Baby Carrier Storage Pouch Tutorial

I know I need to take better care of my baby carriers. I’m guilty of letting them lay on the floor in my backseat after a shopping trip with all of my kids in tow. Finding the energy to stash said carrier post chaotic store run, away from muddy feet and fast food projectiles, is a feat in and of itself. Naturally in Autumn I end up going into a nesting organizing frenzy, so making a pouch to keep my carriers clean seemed fitting today.

These are so fast and easy to make.  If you’re looking for quick holiday gifts, I’d highly recommend
making one of these and a Cozy Carrier Cover for your babywearing friends

Here’s what you’ll need

3/4 yard of fabric
1.5 feet of 3/8″ knit elastic
bodkin (or the more basic safety pin)
marking utensil
snaps
snap setting tool

 

 

 

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First you’ll need to start out with two 18 inch tall by 20 inch wide (18 x 20) squares of fabric.  For the cover in the tutorial I used quilter’s weight cotton fabric.

** This size will fit a “standard” size carrier.  For larger sizes, I’d recommend adding a few inches to the length to accodomate the extra bulk (22″ x 20″) **

 

 

Next, lay the squares with the right sides facing each other and pin (or clip) around the edges.

For this tutorial I am working with the shorter 18″ edge on the sides.

 

 

Sew around the perimeter with a 1/2″ seam allowance but leave a 5″ opening along the center of one of the longer (2o”) sides.

 

 

Once you’re finshed sewing, clip the corners and turn your project right side out.

 

Poke into the corners to make them nice and crisp and then press with an iron.

Normally I just use whatever sharp object I have on hand for this, hence the clay sculpting tool.

Don’t underestimate the power of the iron. When I started sewing I inherited my mom’s Black and Decker iron from the early 90’s. The thing practically electrocuted me when I would unplug it, so I was less than eager to use it during my projects. Plus I just hate ironing.

Anyway, ironing before you topstitch can make the difference between your project looking professionally made, or looking like it was made by a 12 year old in FCS class. Just do it.

Now it’s time to mark the casings we’ll be sewing.  The casings need to be 1/2″ wide [to accomodate the 3/8″ elastic we’ll be pulling through them] and end 2″ before each edge of the square.

Remember, mark the casings along the shorter sides of your square.

Cut (2) 7 inch pieces of elastic to thread through the casings.  Feed the pieces through each casing and tack down on both ends.

If you’re unfamiliar with casings, see my post on the basics here.

This is what your project should look like with both elastic pieces secured.

Now we’re going to topstitch around the project, 1/4″ from the edge, but skipping over the elastic casing areas.  This might be deja vu for those of you who sew cloth diapers.

Now cut all of those stray threads.

[See my list of favorite sewing staples here]

It’s time to set snaps.  For the tutorial I chose to add 3 snaps  equally spaced down each side, but now after using it I’d consider adding a fourth to keep things neater.

Looking at the picture above, you’re basically setting a row of sockets face down across the top edge and setting a row of studs face up along the bottom edge.

To use it, roll your carrier up as usual but before securing the waist buckle snap this around it.

Super simple, but completely functional.

Now when you’re feeling up to sewing a full-blown carrier, check out the Sew Toot sewing patterns.

If you make a DIY Baby Carrier Storage Pouch, share it with us on Facebook!