My first attempt at making a cover for my colostomy bag
I was not aware until about 8 months after having my ostomy bag that some people made/sold pretty covers for our pouches. I discovered it by seeing an image that a chap had posted on Twitter with his bag hanging over the top of his summer shorts. What caught my eye was that it was of the Welsh National Flag. I clicked to like his post, and then because I thought it was a great idea to wear a pretty cover I instantly thought how about making one or more for myself.
Before attempting to make one myself, I set about looking to see if some Ostomates not only made their own but made them to sell to give me an idea of how to make one. Etsy I thought would be the best place to look.
I found a lady who lived in Wales that I really liked the patterns of the covers she made. I ordered just the one to see if it would fit my bag, and also see if she was a good seamstress before I ordered anymore.
See photo of the Bumble Bees. Lovely cover. Well made, a little extra give inside and easy to get on and off. “Perfect” I thought. So I set about making one myself.
The most difficult part of drawing out and cutting out the pattern for one was to get the size of the hole at the back of the pouch just right, which is the part where the bag comes through once the bag is stuck to ones skin. Too large and it would slip off the pouch and to small and it wouldn't go over the bag.
The best thing about wearing a cover is that the actual bag isn’t touching the skin making it sweaty and sometimes irritating. No need to wear special undies with a pouch pocket inside.
The one on image on the left is what I bought from Etsy for a pattern and the two images middle and right are the front and back of the one I made.
They've both been worn and washed a few times and as I do not iron them they do look a bit wrinkled. I keep meaning to make myself some more. I will get around to it soon.