How to Make Nursing Shawls

Breastfeeding is back and breastfeeding in public is becoming more popular than ever before. One way to make feeding your baby a little more modest in public is to sew a nursing shawl. Nursing shawls are long, blanket-like cover-ups with an apron strap that prevents the baby from pulling it down. While you can buy nursing shawls from baby stores and online retailers, you can just as easily make your own within an hour and for a fraction of the cost.

Instructions

1

Wash and dry your fabric to prevent the final product from shrinking.

2

Cut a 40 by 36 inch piece of fabric and set aside. Cut one strap measuring 4-by-20 inches. Cut a second strap measuring 4-by-8 inches.

3

Place the large piece of fabric wrong side up on an ironing safe surface. Fold the edges in 1/4 inch and then 1/2 inch, pressing the fabric down both times. Iron the folded fabric to create the hem.

4

Place the straps wrong side up on the ironing safe surface and fold in the edges 1/4 inch. Fold the straps in half width wise, to make long, thin straps with the raw edges tucked in. Iron the folded straps.

5

Sew along the hem of the main piece and sew the straps closed.

6

Place the D-rings onto the shorter strap and fold one edge over them about 2 inches into the strap. Sew the D-rings in place on the strap.

7

Position both straps along one long side of the main piece, roughly 6 inches in on both sides. Sew the straps in place.

8

Weave the long strap through the D-rings.