This guide for how to make a baby car seat canopy is all you have been looking for. In this blog post, we talk about how to create your own custom car seat canopy with just a few extra supplies.
We also provide full instructions on how to sew it together. This project can be completed in less than an hour, making it the perfect last-minute gift idea.
Ways To Make A Baby Car Seat Canopy
The car seat canopy can be made out of a receiving blanket. A receiving blanket is the type of material that you receive when your baby was born in the hospital which keeps them warm and cozy during their first few days outside of mama’s belly.
You want to make sure it’s not too heavy so as to avoid any added weight on top for your little one, but just enough where they are comfortable yet protected from harsh weather conditions or anything else that may cause discomfort.
So follow these steps below!
#1. Lay down your fabric with the right side up, then fold down about 12″ or more depending on how tall you would like the canopy design to be, use pins if needed
#2. Sew along this bottom edge using a straight stitch – now measure your baby’s height from the top of their head to where you would like the bottom edge to be, turn right side out and attach a snap button at this mark so that it can continue being used as they grow.
#3. Next up place your canopy over your little one ensuring everything fits correctly around them (i.e. make sure their feet can still reach the bottom of your car seat for instance).
How Do You Make A Stretchy Car Seat Canopy?
Stretch the fabric that you want to use for your canopy. You can stretch it by hand or with a machine, depending on what size and how much of the material you have.
Cut a hole in each corner of your stretched-out piece of fabric using scissors.
Attach grommets (small metal rings) to all four corners as well as along both sides where there is now an opening. Place them about halfway from one side edge to another, spacing them evenly apart.
Use pliers to attach two pieces together through either end of each grommet so they won’t come loose while stretching over car seat handles/backs/seatbelts.
Stretch your canopy back into place around the handle(s)/back/seatbelt(s).
Poke holes through the grommets along one side where you want your carabiner clips to attach. Use a nail, pen, or another sharp object to poke the first hole, and then use scissors to cut out an opening for each clip so they can fit inside. You should now have two openings at either end of this canopy piece.
Slide your carabiners into place inside these newly created openings with their gate facing inward toward the fabric (they’ll open outward when you’re ready to hang them up).
Repeat last step on both sides until all six pieces are hanging securely from their corresponding places around the handle(s), backrest, seatbelts. Congratulations! Your outdoor canopy is now ready for use!
How Much Fabric Do You Need For A Car Seat Canopy?
A car seat canopy will require less than a yard of fabric. It is important to consider the size, shape, and thickness of your fabric when determining how much you need for a car seat canopy.
If it is bulky or thick, then more fabric may be needed for this project. In addition, if you are cutting out holes on the top of the cover or back panel (if applicable), add an additional half-inch allowance around these cutouts so that there’s some wiggle room when sewing them in place on the front piece.
A standard car seat weighs between 15-20 pounds with most weighing closer to 20 pounds which means one yard should easily do all four corners but depending on how large your child’s head circumference is compared to the rest of their body, you may want to add an additional yard.
However, if your child is smaller than average and has a narrow head circumference in comparison with the rest of his or her body weight, then one yard should suffice for both sides.
Step One: Choose Your Yarn And Pattern
Begin by choosing your yarn and the desired size (you need approximately 300-400 yards). Lots of free patterns are available online for different types of stitches using different weights of yarns, both singly and in combination!
Remember that thicker is better if you want it cushy; thinner is easier to work with but won’t be as soft (this may mean adjusting the number of chain sts at the beginning).
Step Two: Crochet Your Piece In A Square Or Rectangular Shape
Crochet the piece in a square or rectangular shape, with an odd number of stitches on each side. You can add more rows if you want it larger and less for smaller (remember to adjust your beginning even-numbered accordingly).
Alternate crocheting through front loops only and back loops only, every other row to make what looks like purl bumps along both sides; this helps keep the seat cover flat when finished.
This will also help give texture once sewn onto the car seat. Be sure not to stack these stitches too tightly together, as they may pull out while working around them later! Once complete, slip stitch to the first of this row.
How Do I Keep My Baby Dry In The Stroller?
A great option is to use a stroller cover. This will go over the top of your baby’s head and keep them dry even in heavier rains, but be sure to leave an opening for their face so they can breathe!
Other options are another piece of clothing or a small blanket that you could drape on top of both your child and the stroller seat if it begins raining while out walking with them.
Or buy rain gear specific for children which easily slips on/off without taking away from any safety features already installed on your stroller frame.
Also, consider using extra inserts inside waterproof covers as this provides added protection against wetness seeping through fabrics too quickly during heavy downpours. Another thing we recommend is keeping an extra set of clothes, hat,s and shoes in your child’s diaper bag for emergencies.