If you are a crafty person and you have a little baby, you will probably want to add personal touches to the stuff you use on or about your baby. One of those things is the cover for the car seat, and this article will help you to create something really adorable related to that.
I haven’t met a parent who doesn’t want the best for their children, be it clothes, food, toys, and of course, safety. When we talk about safety, we can’t but not think about the car rides we take with our kids. But hey, you are still able to add some fun elements to the baby’s car seat without compromising its safety and the baby’s nap time. I bet your baby will love the car ride more when he/she gets a colorful and customized car seat cover. Below we have listed the materials you will need for this little quest, but you choose the design and the fabric you prefer over the ones we suggested.
Materials you will need for the car seat cover: 1-2 yards of flannel cloth or cotton fabric for the top, 1-2 yards of Minky fabric or cotton fabric for the backing, Velcro for the strap, pins, sewing machine, and scissors.
Step 1: Prepare your fabric
Now let’s start. The first thing you need to do is cut your long fabric into 36 x $2 inches pieces. These two pieces will serve you, one on the front and the other one as a backing fabric. Then you will need to cut two rectangular trips with 7×12 inches dimensions. These pieces will serve you as the car seat cover’s strap.
Step 2: Cut all the corners in a curved shape
You will need to cut all the corners in a curved shape. Begin by making a curved line at one of the corners of your fabric and cut it out. Next, you will need to fold all the other corners to match up with the first one and cut them in the same curve you did the first one. You can make this easier by using a bowl to make the curve perfect. Or, you can make a pattern out of cardboard.
Step 3: Sew the back piece and the front piece together
After you are finished cutting the curved corners, place the proper sides of the back and the front piece together and place the pins all the way around it. Be sure to leave a 5-inch opening because you will need it later after the sewing. After you are done with the pins, you can start sewing by following the pins’ direction. After you are done sewing, turn the right sides out and iron it. Ironing will make the topstitching look nicer, and the corners will also look round and nice.
If your fabric of choice is a Minky fabric, make sure you use more pins because this fabric is slippery and won’t stay steady. This fabric must not be ironed directly on the top because it can easily burn. You can prevent this by placing a wet cloth on the top of the fabric and lightly iron it on a low setting.
Step 4: The topstitch
The next step is to do the topstitching all the way around the fabric close to the 5-inch gap you left before. It is up to you whether you use a zigzag, single needle, or double stitch.
Step 5: You will need to sew the rectangular pieces for your strap
The edges of the rectangular pieces need to meet up by folding them facing the right sides together. Sew the pieces at a half-inch opening all the way down the edges.
Step 6: The rectangular piece needs to be ironed
After you are done sewing the rectangular pieces, you should iron the seam open. By placing the seam in the middle, you will get two equal sides.
Step 7: Ironing the right side
Once you have ironed the material, turn the right sides out and iron it once more. The seam needs to be in the middle.
Step 8: Sewing the raw edges
Fold all the corners in such a way that it will seal all the raw edges on the inside. Then fold once more and pin them. Do this on the other side as well. Then flip it to the right side of your fabric and sew a small top stitch all the way down on both sides. This way, the edges won’t open in the future.
Step 9: Put the Velcro
After you are done with the stitching, you will need to add the Velcro. The Velcro needs to be placed in a way that it will create a loop when the strap is bent. Try not to use the Velcro that has adhesive on the back because it can ruin your needle and sewing machine.
Step 10: Attaching the strap to your seat cover
After you have placed the Velcro on the strap, attach it to the fabric you have sewn before. Measure and check the seat cover. The length of your strap depends on your preferences. Sew your strap with the car seat cover together. And that is all. You are finished.
Using the car seat cover as a nursing cover You can use the car seat cover as a nursing cover whenever you need it. Nursing in public can be stressful, and the car seat cover can help you. The car seat cover is also a good gift idea for someone’s baby shower. You don’t have to be a professional sewer to make one of these. Just make sure you follow all the steps above. Get your materials ready and let your creative side take over.
