I have several people redo car seats and strollers. I have really wanted to do it, but just didn’t. Well I found the most perfect fabric at Walmart (I couldn’t believe it) and so I decided redo our little car seat. I encounter a couple of problems but overall I think that it turned out really well!!
So this is the before
And here is the after
So what I did was took the old car seat cover and just put fabric over it. I pinned it down and then sewed the new fabric onto it. The cover is padded, so I didn’t want to replace it.
This was actually one of the hardest parts to do…. I wanted something waterproof so I put vinyl over my fabric. I soon learned that the sewing machine doesn’t like vinyl and it sticks easily.
For the canopy, I took the old canopy, cut it up and used it for a pattern. The tricky parts were here for sure. I had to sew the green fabric on the bars and trying to figure that out with the machine was interesting.
I love the outcome though, it just looks so clean and new!!
My little boy was just as excited as me, he jumped right in 🙂
Madigan at madiganmade
Just adorable! Love the fabric, too.
Kristi
What a great idea! Those car seats are usually ugly and don't go with anything. Great way to customize it!
~ The Speckled Dog
Melissa
He does look totally excited about he new seat. Yeah Mom!
Mandy
W.O.W.!!! great job!
And just a hint with vinyl, once I sewed it with paper under it, so that it wouldn't stick to the machine, then I just ripped the paper off – it worked great!
Laura @ Just For Love
OH!! I am soo glad you posted this! I have a baby due in march and an old car seat. I was really thinking about recovering mine as well, but thought it might just be easier to buy a new one. You know, go the lazy way, haha. Well, seeing yours, I really think I can do it. Thanks for the inspiration. Yours turned out GREAT!
Amy C
Very cute! I love the fabric that you found! I've wondered about doing a carseat, but the thought of it scares me. You make it look so easy! Maybe with my next baby, I'll give it a try. 🙂 I saw you have 3 boys, are you getting a girl this time? I have 4 boys and no girls 🙂 Good luck with #4!
Crystal
wow what a transformation. I love the fabric and it is so much cuter then anything you could buy in the store.
Heather
Very cute, you did a great job!
Amanda K @ Every Crafty Endeavor
That looks so great! I love your fabric – how funny that you found it at Walmart of all places!
Carly
I saw a similar project at modabakeshop.com and Someone posted a comment that said…… I think it's important to mention that the car seat manufacturers can not guarantee the safety of the seat if you add a cover like this, though. Car seats and boosters are crash tested based on exactly how they are made by the manufacturer. A simple cover may not seem unsafe, but it just hasn't been tested. Even an extra 1/4" of padding can cause a seat to fail a crash test.
I'm not trying to be a downer, I just think that anyone reading this tutorial should also have this information.
http://car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=35856&highlight=aftermarket+covers
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/aftermarket.aspx
KrisKay
Wow, that is awesome!!! And oh my gosh is your little boy the cutest or what?!
Tanya
Great fabric — love how it turned out!
Maridith @ Strictly Homemade
Good Job! What an improvement. Especially if more then one kid has used a car seat. We are pregnant with our 3rd child and plan on using the same car seat. I think I am going to have to do this!!
scrappingfrog
Super,Super,Super, great job! I also adore that green color.
Alison
This is pure genius! I love how you make things look so simple!! I think i could pull this off!
malia
cute cute cute! i hope you link this up to a crafty soiree today http://www.yesterdayontuesday.com
xoxo malia
While Mr.Onesock Tugs My Apron Strings
That looks great! Love the fabric! Wonder if my Walmart has it? Going to have to check it out!
Scrappy Gifts
Fabulous job even with the vinyl part! Love the fabric choice!
Allie
Great Job! I love re-doing carseats. With vinyl i sew through tissue paper with the vinyl in-between. Then tear it off of the seam. It works like a dream. Also, painters tape on the bottom of your foot and on the sewing plate also works.
You should come link this up at my Making It With Allie Party!
AllieMakes.Blogspot.com
Domestic Nerd
I love this! I posted it on my blog as my Friday favorite, I hope you can check it out:
http://adomesticnerd.blogspot.com/2010/09/friday-favorite_17.html
Carly
Hi! Saw your link at Tasha's blog (creation corner)… I have been SO WANTING TO DO THIS. But am super intimidated. So you didn't take apart the first cover at all? You just put the new fabric on top?
Michelle
Adorable! I am going to feature this on my Friday Fave Five today- you should check it out! Hopefully I improve my sewing skills by the next baby so I can make one of these! Love it!
Tasha
I am totally impressed! It is so fabulous. Seriously. I love that you just sewed the fabric right on top of the other fabric. What a smart idea! I actually really love it. (I love that fabric too!) I was going to say my sister has been wanting to do it…but then I see she just left you a comment (Carly). Thank you, thank you for linking it up.
Alida L.
Wow! I really want to try this! I bought a black and tan car seat for my 2nd daughter because I thought for sure our 4th baby would be a boy…but it's another girl and I want a SUPER GIRLY carseat this time.
Quick question, how did you finish the ends? Did you use bias tape? I guess I'm just not really clear on how you sewed it on there. Any help would be appreciated!
Beth @ Sand To Pearl
I LOVE that fabric, and the car seat looks so much cooler. Maybe I'll have to do something like this….
Kaysi
Alida~
I didn't do anything for the edges, I just folded the fabric over the edge and then sewed it. There is about 1/2 inch of fabric on the back side. I was thinking about using bias tape but didn't think it needed it.
Alida L.
Thanks Kaysi! You rock!
Courtney
You make this look so simple!! Hoping that it is, because I might try it! haha.
Megan @ Bug Creator-Crafts and Life
I love that fabric and the vinyl idea! It is a lot easier to sew vinyl if you use some computer paper and put it on top or put masking tape on the bottom of ur sewing foot and around the plate!
The Thriftress
THe perfect fabric – and from Walmart too! The carseat is totally up to date now!
Sarah
Ginger
Looks so cute! Baby will love it! Thanks for linking up to Mad Skills Monday!
AmericKim
Great fabric! You did awesome! Dropping in from DIY Showoff.
Jocelyn
Great job! I've seen people post about making car seat covers, and it's always something I've thought I'd like to try. I have no idea if I could actually pull it off, but you sure did!
Misty
Very cute, Kaysi! Thanks for linking @Creative Itch's "Sew Cute Tuesday"!
Katie's Nesting Spot
Thanks for another great link up to A Crafty Soiree! That looks like one challenging project to undertake. You are brave for even trying! You picked a great fabric to use!
simplydesigning.blogspot.com
Cute car seat cover! You did a great job!
I am featuring this in my blog on Monday!
Thanks for linking up. I hope to see you again tomorrow!
Ashley
http://www.simplydesigning.blogspot.com
Mel
I just saw this and what caught my eye was the FABRIC! I bought the same fabric from walmart myself. I plan on turning mine into a quilt. I bought 4yds total and thinking about grabbing the last 2yd piece they have this weekend if it hasn't already been picked up.