Crib Bumper Pads

For this project I used the Nu-Foam Baby bumper pads.  These were super simple to use and retain their shape without quilting the bumper pad.  You can fancy them up or simple them down (as I call it)...adding piping, notions and other details.  A friend of mine also used the same pre-made padding and had her mother make the bedding.  Both of our sets turned out very well but are very unique also.

**My apologies that this was also a completed project at the time I started this blog so there are no step-by-step picture instructions**

Crib Bumper Pads in place - these have been used and kicked for months at this point

I have twin girls so I made these in two different colors with black and white

Similar but different...just like they are

Finished Product - Front of bumper pad

Materials Needed
3 1/4 yd total fabric
thread
ribbon or 3/4  additional fabric for ties
notions (optional)
Nu-Foam Baby bumper pads (6 panels in a package) 26" x 10"

Instructions
(pattern included in the Nu-Foam package found here)

1.  For the bumper pad style I chose to do I determined to make one side solid and one a simple panel style. 

Two panels (solid and pieced) joined together

 2.  Cut fabric into 12 separate 27" by 11 3/4" panels.  For my design, I drew up a separate idea for my paneled side and determined how many inches wide each piece would be and totaled them to 27" (allowing for seam allowance to join the pieces).  For the solid side I simply cut out 27" by 11 3/4" panels.

Back of bumper pad

3.  Construct your ties with the additional fabric or by using ribbon.  These need to be 2" x 20".  Lay one panel down and pin the ties/ribbon to this piece.  First fold them in half and press flat then pin to the 4 corners of the piece.  I found it easier to pin the ribbon to the corner with both panels in place.  Also pin the excess ribbon away from the edges to avoid sewing over it.  

4.  Pin the fabric bumper panels with right sides together.  Do not insert the bumper pad until the last step.  Sew a 3/8" seam around all of the sides, leaving one side open to insert the foam.  The directions state to leave a long side partially open.  I decided to leave one of my ends open on each panel to slide the foam into. 

5.  Turn the panels right side out and insert the foam panels.

6.  Once you have completed the panels and have slid the foam into each panel then stitch each panel closed. I did a press around my open end and then sewed them shut.  

Left side shows sewn end method -not the neatest but I am amateur after all 

7.  To keep your ribbon clean and stop fraying singe the ends of it with a match or lighter. 

Ribbon with singed ends to prevent fraying - I have used these bumper pads for a number of months now...thus the ribbon is quite wrinkled from tying. 

Dust Ruffle...

This is a dust ruffle for a baby crib.  You could easily modify and complete a dust ruffle for any size of bed if needed.  I purchased two patterns (found here and here) for my babies' nursery and didn't end up actually using either of them.

Materials needed:

-Muslin fabric or other cheap fabric (this will be under the mattress and unseen so color isn't necessarily a concern)

-decorative fabric (I chose black and white fabric in various patterns with a splash of color for my nursery decor)

-notions (I used a 1 1/2" ribbon;  one different color to accent each crib)

-sewing machine

-thread, scissors, measuring tool and other materials for sewing.

*I am a very novice seamstress so I typically do not use high-tech or high priced sewing tools*

Instructions:

1.  Measure your box spring size or crib size (mine was .  Also measure the distance from edge of box spring to the floor length (if you desire a longer dust ruffle then measure accordingly).  I added on about 1" to each measure to allow for seam allowance of the dust ruffle and seam of muslin to dust ruffle.

2.  Cut out your muslin fabric according to the box spring or crib measurement 

3.  Cut out your decorative fabric according to measurements.  I cheated and cut out 4 separate pieces (as the brackets to hold the mattress up didn't allow for one solid ruffle piece).

the whole picture at completion...white goes under the mattress and then 4 panels that hang off the edges for the dust ruffle

the bracket support on my cribs that caused a need for 4 panels

4.  Sew a 1/2" seam to the 2 shorter sides and 1 long side of your decorative fabric (the side left not sewn will be attached to your muslin/cheap fabric).

seams coming together at the bottom corner

5.  Once all of your dust ruffle panels are complete, sew your right sides together with the muslin (so that the seam will fall underneath once your dust ruffle is laid out).

6.  I added on my ribbon last but it could be done before step 5.  I layed out each panel and carefully pinned the top edge of the ribbon down (frequent pinning to prevent bunching or curling).  I sewed the very edge of the ribbon with matching thread.  I did not sew the bottom edge of my ribbon as I was worried it would cause it to be uneven or bunch.

I wrapped the ribbon around to the wrong side and sewed it along the previous seam

ribbon added as my color accent

**This is my first time trying to instruct a sewing project;  I hope that there is enough detail and instruction to make it simple and easy**