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What you need
34 inch x 6.5 inch piece of cotton fabric
Approx. 86 cm x 16.5 cm
2.5 inches / 6 cm of narrow elastic
1 inch square of Velcro
or one press stud / snap fastener
Sewing machine or needle and thread
Scissors or rotary cutter
Pins or clips
Safety pin or turning tool
Iron
Instructions
If you’ve ever had a stethoscope sitting around your neck for hours, you’ll know that the rubber tubing is not exactly what we’d call cosy. It can pull at your skin, collect makeup, rub against your neck, and generally look a little boring after a long shift. This simple DIY stethoscope cover is a quick sewing project that adds a bit of personality while helping protect the tubing from everyday wear.
It also makes a lovely handmade gift for a nurse, doctor, vet, medical student, aged-care worker, or anyone who uses a stethoscope regularly. Choose a bright cotton print, a cute novelty fabric, or something subtle and professional depending on who you’re making it for.
This is a beginner-friendly sewing project and a great way to use up a long fabric scrap from your stash. You know, that piece you kept because it was “too good to throw away” but too skinny for anything sensible. Finally, its moment has arrived.
Before You Start: A Quick Hygiene Note
A fabric stethoscope cover is intended for the tubing area only and should not cover the chest piece, diaphragm, bell, or any part that touches a patient.
If the stethoscope is used in a medical, clinical, aged-care, hospital, veterinary, or patient-care setting, always check the workplace’s infection control policy before using a fabric cover. Some workplaces may not allow them, while others may require frequent washing or changing.
For best practice, make several covers so they can be rotated and washed often, just like scrubs or uniforms. If the cover becomes soiled, damp, or damaged, remove and wash it before using it again.
How To Sew A Stethoscope Cover
Step 1: Cut Your Fabric
Cut one strip of fabric measuring:
34 inches long x 6.5 inches wide
or
86 cm long x 16.5 cm wide
This size creates a gathered fabric tube that slips over the stethoscope tubing.
If your stethoscope tubing is shorter or longer than average, you can adjust the length slightly. The cover is meant to gather softly, so it will usually look longer than the actual tubing before it is threaded on.
Step 2: Hem The Short Ends
Fold one short end of the fabric over by about 1/4 inch and press.
Fold it over again by another 1/4 inch to hide the raw edge, then sew across the fold.
Repeat on the other short end.
This gives both ends a neat finish and helps the cover hold up better in the wash.
Step 3: Add The Elastic To One End
Take your small piece of elastic and sew it to one short end of the fabric, about 1/2 inch from the edge.
The elastic helps gather the lower end of the cover so it sits more neatly on the stethoscope tubing.
A little tip from the sewing room: it is much easier to sew the elastic in place before you close the long side seam. Trying to wrangle elastic into a tiny tube afterwards is one of those “why did I do this to myself?” moments.
Step 4: Fold The Fabric Into A Tube
Fold the fabric in half lengthwise with the right sides together.
The printed side of the fabric should be facing inwards.
Pin or clip along the long raw edge.
Step 5: Sew The Long Seam
Sew along the long edge using a 1/4 inch seam allowance.
You should now have a long fabric tube.
Backstitch at the beginning and end so the seam does not come undone when turning or washing.
Step 6: Turn The Cover Right Side Out
Turn the tube right side out so the printed fabric is now facing out.
A safety pin, loop turner, or long blunt turning tool can help with this step.
Once turned, give the cover a light press with the iron. You do not need to make it perfectly flat, as it will gather once placed on the stethoscope.
Step 7: Add Velcro Or A Press Stud
At the top end of the cover, attach a small piece of Velcro or a press stud.
This helps secure the cover near the upper part of the stethoscope and stops the fabric from sliding down.
Velcro is quick and easy for beginners, while a press stud or snap gives a neater finish if you already have the tools.
Step 8: Thread The Cover Onto The Stethoscope
Thread the cover over the stethoscope tubing, keeping the elastic end toward the bottom.
Gently gather and adjust the fabric so it sits evenly along the tubing.
Fasten the Velcro or press stud at the top.
And that’s it — a simple handmade stethoscope cover ready to use or gift.
Helpful Sewing Tips
If the cover feels too bulky, try using a slightly narrower strip of fabric next time.
If it feels too tight to turn or slide over the tubing, increase the width to around 7.5 or 8 inches.
If you are making these for a group of nurses, doctors, vets, or medical students, batch sew them assembly-line style. Cut all your fabric strips first, hem all the ends, add all the elastic, then sew the long seams. It saves time and makes the whole process feel less fiddly.
Make two or three covers per person so they always have a clean one ready to swap in.
Handmade Gift Ideas
A stethoscope cover is a thoughtful gift on its own, but you can also turn it into a small handmade care package.
Pair it with:
- a matching scrub cap
- a handmade badge reel
- a fabric lanyard
- a coffee gift card
- a small zip pouch
- a set of extra washable covers
This would be a lovely gift idea for a new nurse, a graduating medical student, a vet nurse, or someone starting clinical placements.
Is the cover suppose to be a lot longer than the tubing? the cover is about 33″ long but the tubing is only about 22″ long. I am making this for a Christmas gift, so I want it to be right when they receive it.
Great! I tied a string around the body of the fabric so that it isn’t so bulky looking. I made this so i can throw it in the wash..I wear cover up and it gets all over the body of my stethoscope…very unsightly and very hard to clean!
I work for a home care agency and know what I am going to make for my nurses/therapists. As for those who question the sanitary issue, I do not see where this is any more risky than the clothes the nurse wear. They don’t change scrubs for every patient and when they lean over a patient (as they often have to) the material on the scrubs touch the patients, When I was in the hospital I always felt a little cheered at the bright, decorative scrubs nurse wore!
Please note that the use of stethoscope covers may not be possible as the medical facility may require the entire stethoscope be disinfected bewteen patients. This is especially true for high risk environments and populations.
As shown in several studies, the bell/diaphragm which touches the patient should ALWAYS be disinfected between patients. Or an acoustically neutral disposable cover or device might be used.
If permitted, cloth covers, beaded covers, ID tags etc SHOULD BE WASHED FREQUENTLY JUST LIKE SCRUBS, and they should not extend into the area of patient contact over the bell/diaphragm.
I think these are great! I am on my 4th or 5th stethoscope tubing in the past 10 years and they are close to $40 each. They get stiff and crack from the oils in our skin. So the covers make sense and for all the fuss of sanitary comments…….changing them after each patient is crazy!! I am not sure how you listen to your patients, but the only part that should be touching them is the bell. And where I work, if you are in a precautions room, you would not take your own stethoscope in!!! So on that note can not wait to have some of these made!
Stethoscope covers
Potential issues to examine:
1. Are they an infection control risk?
2. What organisms have been discovered to contaminate cloth materials used on stethoscope covers?
Milam, M. W., Hall, M., Pringle, T., & Buchanan, K. (2001). Bacterial contamination of fabric stethoscope covers: The velveteen rabbit of health care? Infection Control Hospital and Epidemiology, 22(10), 653-655. (UM Links) (Paper copy at Library Circulation Desk)
Takashima, M., Shirai, F., Sageshima, M., Ikeda, N., Okamot, Y., & Dohi, Y. (2004). Distinctive bacteria-binding property of cloth materials. American Journal of Infection Control, 32(1), 27-30. (UM Links) (Paper copy at Library Circulation Desk)
Duh If you make several covers and wash them every shift than it should actually be cleaner. How many people clean their whole stethoscope every shift.. You are crazy to think this is worse. Also it protects your neck from irritation so you down get sores on your neck and get bacteria down in the wound.
Never make a stethoscope cover! They harbor organisms and put patients at risk. any healthcare worker who uses stethoscope covers do not care about their patients. See article – The Velveteen Rabbit regarding stethoscope covers!
Great idea. My neck always got a rash from the stethoscope tubing. It protects the stethoscope as well as the wearer.
I think this is a great idea. And it is not unsanitary as the cloth part would not be touching the patient. As long as it was washed every so often.
I am so excited about finding this project! My son is a doctor and is currently in Iraq. His two youngest daughters are making this next week to send him for Christmas. We plan to try the suggestion for elastic in the hem.
Haven’t tried this project yet but look forward to making it. I have read all the posted comments. I saw on one of the doctor’s covers she had a little bow tied and sewn over where the snap or velcro would go and it was super cute! Just another idea to share.
its definitely not impossible..
WOW – this was SO easy to make. I have to agree with the others that the elastic should to enclosed in the hem at the bottom…before the sides are sewn. Not sure about the size yet. Giving as a gift to a nursing student today. Will get her feedback
Thank you for the instructions. I’ve been wanting to make them since seeing them at my doctor’s office. One of the craft shows I attend is at an assisted living center. These will be great to exhibit at next show. Again thank you … joy 🙂
this should be 8 1/2″ because the smaller size when turned will not fit the stethoscope, it is wider at the top then the fabric tube when turned
The covers are cute. Keep the oils from wearing the tubing out so fast, and God knows the rubber tubing can be quite irratating on your neck. That way we don’t have to take it off and forget it when we room our next patient.
I agree, it’s impossible to sew the elastic in after sewing the tube. Other than that, very simple project that’s a perfect gift!
I’m in Nursing – and I think these are great. Stethoscopes are expensive if you use a really good one. My question is to the commenters who obviously are not in the medical profession. Do nurses wash their scrubs between each patient? Same concept.
I’ll definitely try this pattern. A good stethoscope is expensive.
About the concern for cleanliness: as an RN, I am expected to keep everything clean. It’s a good idea to have a couple of these covers on hand, then you always have a clean one.
this is a very easy and quick pattern. makes a fast gift for the nursing student! thanks.
These covers actually protect the stethoscope from the oils around the neck, prolonging the life of the stethoscope itself.
great pattern. yes it is easier to sew elastic before sewing edges closed.
Great easy gift to make for the medical people in my life!
Here’s a little tip::: I sew the elastic on the end BEFORE I sew the long edge closed and it’s much easier! Thanks for the info, you’ve done great!
great idea!
i study medicine 😀
and is not unsanitary, the tube part doesn’t touch the patient, and you can wash the cover periodically, not wait untill is black-dirty… i think this is great for kids that are scared of doctors 🙂
the cover isn’t actually on the part of the stethoscope that touches the patient…they don’t disinfect the entire piece between patients, just the part that touches them.
Super cute though. Very scrubs chic.
this is really unsanitary. i cannot believe that a hospital staff would think it’s ok to use this. stethoscopes have to be constantly disinfected, an di can only imagine how dirty those covers are going to get.
Have looked all over for the pattern!!! Thanks
Neat idea, but how sanitary is it? You’d have to wash it between patients, wouldn’t you?
Very easy instructions!–Amazing gift for doctors.
I love this one. It`s something I would never have thought of.Thanks a bunch
Great Idea !!! Can’t wait to make a bunch for the gang!
Great project but first two items measured by inches, last by cm’s – let’s keep it uniform, it’s confusing!