Please do not send me any messages about how to install a carseat. We read the instructions. Yes we know about rear facing, yes we know about the straps being at or above the shoulder, we even know where the breastplate is supposed to be positioned. Firstly, our Pediatrician recommended turning him forward facing due to his height. Secondly, this photo is of an old car seat in his dad's truck that we hadn't had time to adjust (any parent knows you wait until it's absolutely necessary to move those straps because it's a nightmare), they just use it to drive around in the yard. He conked out we snapped a quick photo. Even so the straps were still right at his shoulders, but you can't tell that in the photo. Hopefully now all the carseat police can view the rest of the tutorial with peace of mind :)
Items Needed:
2 - 26" x 6" pieces of fabric
Batting
6 - 9" pieces of ribbon
I used cotton polka dots on one side and minky on the other but you could use all fleece or just cotton....whatever you have on hand.
Begin by cutting your fabric. Then pin the two sides together (rights sides facing each other) to prepare it for sewing. Place the ribbon equal width apart, 3 per side.
I choose to sew my ribbon with my fabric, but you could always hand sew your ribbons on later if that is easier for you.
Start sewing at one of your side ribbons and sew completely around the fabric, leave a 3-4" gap open where you can put in your batting. Turn the fabric right side out.
Stuff with batting then hand stitch the hole closed, you're done!
thanks for the tutorial! i have a little one that falls asleep the second we hit the highway... this will be perfect for her.
ReplyDeletetanya
I'm having trouble figuring out what you do with the ribbons. How do you tie them on to keep the pillow in place?
ReplyDeleteIt works best with a standard seatbelt (not a 5 point harness). You simply tie the ribbons together around the seatbelt. I usually only need to tie one or two for it to stay. In the carseat I'll tie the middle one but leave the other two loose because the car seat sides hold onto the pillow. It just depends on the size of the person, type of seat etc.
DeleteI should probably mention the photo of my son sleeping, NONE of the ribbons were tied. I just reached back and tucked the pillow under his head, then snapped the photo.
DeleteThis is great. I will be making these for my grandkids. thanks for the idea!!!
DeleteI think this would have come in handy when I had THREE in carseats! LOL I think I would use velcro on the ribbons or even cotton webbing with velcro to strap it to the seat belt, but I like things that are quick and easy. I LOVE this! I think I know what my daughter will be receiving in the mail for her two! : ) Donna-Sew Much Fun
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for this idea!!! How perfect for a upcoming road trip!! I made 4 last night in about 2 hours. I will put velcro on the ribbon, making it easier for my younger ones to fasten it on their seatbelts! :)
ReplyDeletethis is such a great idea, since I have to get my toddler in the middle in the night when I get off work, and he still needs to sleep comfortibly in the car!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips, can you tell me if you can wash this pillow? And forget about people that are totally over the top crazy about safety. People just can't wait to gripe about something.
ReplyDeleteTanks for this tutorial, could anybody tell me what kind of filler has this pillow? I am planning sewing one of this but nobody mentioned the filler
ReplyDeleteIt was under the Items list: Batting. Basically the polyfill you'd use to stuff a pillow...or if you have an old pillow that you don't need open it and reuse, save yourself a bit of $.
DeleteI wish there was a way to modify this to fit a car seat. I've got a Britax seat and my child will be in it until 100 pounds and that's a long, long, long time for away.
ReplyDeleteI just made two of these and they were SOOOOO easy! I used ALL left over fabric and they are ADORABLE!
ReplyDeleteI didn't have a lot of fleece, so I used baby blue fleece for the "front" and some bright teal cotton fabric for the "back". (I think they'll like the bright colors)
For the "ribbon" I ironed 2 inch strips of the cotton teal fabric and used a bright orange thread. (I was using up left over bobbins and orange thread) I sewed a straight stitch, then I went back over the straight stitch with a zig zag stitch for decoration. I originally planned on turning the ribbons inside out so you wouldn't see the seam, but I didn't have quite enough room to "turn" them, that's why I went back over with the decorative zig zag stitch - turned out to be a great choice. I trimmed along the rough edge with a pinking shear.
I attached them like you did - when I sewed the front and back together, and I must say I am awful proud of myself! I even went back and did a double stitch over the ribbons for extra security.
I can't wait to give these away as gifts to my nephews!
Thank you for the tutorial. We take a road trip almoat every year with my kids and these will be great!
ReplyDeleteWhy didn't I ever think of making one like this? I always take a little pillow on our trips, but it keeps falling off. This is the perfect solution!
ReplyDeleteThanks again!!
Anjana @ http://happyandharried.wordpress.com/
Thanks so much for the simple tutorial! We travel a LOT and this will certainly help our little ladies be a bit more comfy in the vehicle! I just whipped up three tonight and we head out on a trip in a couple days! Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteAmazing cute baby and wonderful idea! Thank you so much for sharing! My grandbabies are preparing for a super long road trip, so these will fit the bill! Thank you so much for sharing! I'll be pinning this wonderfully easy and useful pillow!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this tutorial! I am definitely NOT a seamstress and I made two of these for my older boys in just an afternoon. They definitely weren't perfect in my eyes (I am horrible at cutting & sewing a straight line!) but my boys can't wait to use them on our upcoming road trip!
ReplyDelete