DIY Sewn Removable Carseat Strap Covers Tutorial
This is a tutorial for how to sew removable strap covers for your child's carseat. The covers finish at about 4.5 inches long and will fit straps that are 1.5 inches wide.
Materials
- 4 pieces total of cotton fabric measuring 5" by 5 1/4" [2 outer pieces (green in sample), 2 inner pieces (yellow in sample)]
- 2 sections of 1/2" wide hook-and-loop tape (Velcro, Aplix) measuring 3 1/2" long
- small amounts of polyester filling (Fiber-fil, Poly-fil)
- coordinating sewing thread
- pins, scissors, pressing iron, pencil, etc.
Begin by making two marks on the right side of the inner fabric. Measuring from the left along the longer side, make a mark at the 1 1/4" and 3" points (shown to the left).
Then, draw two lines parallel to the shorter side of the fabric, shown in the image below.
Place the outer fabric right side down on top of the inner fabric so that the marks you just made are inside.
Measuring along the same long side as before, place pins at the 1 1/2" and 2 3/4" points. There should be 1 1/4" between these pins.
This section, marked in red in the image to the right, is where you will not stitch in the following step! You must leave this portion open so that you can turn the piece right-side out, and also stuff this section later! If it would help you remember, mark a bold no-stitch line here along the seam allowance.
Measuring along the same long side as before, place pins at the 1 1/2" and 2 3/4" points. There should be 1 1/4" between these pins.
This section, marked in red in the image to the right, is where you will not stitch in the following step! You must leave this portion open so that you can turn the piece right-side out, and also stuff this section later! If it would help you remember, mark a bold no-stitch line here along the seam allowance.
Stitch around the two pieces with a 1/4" seam allowance, leaving the opening we marked earlier. Begin at the blue dot, follow the blue line, and end at the red dot, in the image on the left, below. The finished stitching is shown on the right, below.
Trim the corners (below, left) close to the stitching line, then turn the piece right-side out and press (below, right). It will be a little tricky to turn it, but just work with the material gently -- it will happen eventually! The lines we marked earlier should be visible again.
Stitch along the two lines we marked, back-stitching at the top and bottom.
This section in the middle should have the opening at the top, still. Leave it for now -- we will stuff this section later!
Stitch the soft side of the hook-and-loop tape on the smaller outer section, on the outside fabric. Use a basic straight stitch or a zig-zag. Position the tape very close (within 1/8") to the edge of the cover.
Flip the cover over and stitch the rough side of the hook-and-loop tape on the larger outer section, on the inside fabric. Again, position the tape very close to the edge of the cover.
Now stuff the middle section with a small amount of polyester filling. Do not over-stuff it. Then, stitch the opening closed. This is easier to do if you push all the filling down to the other end, then redistribute it (fluff it up) after the opening is stitched closed.
That's it!!
Your first strap cover is done. :) Repeat the steps for the second set of fabric pieces, then put them to use!