Friday 18 October 2013

Tutorial: Baby Change-Mat Clutch

So you might remember when I made my Change Mat for Little Bots, which essentially was a padded change-mat with some pockets and a fold out flap.  The idea was to roll it, tie it and store it in the nappy bag or under that pram for easy gathering of all nappy-change supplies in one neat roll.  I used mine an absolute tonne when Hannah was a baby.  Now that she's bigger though, I was finding that having the roll in my bag was a little cumbersome for something I wasn't really using all that often, and I was well and truly ready to ditch the nappy bag and go for more of a handbag ... albeit a big one to hold all of those Mummy necessities.  I found a beautiful Cath Kidston Handbag (do you like it??), then I started to ponder ... 

Then, one day as I was looking through my past sewing projects, I remembered the little envelope-style pouch I made to hold the Matching Scraps matching game.  My mind started going, and this is what resulted ... an envelope-style, change-mat clutch, that still has space for a pack of wipes and a couple of nappies, but will still fit neatly in my bag.  It's also fully washable and is a lot more slim-line than my change-mat  roll.  Actually, to be honest, I haven't even made one of these for me yet ... I've had a run of new babies being born to friends and family, so I've made 2 as gifts so far.  By the time I get round to it, Hannah will probably be out of nappies! 

Wanna make one?  Here's what you need:

- 1 yard (metre) of fabric for the inside, and 1 yard of coordinating fabric for the outside. (If you use coordinating fabrics, this will be enough to make 2 of these.  If you want to make the inside and outside from the same fabric, you will have enough fabric with just 1 yard for 1 of these.)
- 1 yard (metre) fusible interfacing 
- Small piece of velcro, or a velcro dot (1 inch) - I use the sticky-backed one - it stays still while sewing!
- Iron
- Chalk or a tailor's pencil
- Sewing Machine
- Thread
- Scissors

How to do it:

I chose these 2 quilting weight cotton fabrics!

1.  Cut a rectangle out of each fabric, each being 24" x 19 1/2".  I used my rotary cutter and mat for this as I find it a bit easier to cut straight with the rotary cutter and ruler for such long sides.  Then iron them so they're completely wrinkle-free.

2.  On the right side of the outer fabric, measure 10" from the top edge, in the middle, and stick down then sew one side of your velcro.  To sew this down, I generally use a small zig-zag stitch, and sew around the edge, then also sew along the diagonals of the rectangle just to make sure it's secure.  I also use the sticky-backed velcro 'cause it's much easier to sew this on when it's stuck in place.

3.  Grab your fusible interfacing ... I bought mine in a roll pack like this.  It is just a light-weight interfacing.  Be sure to get the iron-on one, not the sew-on one!  Cut out 2 rectangles of interfacing that are 1 inch smaller in each direction than your fabric rectangles (ie 23" x 18.5").

4.  Iron the interfacing to the wrong side of each of your fabric rectangles.  Be sure to take your time and get it all perfectly flat without bubbling....it will look much nicer that way!

5.  Place your 2 fabric rectangles right-sides-together.  Start approximately 3/4 of the way along one of the  short sides, and sew around all 4 edges of the rectangles to join them together, using a 1/4" seam allowance.  When you get back to the top edge where you started, only sew along about 1/4 of the way.  This way, you will have a gap of a little more than 10" in the top centre of the change-mat.  Also, be sure to pivot at each corner (lower the needle, lift the sewing machine foot, turn the fabric, lower the foot then keep sewing) so that you get nice clean corners.

6.  Clip the corners off close to the stitch line, but not cutting any stitches.

7.  Use the gap in the top to turn your change-mat through, right-sides-out.  Use something pointy but not too sharp (I used a pen with it's lid on!) to poke each of the corners out so you have nice sharp corners.  Then turn the raw edges of the gap over 1/4 inch and press them with the iron ... like so ...

8.  Now for the envelope part ... cut 2 rectangles from one of your fabrics 10" x 5" (I used the inner fabric, so that it would contrast with the outer when it's closed!).

9.  Fold your rectangle in half and iron a crease down the centre like so ....

10.  Use a ruler and chalk to mark then cut with scissors, or alternatively just use a rotary cutter and ruler to cut a line from the top of the centre fold you just made to the bottom corner on each side, making a triangle.  Like so ...
... Repeat for the other rectangle, so you're left with 2 matching triangles.

11.  Measure vertically down 1 inch from the tip of the triangle, and stick then sew (with a zig-zag stitch as before) the other part of your velcro ... like so!

12.  Place your triangles right-sides-together, then sew around the diagonal lines using a 1/4 inch seam allowance, then clip the top corner close to the stitching, but not cutting any stitches.
Turn your triangle through to right-side-out, and use your pointy "something" to poke the corner out all nice and pointy!

13. Insert the raw edges of your triangle into the gap at the top of the change-mat.  Push it in approximately 1/2", then pin it in place.  Make sure the side with the velcro is facing the inside of the change-mat.

14. Topstitch around the entire change mat, 1/8" from the edge, starting at a corner and ending at the same corner.  As you top-stitch along the top edge, you will be closing the gap, and holding the envelope flap in place.

15.  Measure 4" along along the top edge, and using a long ruler draw a vertical line down the length of the change-mat ... like so ...
...then repeat on the other side, 4" from the other side.  Then sew down each of these lines from the top of the change-mat to the bottom.  This stitch-line makes folding the change-mat a bit easier.

And ... you're finished!

Now, here's how you store your nappies and wipes and fold the change mat ...

Place the wipes and nappies in a neat stack between the sewn lines on the open mat, 
then fold up the bottom of the mat to cover them.

Fold in the sides, along the sewn lines.

Neatly fold the bottom part (with the wipes and nappies inside) 
up and over and over until they reach the top of the mat.

Like so ... 

Fold the flap down and secure your velcro.

All done, and ready to use ... or gift!  I made this one for my beautiful friend who just had her first little baby, and I coupled it with a with a little dolly from the girl. Inspired. doll pattern ... I seriously love this pattern!

If you make one of these, I'd love to see ... so feel free to drop me an email any time!  I'm always up for a chat!

13 comments :

  1. Love the clutch, very cute. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love the idea. I got a store bought one of these when my first child was born. We loved it and wore it out by the time child #2 came along. The cold weather here in North Dakota worked hard at the interior plastic. I would love to make this...plus it would easily go into the washing machine.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, I had a plastic one too when Bethany was first born, but I hated putting her in the cold plastic with no nappy on. The fabric is definitely much more comfy, and super-easy just throw in the wash. Thanks so much for your comment! Oh, and I'd love to see a pic if you make one!!

      Delete
  3. I don't have much use for the cute Clutch BUT, I really like that adorable Cath Kidston Handbag !!!
    Need to find a pattern for that one!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is just gorgeous! We have a friend who has just had a wee baby boy, and since she's a very stylish and put together person I think this would be perfect for her. Going to have a peek through my stash to see what would suit mum and bub, but might end up going on a trip fabric shopping before we see them, as this is too perfect!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your comment Heather … glad you like the clutch, and hope your friend loves it too! It really is such a great baby gift idea … would love to see your fabric choice if you have a chance to email me a pic before you gift it!

      Delete
  5. Thanks so much for the tutorial, loved it. I just made one for a gift. I use cloth nappies so I think with some tweaking I could make one for me! I did have to move my velcro patch at the end for a better fold and I also added in 2 rows of stitches 4 and 1/2 inches and 9 imches from the bottom so that the recipient would know where to put the case and nappies.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ohhh, tweaking for cloth nappies is a great idea. Thanks for letting m know you made it (and for the pics!) Made my day!!

      Delete
  6. Thank you so much for this pattern, I have made 3 for friends and family so far and have a couple more to make, they are quite quick and easy to make and look super cute as well as being useful!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's so great Jess. I'm glad you love this as much as I do. It's been a go-to baby gift for a long time now!

      Delete