Homemade Teething Rail Tutorial

Unfortunately I did not see this idea on Pinterest before my first daughter chewed the finish off the top of the crib rail.  Nevertheless, I did get it sewn and on in time before my second daughter had teeth.  There are so many of these sewn teething rails on Pinterest that I am unsure of who to give credit.

I love this idea because it is way more interesting to look at than an ugly piece of plastic.  It is easily washed by throwing in the washing machine and does a great job of protecting the rail from sharp teeth.  Also, you made it yourself!

I bought these fat quarters at Walmart.  But you could use some of your favourite scraps.  I then quilted them together with a piece of fleece on the back. Hook and loop fasten the piece between the slats below the crib rail.  You could make covers for the side rails as well.  But my girls never seem to have bothered with them.

This is how you can do it step by step:

1. Measure the length of the rail you would like to cover.  Divide it by the number of pieces of fabric you would like to incorporate.  Add a 1" seam allowance to the number you came up with previously.

2.  Cut each piece of cotton fabric into 12" x the measurement from above.

3.  Cut a piece of fleece 12" x (length of the rail + 1")

4.   Place right sides of cotton together and sew the pieces together along the 12" sides with a 1/2" seam allowance.  Keep doing this until all your pieces of cotton are sewn together in a long strip.

5.  Put right sides of your fleece and cotton fabric together.  Sew around the pieces, using a 1/2" seam allowance, leaving a 4" opening. 

6.  Clip corners and turn right side out.  Press and top stitch around the entire piece.  You can also top stitch down each side of fabric to give a quilted look.

7. Hold piece up to crib and mark where the hook and loop should be.  I chose to place a piece every 3 openings.  I wanted it to be secure so that it would not be ripped off.

8.  Sew hook and loop on the teething rail at the appropriate spots.  Attach to the crib and voila!