Infant Carseat Canopy

With the approaching arrival of a new little one, my brain has been focused on baby.  I love the carseat canopies that have been so popular lately and wanted to make sure to have one with this baby.  My husband plays softball all summer so I needed something to help keep the sun, wind and dirt off my newborn and knew this would do the trick.  You can use cotton or flannel depending on what type of weather you are going to experience when you need it.  I used cotton since it is for a summer baby. 




First gather your materials needed:
1 1/8 yards front Fabric
1 1/8 yards back Fabric
1/8 yard handle Fabric
6 inches sew-on Velcro (1-2 inches wide)
4 1/2 yards Rick-Rack (optional)
2 big buttons (optional)
Picking out the fabric is the hardest part, or finding it if you are looking for boy fabric.  I had my mom and a few sisters on the search for boy fabric and was SO glad they found some cute stuff!  Seems like there is about 95% girl fabric and 5% boy fabric out there. 

Pre-wash and press front and back fabrics.  Lay one on top of the other, with right sides together.  Trim off selvedges and round the corners (I left mine square for this one but the rounded corners will keep the canopy off the ground if the carseat is set down).  You can use a medium size glass plate as a template to cut the corners with a rotary cutter. 

If you are using rick-rack, you can insert it between the fabrics at this point.  Or you can top-stitch it on the top fabric after it has been turned right side out. 
Sew a 1/4 inch seam all around, leaving an opening for turning. 

Turn and press.  Then top-stitch all the way around, closing the opening as you go.

From the 1/8 yard of fabric, cut 4 handle strap pieces 2 inches by 6 inches.  Place one on top of the other with right sides together.  Sew a 1/4 inch seam all around, leaving an opening for turning.  Turn and press, then top-stitch all the way around, closing the opening as you go.  Repeat with the other two pieces. 

Cut four 1 1/2 inch Velcro pieces.  Sew one to each end of the handle straps, with one on the front side and one on the back side.
 
Sew the center of the straps to the canopy top 2 inches above the center fold and 5 inches apart.

Then you are done!  You can sew decorative buttons to the top of the handle straps if desired.  It is a quick project!

Great to help keep your baby covered and out of the weather!  Can’t wait to use it!