I was recently asked, by a close friend’s sister, to make a slipcover for her stethoscope. I’ve never worked in the healthcare field and didn’t realize, until I had a stethoscope in my hands, how uncomfortable that rubber-like tubing is against the back of your neck. Not to mention, they’re just not that cute. I know, they’re meant to be functional, but there’s nothing wrong with bringing a little personality into your job.
These are not hard to make and would make a great gift for the healthcare professional in your life.
I made this one for my friend’s sister.
And it reverses to this.
Yep, I said it’s reversible. Then I started thinking – how fun would it be to have a Christmas version?
If you’d like to make one yourself, you’ll need this pattern. You should pre-wash your cotton fabric so the cover can be washed without shrinking.
Cut two pieces for the outside and two for the lining. Cut two pieces of iron-on interfacing from just the top u-shaped portion of the pattern. You’ll also need 4 pieces of 1/2” Velcro, each 1” long. It’s not pictured, but it also requires 5 1/2” of 3/8” wide elastic.
Apply the interfacing to the wrong side of one outside and one lining piece.
Sew the loop side of the Velcro onto the outside interfaced piece 1/2” from the top edge and 3/8” from the inside edge of the “U.” Sew the next piece 1” away from the first and 3/8” from the edge. Repeat on the opposite side. Sew the hook sides to the interfaced lining piece in the same manner.
Lay the outside pieces right sides together. Stitch 1/4” from the outside edge on both sides. Leave the inside of the “U”, the top edges and the bottom edge open. Clip seam at corners. Press the seams open. Do the same with the lining.
Turn the outside right side out. Stuff it into the lining with the Velcro pieces on opposite sides. Match the edges on the upper and inside edges of the “U”. Stitch 1/4” from the edge.
Turn right side out through the bottom.
Stuff the lining into the outside. Press the upper edge and topstitch.
Zigzag stitch the outside and lining edges together at the bottom.
Turn the bottom edge up 1/4” to the outside, then up again 1/2” to create a casing for the elastic. Stitch close to the upper fold, leaving 1” open.
Feed the elastic through the casing using the opening. Stitch the ends of the elastic together, then stitch the casing closed.
Slide in your stethoscope, then fold in the edges at the top so the Velcro can connect. To reverse it, pull the entire thing through the top and attach the Velcro the other way.
That’s it! Not difficult, a reasonable amount of supplies, pretty and practical.
Happy Holidays to all the people out there helping to keep us healthy!
I love this! Now I know what to make for my doctor’s nurses for Christmas next year. I think they will love them. Maybe I can even make some seasonal ones. Or I can make them for the RNs in our family!
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What a great idea! I’m going to make a few for my daughter. Thanks!
Woot!!! My hubby is a nurse and he’s been wanting me to make one of these. Thanks so much for sharing and the link!!!
Thanks everyone! I hope all those nurses out there love them!
I’m an Infection Prevention and Control Manager and must say these are not a good idea. Your stethoscope should be cleaned, tube and all, with a saniwipe between each patient.
When you have this around your neck you are wearing a germ necklace all shift. They are not allowed in my facility.
Sorry to be a party pooper
Cathy,
As long as they are made out of a scrub type material (such as a tight weave poly/cotton blend) whats the difference? Patient’s come into contact with our scrubs all the time and we don’t saniwipe our clothes between every patient. Skin oils and sweat break down the tubing and are bad for stethoscopes. I would think that the tight weave cloth used to make scrubs (which is used because germs don’t stick to it as easily) is much more sanitary than the permanent rope weave that is also used. At least cloth can be washed.
This is a great idea. My twin was just asking me on the phone if I had seen these and I found your post when I did a Google Search. What are the dimensions of the fabric for each of the 4 pieces?
Those are about 9 1/2″ by 30″. Good luck!
I love this! Thank You so much for sharing. I just recently got hired in as a home health aid and I think this would make a great conversation starter with my new clients :0)
Definitely! Good luck with it Sara!
nice job we prefer the straight top and surgical snap. http://www.surgicalcaps.com
how much material does it take to make one?
You’ll need about a yard of each, but you will have quite a bit left over.
Staci, Thanks for the cute patterns. My daughter starts her nursing career on Monday, this will be an awesome good luck gift for her. Can’t wait to make her come holiday pattern ones to change things up. I’m sure she can wash them in hot water when she washes her scrubs and germs will vanish as well as they can.
I’m sure she’ll love it Michelle!
This looks amazing!! But for some reason I’m unable to open the link to the pattern? Would really love to make one (or two) for myself and for a friend.. Please help!
I’m not having any trouble opening it, but if you’d like to send me your email address I can email it to you instead!
I am in school studying Surgical Technology and have been looking for some ideas of things I could make to help me with tuition ($37,00 for two years!!!) and this pattern is perfect! I will not be wearing a stethoscope, but I am in many classes with students who will be!! Thank you So much for sharing your pattern with us. I’ve looked at A LOT of covers, but this one, by far is the BEST one I have seen. Makes me jealous I will not be wearing one. I have made up little cards to put on the covers and I put your wed-site on it and told them they definitely needed to check it out, that you have A LOT of wonderful ideas. Again, thank you so much for such a unique and wonderful pattern!!!
June Hearn
Hi June! The patterns I share here are for personal use only, and can’t be sold, but if you’d like to give your classmates gifts of new stethoscope covers I’m sure they’d love it!
Hello Staci I would like to make them but not reversrable then how would you finish the part around the neck? Really like these thanks for the ideas
Even if you aren’t going to use it as a reversible cover, I’d still recommend lining it to make it durable, so you’d still finish it the same way. You also need it so the velcro has something to stick to. Good luck Karen!