Since the new bag has a diaper bag size, a change mat tutorial was sort of required. But there are at least 300 change mat tutorials with quilting cotton… so rather than waste your cute fabric on a what could end in a laundry disaster, I propose this!

Do you like Emmett’s ability to lounge? He was practicing wearing his hat. :)

So, full disclosure, I don’t like to use fancy change mats when I’m out. I use cheap disposable change mats, because baby change rooms here are so gross that I either change Emmett in his stroller or if completely necessary, I use a disposable mat on the table because I don’t want to put a mat back in my bag after its been on the table. That said, this system provides absolutely no padding for his head, so the compromise is one that I could wash the minute I got home (that means no un-washable, only-wipeable combinations of laminated fabric and cotton/nylon, which is like 90% of what I see at the store?) I tested this one and it came through the laundry brilliantly!

Materials:
-1 geeky-or-otherwise t-shirt, as large as possible
-Enough bag making foam or batting to fit your mat, I used half of an 18″ x 58″ package of sew-in Bosal In-R-Form.
-Pins, thread, a walking foot, a hand sewing needle, and jersey machine needles

Smooth and straighten the front and back of the shirt. Draw the largest rectangle you can between the shoulder seams and collar. Mine came out to 17″ by 23″.

Cut out the rectangle and cut off the bottom hem. Place the rectangles right sides together and pin. Round the corners.

 

Cut a piece of foam larger than the rectangle and smooth the fabric out against the foam. I placed the foam next to the wrong side the screen print.

Press lightly from the middle out and remove the pins one by one and re-pin with the foam.

 Use a jersey or ballpoint needle so you don’t rip the fibers in the knit. Go with size 80 or 90 if you can, you need it for the foam. Install your walking foot.

 Sew around the entire mat with a 1/2″ SA, leaving a 6″ opening at one end.

Trim away excess batting, carefully so you don’t cut the fabric or stitches.

 Turn right side out! Smooth the fabric to the edges. Press lightly if you need to. (Don’t iron over any screen printing!)

 Hand stitch the opening closed!

Topstitch 3/8″ from edge with a long (4.0-4.5) stitch.

Fold the mat in half lengthwise and mark the center fold line.

Stitch along the line.

Fold in thirds the other way to mark the other fold lines. Stitch.

Fold fold fold!

Depending on the size (mine is 16″ x 22″) it may fit in the outside pocket of the diaper bag.

In case you thought Emmett held still for long… goodbye hat!

We tried again at pajama time. I give up. Thankfully Emmett stands up while I change him now! :P