No Sew Carseat Poncho

One of the most stressful things that parents have to deal with is car seat safety. You have to make sure that your seat is installed correctly, that your child is strapped in correctly, and there are reminders all over about what happens if you don't follow the recommendations and you're in an accident. We all want our kids to be safe, but are you absolutely sure that you're as safe as possible?

When we lived in Michigan, we didn't have children yet, but had planned on it. Michigan has cold winters (and cold springs and cold falls). We were eager to move south and thought we'd be safe from worrying about cold weather. 

While we lived in North Carolina, four years to be precise, we had exactly five days with snow. That's it. However, just because there isn't snow doesn't mean that it's not cold. Quite the contrary, it can be nippy in North Carolina!!

We moved to Georgia and while it's a teeny bit warmer here, we still have cold weather and even some "snow" (I don't call it real snow because it's just flurries). All that cold weather can be tough on a toddler!!

Hugh was born in December of 2012 and while in NC with him, we were able to get a cold weather cover for his car seat. It was perfect because it kept him warm, dry, and protected him from wind. He's no longer in that seat, so now we strap him in and put a blanket around him.

I don't remember when I first saw a car seat poncho, but when I saw it for the first time I thought it was genius. And I immediately wanted one. So I went on Etsy and priced them. The cheapest I found was $35 plus $7 shipping, so $42. I would need two... so that's $80 give or take, for a blanket with a hole for the head.

My SIL told me about a friend of hers who sells them... and her's were $72 EACH!!! My mom said she'd help me make one for each of the boys, and so I was looking online for a pattern.

What I found was a website that gives a step-by-step description for a no-sew poncho. PERFECT!!! I can't sew!!!

I went to Hobby Lobby yesterday and picked up some fabric to make Gus and Hugh a poncho to wear while we drive around. Even in the summer, with the air on, Gus likes to snuggle and I like to keep Hugh covered so he doesn't get too cold.

I picked a cute sock monkey print for Hugh and some red minky for the back. For Gus, I found a cute robot print and got some orange minky for the back.

First off, I got 1 yard of each. While the website I followed said to cut it into a 36x36 square, I wanted it as long as possible, so I didn't cut mine.

I then folded it in half:

 

Then I cut a small half circle for the head (you only need a 1/2 circle because the blanket is in 1/2 and when you open it, it'll be a full circle for the head to fit through).

 

Then you fold the opening over and cut slits (small ones) around the outside of the hole (this is for putting ribbon or fabric around the neck)

After this step, you open up the whole blanket again. I didn't do this on the first poncho and I was thoroughly confused. LOL. Open it up and then start cutting 2 inch slits:

You'll be tying each of the pieces together (it's a LONG process).

Here's the finished product on Gus:

 

He LOVES it!!

Here's Hugh's car seat poncho:

I got my fabric from Hobby Lobby and it was 40% off. The minky pieces were $10 each and the fleece were $8 each. So I spent $18 per car seat poncho, which isn't bad at all!! I got to pick what I wanted and I knew that each of my boys will appreciate that I made these for them. 

Trust me, I am NOT a sewer. If I can make this, so can you!!! It's better than putting your child into a car seat while wearing a jacket/coat, and it's cute.

I'm quite pleased with myself.