DIY's for items that are a part of our everyday lives are always the best, especially when they can be pretty pricey. The thing about changing pads is that not only can they be pricey, but they can get pretty dirty! We would much rather make our own custom changing pad for a low cost!
lil sugar reader Hestadalen submitted her DIY Changing Pad project to share with everyone. She is expecting her first child and wanting to combine her guest bedroom with the nursery and it was much easier to use a dresser she found on Craigslist as opposed to purchasing a new changing table.
The whole project from cutting and sewing only took about 20 minutes. She used an IKEA changing pad wrapped inside of the great IKEA fabric she selected. The fabric slips on and off easily for cleaning and to change up the look whenever you would want.
Fabric selection is key for a project like this. You want to make sure you select machine washable fabric, because you never know when an accident will happen. If you don't have a backup, you'll need to throw that dirty fabric right in the washer! We also love that this is portable. You can use it on an actual changing table, on a dresser, on the floor, on the counter. Not everyone changes diapers in the same place every time.
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Comments (12)
I'm obsessed with this fabric! I just finished a body pillow cover for my Matterhorn-obsessed five year old out of it. Its too perfect with his collection! I have pics here:
http://pinkysweardesigns.blogspot.com/2010/02/happy-weekend.html
That IS a really cute fabric, and a creative use of it too. I went looking for it on the Ikea website and it's called "Annamoa", in blue. The green one has little foxes - cute! Very fun cover!
This is a great idea. I did something similar when my son was born, but I bought pillowcases that I liked and used those. I figured they would be easy for washing etc. They were, but I found I really liked just using the pad bare and wiping it down when there was an accident better.
@inkstainedwriter --- that's exactly what I was going to say --- can't you just slip a pillowcase over the changing pad and be done with it? Perhaps a king size pillowcase if a standard is not long enough?
The fabric shown in the pic above is adorable but I don't think it coordinates with the curtains & rug very well.
We did as inkstained writer did - bare changing pad. The vinyl wipes clean, and then you don't have to worry about accessories or laundering.
Love the fabric! Must look out for that.
We never had a changing table--found that all we need is the molded pad itself, which we move between bedroom, living room, etc., when needed. Mostly it stays in the living room. We have a few inexpensive stretchy covers for it. It's true that the vinyl is easier if there are accidents, but it's cold in winter and sticky in summer, so we don't mind washing the covers as needed. None were expensive, I think one was a Baby Gap sale, one from Target, and the other from BRU. I don't sew so making my own wasn't going to happen.
Also a good option: Take a heavier fabric, or a towel, and just lay it on the pad. If dirty, you can quickly take it away and put a clean one on using just one hand while you hold the baby in the other.
PS: This works as long as babies are small and don't move too much. But then again, that's when you have to change them most often... You can always have pillowcases or something similiar later.
This is really cute, love the fabric. I have a couple cheap, solid color changing pad covers from Babies R Us, they work perfectly well. If for some reason they're both in the laundry i just lay a receiving blanket over the changing pad. I've done it on the bare vinyl, but as Pencils said, it's not very comfy for baby!
How cute! I too use a molded change pad ontop of my repurposed drafting table. The table served as my desk at art school and by my sister while at college. It's large flat surface is great for the change pad and all my babies necessities. I have an organic terry cloth cover on the change pad which I really like though, it can get soiled pretty quickly. I have found using a brightly coloured face cloth under my babies bottom helps keep it clean!
eewww. super cute fabric but eeewww. i dont understand why people have changing covers. but i do love the fabric.
re: pillow cases.
We did use a vintage standard size pillow case to cover the ikea gullunge change pad -- it is a great fit. It's a nice way to add some fabric/design elements to the nursery.
We also place a small, flat, organic cotton change pad in the middle - we own several and they are easy to pull off/replace.