Topponcino Tutorial

I'm very much a "fly by the seat of your pants" type of sewer, so I unfortunately don't have a pattern or very precise measurements for the topponcino.  However, I can share with you how I made it and you can check out the pictures of my topponcino, in case you want to make your own.

Materials:
  • muslin fabric (or other thin cotton fabric) for topponcino
  • soft cotton fabric for cover
  • cotton batting
  • embroidery thread
  • sewing machine (or needle and thread)
Cut out two ellipses from the muslin, about 30 inches long by 15 inches wide (leave 1/4" seam allowance).  Place right sides together and sew along the edge of the ellipse, leaving about 12" open (so you can insert the batting).  Turn the sewn pieces inside out so the right sides are showing.

Place the muslin ellipse on top of several layers of batting (3-4 layers, depending on the thickness of the batting and on how thick you want your topponcino to be).  Trace the elliptical shape on the batting and then cut an ellipse from the layers of batting.  Insert these layers of batting into the muslin ellipse, making sure that they don't bunch up.



Using embroidery thread, sew through the muslin and batting at several points on the surface of the ellipse so that the batting stays in place.  Then sew the open gap in the muslin.  Now you have a topponcino.

To make the topponcino cover (like a pillow case), place your topponcino on your cotton fabric and trace the ellipse, leaving a 1" seam allowance.  This will be the top of the topponcino cover.



To make the underside of the cover, repeat the process of tracing on the cotton fabric but this time make the resulting elliptical shape about 4-5" longer than the previous ellipse (so you can have an open seam from which to remove the topponcino).  Cut this longer piece in half and hem the straight edges.  Match up the top and underside of the cover, with right sides facing each other.  Sew all around the ellipse (note: the two underside pieces will overlap a little bit).  Turn the cover inside-out and iron.



Insert the topponcino in the cover and you're done!  I suggest you make 2-3 covers, especially if your little one is prone to spitting up.

Happy sewing, and let me know if you have any questions!

3 comments

3 Montessori Inspired Baby Care Tips
 

[…] If you are beginning to understand the Montessori way of looking at things, you would know that observing, respecting and preparing the environment for the child is paramount. So with the newborn, we would want the child to be as comfortable as possible. We do not want too much of a shock to her system as the child transitions from the womb to the outside world. So our solution is to provide an environment that is similar. We already talked about this last week, but the point I want to make here is the kind of cloth, the materials we use for beddings, and how we keep the child warm. Swaddling the child in blankets is not the best. Why? In the womb, your child was free to move about and move her limbs and body at will, but now all the blanket does is restrict all movement! This is not smooth transitioning, it’s frustrating and so unfair to your newborn. So please if you really want to help your child, think again before you just copy and do all things baby you have been used to in the past. Another important thing is the kind of blankets you use to carry the baby. Is it soft, smooth or harsh on the skin of the child? Anything unsuitable would irritate your child’s skin. There is something I know that is used a lot now by Montessori Mothers called the topponcino, made of cotton and wool it is not a wrap but is flexible enough to use as a mat and a carry-cloth when you pass the baby to others. You may want to visit the following page to see how easy it is to make a topponcino: https://thefullmontessori.wordpress.com/2012/02/23/topponcino-tutorial/ […]
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Pilar B.
 

And who has time to be doing laundry daily?! :)
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The Topponcino Company
 

Perfect! Definitely agree with needing 2-3 covers. As we know, babies can get a little messy!
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