Everyone needs a car seat, and with kids being born at a faster rate than ever before, the demand for car seats is only going to increase. That’s great news for parents, but it means there’s a whole lot of new fabric being used on a regular basis. If you’re like most people, you probably don’t have a clue how to make a car seat cover pattern. In this post, we will show you how to make a car seat cover pattern step-by-step so that you can create your very own cover without any sewing experience necessary.
What You Will Need
To make a car seat cover pattern, you will need:
-A piece of fabric that is at least 20″ wide by 42″ long
-An iron
-A seam ripper
-Piping or a sewing machine with a zigzag stitch
-A straight edge
-Ruler or measuring tape
1. Preheat your iron on the lowest setting. Cut your fabric into two 19″x27″ pieces. Pin one piece of fabric to the other and sew along the side by side edges. Clip the corners and turn it right side out.
2. Once it’s turned right side out, measure along one long edge and cut a strip that measures 6″, except for the length of fringe (you’ll need this later). Place the fringe along one long edge, pin in place and sew together using a zigzag stitch. Then flip it over so that the fringe is now on the outside and sew down both sides using a straight stitch.
3. Repeat steps 2 & 3 until you’ve made four strips total, measuring 20″, 26″, 30″, and 34″.
4. Now it’s time to assemble your car seat cover! Align one end of each strip with one corner of your car seat, matching up the raw edges of each strip (don’t forget to press them!). Stitch around each perimeter using a straight stitch, then trim off any excess fabric (be careful not to cut through your stitching!). Finish
How to Make the Pattern
1. Sew a rectangle from the top center of one fabric piece to the bottom center of the other fabric piece, using a straight stitch or zigzag stitch. Do not forget to press the seams open.
2. Cut out two identical pieces from the bottom center of each fabric piece, and cut a hole in each for your child’s head (see diagram).
3. Turn the patterns right-side out so that they are symmetrical, and pin them together along one long edge. Stitch around the edge with a straight stitch or zigzag stitch, taking care not to pull too much through the opening in step 2.
4. Turn the cover right-side out again and press it flat. Hem both sides of the opening by folding over 1/2 inch of fabric on either side then pressing firmly with an iron, then trim off any excess fabric.
5. Use a hot glue gun to attach felt circles to either side of each felt piece, just below where you’ve hemmed them (see diagram). Glue felt pieces onto car seat cover pattern as shown in diagram – do NOT glue felt pieces onto front or back of car seat cover!
6. Finally, use a safety pin or thread to attach “pillowcase” backing (or any other material you like) to one long edge of your car seat cover pattern, making sure that your child’s face is visible through all four holes!
Tips for Making a Perfect Car Seat Cover
Making a car seat cover pattern is a very easy way to customize your car’s interior and make it more comfortable for you and your child. First, choose the fabric you want to use. You can use any type of fabric, but be sure that it is sturdy and won’t stretch out. Next, measure the circumference of your car seat’s base. This will help you determine the size of the cover pattern you will need. The most important thing to remember when making a cover pattern is to allow for enough room around the edges so that it can be easily put on and taken off. Once you have created your cover pattern, cut the fabric according to instructions. Then, sew the edges together using a strong stitch. Finally, hem or finish the edge of your car seat cover using a bias binding or hem tape
Conclusion
If you’re like many families, you probably have a few items of clothing that can double as car seat covers for when your little one arrives. Whether it’s a blanket or an old shirt, using something familiar and comfortable as your child’s safety seat cover can make a big difference in their comfort and safety. Plus, it’s such a fun (and easy) project to do together! In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to create your very own car seat cover pattern using basic fabric sewing techniques.