Bumper Pad Tutorial

This having a girl thing is pretty tricky.  When I was decorating my boys' nursery before they were born it was simple... blue and basketballs.  Basically a sport of any kind would have done, but there wasn't a lot of thought that had to go into it.  For baby girl, it's been much more difficult.  I just couldn't find any bedding that I LOVED. Why would I have to LOVE it, you ask?  I don't know.  I didn't want to just like it.  I wanted to feel something more for it.  Pregnancy does weird things to me.

I did, however, fall totally in love with some fabric at Hobby Lobby before I was even pregnant and had thought to myself that I would totally put that in a baby girl's nursery. So... that's what I did!
I was nervous this would take a lot of time, but it was actually one of the most simple projects in the entire room.  It's all about sewing straight lines, and that's about all I can do so it worked out perfectly for me.

So, let's give this tutorial thing a try, shall we?  It's new to me... so if it's unclear, or you want more info please just ask!

Supplies needed:
These first two are a bit confusing, but depending on the fabric you choose could end up keeping you from having lots of extra fabric left over (like I did... hence the blanket), plus save a little money.
1.  2 1/2 yards 43-45 inch fabric for the exterior of the bumper pad.
2.  2 1/2 yards 43-45 inch fabric for the interior of the bumper pad
These first two measurements are if the pattern of your fabric runs horizontally -- as in the direction of the 2 1/2 yard cut.  You will end up with quite a bit left over, but sometimes that's just what it takes to get the pattern to face the direction you want it to.

If you choose a fabric that has a pattern that doesn't matter which way will be the top/bottom or if your pattern runs the length of the 43-45" then you'll need these measurements:

1.  2 yards 43-45" fabric for the exterior of the bumper pad.
2.  2 yards 43-45" fabric for the interior of the bumper pad.

Off to a rough start on this tutorial already. :) sorry!

Rest of the supplies:

3.  1 yard 43-45" fabric for ties.
4.  13 yards of trim of your choice.  (you can make this if you want... I didn't want, so I bought ruffle trim, which was the perfect touch.)  ** This step is optional.  If you were doing this for a boy, or just wanted a more simple look you could either not put on a trim at all, or you could do a small cording or something less frilly.)
5.  6 pack of Foam bumper pads that measure 10" x 26" x 1"  (you can find these at most craft/sewing stores.  They run about $30 a pack, so be sure to use a 40% or 50% coupon ... since most craft places offer these.  I got mine from Joann's and used a 50% coupon, so it was around $15.)

6.  Standard sewing supplies.

Getting Started
My least favorite part of any sewing project (besides trimming all the threads) is the cutting okay, or maybe the ironing. Anywho... my recommendation is to get all of the cutting out of the way right at the beginning.  After the cutting is done on this project, the rest goes very quickly.

Cut:
1.  From your exterior fabric:  Cut six pieces that measure 27" x 11 1/2"
2.  From your interior fabric:  Cut six pieces that measure 27" x 11 1/2"
This is a lot of cutting, so I just put my interior and exterior fabric together and cut them at the same time. 
** also remember when cutting your interior and exterior fabric that if you made the 2 1/2 yard length choice because your pattern runs that way, then you will fit three cuts in your length, then three more right next to that.
** if you made the 2 yard choice, use your 27" length edge along the 43-45" edge. Cut these one right after the other, leaving no space between to ensure you end up with enough fabric.  It will be tight.

3.  ((optional)) Once your interior/exterior pieces are cut, stack them up, maybe in two stacks depending how sharp your cutter is, and round the corners.
I like the rounded edge for a feminine look, I also like that it made the cover fit nice and snug on the pad.
This is my scientific method to round edges.  It works.

4.  From your tie fabric:  divide the the width of your fabric (43-45") in half.  That is your length measurement. So, you'll need 24 pieces that are your length x 3".  Confused?  :)  the width of my fabric was 44" so my measurement for my ties were 22"x 3".  I wanted mine nice and long so they could make pretty bows when they were tied.  If you aren't worried about that, you can make them whatever length feels sufficient to you. (I wouldn't go shorter than 16")
Cut the tie pieces one right after another leaving no space in between.  You will use every last bit of this fabric.

5.  Cut six trim pieces 78" each.

Your cutting is done!
 
Now it's time to sew.

Start with the ties:  ((sorry!  no pictures of this part.))
1.  Take your 24 tie pieces.  We'll use my measurement so this doesn't get confusing. One at a time, fold the tie piece in half length-wise with right sides together.  So it will now be 22" x 1 1/2".  Sew down the open end of your fold and across one edge.  Continue this until all your ties are sewn.

2.  Clip the corners on your sewn edge, careful not to clip your stitching.

3.  Flip the ties right side out.  **I use a Kabob stick to reach in the tube and get my corners pushed all the way out.  Use whatever method works best for you.

4.  Iron the ties so the seam runs nicely along one edge.

Time to layer!

1.  Place an exterior piece, right side up.

2.  Pin two ties to each 11 1/2" side of the exterior.  One 2" from the top corner, and one 2" from the bottom corner.  So, you'll have 4 ties per bumper, one on each corner area.

3.  Pin trim around the edge of the exterior with the top of the trim facing the center of the exterior.  Or in other words, the raw edge of your trim will be lined up with the raw edge of your exterior fabric piece. Start in the bottom center of your exterior and pin all the way around until you get back to the bottom center.

4.  Place the interior piece, right side down, on top of your stack.  Pin in place.

Now sew it all together.

1. Start by lightly lifting back the interior piece from the trim on the bottom.  Start sewing the trim and exterior piece about 3 inches above the center where the trim meets up.  Continue on until about 3 inches past the center.  End with your needle up.

2. Lift the presser foot and gently fold the interior piece back down.  Then put presser foot back down :)

3.  Continue sewing all the way around until you reach the spot you started sewing (3 inches from the center. 
This will leave you with a 6 inch opening to flip the cover.
4.  Flip the cover right side out, pushing out the corners.
5.  Stuff with one bumper.
6.  Slip stitch the opening shut.  (There are a lot of great video tutorials on youtube for doing a slip stitch.)
7.  Admire your work! :) 

8.  Now, do it 5 more times.

To attach the bumper, tie the tie pieces that match up from each bumper on the outside of the crib bars.

OK, longest tutorial EVER!  I just didn't want to leave anything out, and with the fear of that I probably over explained. 
Oh well, it was fun to try.

Here is my finished product!

I made the bed skirt and blanket too, but seems like this post is long enough without going into more details on those.  Maybe another day... or maybe not.  This baby is coming out soon, and I still have lots of things I want to get done before her debut!

This bedding adds just the right amount of femininity and elegance to the room that I was hoping for!  That's the great thing about doing it yourself... you get exactly what you want out of it. :)