Materials: fabric, batting, rotary knife, cutting mat, velcro, pins, and sewing machine.
I chose fabric that was similar to the other crib rail cover we have. And since we have a crib rail cover for the front of the crib and we needed one for the side, this tutorial is for a side crib rail cover. But, whether you are doing the front or the side of the crib, it really doesn't matter, you will just have to adjust the measurements accordingly. So, after measuring the rail you will be making the cover for, cut two pieces of fabric and one piece of batting, all exactly the same size. For example, for our crib's side rail, I cut the fabric and batting to 27 x 18 inches.
Next, cut fabric for the straps. I cut five strips of 6 x 4 inches. You may want to measure the slats on the crib to see how many you may need and what spacing would be ideal for your crib.
Cut the velcro into four inch strips.
Next lay the fronts of the fabric together on top of the batting.
Pin the batting and fabric together along all four sides, leaving a space open for turning it right side out.
Sew along the sides and when you get to the last side remember to leave the space open to flip it right side out.
Once you flip it right side out and straighten the fabric out and push the corners out as much as possible, the next step is to sew along the edge for a clean look. I like to sew fairly close to the edge, as you can see in the next photo. I always start sewing just up from the opening, and if it helps you could pin it closed so you don't have to hold it as you sew.
A nice clean edge!
At this point you can move on to the straps. Fold the first piece of fabric over so the front of the fabric is on the inside and sew along the edge and the top so that one end is closed. When you're done turn it inside out, and then sew along the edge on each side and top end to flatten the strap and make nice clean edges. I always sew the side with the seam first and then the other side.
Next step is placing the velcro on the strap and sewing it on. The easiest thing is to have bought velcro that has adhesive sides so that you can just stick it on and not have to worry about pinning the velcro. Sew all four sides of the velcro on to the strap.
Fold over the end of the strap and pin it to keep it in place.
Next thing you want to do is figure out the spacing from one strap to the other, I chose four inches for mine.
And sew them on to the rail cover. I like to sew in two places, along the edge of the fold and then along the edge of the rail cover.
Then sew the other side of the velcro on, just as you did with the straps, and make sure each piece of velcro you put on the rail cover side matches up with where the straps will fold up to.
All done! : )
