Wednesday, November 14, 2012

car seat canopy...

Hey friends!  I know what you're thinking...
"Isn't she supposed to be on maternity leave?"
Well...this stubborn little boy of mine is very overdue.

 Sad face. :(

So I took advantage of the extra time on my hands and sewed up one last baby project before he gets here--a car seat canopy to keep him covered out in the elements or when napping (and to prevent strangers at the grocery store from touching my kid!).


Here's what you need if you'd like to make one of your own:

Two cuts of fabric - 1 1/4 yards each (Mine are both cotton--the dino print & a lime green solid.)
Two small cuts of fabric - 8 x 4 inches (I used more of the lime green.)
Two small cuts of fabric - 8 x 3 inches (I used black/white dots from my scrap bin.)
Sew-On velcro
Thread, pins, rotary cutter, iron, etc.

**Pardon the step-by-step photography...It got dark while I was sewing.  (Oh, the joys of winter!)**

Place your yardage right sides together and trim them up so they are the same size--cut off selvages, square up sides, etc.  (You may want to drape it over your car seat to check what will be the best length and width to fit your seat.) Then place a large bowl at each corner and use it as a guide to round off the corners.

Sew all the way around the edge with a 1/4" seam allowance, making sure to leave a gap for turning.

Clip around the corners to reduce bulk.
(I forgot to take a picture, so here's one from my receiving blanket tutorial.)

Turn right side out, press with your iron, and top stitch all the way around.  Make sure to close up your gap!  You should now have what basically looks like a blanket with rounded corners.

Now we make the straps.
Line up the long sides of your two strap fabrics right-sides together and sew using a 1/4" seam allowance.  You should end up with two "blocks" of fabric like this:

Then line up the other long sides and sew.  Since one fabric is wider than the other, you'll end up with a tube like this:

Turn the tube right-sides out and press flat with your iron, creating a "trim" look.
(So, the back of my straps are solid green and the front are dots with green edges.)

Fold in the raw edges of the tube 1/4", press, and top stitch 1/8" all the way around your strap.

Now cut your velcro to the desired length (I did 2 1/4 inches.) and sew it to the ends of your straps.  The "top" piece needs to be sewn on the underside (green) and the "bottom" piece needs to be sewn on the front (dots).

Next, I pinned my straps to the canopy where I thought they might need to go, then put it on my car seat.  I made adjustments until it hung how I liked and the straps were in a good spot on the handle.  (I did mine wider than most canopies I've seen...I didn't want the straps in the way of the handgrip area.)  Once I got the straps arranged how I liked, I sewed them to the canopy with 3 rows of stitching.

And that's it!

If I made one again, I would probably trim my canopy fabric a little narrower and a little shorter so the corners wouldn't graze the floor.  But considering I just winged it, I think it turned out pretty well!

Now I just need Baby to get here so I can put it to use. :)

7 comments:

  1. So cute! I love the dinosaur fabric. I hope your little boy doesn't keep you waiting much longer!

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  2. I love this diy-idea, and I love the dino fabric, adorable!

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  3. This is such a great idea. I recently had a baby who was 12 days over due so i know how you must be feeling - all i can say is make the most of it.

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  4. I have three kiddos and I have NEVER thought to have one of these! Luckily now, I can make one for my next child! (When the time comes, of course! I'm taking a break as of right now!) I just LOVE the dinosaur print! SO cute!

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  5. Love this and going to have to make two!! I'm also looking for a pattern for the cover that goes into the grocery cart for toddlers sitting up - so they don't touch the cart and also have some padding! My email is terrihbaker@yahoo.com if anyone can direct me to a pattern!!

    Thank you!!
    Terri,
    "Honey" to one precious little angel, granddaughter born 8/7/2013!!

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  6. Hi! Love the pattern and your tutorial...but...I'm a Nana, and I don't have a seat to use to measure for the straps...can you give me any idea for placement? I like the way you did it, not having them close to the handgrip area!! Thanx!

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