Traditional Baby Car Seat Canopy pattern – free baby car seat canopy pattern

You can make a beautiful car seat that will survive the washer, and several kids!  This free baby car seat canopy pattern is more of the traditional shape that hangs down from the handle.  It has a nice curved shape to it.  This pattern can be made from fleece, jersey knit, or doubled up it can be made from cotton as well.

You will need the following:

A printed out version of the Free Fleece Fun Baby Car Seat Canopy Traditional PDF (on the right).

1 and/3 yards fleece (a little extra of a different color if you want contrasting straps)

5 inches sew on Velcro

Washable cloth marking pen or pencil

extra buttons, ribbon for decorating

Sewing Essentials (pins, scissors, etc.)

Sewing Machine

Download the free pattern here.

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. Place the line on the fold and cut one.
Cut out 4 of the straps (2 exterior 2 lining).  Save your fleece scraps!  There’s enough left over to make a cute hat and other things for the baby! Or make a cute warm flapper headband for mom!

2 – Pin and Begin to sew

Turn under the fleece one inch and pin all around the cover.  Pin edge to wrong sides of the fabric are touching. Using a narrow zigzag sew along the edge of the fabric, securing it down all the way around the cover.

3 – Make the straps

Place right sides of fabric together pin and using a straight stitch sew, leaving a gap at the bottom (not the rounded side) for turning of 2 to 3 inches. Sew, turn right side out, and sew gap shut or blind stitch shut

4  – Top Stitch

Top stitch .25 inches from the edge of the fabric all the way around the strap.

5 – 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.

6 – 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. 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. Using a straight stitch Sew the straps to the cover.

7 – Optional Add a Pocket – Basic

Here’s a more simple version of the add a pocket variation.  Cut out one pocket from fleece.  You can get the pattern here. Fold down and sew down using a narrow zigzag along the edge.  Add a button if you would like. Place and pin on the canopy where you would like and zigzag along the edge of the pocket (leaving the top open).  Tada!  Simple Add a pocket!

More Free Baby Car Seat Canopy Patterns:

• Stretchy Baby Car Seat Cover
• Fleece Baby Car Seat Tent (perfect for cold weather)
• Baby Car Seat Cover with Window
• No Sew Baby Car Seat Cover

Additional Free Baby Patterns:

• Baby Long Sleeved T-shirt
• Baby Sundress Pattern
• Baby Bib with a Pocket
• Monster Mash Up Softie Toy 
• Baby Burp cloth Pattern
• Busy Baby Tag Blanket
• Fleece Vest