How to Make Adult Clothing Protectors

While it may seem counterintuitive, adult clothing protectors can be a means of helping to retain the dignity and independence of older adults, developmentally disabled individuals, or other adults who may have trouble during meal times by allowing them to continue feeding themselves while keeping their normal clothing stain-free. Additionally, since making your own adult clothing protectors is simple enough for even inexperienced sewers, you can create something fashionable and still easy to clean. For single-layer protectors, a thin terrycloth or pre-quilted fabric works well, while cotton/poly blends with a more absorbent flannel backing is recommended for double-layer protectors.

Measure and cut your fabric into a 19-inch by 27-inch rectangle (medium size) or a 21-inch by 37-inch rectangle (large size). If making a double-layer protector, cut the appropriate size rectangle out of each fabric, layer the flannel or absorbent layer on the bottom and keep the right sides facing out throughout the project.

Fold your fabric panel in half length-wise. Along the fold, measure about 4 inches from the top and cut a half-circle approximately 8 inches in diameter. When you open the fold, you should have a circle for the neck.

At the top of the circle, cut a slit in the fabric from the neckhole to the edge of the fabric.

Hem around outside edges of your fabric panel, including the neckhole, by folding the fabric under 1/4 inch, and then folding another 1/4 inch and stitching. Alternatively, you can use bias tape or other binding to cover the raw edges.

Sew one side of the velcro to the front edge of one side of the slit you cut at the top of the neckhole. Sew the other side of the velcro to the opposite edge on the back, so that when you place the adult clothing protector around your neck, the velcro closes the neckhole.