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DIY Car Seat Protector!

If you have seen this on Pinterest and are concerned over the installation of the carseat please note that the carseat was never used this way… we made a quick install to take the picture and quickly changed it because we realized the mistake.. that is why you won’t see that picture here..

Disclaimer: Use at your own risk.  Most manufacturers and safety specialists say that placing something thin (like a thin towel) under a seat is ok, but check with your car seat manufacturer and up to date car seat safety info to make sure.  Also most fire stations will check your carseat for you to make sure its installed correctly. see more at: http://www.car-safety.org/faq.html#Q36

A couple of months ago we purchased our first ever NEW vehicle together.  It’s a white “swagger wagon”! LOL  (aka Minivan).  Well… I got to thinking (obsessing) that I wanted to make sure and keep everything clean… at least for a while.  With 3 kids it makes it very hard… especially with the littlest still rear facing.  When she sits in her seat her feet touch the back of the seat… well that causes the cloth to get stains from her shoes.  I needed something to protect the seats.  That is when I came up with this idea!  Later on I found out that they sell these at Walmart (figures), but I like my version SO much better… plus it is custom made.

DIY Car Seat Protector!

What you will need:

Laminated Fabric in color of your choice ( I got mine from Etsy)

Pattern Paper or just Tissue Paper for making a pattern

sewing machine (yes… lots of sewing, but it is just easy straight seams for the most part)

quilt binding in coordinating color (for straps around headrest)

Velcro for the straps

optional but recommended:  double fold bias tape

My little helper! 🙂

Before you buy the fabric you will need to measure each seat to see how much fabric it will take.  I decided to cover all the seats in the van and so I ordered 8 yards.  Yours may be more or less.  Then take your pattern paper or tissue paper and cut it to the measurements that you measured… So if you measured 21 inches wide by 42 inches long just cut out the  paper that length and width.  Next, take the paper and place it on the seat to be covered.  See how it looks on the seat.  Make any changes based on the seat that you need… like cutting a grove to fit the seat-belt and arm rests.  I needed to make the bottom portion wider than the top on mine.   I also had to split the measurements in half to fit the fabric… so I did the top and bottom of the seat separate and sewed them together.

 Important tip: since this is laminated fabric- there is no need to leave room to sew down the edge.  You have several options… leave it a rough edge, cut out about 1/4 inch wider than the pattern and sew the edges down or do like I did and sew bias tape around the edge for durability and looks.

 If you did the top and bottom separate then just sew the two sides together- being sure to sew the non-laminated sides out!  If the laminate side is put through the sewing machine it will not work and may ruin the project… just FYI!   If you are using the bias tape then sew that on once your fabric is pieced together.

The next step is to sew on the strap that will go around the headrest to keep the protector on (using the quilt binding and velcro).  Measure it out first then sew the quilt binding on… then sew the velcro on the quilt binding.

When your finished it should look something like this!

We tested it out and it fit perfect!  (note that we were not riding in the car… just testing the seat cover!)

Now we don’t have to worry about stains on the seats… unless we had a major spill or something!  I just love the fabric and I think it looks great in the minivan! Love it!!!

Disclaimer: Use at your own risk.  Most manufacturers and safety specialists say that placing something thin (like a thin towel) under a seat is ok, but check with your car seat manufacturer and up to date car seat safety info to make sure.  Also most fire stations will check your carseat for you to make sure its installed correctly. see more at: http://www.car-safety.org/faq.html#Q36

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Saturday Project: Car Seat Protector | The Organized Wife

Saturday 22nd of September 2012

[...] seats can get. Especially as we approach the holiday travel season, a car seat protector is a must. Bubbly Nature Creations has a great tutorial for making a cover to protect your seats from all the “love” the [...]

Heather

Monday 10th of September 2012

I think this idea is brilliant, I know others are just interested in the safety, etc, but I think that sometimes people should rephrase what they are saying. I am sure you wouldn't do something to put your children at harm, we all know they are our most prized possession.

Anyways, I am making two this week! Can't wait to see how they turn out! :)

Atkinson Drive | Sunday Special {Week 6}

Sunday 26th of August 2012

[...] Car Seat Protector {Bubbly Nature Creations} [...]

Stacy Sews - Diary of a Fabric Junkie » Blog Archive » Linky Thursday

Thursday 28th of June 2012

[...] on a long trip? You’ll definitely want to put one of these car seat protectors under your little ones (or even big ones, my teen is almost as messy as my toddler). While [...]

Micki @addhousewife

Wednesday 27th of June 2012

DH swears they just need to make the interior of minivans out of rubber so you can just take a hose to them for cleaning :)

great project btw :) please link it up at pin'inspriation thursday :D http://www.addhousewife.com/2012/06/happy-happy-pininspiration-day-and-were.html

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