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How to make an Ostomy Bag Cover Pattern

Let me show you how easy it is to make your own ostomy bag cover pattern!! I was amazed to learn that here in the UK there are approximately 10 different sizes and shapes of ostomy pouches, therefore it is not so easy to buy the right size and shape of ostomy cover. 

 

ostomy bag cover pattern

I was recently asked to make some ostomy pouch covers for a fellow Mum in the local community, after a hard few months receiving treatment for cancer she is cancer free. Her lasting marks are scars from a surgical procedure and an ostomy pouch, the least I can do is make her some stoma bag covers out of soft fabric.

When I shared with her my prototype she immediately put it on and remarked about the difference with having soft fabric against her skin as opposed to the plastic of the bag.

 

free ostomy bag cover pattern

Today I am showing you how to make your own pattern for your drainable pouch.

Ostomy Bag Cover Pattern

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RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES:

 

    • Cotton fabric – fat quarter
    • 1/2 yard (1/2 meter) bias binding
    • Paper and pencils
    • Scissors

If you like video tutorials check out my you tube video How to make an ostomoy pouch cover.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GenFYGsWmGs&t=3s

The first thing we need to do is create a custom pattern for your own stoma bag cover. Grab two pencils and a piece of paper. Place the ostomy pouch onto your paper. Hold your two pencils together and draw around the pouch.

The reason we are using two pencils is that we are adding the seam allowance for the pattern at 3/8″.

 

how to make an ostomy bag cover

 

Next we need to add a circular opening, I have used a mug as a template. Do play with some scraps of fabric to check the circular opening size. My first ostomy pouch cover had too large an opening. Place the mug over the circular part of the ostomy pouch, pull the pouch out from below, and draw the circular opening onto the paper template.

 

Ostomy bag covers make your own

 

Now let’s think about fabric selection, you do not want to choose fabric that could cause skin irritation so I recommend a lightweight cotton or a poly blend fabric.

Cut out three pieces of fabric, set one aside as the front piece of the bag, the other two are for the back of the bag which create a flap opening, to allow easy access to the drain.

For the second fabric piece cut out a circular hole and cut off approx 2 1/2″ from the base, creating the upper section of the back. For the third piece of fabric cut across at approximately  5″ from the bottom to create the lower section at the back, thus you have two pieces of fabric with a two-inch overlap for the back piece.

 

How to make an improvised colostomy bag

 

Overlock or zig-zag the straight edges of the flap, turn over to the wrong side and press a small seam approx 3/8″ (1cm), topstitch in place.

 

ostomy cover ups

 

Next, let’s finish the circular inner edge with bias binding. Choose soft bias binding, fold in half encasing the raw edge. Topstitch to secure in place.

Now place the pattern pieces right sides together and pin the outer edge. The layers of fabric shown below are the outer side of the bag right side facing, then the circular hole piece of fabric wrong side facing, followed by the last piece of short fabric, wrong side facing.

 

stoma bag cover

 

Overlocker all around the edge of the ostomy pouch cover, if you don’t have an overlocker then machine stitch around and finish the raw edges with a zigzag stitch. Alternatively, you can encase the raw edges in bias binding.

 

stoma covers

 

Turn the new ostomy bag right sides out.

ileostomy bag covers

 

I have made a variety including an ostomy shower cover from shower curtain fabric. I am hoping this will make showering easier for my friend but it is yet to be tested out.

 

stoma cover shower

 

 The flap type of closure allows the wearer to pull out the drain without removing the cover from the colostomy bag.

Please don’t be intimidated by this project, once you get started it is straight forward.

 

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Sarah Hardy

Monday 9th of May 2022

Thanks so much, just recovering from surgery that’s left me with an ileostomy, this will be my first project when I’m able to lift mymachine and fabric box. I’m anxious about my bag showing below a top so can coordinate with my clothes! Appreciate you sharing the pattern x

Jean Becker

Wednesday 29th of September 2021

I imagine shower curtain fabric could be used as a pouch liner. In an effort to decrease clean up from any pouch leaks a liner may prove to be handy.

Marianne Johns

Tuesday 2nd of February 2021

Love this DIY instructions.....it's hard to tell, but does this pattern make that there's the small opening/pocket like to check the bag vs taking the whole cover off?

Vicky

Tuesday 2nd of February 2021

The pattern has a small opening at the bottom to empty the bag, a slit opening on the back to take it on and off (a bit like an envelope cushion) and the circular opening. I hope this helps.

Annette Deardurff

Sunday 13th of October 2019

What a great idea! I wish I would have thought of that when my dear momma was still alive. I know she would have loved them! And they are likely easy to wash, too!! Thanks for sharing!

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