If you have an old car seat you can't stand the looks of, sort of like this one:
... and you dearly want a different cover but oh, if you buy them, they are so expensive! Especially the original covers from the maker (if your model isn't so outdated that they stopped making covers years ago), and the ones you can find on Ebay are mostly, well, not exactly your style? The only answer is to make one yourself.
So I googled for patterns for my car seat and I meant "sewing patterns" but somehow Google thought I want different "fabric patterns". I narrowed my search and still didn't come up with anything. I'm sure you can buy sewing patterns for just about every car seat out there but, well, mine is old and I didn't feel like buying anything, either. The few tutorials I found didn't help me, either. Mostly, the suggestion was to take an old cover, rip the seams, and use the resulting pieces to create your new pattern.
But the padding? And the elastic hem? And old those holes for buckles and snaps and whatnot? It just seemed overly complicated.
So this is what I did.
I took the old car seat cover and pinned fabrics of my choice to it, sticking to the seams of the original cover.
I started out by doing this on the ironing board but I quickly learned it's much easier to keep the cover on the seat. This way, you can smooth the fabric around the curves nicely.
You can also play around with the fabrics and see which combos you like. I ended up using part of the Wheels! fabric line by Riley Blake. (Only a day later it occurred to me that I really did want to use this for a quilt for Jacob. D'uh!)
Anyway, pin away, using lots of pins. You want to be sure that all spaces are covered (see that tiny little bit of white-dots-on-blue peeking out on the bottom? Yeah, I didn't either, until way later...)
Once you got everything pinned in place, add some additional pins right where the crucial holes are - you can feel them through the fabric, or eyeball it. It's not important that these pins are precisely placed, just that the fabric in this area is stuck to the cover so that it doesn't shift around when you pull the cover off the seat.
Which you will do now. Flip it around and use a fabric marker to mark each and every single slit and hole -- just trace the holes onto the new fabric.
I'm a multi-tracer, as you can see.
In the next step, I ironed the cover to press down the seams so that I have it easier reassembling the whole thing - because now, you need to take it apart again. That step is optional
Next, I put some interface on the fabric to strengthen it - car seats take a lot of abuse. I used a Vlieseline H200 - not too strong, not too limp. Around the slits and holes, I tripled up.
Sew the hole outlines with a button-hole stitch. I have to tell you that I suck at button-holes. The very last belt slit I made was the best one and that is the bottom one which will be covered up because Leah's already on the second hole. Oh, well. I could have sworn I made a photo of this but it seems I didn't. (I'm adding a close-up of the finished product instead.)
Rip the holes open and tidily snip away all stray pieces. It shouldn't be too bad because of the interfacing.
With a needle and thread, align the new and old holes and sew them together with an invisible stitch. This makes sure that your fabric won't shift around when you pin it up again and also that the old fabric won't show through those holes. You do not want to ever think about this old fabric again, right? So tuck it out of view.
The next step is easy: Reassemble your pieces onto the old cover (best done, again, with the cover on the seat). By the way, I let the extra fabric hang over on the hem and didn't cut that until the very end.
I also pinned the curvy (dotted, in my case) parts in first, with the fabric extending an inch or so into the other panels, and then pinned the center. Then I pinned the outer piece under the curvy one. You can change that according to taste, I'm sure. Use lots of pins - the more, the less everything shifts around when you sew it all up.
Now comes the fun part: sew along the seams with your machine, right through the old cover. Don't sweat it if you don't hit the exact seam ditches. Nobody can tell later. It's like quilting because you sandwich everything together. I also added some horizontal quilting seams through the center part to prevent shifting and tearing when a child sits in the seat.
Again, put the cover on the seat and now tuck the excess on the sides under the hem and pin. Sew one long seam with a seam allowance you are comfortable with - I used a quarter inch -- all around the car seat. Do make sure that all those little elastic fastening loops will still stick out at the end (I didn't and it didn't matter much because my cover stays in place with the elastic hem that hold the fabric under the rim of the seat.) Trim the excess with pinking shears. (If you are anal, cut after pinned and hold the hem under. That's the neater version.)
Use the seat belt covers as a model and make two tubes from a coordinating fabric. Dress up your car seat. Done!
Your new car seat will definitely fit (because it's the old cover, eh?), it's nicely padded, and you can be very pleased. Well, I was, anyway.
I would not say it's perfect but I'm loving it. It's so much better than the old cover!
And please excuse the dearth of photos from the last couple of steps - I did this early this morning after a night of vomiting kid and another case of early-up-kid. That's why this is only a tutorial of sorts. My brain is tired.
Yay! I found this on pinterest. I love this tutorial, we're buying new boosters, but I really want to make them pretty (and hopefully spill proof-oilcloth?) As for the naysayers. A warranty, that's just what I want in my child's car seat if we're in a crash. A warranty is only important if you want your money back in the event that your child is harmed in a crash, and if your child is harmed in a crash, I'm pretty sure the car seat warranty is going to be the last thing on your list! If you really want to spread safety awareness on the web perhaps you should search for photos of forward facing 8 month olds. Your efforts would do a lot more good than warning of the evils of home made car seat covers. Just sayin.
Posted by: Angela | October 20, 2011 at 10:35 AM
I know alot of you saying this is unsafe have our children at heart.But if it so unsafe why was i able to go to toys r us and buy one for my carseat?The cover is made by infantino who i know make alot of baby products but they do not make care seats.My point is what is the differance if we make them or buy them?Great job clauida
Posted by: teresa | October 21, 2011 at 04:28 PM
Looks great! And mama-hood has become so full of experts, and experts with agendas, (for which they can charge a premium as consultants, pundits, professional baby-proofers, etc.) and blame-layers that people get awfully nervous. And an anonymous internet forum is the perfect place to air out those anxieties. So they can cram it full of walnuts, in my opinion! I love how bright and colorful the cover is, and I really love that you used the old cover to make it rather than making a from-scratch pattern.
Posted by: Catherine | October 22, 2011 at 02:11 AM
Great job. I did something similar recently, but I actually sewed the new fabric directly to the old cover (with a light layer of flannel between to help prevent stains from showing) & then sewed bias tape around the entire perimeter and openings. It turned out really cute.
Posted by: Janelle | October 23, 2011 at 08:14 AM
Bound to get at least one idiot outta the bunch that NEVER knows the "story" first. ALWAYS no ones sotry behind it FIRST. I think its beautiful and smart. JUst for ME i dont have the time or patience to sew though I wish I did!
Posted by: jessica | October 25, 2011 at 08:00 PM
I love it. I actually had a car seat COMPANY make me a cute cover out of SUPRISE....cotton. So it's your choice no one elses. I WILL be making my son one so thank you for your help on it. You are very talented. Don't do it or even look at it if you have a problem with the way it's done. Just saying to all the negative people.
Posted by: Ashley | October 29, 2011 at 11:29 PM
Haters gonna hate :P If you don't like it, don't do it. Period. I think this tutorial is fantastic. Well done, my dear.
Posted by: Cassface | October 31, 2011 at 07:08 PM
So I'm looking at my apparently expired car seats and wondering why no one bothered to tell me that car seats expire! And, if they do, in fact, magically expire - like milk to they just go bad? Moreover, if they expire, who the heck is going to know?!?!? I've used the same car seat for the last 10 years. All of my children are healthy - none of them have been injured in any sort of car accident... I think I'm going to bookmark this seat cover, since my youngest ought to have a new car seat... not the one that her 10 year old sister used.
As for IdahoBecky, AMEN! I think we could seriously be friends. I'm not spraying my kids jammies to make them fire retarded. If the kids on fire, I think their jammies are going to be the last thing I worry about!
Posted by: Linda | November 04, 2011 at 07:41 AM
Just out of curiosity, how would this put your child in harms way? The seat cover is attached to the still intact previous cover and the harness ( which is what keeps your child safe) is attached to the seat itself not the fabric...... so how, if you spray it with the flame resistant stuff, is it unsafe? Even IF the fabric fell apart, the harness is what you need to be worrying about. I think it is absolutely the cutest cover I have ever saw! And I will be trying this on my carseat that is not expired.
Posted by: courtney | November 08, 2011 at 04:43 AM
Hey IdahoBecky, I'm all about re-covered car seats, I've done a bunch myself and also had to deal with nasty comments on safety, I just wanted to comment on the expiration date. The constant freezing and heating of the plastic in different weather makes it brittle over time, that's why they expire.
I love this car seat cover, you would never tell that you didn't take it all apart and the pattern combination is so fun!
http://laurathoughts81.blogspot.com/search/label/Car%20Seat%20Re-Cover
Posted by: Laura Wiebe | November 13, 2011 at 05:54 AM
Again, heartfelt thanks for all the nice comments.
I do understand that the plastic does get brittle with time, so it makes sense for car seats to expire. Mine hasn't expired, so there's that.
I am not advocating using super old car seats - that's also a reason why I bought mine new, never used. But you also have to keep in mind that car seat companies have an agenda - namely, selling as many car seats as possible.
I would also not continue to use a car seat that has been in an accident, for that matter. Those invisible strain lines might just crack one day when you least expect it.
I'm not totally insane, you know. ;-)
Posted by: claudia | November 13, 2011 at 09:12 AM
LOL Carrie!!! Good point!! I love this and think it is a wonderful idea! :0)
Posted by: Paula | November 14, 2011 at 09:28 PM
love it... to many negative nellys on here...lol
Posted by: Mari-Lyn Aguilar | November 15, 2011 at 05:38 PM
I am flabbergasted by the constant insinuation that by adding a thin layer of fabric and interfacing to an already approved car seat fabric cover somehow renders it unsafe. If doing so little to the cover can all of a sudden make a car seat unsafe, then it couldn't have been that safe to begin with. Manufacturers just warn harshly about these things because they do not want to be liable if injuries were to occur in a modified version of their car seat...not because they will, but because they could. Get a grip peeps. I LOVE the cover. I may try it if I get brave enough! Little concerned Europe doesn't use chest straps, but that's another can of worms :-) Great job!
Posted by: Amy | November 15, 2011 at 11:00 PM
It's amazing...! I am wondering about how long it took from start to finish? Am thinking I might use a heavier cord or canvassy fabric to avoid the interfacing step...love it, thanks for the great tutorial!
Posted by: Quita | November 17, 2011 at 04:38 AM
This method is much easier than the way I came up with when I recovered my son's baby-swing seat. I soooooo wish I'd seen your instructions first. It would have saved me the hassle of unpicking the original for a pattern! I'm about 3 years too late now, but I'm glad for future reference :) Thank you!:)
Posted by: Annette Baber | November 17, 2011 at 08:17 AM
FYI... for those of you who are so concerned, the flame retardant in clothing, car seats, pajamas,etc.. is null and void once your child's clothing is washed! So, unless you don't wash your clothes you are also subject to "endangering" your child. Get a grip people!
The cover is amazing! and if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all..
Posted by: Mari'sMommie | November 27, 2011 at 09:30 PM
I love it and I'm making it. Thank you!!
Posted by: Cheryl | December 16, 2011 at 02:44 AM
Wow! You did a great job with your old car seat. I love the patterns you used. They're such eye candies. I like your cute turtle pin cushion. Hehehe. I envy you for knowing how to sew. I can't even stitch a button on my shirt.
Posted by: Penny Geist | December 21, 2011 at 09:18 PM
neat idea! i first made a pattern cover but it didnt fit my seat well ... then I followed a tutorial on makeit-loveit.com to recover my car seat. hers involves ripping apart the old one. i was terrified but it turned out way easier and funner than i thought. i also liked the idea of using the original batting as it kept the seat "basically the same" I am big on car seat safety but i dont think replacing the material is going to make the car seat malfunction, its the straps and the way the seat is secured that is vital. I treated mine with a flame retardant for fabrics. (i found this vital after hearing a story of an older sibllibg in the car w/ a magnifying glass shone the light on the babies car seat until the fabric actually began burning!)
Posted by: heather | January 23, 2012 at 12:09 AM
Wow oh wow! That looks like it was done by a professional! You make it sound easy, but I know I'd spend a considerable amount of time just looking for a good pattern! It's great how you were able to stitch the cloth on to the seatbelts too!
Posted by: Leisa Dreps | January 24, 2012 at 01:45 PM
That's what you call car artistry. It's great that people find ways to improve what they have. But never sacrifice safety for style. It's an innovative car seat that will surely click among drivers.
Posted by: Stelle Courney | January 24, 2012 at 09:46 PM
I love the idea of sewing over the old car seat cover. I hate our Winnie-the-Pooh cover that I used for 2 previous children, but never was ambitious enough to do anything about it. #3 will have a stylish car seat.
Posted by: Rachel | February 04, 2012 at 05:10 AM
All of your designs are great! Are you a professional interior designer? =) Children will love those tones for sure. Even adults may ask you to change their seats to make 'em just as beautiful as that.
Posted by: Carson Wininger | February 27, 2012 at 09:19 PM
I am working on this project right now, I found it to be a great idea!!! My only question is, I am having trouble with sewing the new to the old. I can't seem to quite get certain parts of the cover into the sewing machine. Whether it's the padding is to full or the shape of the car seat cover is to awkward, I am not having luck sewing up the seams. Any suggestions? I resorted to hand stitching a bit, but it takes forever and I don;t have another eight hours to spare to finish hand sewing the whole thing
Posted by: Samantha | February 29, 2012 at 06:17 PM