How to Sew a Stroller Canopy

The hand-sewn stroller canopy lays flat against the stroller back when not in use.

Designed to shield an infant or toddler from heavy sun or rain, the stroller canopy slides or latches over the top of a stroller and provides a barrier from weather extremities. While most infant strollers come equipped with a canopy, umbrella and jogging strollers, meant to carry slightly larger toddlers, often do not. Some manufacturers do not even sell an adaptable canopy to complement their stroller, so creating a homemade canopy is the only option. You can make your own canopy pattern from common and inexpensive household items, embellishing it to match a stroller or the toddler's personality.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Ultra-thin flexible cutting board, at least 10-inches-by-16-inches
• Scissors
• Fabric pen
• Rectangular vinyl table cloth in preferred color, at least 30-inches-by-56-inches
• Sewing needle designed for leather fabrics, size 14
• Rayon thread
• Sewing pins
• Iron
• Clear vinyl tablecloth, at least 12-inches-by-36-inches
• Utility knife
• 2 grommets, size 6
• Grommet setting kit, size 6
• Hammer
• 2 carabiner key chain clips, 3 inches diameter

Instructions

1. Measure the length between the two handlebars to determine the width of the canopy. Place one end of the measuring tape in the middle of the handlebars. Pull the tape straight out until it reaches the length of the edge of the seat to determine the length of the cover.

2. Cut the flexible cutting board to the measurements so that it forms a long rectangle. Fold the vinyl tablecloth in half vertically with the wrong sides facing out. Add 1/2 inch to the width of the measurements and two inches to the length so that you can hem all raw edges. Mark these measurements from the fold on the vinyl tablecloth with a fabric pen. Cut away the excess tablecloth so that only the rectangular folded fabric remains.

3. Rotate the tablecloth so that the handlebar edge is on the left. Find the middle of the handlebar edge and measure five inches toward the middle from the edge. Measure a 6-inch-by-6-inch square for the window using a ruler. Cut the square window from the fabric.

4. Measure 1/2-inch from the raw edge of the table cloth. Draw a straight line with the fabric pen and use the yardstick as a guide. Straight-stitch on the line to close the raw edge.

5. Measure 1-inch toward the center from the opposite edge of the handle bars. Draw a straight line across the edge to reflect the 1-inch measurements. Sew with a straight-stitch to hem the raw edges.

6. Turn the tablecloth inside-out so that the right sides now face out and all the edges aside from the handlebar are sewn shut.

7. Flip the canopy over so that the bottom side faces up after you determine what side will be the top of the canopy. Fold the edges of the cut square in the fabric over 1/2 inch to create a hem. You may need to make a small diagonal cut in the corners of the square to fold. Crease the folds with an iron.

8. Slide the flexible cutting board into the canopy. Note where the window falls and cut out the window from the flexible board with a utility knife.

9. Cut a 6.5-inch-by-6.5-inch square piece from the clear tablecloth for the window. Line the clear window piece directly over the hole and pin to hold. Zig-zag stitch the window to the fabric.

10. Line the canopy over the stroller to determine the location of the grommets. Cut a small circle to fit the grommet. Place the female grommet on top of the male grommet on the backside of the fabric. Hold the grommet tool over the male end and hammer to secure. Repeat on the other side of the canopy.

11. Wrap the key ring of the carabiner around each handle. Hook the carabiner through the grommet to attach the canopy.

Tips & Warnings

• While you may sew this canopy by hand, use a standard sewing machine for more ease and time management.

References

• "The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Parenting"; Joshua Piven, et al.; 2003
• "Sandra Betzina Sews for Your Home: Pillows Window Treatments Slipcovers Table Coverings Kids' Accessories"; Sandra Betzina; 2002