This free baby car seat canopy pattern is easy to make and is a great shower gift. You can make a beautiful car seat that will survive the washer, and several kids! This can be made from fleece, flannel or cotton fabric. Please be sure to wash flannel and cotton before sewing as it may shrink in the wash.
You will need the following:
1 and 1/3 yards fleece (a little extra of a different color if you want contrasting straps)
1 and 1/3 yards flannel
6- 8 inches sew on Velcro
5 – 7 yards small cording (3 packages of wright’s – optional)
Washable cloth marking pen or pencil
Iron
extra buttons, ribbon for decorating
Download the free pattern here, tutorial below.
Here is the video tutorial, full step by step picture tutorial below.
1 – Cut out pattern
Assemble the pattern. You can find assembly directions on this page. There is a picture in the download as a reference guide. (Like the Pocket on the cover? Get the tutorial for that here.)Place the line on the fold and cut 1 from the fleece. Be sure to mark the top of the cut out piece with a pin ( or mark from washable pen) as the pattern is not symmetrical.Place the pattern on the flannel lining and cut out again ( be sure to pre -wash the flannel before you sew!) Be sure to mark the top of the cut out piece with a pin ( or mark from washable pen) as the pattern is not symmetrical.Cut out 4 of the straps (2 exterior 2 lining). I recommend using the flannel especially on the straps to keep the fleece from stretching. In this pattern I used some brown fleece for a contrasting color on the straps.
Save your fleece scraps! There’s enough left over to make a cute hat and other things for the baby!
2 – Begin to sew
If your not using cording skip to step 3.Personally I love how cording looks next to fleece. There’s something about cording that says “pro”. Here is how I sew cording.I pin the cording in place on the right side of the fabric.Lining the edge of the cording up with the edge of the fabric. I like to start in the middle of the pattern where it comes in.Using a zipper foot, I sew right next to the cording all the way around the cover. (The needle is on the left side of the foot, and the foot is butted up next to the cording)
If you are capable of sewing cording and two pieces of fabric together at the same time – you are awesome, I bow down to you – I can’t. =)
3 - Pin the lining to the top of the cover
Matching pattern at the top (remember where I had you place a pin or mark so the pieces could match up?)
Pin right sides together. Pin the fleece and the flannel lining together (cording should be sandwiched between the two). Leave a gap of about five inches for turning. ( Again I like to start and stop in the middle section where is comes in.)
Tip: Pin from the middle of the pattern (where is comes in) out – it will pin better)
4 – Sew the top and lining together, turn
If you are not using cording, sew all the way around with a straight stitch with a .5 seam allowance.With cording, use a zipper foot, butt foot up against cording and sew all the way around – be sure to leave gap open for turning. The tighter, closer you are to the cording the better it will look – take your time to make it look right.Turn the cover right side out and admire your work!
5 – Sew Closed the Gap
You can blind stitch the gap closed by hand…or I just machine stitch it closed, It’s in an inconspicuous spot that will be covered any way – and the machine stitches are stronger and will last longer than my hand stitches.
6 – Top Stitch
If you are doing the cording – you probably are sick of sewing around the cover – but just one last time. It’s worth it – promise.On the right side of the top piece of fabric, using your zipper foot butt the right side up against the cording, with the needle on the left. This will give you some nice top stitching that will make your cording pop.No cording – top stitch .5 inches from the edge of the fabric.
Tip – You’re working with a lot of fabric – so careful that it doesn’t fold up under the needle – I like to pin the cover a little to prevent this from happening.
7 – Make the straps
Follow the cording instruction in step two.
Place right sides of fabric together pin and sew, leaving a gap at the bottom (not the rounded side) for turning of 2 to 3 inches.
Sew, turn, and sew gap shut like you did on the cover.
Then top stitch as you did on the cover.
8 – Add the Velcro
Using the guides on the pattern for reference place the “hook” side ( the pointy side) of the Velcro on the interior of the strap – sew into place by sewing a straight stitch along the edges, turning at corners (all four sides) of the Velcro.Note: This stitching will be able to be seen on the other side – either use thread that won’t be easily seen or make sure your stitches are nice and straight as they will be seen.Again using the guides on the pattern for reference place the other side of the Velcro (loop) on the exterior of the strap. Straight stitch all four sides into place.Ideas for decorating the straps coming soon.
9 – Sewing Straps onto the cover
Using the pattern as a guide, mark the stitching pattern onto each strap. This is how you’ll sew it onto the cover.
Pin the Straps onto the cover.
Make sure the lining fabric is flat underneath.
If you have access to the car seat you are making this for – I recommend that you lay the cover on it to gauge where the straps should go. Otherwise you can put them where I have the straps the picture – with the caveat that all baby car seat are different and what works for one might not work for another.
Sew the straps to the cover.
10 – Finishing up the cover!
This cover is different from other baby covers. I don’t like how most just hang from the bar onto where the baby is. This cover is made to prevent that and to stay in place if it’s windy. Just do this final step!Place you’re amazing looking cover on the car seat if you have access to it.See how the edges fold over in the picture – with a single pin - pin where the top and bottom meet in the middle.Using a washable marker pencil draw on the top and bottom where that point is on each side. The mark on the top will be on the interior lining and the mark on the bottom will be on the exterior of the cover.
Sew a small amount of Velcro ( about on inch) the hook on the top interior where the mark is – the loop on the bottom exterior of the cover.
Now your little one will be snug as a bug! You could also make this pattern with flannel, or cotton since all the edges are finished. Send me a picture I would love to see your work!
Hi Angel,
I absolutely love your pattern for the baby car seat canopy. I made one for my own baby, and I’m working on another as a gift for a friend. I’m not really a “seasoned” seamstress, so this comment might seem silly, but the only part I have trouble with is the place where the two large curves come together to form that upside down “U”, towards the side of the car seat handles where it closes up like an envelop. That “U” part is really difficult for me to navigate, and my “U” always ends up looking puckered. Any tips on how to avoid this would be appreciated!
Hi Sadaf,
To keep the fabric from looking puckered there are a few things you can do:
Be sure you pin it well so the fabric doesn’t shift.
Really slow down as you navigate that inner curve.
And finally be sure to snip little slits in the fabric on the curve (taking care not to snip through your seam) when you are finished sewing. when you turn it right side out it will help it lay better.
Other than that, practice makes perfect. Keep up on the sewing and those puckers will disappear! =)
Thank you! That was really helpful.
So I printed the pattern and pages 13 & 14 are on the same page. According to the layout they are supposed to be on two separate pages. I can’t figure out how to fix this and assume they were scanned in that way. I can probably figure it out, but if you could fix it for future use that would be great.
Hi Mandi!
the reason why 13 and 14 are on the same page is because they are partial pages, so I thought it would be better to conserve paper and put them on the same page. Sorry for the confusion.
-Angel
I have a question. I was making the cover using cotton. It’s not wide enough though, did it print correctly? Also, is the top 1?
Hi, i am trying to get the baby car seat canopy pattern but it doesn’t appear that the link is working, or my computer isn’t working right. would you be able to send me the pattern in an email?
Thanks
Hi Regina!
Yes 1 is the top. Sometimes cottons can have a slim width, but I have made this pattern out a cotton several times, so i’m guessing the fabric you chose really shrank in the wash. An easy and quick fix is to just lay the pattern down on the cloth, and instead of worrying about the “place on fold” edge being on the fold, have it hang off the edge of the cloth, and make sure the rest of pattern is on the fabric. The pattern will still work, the cover will just be a little smaller.
Another option is to print the pattern at 90% and see if it will fit then.
Best of Luck,
Angel
What is the final measurement (height & width(of the finished product? The pattern i printed looks really large.
where did you get your cording. i cant seem to find it online. or do you use cord with the wrights bias tape
Hi Anna!
It’s wright’s cording – should be right next to the bias tape at your local store. =)
Angel
its not letting me download the pattern !! help
Hi Olga,
Are you clicking on the pattern envelope? The brown envelope with the picture on it?
– Angel
yes ive tried it many times already ! can i just get it emailed ?
I don’t have a lot of experience sewing so this might be a silly question, but…..
What side do I trace the pattern on the flannel?
What side do I trace the pattern on the fleece?
Thanks!
Hi Seri!
If you’re new to sewing it can be confusing. For this pattern the right side of the fabric ( the colorfulside) will be facing you, however it will be folded so the color ful side should also be touching the counter. Fabric comes folded on the bolt and you will place the pattern on the fold. You will do this the same way for the flannel and the fleece. Typically patterns are not traced, but you pin the pattern to the fabric and cut it that way. There are a few reasons for this method:
1. The pattern won’t shift so you’ll get an acurate cut
2. On more complicated patterns you can keep the labeled pattern peice attached to the fabric until you need it so you know what it is.
Good luck with your project!
Angel
I saw a friend’s carseat cover and had to figure out how to make one myself, so I searched and found your instructions. Love, love, LOVE! Thanks for the video and the great pattern. (The shape and details are MUCH cuter than the one I was trying to copy!) I’m working on my second- did the first for a girl, the second for a boy, both with cotton on one side and minky on the other. Used the scraps to make bibs to match and still have lots left over so I’m going to peruse the other patterns. Thanks again for such a great project that is now my go-to gift! Pics to follow.
Eleanor
I printed the pattern and assembled it as you demonstrated in the video. Are you using 60″ fabric or 45″? When I use 45″ flannel, i am an inch short in fabric on the fold side. Is there a way to fix this? Or can I just shorten the pattern by an inch?
Katie,
If it’s shortened an inch it will still work fine.
– Angel
I am making a cover with a directional print and so I was wondering which way to place the pattern on my fabric. Does the smaller section (pages 1-6) cover the back of the car seat or the front?
Page 1-6 will sit on the back of the car seat.
Thanks!
Can you tell me where you got the actual blanket material?? I love the little birds on it!
I got that particular material at JoAnn’s but that was two years ago!
– Angel
Just made this for my little ones car seat. It turned out awesome! It was so easy to make and I’m not a seasoned seamstress either. I can sew a straight line and sometimes that even iffy! Thank you ‘sew’ much for the tuturial. Now I have to go throw the baby in the car seat and go out for a drive so I can try it out! Thanks again!
Thank you so much for sharing this pattern! I was looking for one that the sides wouldn’t be flying up during windy days. This is prefect! I have completed it and it fits great. With your permission I would to like to post pictures on Pinterest and link to your site for anyone interested in making. Thanks again!
As long as you link to me that would be great! So happy you had success.
– Angel
BTW…this was made for my granddaughter’s carseat. My daughter loves it for her lo’s carseat. I’m thinking I might make a lightweight one for spring.
I’ve never pinned anything so not sure if I will get it done. Would love to send you a pic of my final product. The front is ABC no-pill fleece pastel letters on white background. The lining is gray flannel with various sizes of yellow dots
Hello, I can not get the PDF to open, Can you please help.
Thanks in advance.
Robin
should be in your in box. =)
Absolutely love your pattern. I bought an actual Carseat Canopy for my great niece and was disappointed with it but gave it to her anyway. It didn’t seem to cover the carseat very well. I came across your pattern and decided to give it a try and made one for my grandson. I love the way it covers the carseat fully and keeps the wind and elements out. The pattern was easy to follow. I have son and daughter in law have been asked by many people where they got the cover and I have been asked to make a few more covers and now give them away as baby presents.
thank you angel I like your pattern and I made one for my baby boy.
Downloaded this carseat pattern a few months ago. Made two with the flannel and fleece. Both turned out adorable. When my daughter goes places, she is always asked where she got it. I am now making three more for the summer with a lighter flannel and cotton fabric. Thanks for the free pattern.
Hi,
I found this pattern and I think is wonderfull. I’m new sewing so I have a lot of dudes.
the first one is this: Can I make it just with cotton?(Cotton on both sides)
If yes, I would need something to put between the two piece of fabrics?
Thanks a lot!
I’ve made this pattern myself out of cotton and it works great!