Sewing Projects ByCrafting SewingSewing CraftsDiy CraftsBabytime DiyBaby ProjectsSewing StuffCraft ProjectsTutorial CushionedForwardIkea Antilop high chair cover with pocket. Wish I had a pocket on my highchair for bibs.If you have an old wooden high chair that you would like to make more comfortable for your baby's fanny, chair pads are an easy way to do it. You could go out and buy expensive chair pads, but you can also easily make them yourself and save a lot of money. So here's a handy how-to guide on making your own chair pads for your baby's high chair. Start by cutting your newspaper or pattern trace paper and fold it so that it sits in the high chair in the same way you want the cushion to be placed. You may need to use tape to help keep the paper in place. Trace the outline for your cushions and be sure to add a 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch seam allowance on the edges of the pattern. Also, be sure to mark each location where you will connect ties to hold the seat cushion in place.
Mark any other locations you may need for straps or folds. Since you will need two of each pattern piece, double the fabric you'll be using before laying it out. Cut enough pieces of 1 inch strips to be used for ties. Measure the outer edge of the pattern and create strips that are twice the length of the edge of the pattern. Make sure it is also wide enough so that it can be folded for the desired ruffle or seam. Fold the strips that you cut for ties in half and use a hot iron to press them. You may have to alternate folding the strips in and out and pressing them until the seam appears permanent. After ironing, cut the tie strips to the desired length and then sew them close with your machine. Sew the seat and back cushion material together along the area where you created your seam allowance. Make sure to leave a gap in the center of one of the seams so that you can turn the cushion material inside out later. Use your iron to press the seams together. Align the right sides of the fabric and ensure that the edges are lined up on the front and back of the pieces.
Then pin the fabric in place and make sure all seams and curves fit nicely. Sew the seams together and trim off the seam allowance as needed. Again, press the seams with the iron. Use your pieces of pattern paper to trace the pattern outline onto your foam pad and then cut the padding with a foam cutting knife or a bread knife. Align the edges of the foam pad with the seams of the fabric cover. You may need to tack the edges of the pad to the fabric cover's seam allowance to hold it in place. Then turn the fabric cover right side out and smooth the padding and fabric. Stitch the opening of the fabric closed and use pins or tacks to hold the foam pad in place. If you'll be adding straps to the chair pad, sew buttonholes in the locations that you marked earlier. Run your strap through the holes. Finally, use the ties to attach the chair pad to your baby's highchair. Then, stand back and admire your work. Wooden highchairs get passed down through generations but the cushion doesn't always survive as well as the chair.
All highchairs are not the same. These directions will guide you through the steps to create a custom pattern and sew a custom cushion for a highchair. Pattern making material such as newspaper or Pattern Tracing Cloth Fabric of your choice - an ample amount for your pattern, ties, and trimBatting or padsCording or pipingThread Fold paper to "sit" in the chair the way you will want the cushion to fit. (Use tape if needed to hold the pattern material in place.)Trace the outline of the desired finished cushions. (You may want to fold the pattern in half to be sure you are even on both sides)Add a 1/4" to 1/2" seam allowance to all edges of the pattern.Mark the location that you will need to attach ties to hold the cushions in place.Mark anywhere you need an opening for a strap, a fold or other need. Lay out the pattern on doubled fabric (You will need two of each pattern piece.)Cut 1" bias strips for tiesFor a corded edge -- Cut bias strips for piping cover - (How to Cover Cording to Create Piping)orFor ruffle edge -- Measure around the edge of the pattern and cut strips that are double the length of the edge of the pattern and wide enough to be folded in half for the desired ruffle and seam allowance.
Sew a ruffle in place of piping for the remaining instructions. Fold the tie strips in half with the wrong sides together.Open the strip and fold the edges into the newly created fold line.Re-fold the first fold and press well. Cut the strip into desired length for the ties, leaving extra to turn in one end of the strip.On one end of each strip, turn in the end to enclose the raw edges.Sew close to the folded edge to hold the tie closed.Sew the unturned end of the ties to the back fabric pieces where you marked on the pattern pieces. Join the Seat and Back. In the example, the seat will be sewn to the back cushion.Sew the back and seat together at the back of the seat using the chosen seam allowance. Leave an opening in the center of one seam for turning the cushion right side out later.Press the seams and apply a seam finish. Create the piping (How to Cover Cording to Create Piping)Decide which edges will be have a piping edge. (In the cushion shown here, the seat is sewn to the back at the rear of the seat so I will not be attaching piping to that seam.
If you choose to have two separate cushions, you may want the piping on all edges.)Attach the piping to the front fabric pieces, using the seam allowance that you chose when creating the pattern.Clip the seam allowance where needed for the edges to lay flat. Join the Front and Back of the Cushion Cover. Placing right sides of the fabric together, line up the edges of the front and back of the fabric pieces.Pin in place, matching any seams and curves.Sew using the piping stitches as a seam guide.Trim the seam allowance if needed and apply a seam finish. The choice of padding for your cushion is yours. If you choose to use batting, you will want multiple layers for enough padding. Using the pattern pieces you created, without the seam allowance added, trace the pattern on to the padding.Cut out the padding.Optional - Use basting spray to hold multiple layers of padding together. Adding the Padding to the Cushion. Line the edges of the padding up with the seams on the fabric.