Making a Carseat Cover

[an_aurora]

Has anyone made a carseat cover? I have seen a McCall's pattern but it was $15 and I'm opposed to spending that much! I have some pattern paper and I think I will use that to make a pattern, then I'm thinking of using a waterproof padded type of stuff for the back, and then a girly fleece for the top layer. I was thinking I would need to quilt the layers together to make them stay without bunching or shifting. BTW, my dd has a Evenflo Triumph Deluxe, and my main motivation for making a cover is the fact that it is like pulling teeth to get the cover off to wash it. So, I am making my own. Any thoughts/ideas/comments?

[an_aurora]

Well, I did it, here's a pic

[sapphire_chan]

Keep in mind that after market products like that have not been crash tested and there could be safety factors involved. Of course, I've also read that you change the effectiveness of a carseat when you put your child in a heavy winter coat.

[an_aurora]

Originally Posted by sapphire_chan

Keep in mind that after market products like that have not been crash tested and there could be safety factors involved. Of course, I've also read that you change the effectiveness of a carseat when you put your child in a heavy winter coat.

Thanks for your concern. Honestly I thought about that too, but I really don't think that the safety would be compromised. It's held around the back with elastic and it's velcro'd behind the straps. I made slits in the cover where the straps come through, and they lay over my DD's body just like they did before. I have heard the same thing about the heavy winter coat (honestly I have no idea because we live in Phoenix) but I would assume this would be due to the fact that you have to loosen the straps in order to fit the child and coat, and then in the event of a crash the straps would not be tight enough to properly hold the child. The carseat cover just goes over the carseat, and I didn't have to adjust her straps at all. I hope there aren't any unforseen dangers with this.

[Shenjall]

Is that furry monster-like fabric? OMG! I love it! That would be great here for our cold winters. I love the idea of a waterproof back as well.
Great job!

[an_aurora]

Originally Posted by Shenjall

Is that furry monster-like fabric? OMG! I love it! That would be great here for our cold winters. I love the idea of a waterproof back as well.
Great job!

Thanks!! Yes it looks just like the guy monster guy on Monster's Inc. I can't wait until my DD is old enough and sees the movie and says "OMG Daddy why did you kill him and skin him and make him into a carseat cover??"

[Shenjall]

Its the Sully carseat! Soooo cool!

[sapphire_chan]

Originally Posted by an_aurora

I would assume this would be due to the fact that you have to loosen the straps in order to fit the child and coat, and then in the event of a crash the straps would not be tight enough to properly hold the child. The carseat cover just goes over the carseat, and I didn't have to adjust her straps at all. I hope there aren't any unforseen dangers with this.

The heavy coat thing is because the material can compress and create more space in an accident. Which is also the concern with carseat covers. However, if you feel safe having your baby wear a heavy coat while in the car seat, there probably isn't any additional danger from a carseat cover. This is also why the recommendation is to put rolled up towels around a tiny baby's head instead of using one of those half-circle of fabric things to avoid getting fabric between the back of the baby's head and the carseat.

Another factor to consider is whether you care about the carseat manufacturer's guarantees. The carseat manual would have more information on things that absolve the manufacturer from responsibility in the event (G-d forbid) of injury.