shower curtain resurrection

When I exchanged our old shower curtain for a new, white, clean one, I noticed that apart from the lower 1/5th the old curtain was as good as new and instead of tossing it, I kept it with the hope of finding a way of repurposing it. Now with the baby on her way and my mental list of 'things we should perhaps get' growing longer I finally found a new life for the shower curtain: a changing pad (easy to fold and carry with you) and a matching diaper pouch. Here's how I made them:

Materials 

- shower curtain piece (18,5'' x 29'')

- outside fabric and thin wadding (18,5'' x 29'')

- 2 pieces of fabric for pillow (9'' x 7'')

- 1 button

- matching thread

Cut one 5'' x 2'' stripe of fabric for the button loop and fold it right sides together. Then sew a tube, trim the excessive seam allowance and turn to the right side. You could use a loop turner, but if  you don't have one use a chopstick and poke carefully (that's my method) or you could attach a small safety pin to one end of the loop, then pass it through the tunnel pulling the loop out. Topstitch the the loop close to the edge.

To cut your curves, mark your outside fabric 2'' from each corner of the fabric. Then use a round object, like a bowl, place it so that it meets both of your marks and use it as a ruler to trace the curve. Also mark and cut your shower curtain like you did the outside fabric.

Do the same for the squares that will become your mock-pillow. The invisible part of the pillow should be a fair fabric that will not show when laid under the main fabric. Pin the two pieces together, right sides facing, and leaving a little opening sew them together. Turn right side out and sew the opening close.

Pin your wadding onto the outside fabric, wrong sides facing, and baste both pieces together. Next sew your pillow piece in place onto the shower curtain (see picture). Pin the shower curtain to the outside fabric, wrong sides facing. Also pin the loop sandwiched between both layers with only the raw ends peeking out. Sew the layers together leaving one opening (ca. 6'').

Turn right side out. Divide the fabric in 3 equal parts horizontally and into three parts (1/4, 2/4, 1/4) vertically and sew 4 straight stitches marking these lines; they will become the fold lines. Next topstitch along the outer edge of the pad (I used a simple zigzag stitch) closing your opening while doing so.

Sew a button in place and voila, your done.

For the diaper pouch you'll need:

- 25'' x 9'' outside fabric 

- 25'' x 9'' shower curtain

- one button

Cut curves on one side (like you've done before) for the closing flap of the pouch, both for the outside fabric and the shower curtain. Make a loop hole like you did for the pad. Then fold the outside fabric (see picture), pin in place and sew the side seams together. Press the seam allowance open (only for the outside fabric, the shower curtain most definitely should not make the acquaintance of the hot iron). Repeat with the shower curtain part.

Now you are going to make corners to add depth to the pouch. Fold the outside fabric at the corners so that the seam is in the middle of the corner. Measure on 1'' from the point of the corner and mark the line with a pin which you'll sew along. Trim the corner behind this stitch. Repeat for the opposite corner and repeat again for the shower curtain part.

Put the outside and shower curtain parts into one another with the right sides facing. Pin the button loop in place and sew along the pouch opening including the flap leaving a little gap. Turn right sides out through the gap and sew it close by topstitching the entire pouch opening. Sew the button in place and you're done.

And here is the complete afterlife of the shower curtain; diaper pouch and changing pad. 

* In case you were wondering, the flower fabric is Liberty's Nancy Ann bought here.

Comments

[Katie]

Great idea!

[Nike]

This is a very good idea! I think I´m going to make a diape pouch like this! (But just to mention for the next time, no need to by new shower curtains, event the plastic ones will get perfectly clean in the washing mashine!!)