So my friend Anna is having her second baby. This is shocking to me as we had our first babies a few weeks apart and I cannot fathom having two now, but anyway, she wants a nursing cover. So I made her one. 
Purchasing one of these things pre-made is outrageously expensive considering how simple they are to make. Learn how to make your own nursing cover after the jump…
And thanks for the post Grosgrain!
DIY Nursing Cover Tutorial
1. Wash, iron and cut your fabric. A yard will do it. I used Paula Prass Summer Soiree chevron in leaf green (still available here). You need three pieces.
26″X38″ for the cover
30″x3″ for one side of the strap
10″X3″ for the other side of the strap
You also need a piece of boning 14″ long (i bought one foot and they threw in the two inches) – you can get this at any fabric store for about 50 cents – and a set of d-rings, also about 50 cents.
2. Take the strap pieces and fold them in half, right sides facing:
sew them together with a 1/4″ seam allowance:
3. Turn them inside out with a loop turner or like so. Insert a safety pin to one side:
Feed it back in on itself:
Work it through until it turns:
3. Now take one edge of each strap and fold it over 1/4″ and iron:
On the short strap, grab your d-rings and fold the fabric over them and pin like so:
On the other strap, just fold over and sew:
56 comments
This is the best invention ever. I use one every day. And I LOVE this fabric choice. Stylish but understated. So you don't scream… I'm breastfeeding! Not that there's anything wrong with that.
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i'm glad you like the fabric – this one is a BOY so i wasn't sure what to do
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One more idea to add to it is a pocket on the back. I received a nursing cover just like yours as a gift that someone made but at one of the bottom corners on the back there was a little pocket sewn with felt to put breast pads or whatever else you may need to hide away. I like that idea because I never knew what to do with those things to be discreet when I was out and about.
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jocelyn – totally! also adding a corner of terry on the inside so you can wipe babies' mouth. i'll do it on the next one!
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oooh, that is a good idea too! Maybe we can make it like a swiss army knife in that it does a little of everything! You wouldn't need a diaper bag…have a spot for a diaper and wipes. Of course I'm kidding about that, but the terry cloth is smart!
By the way, I love Prudent Baby!!! You guys are awesome and I'm always amazed at what you come up with and wonder how you find time to do it all. I recently opened a site on etsy and made some of your snuggly blankets. (thenestingspot.etsy.com) I can't crochet at this point, and don't currently have time to learn, but I just sewed a pennant garland to hange across my son's navy curtains to spice them up a bit. I'll have to send a pic sometime. I think they turned out really great. Keep up the great work!!
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These covers are so handy! They came out with these right AFTER I weaned my little one, but I really could have used one.
I featured your tutorial at Craft Gossip Sewing:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-sew-a-nursing-cover-for-privacy-while-breastfeeding/2010/01/06/
–Anne
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jaime, if i ever ever ever have another please make me one!! i would try but i suck at sewing and just get frustrated. but i have to say this is the best thing ever for nursing moms… mine saved me but it's seen its day (15 months!)
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I had a friend make me one similar to this, but my boning does not stay out from my body. It just falls down on top of my babies head. Now I would like to make one for another friend but I am nervous that the boning will fall down. Any thoughts on this?
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lajamison – i can't say without seeing it, but the problem could be that the strap is not attached to the top and bottom of the boning seam. see in step 7 how the strap is sewn on with a square…if its only sewn to the top edge it would fall down…
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lajamison, it could also be that the straps are sewn next to the boning, instead of on top of it. they need to be touching for the strap to support the boning.
jaime, i love this fabric. i just made two in greens for my sister in law who is having a girl, but doesnt like girly colors!
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Thank you so much for this! I was just (JUST) going to attempt making one of these one my own. I couldn't think of what to use as the curvy part, so I was just going to cut a piece of plastic off the edge of a large ice cream container. This tutorial will help prevent disaster!
Can the cover be washed with the boning in it?
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Yes! You can wash the boning-it's the same stuff that's in lingerie…my sister-in-law just told me she used a headband from the drug store! Kind of genius!
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This is great, am due in a few weeks and these things cost a lot where I live, I just couldn't fathom how to make the 'viewing bit'. Thanks!!
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I am trying to find a cute fabric that won't wrinkle after being crammed into the bottom of a diaper bag. Any suggestions?
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stephanie – i thought long and hard about this and i think wrinkling is a fact of life for most cute fabrics. you could get a poly-cotton blend that won't wrinkle as much, but it might be stuffy for baby under there since those fabrics aren't as breathable (and probably not as many cute options). the only thing that really doesn't wrinkle is knit. which makes me think maybe a crochet or knit nursing cover! which i think is kind of a fabulous idea and would be really useful especially in cold climates. maybe i can coerce jacinda into making a pattern…
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First off all, I love the idea of the crochet nursing cover, maybe I can coerce Jaime into making a pattern! Or is it just a poncho?
But I do have to say that I throw my cotton nursing cover into my diaper bag in a rumpled ball and I've never noticed it looking wrinkled… but maybe that just because it is next to my far more wrinkled clothing. I think a bold/high contrast pattern helps.
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Hi Jamie,
I'm pregnant, and new to sewing, so this is a great project for me. I would love to make mine lined on the back side, and wondering how I would adjust your pattern. Any tips would really help me. Thank you in advance!
~Elizabeth
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Hilary Reply:
July 21st, 2012 at 10:27 pm
I had the same question about lining the cover because my chosen fabric was pretty thin. This is what I did.
I made the straps according to the tutorial. Then, I skipped ahead and did the steps to secure the boning in place. My boning was 1/4″ and rolled a lot when I put it in, so I made a slimmer sleeve for it by sewing another line of stitches 3/8″ above the sewn edge of the original boning sleeve made by following the instructions. This helped keep the boning snugly in place. After I had my boning the way I liked, I attached the straps, again following the instructions.
I then cut my lining fabric to 24.5″x38″ (instead of 26″x38″, because the cover dimensions are slightly smaller with the boning already in place). I layered the cover and the lining, right sides together. Beginning with one of the straps, I sewed around the edge, away from the strap, with a 1/2″ seam allowance, until I met the other strap. I clipped the corners, turned everything right side out, and pressed the cover flat, including the hole (make sure the straps are outside the cover, where they belong). Then I sewed around the whole cover again with a 1/4″ allowance, giving the cover a nice polished look and closing that hole up.
Hope that helps!
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My Hooter Hider certainly comes in handy. A word about the handle. My friend has one with elastic in the handle rather than a buckle. I like the elastic better. My strap loosens over time, especially now that my daughter's learned to grasp and pull. Thanks for the pattern.
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Awesome tutorial, I featured it on my blog: http://designsbyvanessa.blogspot.com/2010/04/tutorial-roundup-baby-crafts.html
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I totally love this, and I hope that using nursing covers encourages more ladies to bf. That said, itīs a pity that US society has such attitudes to bf that it requires covering up. In Europe itīs normal to just do it without any major hiding.
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I don't know that it's the attitude we have about breastfeeding-it's the attitude we have about modesty.
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Thanks so much for this tutorial! The fabric store threw in the leftover length of boning from the box so I have enough to make another one for my friend!
Blogged and linked back here: http://thestepfordwife.blogspot.com/2010/05/diy-nursing-cover.html
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I made one of these for a friend who had her first baby. Your tutorial was easy to follow! It was so much fun! With some of the scraps I made a bag for her to put it in so she can throw it in her diaper bag and not have to worry about it
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Great tutorial! Thank you. I have the same problem as one other. My cover folds so I can't see my son. I followed instructions exactly. Any ideas on how to fix this? Thx
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In the process of making this for a friend. The store bought one that I used didn't have boning and I honestly like it better… i would just peek if i needed too. Hoping it turns out good without the boning…
Thanks for the tut!
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i just finished making one and look forward to using it…and i also had an issue with the boning. it was falling down…even though i sewed it close to the strap. should it be tight in there or just fit? and my boning came with a cover…should that be taken off?
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LOVE LOVE LOVE IT. I just ordered one of these online (because it was free and I only paid shipping) other wise I wouldn't have. I love the tut! I will be trying this out since I have two friends that just found out they too are expecting!! Great gifts!
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So I've made two of these now, and I might have an answer to the falling down problem — it could be the fabric. I made my first one out of a medium-ish weight cotton, and the boning held up just fine. I just finished making the other out of a lighter weight cotton, and the boning is falling down (but I think it's still usable). I think the easiest way to fix it, without redoing the whole thing, would be to add some interfacing to the top couple of inches for more stability. It will require some seam ripping, but hey, almost all my projects do! Hope that helps!
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Where in the heck does one find the boning and is this it's official name? I have searched high and low and can't find. Any help/direction provided will be most appreciated! Please send response to smowrisATyahooDOTcom along with "Boning" in the subject line. Thanks ever so much!
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I have just finished up 4 of these!
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Ladies who have problems with the boning: my Joann's has a wonderful product – sew-through boning! Add a couple more inches to your boning on each side so that it is long enough to go underneath where the straps connect. As you attach the straps to the hem you can sew right over the boning so it is all connected. Does that make sense? Then the straps actually hold up the boning! I wish I could take credit for this idea but it was from another nursing cover tutorial that has since been taken down. I believe the boning is Rigilene brand – it looks like it has little holes in it, almost like tiny plastic canvas. Just go slowly with your sewing machine and – voila!
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I absolutely LOVE nursing covers. I made my own version and while it was handy, I made this one last night for a friend and it is so much stronger! I do love adding a pocket on the back, no baby likes a wet wipe after eating.. lol.
Just an idea if you go nursing cover crazy, I collected cool cotton fabric pieces from friends, and we are having a sewing day, then donating to the local birthing center. Just an idea for those talking about promoting BFing! We do this for different crafts like blankets and cloth diapers about once a month and have a lunch mommy party out of it. Its a TON of fun.
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I finally finished mine…so here is my story. I didn't even know these existed while I was breastfeeding my first child but later on saw another mom with one. So when I was pregnant with my second I wanted one really bad… and that is how I ended up here and found this great website with all the info I needed and more. So I followed the instructions and made one and it turned out perfect and I'm so excited. I can't wait to make more especially for new moms I might come across.
Please keep sharing.
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All I did for a nursing cover was take a little (lightweight) blanket and sew velcro onto it. I had it velcro on one shoulder so it would cover everything. It was great because my son–who loved to uncover me–could NEVER undo it!!!
This seems like a good idea too!
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Just got done making my own nursing cover, thanks to your awesome tutorial! Simple and easy to follow directions and it looks great. Bought one to use with my first child and paid about $35 for it. Learned how to sew a few months ago and I am due to have my second child in a few weeks, thought I would make my own cover this time. All materials cost me less than $12 and spent my daughters nap session making it. I did add a terry cloth pocket on one edge for wiping baby's mouth and to hold my lily pads. Thanks!
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I had the same problem with the boning folding down on my first run with this nursing cover. I just moved the straps directly on top of the end of the boning and stitched around the top, bottom, and open side. It works like a charm now. I don’t think the weight of the fabric matters so much, because I made mine out of silk and with the changes, it’s fine.
Thanks for this tutorial! You saved me a lot of trial and error!
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I wanted to know if you HAD to use the boning? I have one that a friend made with boning in it and I don’t like it only because I feel that it gives a “window” for people walking by LOL! I just didn’t know if it was something that HAD to go in it or if it was optional!
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Jaime Reply:
March 28th, 2012 at 11:30 am
you can leave it out, it’s just there so you can see in and to keep the fabric away from baby’s face
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hi there! Can’t wait to make one (or several!) of these. What size should the D-rings be?
Thanks!
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Wonderful tutorial!! I didn’t really have to read the instructions as the photographs were very very clear. I never had a nursing cover for my little one when he was a baby and had to look for nursing rooms when I was out…. wish I had one of these. That green fabric looks really stylish!
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Just made my daughter one as she is due in August. Sew easy! Thanks. And yeah, if you sew the straps onto the bonning it stays open and upright. I think the shorter the bonning, the less anyone can see if they are walking by and you are sitting. (such as a restaurant)
So excited for the arrival of my 1st grandchild, can’t wait.
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i cut my fabric wrong, now my chevron stripes are vertical instead of horizontal
haha
but it gets the job done!
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I have been using a plain blue nursing cover that I’ve had for years which I used with my two older children when they were babies before which was made by The First Years and does not have boning. Finally completed making this nursing cover today, I used a tropical print fabric and it looks great! I also followed other Mom’s suggestions and used a baby washcloth to make a double pocket on the inner side of the left bottom corner and sewed on a small triangle on the inner right bottom corner using the othe half of the baby washcloth for wiping baby’s mouth after feeding! Thanks or the tips, it turned out great!
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Help me PLEASE! I have ripped out the thread in the straps several times. I can’t get the seam in the straps(when you are sewing the d-rings in place) to look even. I tried adjusting the tension. I’ve ironed the fabric again and again so it would feed through the machine smoothly. I want this cover to look great because it is a gift. The pictures made that step look so easy
Any ideas or even tutorial videos? Thank you in advance
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Thanks for the tutorial. This is a great shower gift. I lined mine to make it a little warmer..December baby…and rolled the hems to the front since it was a coordinating fabric and added pockets to the underside. Turned out really nice. I wish I could send you a pic….thanks again
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I just finished making the nursing cover, following your excellent tutorial, for my daughter who is due to have her baby girl next Tuesday. Your instructions were easy to follow, and the photos were an incredible help! I look forward to making more of these for bbaby gifts. Thank you!
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Thank you for posting! Can’t wait to get started on mine. I’m a novice at sewing and really appreciate the simple instructions. I’ve looked at other tutorials and you truly understand what that word means. Hope to see many more projects soon!
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I learned how to make these nursing covers. We made them for a hospital for the new born intensive care unit for the new mothers to use when they came in and nursed their very sick babies.They then could take them home with them.It was important for the mothers to be able to see their babies and be able to position them for nursing as most of the babies were hooked up to wires. Rather than using boning, we used strapping tape that a hardware store saved for us off their barbecue units. You could cut it what length you wanted and round off the corners. It came in different widths – usually we used l/2 inch width. We used velcro to fasten it, rather than the rings – that also worked..Thanks again.
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Thanks for sharing this. My daughter always receives a nursing cover from the hospital but this one is neat. You can choose your own material. I also like the added comments for an inside pocket for pads and a little terry cloth to wipe babies mouth. I shared this craft with our group members on CafeMom – Holiday and Party Crafts – with a link back here for the tutorial. Thanks so much! Have a 3B Day! Bright! Beautiful! Blessed! ~Yolanda~
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Thanks so much for this, I had planned to just make it up as I went – but I would not have been so thorough.
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They are supposed to be worn from the waist down.
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Okay… These measurements are not great. I made mine, and given, I am 5’3″, but when sitting it comes down mid calf. And in order for the buckle to be tight with the boning where it should be, the buckle is in the middle of my neck. I am going to have have to cut down the straps and also the length…. not sure if the other women are just tall ..
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HI!! Loved the tutorial…and product…….How much would you say it cost you to make one..nursing cover?????????????{the materials}Thankyou!!!!
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