It would be easier to show you how to make a baby car seat cover replacement for that old, stained cover that makes you cringe every time you buckle your baby up for a ride. So, if there is a sewing class at the local community center or college it might be good for the amateur to register and make a specific request to the teacher that she add a demonstration with instructions for how to make a handmade, infant car seat cover to her lesson plan.
If your sewing skills are in the range of the moderate to intermediate level, you probably can figure out how to make a baby car seat cover on your own. This article has some tips and instructions that include recommendations on how to draw your own free sewing pattern for a baby car seat cover, the pattern numbers of inexpensive commercial patterns, ways to check that your homemade replacement cover is safe for use and advice on fabric selection.
HOW TO MAKE A BABY CAR SEAT COVER
There are many savvy seamstresses that can figure out how to make a baby car seat cover and draw their own free sewing pattern simply by using paper to draw the outlines of their infant's car seat (with added seam allowance) to cut accurate pattern pieces. The best way to guarantee a perfectly fitted infant car seat replacement cover is to take the old cover, pick the seams apart, press the separate pieces and use them to draw your pattern.
For those of us who are not confident with that process or that simply don't have the time learn how to make a baby car seat cover and fine tune the fitting process, it may spare you a lot of frustration to buy a commercial infant car seat slip cover pattern.
I have only used one baby car seat cover pattern, Simplicity baby car seat pattern number 3712. This pattern included instructions for how to sew a baby car seat cover as well as a pattern for a baby sling and a stroller cover. McCalls has free directions to make newborn baby head support and car seat cover online but the only pattern that I located for how to make a baby car seat cover is obsolete. Here is a list of the infant car seat cover patterns that I know to exist. Some of them are out of print, so you may have to search online auctions.
SIMPLICITY PATTERN NUMBER 3712
KWIK SEW PATTERN NUMBER 2470 - This pattern includes sewing patterns and instructions for infant car seat covers, stroller covers and newborn baby head support pillows
MCCALLS PATTERN NUMBER 4897 - This pattern includes instructions for covering car seat, high chair and stroller cushions, a changing pad cover and organizers to install in baby strollers, cribs and the nursery wall.
KWIK SEW PATTERN NUMBER 2997 - This pattern includes sewing patterns for a baby car seat that uses zippers or velcro and elastic to hold it securely once installed and a pattern for a line shoulder strap diaper bag.
SIMPLICITY SEWING FOR DUMMIES PATTERN NUMBER 3561 - This does not include a baby seat cover pattern but it has patterns for a baby shopping cart cover, a baby diaper bag and a boppy pillow cover. I thought that you might want to give these easy baby patterns a try before you move on to the more advanced infant car seat cover pattern and instructions.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST FABRICS FOR YOUR SLIP COVERS
Some mothers have told me that they got the best results using upholstery weight fabrics to make their infant car seat covers. Others said that they used cotton quilt fabric to cover their worn out covers to make the car seat more attractive. If you will be using your old seat cover underneath a heavy, quilted fabric is not necessary as any medium weight, baby print fabric will work. Another consideration is baby's comfort in warm or cold weather. Cotton that will breathe well and won't make baby so hot in summer and for winter, shearling, fleece or faux fur will keep baby warm.
CUSTOM, PERSONALIZED BABY CAR SEAT COVERS
The beauty of making your own baby accessories is that you can custom make them to your heart's desire. Once you master the process you can start your own cottage industry of custom baby car seats and strollers. When you know how to make a baby car seat cover yourself, you can match the child's car seat cover to the baby bedding set if you want. Monogram it or sew lace, or decorate it with any decorations or embroidery that you like so long as the embellishments do not remove easily and present a choking hazard for baby.
If you have some tips to share on how to make a baby car seat cover please email them to us. If you used one of the patterns that we mentioned in the list above, please send in a review and rating of the pattern to help other DIY moms. If you have a free sewing pattern for a baby car seat cover on hand, if you will scan the pictures of the pattern pieces and send it in as a free download to share it would be greatly appreciated. We will be happy to include your homemade pattern in Unique Baby Gear, Bedding Themes and Nursery Decorating Ideas' database of free baby patterns.
