How to Fix the Mesh Sides on Your Baby Bassinet

Baby bassinets with mesh sides are much safer for your child than bassinets with non-permeable material sides. The Consumer Products Safety Commission says the mesh allows for much more airflow within the bassinet, and should your child move so that his face is touching the side, his airflow will not be restricted. Like all products for children, these bassinets should be in good condition without tears, rips, holes or other damage to ensure your child's safety. If damage does occur to the bassinet, the problem can be fixed rather easily.

Measuring tape
New mesh fabric (cut to the exact dimensions of the current mesh side)
Scissors
Fabric glue
Needle
Thread
Safety pins
4 pieces of fabric approximately 1/2 inch thick to use as a border for the mesh

Instructions

- 1
  Evaluate the damage to the mesh and determine which parts of the bassinet will need to be replaced. Typically, most bassinets have four separate sides, making it four completely separate pieces of mesh on each side. The mesh is then attached to a fabric cover for the sides.
- 2
  Determine if the entire mesh side needs to be repaired, or if it's only a small hole. If the hole is less than 1/4 inch, it could easily be repaired by simply sewing the hole up with strong thread. However, if there is a large rip or hole, you may need to replace the entire side.
- 3
  Measure the entire portion of the mesh on that side. You should not just repair the one damaged part, but instead replace the entire side of mesh. This will ensure the highest amount of safety for your child and prevent any new holes or tears from developing around the repair.
- 4
  Locate flexible mesh fabric and another thin, air-permeable fabric at your local fabric or craft store. These can be easily found, and typically costs less than $5 a yard. Cut the fabric to size of the side(s) that will be replaced. Also, cut your other fabric choice as your border for the mesh to size. This will be used as a border around the mesh to help keep it in place on the side of the bassinet.
- 5
  Remove the old mesh side from the bassinet. Use scissors to cut out the old mesh on the side. Remove all pieces so there are no remaining threads hanging.
- 6
  Cut the other fabric you purchased to fit around the mesh as a border. This border should be no more than 1/2 inch thick.
- 7
  Glue the fabric border to the edge of the mesh border. Allow it to dry for at least 1 hour.
- 8
  Pin the mesh with the fabric border to the side of the bassinet with safety pins. This will keep it in place as you sew it to the existing fabric on the bassinet itself.
- 9
  Sew the mesh, using a thread and needle, with the fabric border to the side of the bassinet. Make sure the mesh is tight and securely in place as you sew it. If you are able to remove the entire fabric cover on the bassinet, you may find it easier to use a sewing machine for this process to get a tighter stitch.

How to Make a Kid's Loft Bed

How to Paint a White Crib Cherry Satin

Kids Furniture