY's and a perfect first project for oilcloth. Thanks Rachel for the suggestion! Find the full {and crazy easy} DIY for a Travel Changing Pad after the jump.

What you need:
• 2 pieces oilcloth 12"x27". I used two different prints but if you use one print, you can get what you need from 1/3 yard of this 55" width oilcloth. I used Heather Bailey Nicey Jane Oilcloth in Hop Dot Cream and Picnic Bouquet Gold, both sold by our lovely sponsor, Fabricworm.com.
• Approx 2.5 feet coordinating single fold bias tape (or ribbon)
• 3 Pieces 8.5x11" thin quilt batting.
• Basic sewing supplies.

What to do:
1. Cut the two 12x27" rectangles. The size is not very important. You might want a shorter and wider pad, especially if this is for a newborn. This one is for a tall toddler.

2. Align your fabrics, right sides facing and pin in just a few places and along the very edge as pins leave marks in oilcloth.

3. Sew with a straight stitch 1/4" from the edge all the way around the rectangle except for 1/2 of one of the short sides.

4. Snip all four of the corners.

5. Reverse your piece right side out.

6. The edges will be curling in (as seen above.) Use a knitting needle or chop stick to push the corners out clean and pointy.

7. Slide a small square of light card stock (a greeting card works well) inside the piece and use it to push the edges out while you iron them flat*. With oilcloth, use an additional piece of fabric (light batting in my case) between the oilcloth and the iron. I've heard that you can't press oilcloth, but with the additional buffer, I've had great success. *Test your fabric and iron first.

8. Fold your piece in thirds and mark your folds. I thought I was being smart and used permanent marker thinking it would just wipe off but it stained my yellow thread. Use disappearing ink, or tape.

9. Measure your first third, the one furthest from the opening. Mine was just under 9"x11.5.

10. Cut a piece of batting slightly smaller than the first third. I cut mine 8.5"x11"

11. Slide the batting into the hole and position it in the third furthest from the opening.

12. Just below the end of the batting (where your original one-third marks are) give yourself some kind of a cheat line either with disappearing ink or tape.

13. Sew straight down that line. You may find the oilcloth sticking in the foot of your sewing machine and might have to help it along as it stitches.

14. Repeat from step 9 for the center section and again for the third section.

15. After you insert the batting for the third section, fold the seam of the opening in, iron as instructed above and topstitch across entire length, 1/8" from edge, closing up the opening.

16. When you get 1/8" from the end of the side, leave your needle down and turn piece 90 degrees. Continue topstitching along remaining 3 sides. Add a few back-stitches at the end.

17. I used single fold bias tape for my tie so I folded it in half and ironed it flat. You can skip this if using ribbon or another fastener.

18. Measure 1/2 way down the first third of your changing pad (approx 4.5") and pin the tie in place, centered on the outside of the changing pad.

19. Starting at the end of the string, begin sewing the tie flat. (make sure your string is NOT twisted.)

20. When you get to the changing pad, continue sewing straight through all layers, attaching tie to changing pad. Then continue to the end of the tie, sewing the rest of the tie flat.

21. Tie the ends of the tie in knots or fold over twice and hem.


And you're done! Fold the changing pad in thirds, then in half the other way, and tie the strings in a little bow!