For the last week I have felt very under the weather. Today I finally feel like myself again! It is so refreshing to spend time sewing rather than lay on the couch feeling miserable! I was reminded by a friend this morning that I was supposed to do a tutorial for the infant seat canopy so that was the first thing I accomplished this morning. I wish posting about it was the last thing I had to do today but I have to get started on packing for our upcoming trip to Brooklyn. Oh well, at least I am being productive. It's a nice change!
This tutorial is for an infant seat and while they are all the same basic design, sizes vary by brand so please measure your seat carefully before starting this project to ensure a proper fit!
You will need:
-one yard of material for the exterior of the canopy
-one yard of material for the interior.
-sew on Velcro
-thread
-optional- two large buttons for the straps or make fabric bows for an embellishment
Cut the exterior and interior fabric into 33"x41.5" rectangles. With the excess material cut two 8"x2.5" strips of both fabrics for a total of four strips of fabric.
Fold the rectangles in half and half again so all the corners are lined up. I have both the interior and exterior fabrics stacked so there is a total of eight layers. Using a bowl or a plate as a guide remove the corner from the rectangles.
I didn't even mark it, just used the rotary cutter against the bowl.
Pin rectangles, right sides together. Sew all the way around leaving an 8" opening on one end.
Turn the canopy right side out and press.
Close to the edge, top stitch all the way around the canopy (This also closes up 8" opening).
I used white thread on top and yellow in the bobbin.
To make the straps: with right sides together, sew three sides of the 8"x2.5" strips leaving one short end open. Trim corners. Turn right side out and press.
Fold in raw edges of the open end. Sew all the way around the strap.
Ready to sew on the Velcro.
Cut a piece of Velcro (1.75"). Sew Velcro pieces to opposite sides and ends of the straps.
Finished straps. Now you can sew on your buttons or bows if you choose.
Find placement for straps. Mine are 12" in from the sides and 17" down from the top. I recommend putting your canopy on the seat to find the proper placement.
Sew the straps on. 1.5"x 2" square and an X in the middle for re-enforcement.
Done!
I love these big yellow buttons!
Ready for a baby!This tutorial is for personal use only please. The canopy probably takes about two hours to make. If you make one I would love to see it!
The fabric is Airplanes on Blue by M'Liss sold at Hancock Fabric but seems to be discontinued.
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21 comments:
Love it- great idea- wish I had one when I had babies- I was always tucking mine in.
The yellow buttons are fabulous.
Thanks SO much for the tutorial...someday I hope to be able to make one for myself (silly body)...if not...maybe I can make one as a gift for my sister-in-law...
Sorry you weren't feeling well...glad to hear you are feeling better.
I've seen these before, but yours are WAY cooler.
Start packing! We're anxiously awaiting your arrival!!! xoxo
I love your fabrics. The planes are so cute!!
Copy Cat---this post and all the pictures look exactly like mine (yes, I have a well known blog and know you've been there). Very upsetting. I used to admire you for your originality. Now I'm wondering if it is someone else's.
Sheesh, Erin! I was doing so well at being completely lazy sewing-wise for this baby and now I may be feeling a touch of... inspiration? :) Your tutorial is great and now I have no excuse (other than not knowing whether to buy a boyish or girlish fabric... Grr.. Lol. :). (Hmm... Actually, I should probably order our new infant car seat first so I can measure it.. I guess that means I'll have to finish my current projects (nursery valances and crib-skirt). But I'm definitely going to do this and will put up a picture when I'm done! :)
BTW - I know it's none of my business, but to the person who left the Anonymous comment: Never did she claim to have invented the infant car seat canopy. In fact, google 'how to make a car seat canopy' and you'll come up with a dozen popular blogs that show the same tutorial (or slight variations of it) - just like would happen if you were to google DIY burp cloths or bibs. Erin has always given credit where credit is due - something you would know if you were a regular follower.
Anonymous-
I have been out of town with my family and haven't been checking emails or comments on the blog so I just got your comment in my inbox... I am not sure what to say. I am sorry you feel that I copied you. A few months ago a friend asked me to make her an infant seat canopy. I created a canopy for her with my own measurements and skills using the inspiration pictures she sent as a guide. I made up this tutorial because readers requested it. I am certainly not trying to rip off anyone's ideas.
I wish you hadn't opted to remain anonymous because even though you have a "well known blog and I have been there" I honestly don't know who you are. So if you want to discuss this like an adult let me know who you are and we can go from there. Also, Jessi is right, (thanks for your support Jessi) there are only so many ways to sew a infant seat canopy or burp cloths or bibs or what have you. So let's grow up and not call names, OK?
Thanks, Erin! I love this tutorial! You do such a great job of expaining how you do each step and make it so easy to follow! I know I will be making this item very soon! I just finished an upcycled woman's shirt to dress for a 2year old! Hope you can make a similar one for Sutton! Have a great vacation!
i just found your blog from a link on a friend's blog. i've been looking all over for one of these car seat covers. my first baby is due in september. boy. i don't have a sewing machine. if you're interested in making and selling me a cover, let me know, i'd be more than happy to pay!
my email is: drpepperjones(at)gmail(dot)com
thanks. and to that anonymous rude commenter - suck it! she sounds self righteous and obnoxious.
Hey Erin,
I was thinking about you today! I hope you and your family are doing well and are having a fun summer.
Post soon, K? I am going through Sutton Grace withdrawls.
p.s. What's with the rude anonymous comment? I totally want to punch them for you. Or maybe just give them the evil eye. Either way I'm in your corner. :)
OMG! You must be like some horrible mind reading copy-cat, because I just made one of these after you did (but before I read this, of course) and it looks the same. Stop taking all these crazy, unique ideas I have in my head!
And on that note, I saw one today that had elastic sewn into the part that goes over the top (head part) so that it stayed tucked at the baby's head. Clear as mud? Anyway, it basically kept the one section in place even when flipping the canopy open and closed. I'm thinking I'm going to incorporate that into my next one. (But don't worry Anonymous, I'll give all the credit to the lady with the red hair and pink shoes who was at the Zoo today. Unfortunately I didn't think to ask for the name of her probably well-known blog.)
Best!
Wow, is all I have to say to this anonymous reader! If you are going to comment such Ugly things you should at least let everyone know who you are! SHAME ON YOU!!!
Erin, I read your blog all the time. OMG you have done something that someone else has done. Big freak'n woop! That is what happens on all of the blogs. You didn't just copy and paste this from someone else's blog. Even if you did use the same measurements...who cares? You made one in your own fabric and told us in your own words how to tackle the project. I appreciate the you took the time out of your life to post this on the blog. Thanks
thanks for your post as i would like to make this some time and have never come across that "famous" anonymous poster's blog.
praying for a healthy, safe pregnancy for you and your babe.
Normally, I don't comment here, I just stalk and admire....however I just can't hold my tongue this time. To the anonymous person who commented above, get a life. Seriously? To attack another adult over something so simple as a canopy cover tutorial to HELP other people?!?!? Really? And if your blog is that well known and you have an absolutely identical item posted (which I doubt)...you shouldn't have to waste your time blog stalking others to leave merit less attacks in such a cowardly way. If you really had a basis for your claim, you should have been the stand up woman that Erin is and approached her personally. Her email address is listed above the comment form. Common sense. All you tried to do was raise some sort of doubt with Erin’s readers which clearly didn’t work...instead we all rallied around her. I’d love to know who you are so I could make sure you are not on my blog roll.
To Erin-
Keep on posting girl! We all love the posts, tutorials and updates. Keep ‘em coming. Hope you are feeling better and congrats on your pregnancy!
Thanks for having my back ladies. Truly, I am honored to have you all read my blog. Thanks!
Darn! I always miss all the juicy stuff! I always knew you were a fraud:)
Hi there,
I just found your blog (April at Nurtured Products for Parenting sent out the link to the kitchen) and I LOVE this carseat cover! It's cute and blocks sun and rain and cold and doesn't interfere with the straps of the seat. I am going to post this photo on my Atlantic Car Seat Safety page.
Just a reminder that the Babytrend Flex Loc seat pictured requires the handle to be down while baby is riding in the car. With this cover that should be easy to do too. :)
I just found your blog this morning (and am enjoying it so much, btw! Congrats on sweet baby #4!!) You are a creative, talented woman! Don't let negative people get you down. I'm sorry there are cowardly people out there waiting to attack. Bless you and please keep it up. I love the things you do!
First off, I love your blog. I just was linked to it from another website and fell in love.
Second off, that airplane fabric is EXACTLY what i've been looking for. I'm pregnant with numero dos, a boy, and we're rocking the airplane theme. Where did you get it?
Thanks!
Hi! just found your blog through Made By Me Shared With You (although the name seems slightly familiar so I've probably stalked you before through some other link.)
I think a good tutorial is what makes craft blogs so great. That people are willing to share their way of making something that we've all seen and would like to make ourselves. I just know you've saved me hours of planning before I make mine. Just picked out my baby car seat so I'm ready to make a matching cover! Thanks for your post.
And I, like everyone else, think Anonymous was a wuss to not put her name.
I'm off to lurk around the rest of your blog!
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