Carseat Cover Tutorial

So as you guys probably know I was expecting baby #2 very soon so I decided I needed to hurry up and get my carseat cover finished. I know there are a ton of tutorials for these out there, but I needed to make one anyway so I figured I'd document the process.

You need:

1 and 1/4 yard of fabric
1 and 1/4 yard coordinating fabric for opposite side
Sew able Velcro (I got mine from Walmart)
Thread
Scissors
Disappearing marker (optional but always helpful)

First you'll want to lay your fabric over your carseat and determine how much extra fabric you want over the top and bottom of the carrier. I ended up cutting off about a 1/4 of a yard off the bottom to use for handles so my actual cover was about a yard.

Determine where you want to place your handles on the top fabric and place pins.

Now lay your fabric down with the right sides together so the pattern is facing each other.

Next you'll want to cut any excess and even out your top and bottom. They aren't usually super precise at the fabric store so one side will usually be bigger than the other.

I find that the easiest way to even them up is to pin across one of the top ends and then pin along the side end too to hold it in place. Then use your straight edge or ruler to mark and cut so the top and bottom fabric are the same size.

Now pin around the other 2 sides as well so all 4 sides are pinned together and iron it down. This will help it lay flat and be even as we get ready to sew around the edges.

Now sew around all 4 edges, making sure you leave a hole around 3 inches or so to turn it right side out again. If you find that the weight of your fabric is pulling down on what you're sewing, grab an ironing board and use it to help hold the weight of the fabric as you sew around.

Now turn it right side out through your hole so your wrong sides are now together. Iron again and stitch around the edges again. This will close up the hole you left and help the sides to lay flatter. You basically have a 2 sided blanket right now.

Now we're going to make straps. Measure around the handles of your carrier to find out how long your straps need to be. I figured mine needed to be about 6.5 inches long and I made them about 4 inches wide. The width is totally your preference.

Cut out 4 pieces in the size you have determined (2 of the top side fabric, 2 of the bottom side fabric) and pin them together with right sides facing.

I found it was easiest to mark about a 1.5 inch gap on each strap so I knew where to leave my hole to turn it right side out again.

 Sew around the outside of the strap making sure you leave your 1.5 inch gap. Repeat with the other strap.

Now turn them both right side out through the gap you left.

 And iron them down.

 Now topstitch around the outside of the straps. Again this will help close the gap you left and make them lay flatter.

 Now take your velcro and lay the soft side up on your bottom fabric side and pin. Then lay the rough velcro side on your top side and pin. Sew around the edges of the velcro.

*Remember that they will be on opposite sides because your strap will wrap around the carrier handle.

Now grab your blanket portion and find where your pins are. Pin the middle section of your strap down. Repeat with the other strap, making sure it's even with the first. 

 Now sew a square in the middle of each strap. I sewed an X inside the square to strengthen it.

 You're done! Wrap those straps around the handles and you're ready to keep coughers and strange breathers at Walmart away from your new baby!

It even looks cute turned up!

And in case you guys were wondering...

 We had another girl! It was a wonderful delivery and we were elated to find out we have another beautiful baby girl!

Her name is Rosalia Georgia and she was 9 lbs. 5 oz! Crazy huh?!?

So hopefully ya'll aren't sick of ruffles and ruffly projects because it looks like there's a lot more in my future! Thanks for stopping by! Hope you are having a wonderful October!
XOXO