Super Easy Knit Nursing Cover

Learn how to make a super easy 360 degree coverage nursing cover out of knit fabric.

With older kids at home, I’m going to have to be a little bit more discreet nursing the new baby. Plus we’ve got a summer full of outings and activities where I may not be at home for feedings. I already have the traditional nursing cover, the kind that’s basically a square of fabric with a neck strap. But I love the idea of having something that covers me from all angles, so I decided to make a nursing cover that is more like a poncho or circle shirt (kind of like the one I made HERE).

I started with one yard of super soft, lightweight knit fabric I found for $1/yd at WalMart. (You just never know when they are going to get good stuff in their bargain section!) Choose something that will be breathable and preferably non-wrinkley.

My camera is dying a sad death, so I drew up some instructions for you to follow instead of taking pictures:

Materials Needed

• 1 Yard Knit Fabric (something that won’t fray)
• Matching Thread
• Fabric Scissors
• Rotary Cutter + Quilting Mat + Ruler

Instructions

Step 1. Fold your fabric in half and square up all the sides. Then cut a 2 inch strip from the long end of the fabric and save this piece for later.

Step 2. Fold the fabric in half again, so that it’s in fourths.

Step 3: Cut a neck hole from the corner of the fabric that would be in the center if you opened the fabric up all the way. My hole measured about 3 1/2 inches from the corner to where I cut on each edge. You want a big enough hole that you can peak in on baby, but small enough that it stays on your shoulders and doesn’t gap or hang open.

Step 4: With right sides together (meaning the cover is inside out), sew up the side seams, leaving holes at the top for your arms to go through. I sewed it up about 3/4 of the way, then tried it on and adjusted from there. I left the bottom and side edges raw, but you could easily finish them by folding the edges under or doing a narrow hem on your serger. I just figured that was an extra step that I didn’t need to do since knit fabric doesn’t fray.

Step 5: Finish off the neckline using the 2 inch strip of fabric you cut in the beginning. Basically, you are going to use the strip of fabric like it’s binding tape. Starting in the back center of the neck hole, line up the edge of the neck with one edge of the strip, right sides together. Sew around the entire circle. Then fold the fabric around to the back and sew it down again. Here’s a close up of mine:

Then you are all done! I love how the cover looks like a shirt but has plenty of room for baby:

…or Heart the Pink Bear if your baby hasn’t come yet and you need something to model with:

I am excited to try this new type of cover. I’ll let you know how I like it. Three weeks and counting!

** Update: I’ve been using my cover for two months now and I adore it! It has been great when we’ve had family gatherings and I have to nurse in public. I would make it again in a heartbeat! I love, love, love the 360 degree coverage.