Last week I demonstrated how to make the crib skirt for a bedding set for a crib. This week we’ll finish the set by doing the bumper and a pillow.

Bumpers usually have a piping cord or ruffle at the top, but I’ve decided to make a more contemporary style that’s squared and requires a little more time and effort. So for this project you will need:

o 2 yards 54-60-inch wide fabric of your choice, in this case white calico

o 1/2 yard of a contrasting colour, in this case green

o 12 1/2 yards piping cord, in this case navy blue and white

o 4 pieces 2-inck thick foam. 2 measuring 12 inches X 52 inches and 2 measuring 12 inches X 25 inches

o 6 fabric covered buttons to match either the trim colour or the piping cord (optional). Navy blue in this case

o 6 cuts of ribbon/fabric to match either piping cord or trim colour measuring 20 inches long X 1 inch wide, for ties. Navy blue in this case

o 8 pieces of 1/4-inch ribbon each measuring 10 inches long

o 14-inch square pillow form (with a 2-inch thickness all around

You will then:

o Cut 3 pieces of the main (white) fabric measuring 27 inches X 54 inches

o Then cut 1 piece exactly in 2 lengthwise, yielding 2 pieces measuring 27 inches X 27 inches

o Cut 3 strips of the contrasting (green) fabric measuring 54-inches X 3 inches

o Then cut 1 strip equally in 2, yielding 2 pieces measuring 27 inches X 3 inches

o You should now have 4 pieces of your main fabric and 4 pieces of your contrast fabric. Iron all pieces

o You will now attach the ties by measuring and marking the 2 bigger pieces of fabric with 2 dots, 6 1/2 inches down from the top and 12 inches in from the edge and the 2 smaller pieces with a centre dot, 6 1/2 inches from the top and centre from the ends

o Centre ribbon ties over marks and stitch in place

o Fold the length of each fabric in 2 with the right sides facing and stitch one end shut, inserting a piece of 1/2 inch ribbon exactly 6 inches down

o Turn the fabric back over on the right side and lay flat. You will now centre the 3-inch width of the accent fabric with the sewn end of the main fabric making sure that the seam is centred. Between them insert the piping cord with the edge lined up to the edges of both fabrics (pictured). Pin in place to secure and then stitch across, leaving a 1/2-inch unstitched on either side

o Stitch the 3 together on the 2 widths of the bumper and then across the top of the other end

o With the bumper on the right sides, insert foam, ensuring that the edges line up evenly with the piping cord and then fold in raw edges, with another piece of 1/4-inch ribbon 6 inches down. Stitch opening shut

o Repeat with the remaining 3 bumpers

o The 1/4-inch ties will hold the bumper together and the other ties will attach the bumper to the crib rails

o If adding the buttons, mark 6 inches down from the top and 10 inches in from the edges on the wider bumpers, and 6 inches down and dead centre on the 2 shorter sides of the bumper, ensuring these marks line up with the ribbon ties

o You will attach the buttons through the ribbon ties using a long upholstery needle and thick or doubled thread, pulling tight to ensure the button creates a tufted look

For the pillow, I simply:

o Cut a 15 inch square from main fabric (white)

o Cut 2 pieces measuring 15 inches X 9 inches each. For the back of the pillow creating an overlap in which to insert pillow form

o Cut a strip of contrasting fabric (green), measuring 57 inches long X 3 inches wide

o Cut 2 lengths of piping cord measuring 57 inches

o Hem the 9-inch lengths of the back pieces of the pillow, and then pin them together making a perfect 15 inch square. Make sure the finished hems are the overlaps for the opening

o Join the front piece to the piping cord and trim fabric ass you did with the bumper and repeat the other end with the back side of the pillow

o Turn on the right side and insert pillow form

I took my project a little further by personalising the set and adding the baby’s initial to the bumper and pillows, this you would do when the fabric is first cut and before any assembly is done.

I saved a tonne of money by doing it myself, total cost was about $4000, a fraction of the US$ 750 alternative.