Plus: Bonus Project! Incline Pillow Cover

Featured Fabric: Henry Glass Fabrics Magical Desert by Mayo Moreno

Pattern design by: Lindsay Conner

Sewn by: Lindsay Conner

Looking for a simple, satisfying baby sewing project that instantly elevates your nursery décor? Sewing your own changing pad cover is one of the easiest ways to personalize a nursery, add soft handmade touches, and play with adorable fabrics that match your theme. If you’re stitching a thoughtful baby shower gift, this beginner-friendly tutorial shows you how to customize a standard changing pad (about 32” long x 16” wide x 4” tall) with just a few seams and some elastic!

This project is perfect for anyone new to easy sewing for beginners and a great skill-builder if you’re interested in making more nursery sewing projects like crib sheets, wedge pillow covers, and mattress protectors. Once you’ve made one, you’ll be amazed at how quickly you can whip up covers for every corner of the nursery. Ready to sew something practical, cute, and totally customizable? Let’s go!

Skills Learned: Machine sewing

Skill Level: Beginner

Finished Size: 32” x 16” x 4” (78.74cm x 40.64cm x 10.16cm)

Fabric Requirements:

1 1/2 yards (1.37m) of cotton quilting fabric (can be pieced together from different prints to get a 48” x 32” cut). I used:

• 2073-64 Matcha
• 2080-48 Butterscotch

Materials:

Sewing machine

Scissors

Rotary cutter, ruler, and mat

Sewing clips and pins

36” of 1/4”-wide elastic

Cutting Directions:

1. For this project, you’ll need a 48” x 32” rectangle of fabric, which is easily cut from 1.5 yards. Since I had only 1-yard cuts, I added a strip of a second print to each 32” end of my main fabric to lengthen it to 48” total. This is largely hidden in the project, so you’ll get the effect of still having a single fabric!

For example, you could sew (2) 6.5” x 32” strips to opposite sides of a 36” x 32” main fabric for a total rectangle of 48” x 32”.

2. With right sides facing, fold the fabric rectangle in half vertically, and then fold it in half horizontally. Place the raw edges to the top and left, and the fold edges to the bottom and right. Use a rotary cutter and ruler to remove an 8” square through all layers cutting from the top left corner with raw edges on both sides. Add the 8” fabric squares to your scrap bin—you won’t need this for this project.

3. Here’s what the fabric should look like with the corners removed.

4. Choose one corner, and bring the two sides of your cut square together with right sides facing. Use sewing clips or pins to hold them in place. Repeat with all four corners.

5. Stitch along the clipped edges using a 1/4” seam allowance to create four boxed corners. Make sure to backstitch at the start and end of each row.

6. Next, we’ll create the casing for the elastic! Fold down the raw edge by 1/2” all around the edge of your changing pad cover. Then fold it down again to create a smooth edge. Press with a hot iron and clip the edges in place as you press.

7. Take your changing pad to the sewing machine. Add two sewing pins about 2” apart on one long edge.

8. Top stitch all along the clipped edge to make an elastic casing. Leave the 2” portion between sewing pins unstitched for now.

9. Insert the sharp point of a safety pin into the end of a 36” cut of 1/4”-wide elastic. Gently insert the closed safety pin into the elastic pocket, scrunching the fabric as you go. Tip: Use a second safety pin to secure the other end of elastic to the changing pad cover near the opening so it doesn’t “get lost” inside the casing (not pictured).

10. Once you’ve fed the elastic completely through the casing, bring the two elastic ends together. Pull them away from the fabric (unpinning the second side if you pinned it earlier). Sew the ends together using a zigzag stitch, going over it several times.

11. Stretch out the cover again, letting the elastic get tucked inside evenly throughout. Use a straight stitch to sew down the 2” portion of the elastic casing that you left open earlier.

12. The changing pad cover will look something like this! From the front, it will appear as one fabric print, even if you used two fabrics.

If you prefer to use a fabric other than quilting cotton, you can try minky/Cuddle fabric, or flannel for a softer touch. It’s easy to sew up a few of these covers and toss them in the washer as needed!

Bonus Project! Incline Pillow Cover

I used a similar method to sew a cover for this incline pillow! My wedge pillow measured 24” wide x 24” long x 9” high on the tall edge (you’ll use the tallest height and ignore the lesser height). To get the cut dimensions for your pillow or mattress (i.e. for sewing crib sheets), use this formula:

• Fabric Width = Mattress/Pillow Width + (2 × Height) + 9"
• Fabric Length = Mattress/Pillow Length + (2 × Height) + 9"
• Cut Corner Size = Height + 3"

Fabric Width = 24” + (18”) + 9” = 51”

Fabric Length = 24” + (18) + 9” = 51”

Cut Corner Size = 12”

I cut (4) 12” corners out of a 51” square piece of fabric.

Once you’ve cut out the fabric, you can follow steps 2 through 12 above to finish making your incline pillow cover!

Yep, that’s all it takes to sew your own custom cover for a special pillow or changing pad. With just a yard or two of fabric and beginner-friendly techniques, you’ve created a practical piece that adds color, comfort, and handmade charm to any nursery. This simple project opens the door to all kinds of baby sewing and nursery sewing adventures—crib sheets, pack and play covers, and more.

If you’re just getting started with sewing, consider this a confidence-boosting win. Easy elastic-edge projects like this one are perfect for building skills and experimenting with fabrics you love. Keep exploring, keep creating, and enjoy every stitch as you craft a cozy, beautiful space for baby. Happy sewing!

To view the complete Magical Desert collection and more, click here.