How to Sew an Infant Car Seat Cover Blanket

Infant carrier car seats have revolutionized life for parents of small babies. The ability to bring the baby, seat and all, back and forth to the car without disturbing him has answered many a new parent's prayers. But sometimes, in the dead of winter, just being able to keep the seat in the house between uses isn't enough to keep baby warm. Instead of struggling with snow suits and extra layers, make a simple car seat cover blanket to keep your baby cozy and warm.

Things You'll Need

• 1 yard of fleece fabric
• 1 yard of coordinating cotton fabric
• Thread
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Pins
• Fabric pencil
• Measuring tape
• Velcro tabs (optional)

Instructions

1. Measure from the top of the car seat, along the seat portion to the bottom edge and again from one side to the other, accounting for the inward curve of the seat.

2. Lay the fleece fabric, wrong side up, out on a table. From either side of the center point of the top edge, measure out and mark with a pin 1/2 of the width of the car seat. Next, measure along the center line and mark the length of the car seat.

3. Determine the distance from the top of the seat to the openings for the shoulder straps as well as their width apart, using the car seat as a guide. Transfer these measurements to the fabric and mark with pins. Repeat this step with the reentry point for the shoulder straps and the bottom part of the buckle, marking as you go on your fabric.

4. Draw a line down as far as the first shoulder strap opening on each side from the top corner marking. Adding the 1/2 the measurement of the width (the same amount you measured out from the center point) to either side where your line ended, draw out to create the top half of a "t" shape. The bottom of the "t" arms should be where the shoulder straps go back into the seat. Finish out the "t" by drawing down to the bottom marker and then adding a further 12 to15 inches. You should now have a true "t" or cross shape with the bottom part longer than the top.

5. Cut this shape out of both pieces of fabric, adding 1/2 inch all the way around and transferring all strap opening markings to the cotton fabric. Layer the fabrics, right sides together and pin all the way around. Starting at the bottom center, stitch around the "t" leaving a 4-inch opening at the bottom.

6. Turn the "t" right side out and hand stitch the opening closed. Using the markings for the strap openings, cut slits to allow for ample access for the straps and buckles. Zigzag stitch around each of the openings to prevent fraying. Unhook the car seat straps and thread them through the top slits and back into the seat at the bottom corners of the "t." Pull the buckle though its opening. The side and bottom flaps can now be folded in and up to cover the baby when buckled in. You can also stitch Velcro tabs where the folds meet to keep the blanket closed.