Car Seat Quilt

I've been tossing around an idea in my head for a while, trying to come up with a quilt for my grandson's car seat that he couldn't constantly kick off.  I got my inspiration from http://www.modabakeshop.com/2012/02/sophie-car-seat-quilt.html    After trying several different ideas, this is the final design.

 I wanted it to be warm and cozy since it was going to be used in winter.  The fabric I chose was left over from several other projects.  All the fabric is soft and cuddly and also difficult to sew.  Every time I sew with minky or any of that soft, stretchy, cuddly fabric, I swear I'm never going to sew with it again....but I always end up loving the final product and decide it wasn't so bad after all. 

 I wanted to make the quilt a quilt as you go (QAYG).  I thought it would be quicker and easier with this fabric.  I cut my backing approximately  30 inches by 35 inches since I wanted the finished quilt to be about 25x30.  I cut the batting the same 30x35.  For my strips, I cut varying widths making sure I had enough to go the length of the quilt.  I laid the first piece down and sewed across the top close to the edge.  Then I laid the next piece right sides together on the bottom edge of the first fabric, sew and fold down, repeating this process until the batting is covered.   Missouri Star Quilt Company has a great tutorial https://quiltingtutorials.com/tutorial/how-to-quilt-as-you-go

Use lots of pins with this fabric, it likes to move!

Almost done!

Last strip added and sides trimmed.

 The Moda Bakeshop tutorial used ties to attach the quilt to the car seat.  I was afraid they would come undone or take too long to tie and untie so I used velcro and made wider tabs instead.  I made the tabs about 1/12 inches wide by 5 inches long.  I measured around the handle of the car seat to get a length I felt worked.  I'm sure each car seat may be a little different.

I measured down about 13 inches and sewed the tabs close to the edge of the quilt.

 Things I learned from making this quilt:

Basting spray is your friend.

Pin, Pin, Pin.

Using a walking foot makes sewing this so much easier.

Binding with minky is no fun.


Let me know what you think of my car seat quilt

Happy sewing,

Lori

Car Seat Covers

Last week I showed the fish quilt I finished for my DGS.  I mentioned in that post that we originally planned on making a crib skirt, curtains and the quilt.  Oh,  I think she wants a pillow too. Anyway after talking about it more, DD decided against the crib skirt.  Which I'm very glad for because after looking at the pattern, I did not want to make it.  It looked way too complicated!

Since we had so much leftover fabric I decided to make a car seat cover for the summer.  I had made one out of flannel and minky for winter.  I'll try to find a picture of that one, it was red minky and a flannel fish fabric.

I used a pattern my sister found on the internet.

I think it looks rather plain since I used the same fabric for the whole thing except for the placket.  I do love the fish buttons I found!

I like this one better that I made for my best friend's daughter. This one is from Simplicity pattern 1177. 

I am proud of myself for making the white bows.  I found a you tube video that explained how to do it.  Turns out it's very easy.

Next I want to try one made with the new double gauze I've seen in stores.  It looks like it would be perfect a summer cover.

Happy sewing,

Lori