Craft Your Own Stylish 5-Minute DIY Nursing Cover & Infinity Scarf: An Essential Sewing Guide for Breastfeeding Moms

Discover how to effortlessly create your very own versatile DIY nursing cover and chic infinity scarf in just about five minutes! If you possess the basic skill of sewing a straight line, then you are perfectly equipped to follow this incredibly simple homemade breastfeeding cover tutorial. Say goodbye to complicated patterns and tedious steps; this guide will walk you through making what could become your absolute favorite DIY nursing cover, designed for both functionality and fashion.

To embark on this quick and rewarding sewing project, you will primarily need: a piece of stretchy jersey material, matching thread, sharp scissors, a sewing machine, and a button (this last item is optional for an added feature).

This post was originally updated in December 2018, and has since been expanded to offer even more valuable insights and detailed instructions.

DIY Nursing Cover Backstory: Why This Cover is a Game Changer

Let’s be honest, many traditional nursing covers can be quite a nuisance. While they promise privacy, they often deliver awkwardness, a feeling of being disconnected from your baby, and sometimes even outright exposure. My own experience with common nursing covers was far from ideal. I once owned a popular style featuring a rigid wire neckline, designed to provide a discreet peek at my daughter, August, while she nursed. This seemed like a brilliant idea in theory, allowing me to ensure she was feeding comfortably and not getting into mischief. However, as she grew older and more mobile, the “peek” opening became a delightful game for her: an invitation to playfully expose her mom in public! More than once, this led to unintentional flashes to unsuspecting friends, including a couple who were expecting their first baby – a rather memorable “preparation” for parenthood, if I do say so myself!

After a few of these comical yet mortifying incidents, I found myself retreating to secluded corners or even restrooms to nurse, which felt incredibly isolating and inconvenient. The simple act of feeding my baby shouldn’t require me to hide away. This growing frustration ignited a quest for a better solution – a breastfeeding cover that offered true privacy, ease of use, and most importantly, prevented those unexpected public displays. It was clear I needed a nursing cover that worked for *me* and my active little one, allowing us to breastfeed comfortably and confidently wherever we went.

The Perfect DIY Nursing Cover: Style Meets Practicality

The inspiration for this perfect DIY nursing cover struck just before an upcoming trip involving a four-hour flight with a spirited 16-month-old. The thought of wrestling with my old, unreliable nursing cover on a cramped airplane was enough to induce pre-travel anxiety. I knew that with the old cover, I’d either be battling tiny hands trying to pull it down or my husband would be enlisted as an accidental human shield – neither scenario sounded like a fun or relaxing way to travel. Fortunately, a friend who skillfully juggles twins showed me her ingenious nursing cover, which instantly sparked an idea. It looked incredibly simple to make, yet offered all the functionality I crapped.

Inspired, I quickly whipped up a similar design, and thus, this amazing DIY nursing cover was born. And when I say quickly, I mean it – literally in about 5 minutes! Don’t let my personal admission of disliking sewing deter you; if I, a reluctant seamstress, can create this with ease, then absolutely anyone can. This isn’t just a nursing cover; it’s a game-changer. It’s wonderfully lightweight, ensuring my baby, August, didn’t get hot and sweaty underneath. Its unique design allows it to drape securely over your elbows, making it comfortably snug enough that even the most determined little hands can’t easily wiggle out of it or unexpectedly expose you. Plus, I can still easily and discreetly peek in on her without breaking cover, ensuring she’s content and feeding well. The best part? It’s stylish enough to wear as a regular infinity scarf when not in use, making it a truly versatile and adorable accessory. It’s simply perfection, offering both peace of mind and fashion-forward practicality for breastfeeding mothers on the go.

Essential Tips for Crafting Your DIY Nursing Cover

Even for those who, like me, aren’t ardent fans of sewing, preparing correctly can make this quick project even smoother and more enjoyable. These essential tips will help you achieve a professional-looking and highly functional DIY nursing cover with minimal fuss.

• Embrace Stretchy Jersey Fabric: The choice of fabric is paramount for this project. Stretchy jersey material is ideal for several reasons. Firstly, its inherent stretchiness makes the cover incredibly comfortable for both mom and baby, allowing for easy positioning and movement during nursing. Secondly, and perhaps most importantly for beginner sewers, jersey fabric typically does not fray. This means you won’t need to hem any of the raw edges, saving you precious time and simplifying the sewing process significantly. Look for soft, breathable cotton jersey or a blend for maximum comfort.
• Personalize Your Fabric Choice: Don’t settle for plain! While solid colors are classic, the world of jersey fabric offers an astounding array of colors, patterns, and prints. Choose a fabric that resonates with your personal style and complements your wardrobe. Online fabric stores are excellent resources for finding unique and beautiful patterns that you might not find locally. A stylish fabric will ensure your nursing cover doubles beautifully as a fashion-forward infinity scarf.
• Pins Are Your Best Friends: When working with stretchy fabrics like jersey, things can get a bit wiggly. Fabric pins are indispensable for keeping your edges aligned and preventing the material from shifting while you sew. Pin generously along your seams, especially before sewing, to maintain accuracy and achieve a smooth, even stitch. For extra stability, consider using a walking foot on your sewing machine, which helps feed multiple layers of fabric evenly.
• Invest in Good Sewing Scissors: While not strictly mandatory for a 5-minute project, having a pair of sharp, dedicated fabric scissors will make a world of difference. Dull scissors can snag or stretch stretchy fabric, leading to uneven cuts. Good quality sewing scissors glide through fabric cleanly, ensuring precise cuts and a neat finish. This small investment can elevate your sewing experience for this and all future projects. (See recommendations below for suitable options).

Explore More Simple Sewing Projects

Yes, I know I’ve confessed that sewing isn’t my absolute favorite pastime. However, that doesn’t mean I shy away from practical and rewarding projects, especially when they offer significant benefits or a touch of personal style! The satisfaction of creating something useful with your own hands is truly unparalleled. If you enjoyed the simplicity and versatility of this DIY nursing cover, you’re likely to appreciate these other straightforward sewing tutorials that combine practicality with a touch of creativity. They’re perfect for expanding your basic sewing skills and tackling everyday needs:

• These DIY Unpaper Towels are a massive hit for anyone looking to reduce waste and add a sustainable touch to their kitchen. They’re reusable, easy to wash, and surprisingly simple to sew.
• Transforming an old garment into something new and fashionable is incredibly satisfying. Our guide on how to take an 80’s Pleated Dress to a Fabulous Skirt is a testament to upcycling and refreshing your wardrobe with minimal effort.
• Unleash your creative side with our tutorial on making DIY Homemade Stamps and Hand Stamped Pillows. This project adds a unique, personalized touch to your home decor and is fantastic for gifting.
• Discover another functional and stylish accessory with our Infinity Sweater Scarf tutorial, perfect for adding warmth and flair during cooler months.

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This means if you click on a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you, helping us to continue providing helpful content like this!

How To Make A Nursing Cover: Step-by-Step Instructions

Ready to create your own discreet and stylish breastfeeding cover? This simple tutorial requires no complex patterns, just a few basic materials, and a commitment to following straightforward steps. Get ready to transform a piece of fabric into an indispensable item for your parenting journey!

DIY Nursing Cover Materials: What You’ll Need

Gathering your materials before you begin will ensure a smooth and quick crafting experience. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need for your 5-minute DIY nursing cover:

• • • Stretchy Jersey Material: Approximately 27 inches in length and at least 30 inches in width. The stretchier the better for comfort and ease of use. Cotton jersey, modal, or a knit blend works wonderfully. Its non-fraying nature is a huge time-saver!
    • Sharp Fabric Scissors: Essential for clean, precise cuts on stretchy fabric. (Quality scissors like these are highly recommended).
    • Matching Thread: Choose a thread color that blends seamlessly with your fabric for a professional finish. Polyester all-purpose thread is usually suitable.
    • Sewing Machine: Any basic sewing machine capable of a straight stitch will work. If your machine has a stretch stitch option, even better!
    • Pins: To secure your fabric layers and prevent shifting while sewing.
    • Button (Optional): Select a button that complements your fabric. This is for the optional feature that converts the scarf into a more secure cover.

Directions: Your Quick Guide to Sewing Success

Follow these straightforward steps, and you’ll have your new favorite nursing cover and infinity scarf ready in no time!

Step 1: Preparing and Cutting Your Fabric

Begin by laying out your stretchy jersey fabric. For best results, ensure the fabric stretches along the length that will go around your body. This is crucial for the comfortable drape and flexibility of the final cover. If you plan to incorporate the optional button closure (which we highly recommend for extra security and versatility), fold your fabric with the wrong sides together, making sure the salvage ends are touching. This effectively creates a double layer of fabric, which will be useful for button placement later. Carefully measure and cut your fabric to be 27 inches long. If you’re opting out of the button, you can place the right sides of the fabric together before cutting, as this will be the standard way to sew a simple infinity loop. The 27-inch length provides ample coverage while maintaining a stylish scarf length.

 

Step 2: Shaping and Sewing the Main Seam

This step creates the unique tapered shape of your nursing cover, allowing it to fit securely over your shoulders and arms. On the top edge of your fabric (which will be one of the narrower openings), measure in 15 inches from one side and place a small mark. Now, move to the bottom edge of your fabric (the wider opening) and measure in 28 inches from the same side, making another mark. Using a ruler or a straight edge, gently connect these two marks with a dotted line, visualizing your seam line. This line will create a subtle taper, making the cover wider at the bottom for better baby access and narrower at the top for a secure fit around your shoulders. Pin along this dotted line generously to keep the stretchy fabric from shifting. Then, using your sewing machine, sew a straight seam along the pinned line. If your machine has a stretch stitch or you use a slight zigzag stitch, this will prevent your seam from popping when the fabric stretches. Once sewn, you have a few options: A) You can carefully trim off the excess fabric, leaving a neat seam allowance, or B) if you are adding the button feature, simply leave the excess fabric as is for now – it will be used in the next steps.

Step 3: Attaching the Button (Optional)

If you opted to keep the excess fabric in Step 2, this is where it comes into play for the button feature. Locate the wider section of the fabric (where you measured 28 inches). On the excess fabric, about four inches in from the smaller opening (the 15-inch side), carefully sew on your chosen button. Ensure you sew through both layers of fabric to secure it firmly. This button will serve as a closure, allowing you to create a more secure and enclosed nursing space when needed, or simply to add a decorative touch when worn as an infinity scarf.

Step 4: Creating the Buttonhole (Optional)

To complete your optional button closure, you’ll need to create a corresponding buttonhole. Move to the top, smaller opening of your cover (the 15-inch side). In the excess fabric area, create a buttonhole approximately 1/2 inch from your main seam. Don’t worry about precise measurements here; a general placement in that area will work perfectly. Most sewing machines have a built-in buttonhole function that makes this step incredibly easy. If you’re unsure, practice on a scrap piece of jersey first. And here’s the best part: because you’re using stretchy jersey fabric, which doesn’t fray, you do not need to hem any of the edges! This significantly speeds up the process and keeps your finished cover lightweight and comfortable. Yay for no hemming!

How to Use Your DIY Breastfeeding Cover

Using your newly crafted DIY breastfeeding cover is incredibly intuitive and comfortable. Simply drape the wide part of the scarf over your shoulders, pulling it down gently so that it rests securely over your elbows. This creates a cozy, private cocoon for you and your baby, preventing little hands from pulling it down and offering comprehensive coverage. Now, you’re all set to feed your hungry baby in peace and comfort, knowing you have discretion and style on your side. When nursing is complete, it effortlessly transitions back into a fashionable infinity scarf, ready for your next adventure. Wasn’t that super simple? Enjoy wearing your adorable new scarf and nursing your baby with confidence!

Further Reading for New Moms: Birth and Breastfeeding Resources

If you enjoyed this practical guide and find yourself interested in all things related to birth, postpartum, and breastfeeding, then you’re in luck! We have a wealth of resources designed to support new and expectant mothers through their journey. Dive into some of our most popular and heartfelt posts:

• Ari’s birth story: A super fun and candid account of my water breaking at a very unexpected location – Trader Joe’s! A humorous and relatable read for any expectant parent.
• August’s birth story: Another intimate look into a unique birth experience, offering insights and comfort for those preparing for their own special day.
• Dear Breastfeeding Mom: it will get better: A heartfelt letter offering encouragement and reassurance during the often challenging but rewarding journey of breastfeeding. This post provides a much-needed emotional boost for new moms.
• Breastfeeding Must-Haves: A comprehensive list of essential products and tips that can make your breastfeeding experience smoother, more comfortable, and successful. Discover the items that truly make a difference for new moms.