Projects, Patterns & Tutorials

Instructions/Tutorial on how to make a Travel Changing Mat

This project is fairly easy and quick to do, I think cotton fabrics are probably best to use, as they are good for washing and pretty hardwearing. I will try and explain as simply as posible how to make it.

1. You will need, 2 pieces of cotton fabric, both about 26x16 inches in size. You can use the same or two different coloured pieces. (I found cotton curtain fabric very good as its a bit thicker and for the second piece, some cotton curtain lining fabric). You will also need matching thread and about 6-8 inches of 10mm elastic.
2. As well as this you will need a piece of wadding or batting the same size as your fabric. What I found to be great to use is the interlining that you use in curtains, as it is smooth and easy to handle. The iron on type is also good. But its really down to your preference and what you like to use.
3. Once you have your fabric and batting cut out ready and your elastic you can start. Firstly, place down your piece of batting  and smooth it out.
4. Take your 2 pieces and place them together with right sides facing. Then place them on top of the batting, making sure all your edges are level. Place the elastic, in a loop shape inbetween the two fabric layers with loop facing in and edges on the seam line.
5. Now you can sew around the edges (including elastic ends), using around an half inch seam allowance, leaving a opening a few inches wide, so you can turn the mat through to the right side.
6. Once stitched and turned the right way through, you can now slipstitch the opening and iron your mat especially around the edges.
7. To give the mat a neat finish you can not topstitch around the edges around half inch in.