Previously I posted How to make bell shaped suck pads. This is my post showing the first set I made no padding suck pads https://craftycincin.wordpress.com/2015/03/14/corner-suck-pads/. Please Check out Katie’s KPs tutorial here I used this as my base for this project.–> http://katieskps.blogspot.com/2015/02/corner-drool-pad-tutorial.html
My Inspiration for the project is the stack of fabric I have sitting aside to make so many different type of buckle padded carriers. I wanted an easy way to test out whether or not I liked the padding. I also find myself thinking once in a while that it would be nice to have padded straps on my mei tai when I do back carriers. However, I did not want to make a third mei tai carrier so I thought why not make a slip on padding for the occasion that I would prefer an ergo ish feel instead of a wrap strap feel. So I started with the same pattern in my previous post. However, when I sewed it Instead of using 1/4″ seam allowance I used 3/4.” because the suck pads in the previous size just fall off my straps while trying to put the baby on.
Materials :
1 yard fabric for outer layers ( I used quilters cotton )
3/4 to 1 yard fleece (you could use less if you do it the way I did it instead of the way I suggested that may make the process easier.)
1″ nu foam padding
10 Pairs of Kam Snaps
1. To start with I laid out my pattern and traced the bell shape. I then increased the length of the pattern using a straight ruler to 16″ from the bottom of the bell to the top of the suck pad. I forgot to take a picture of this step but if you need it let me know and I will make one. Each layer of the pattern is three pieces. a full bell shape and two pieces that are about 2/3 of the bell shape. You will need 4 sets (two inner layers and two outer layers) of these made from your outer fabrics make sure you cut them all the same or they will not line up (don’t flip your pattern upside down or cut one on the wrong side of the fabric and one on the right side).
2. You will also need 2 sets of what you are using for absorbent material. I cut mine kind of funky you could also cut your absorbent material the same way as your inner and outer layers then sew the padding to it instead of the sleeve I did. I cut my bell shape out the same as the pattern but cut it a little short at 6.5″
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Once those pieces are cut I cut my piece to make a sleeve for the nu foam padding I cut two pieces at 11.5″ x 8.5″
3. Cut your padding Mine was 2.5″ x 9″
4. Sew all the sets of fabric inner outer and middle layers following the previous mentioned tutorial. I used 3/4″ seam allowance because I wanted my strap to fit snug and the pattern is for KP straps.
5. Take the fleece square and fold in half making it 11.5″ x 4.25″ Insert padding into the fold I left about an inch from padding to the top to make sure my sewing machine had plenty fabric to grip. I then pinned the fabric snugly around the padding. Using the zipper foot on my machine I straight stitched across the top and then down the one open long side of the fabric. this created the sleeve. I then ran one straight stitch with the longest stitch I had down the center of the padding so it did not roll or shift inside my tube. trim off excess as close to stitching as you feel comfortable. along your stitched edges. DO not trim off the open end.
6. I then Lined up the padded sleeve with the absorbent bell shape. Centering it on the center panel and not overlapping the padding area. You should have 1″ to sew to the bell shape. I simply sewed a box to attach each foam pad to the fleece bottom bell.
7. Sew all your other pieces together following the original tutorial
8. Assemble your Suck pads by layering the fabrics … outer layer right side up, outer layer right side down… fleece layer with padding. Take special care to pin the curve shapes matching. You can see this step in the original tutorial.
9. Sew all pieces together using a 1/4″ seam allowance. Leave enough space to turn the materials and fit the padding through. I left open top center in my case from seam to seam.
10. Turn fabric inside right and press seams.
11. Top stitch around the entire shape take special care to make sure you line up your opening. I Folded one layer over the top of my padding and then matched that seam to the other layer so that the fleece was caught in the top stitching to prevent slippage. when you are done they should look like this but taller.
12. Once all that was done I set both suck pads on top of each other and punched holes for my kam snaps using an ice pick. I punched through both suck pads at the same time to make sure my snaps were in the same location on each suck pad. The center of my Kam snaps is about 1/2″ from the edge of my fabric. I Put 5 Kam snaps on each suck pad.
13. Snap together and then you are ready to go.
“Final Size 16.5’h x 4.5″W on the straight area x 6.5″ at the widest part of the bell.”
I did not want snaps against my skin So snaps face away from your body when you put these straps on your carrier. Mine are reversible so there is nothing holding it to the carrier. IF you did not want them reversible you could put a cam snap where the bell meets your carrier and easily snap it into place so it doesn’t move while putting baby into carrier. Also my insertion point where my wrap straps meet my carrier is 3.5″ wide which is why my pads were made to this size if yours are wider or narrower your could adjust accordingly.
This is the first use of the padded straps. They will take some getting used to I didn’t quite pull my straps tight enough when I tightened my carrier because I could not feel the pressure. They are very comfy I am impressed by the cushyness of the simple nu foam 1″ padding.
Edit: I wore them today with baby in a front carry. It was very comfy with the exception that I tried to spread my wrap straps and seems I tightened one spot more then another and created a pressure point. I will try again and get pictures. I do however suggest next time I will tighten my strap section by section more like a wrap less like a mei tai to prevent the same issue from occurring.
craftycincin 