Stroller Makeover

Last year in quick need of an umbrella stroller I decided that this little number from Walmart was a decent (cheap) option (you know it was sort of a "best the worst" situation):

 

  

After awhile I started to hate this more and more and something had to be done. I got really close to trading it in last month at the Babies'R'Us  trade-in/upgrade event for a discount on a new one, but my thriftier craftier side won out and I'm so pleased with the results!

I used a basic black and white stripe which I sewed into a chevron pattern and trimmed out with yellow grosgrain ribbon for a cheery pop of color:

 

It was a pretty simple project. For semi-step-by-step instructions click the "read more" button:

Step 1: remove the current fabric from the stroller frame with a screwdriver (save all screws/ washers/ straps and buckles to use with new fabric):

Old ugly seat meet your replacement:

Step 2: Make a pattern for the new seat by tracing the old fabric piece:

Step 3:  Transfer all holes and stitching lines from the old seat (where the screws held that fabric to the metal frame, and where the straps and buckles were sewn) to the pattern:

Optional Step: If you want to make a chevron pattern like I did, then you will need to draw a line down the center of the pattern piece and cut it in half (adding a 5/8" seam allowance on each side of the line). Draw a grain line on each piece on a 45* angle in the direction that you want the chevron stripes to go.

To make sure that the chevron stripes match lay out one piece of the pattern onto the facric and trace where the lines of the fabric hit the pattern. Then lay the other side on top of the first piece and trace where the lines hit, so that the left and right sides of the pattern are symmetrical (it's easier than it sounds):

Next lay out the second piece on the fabric matching the grainline, and the black/white fabric pattern lines that you traced in the last step. Check to make sure that each piece matches before cutting out:

If you're a perfectionist like me then you will want to cut each piece out on the center line, leaving the outside edges uncut, until you sew the two pieces together. I just unpinned the center parts to be matched up and sewn before cutting the outside edges so that I could make cure my chevron matched just right before the final cutting of the fabric. I mean, just because this is homemade doesn't mean I want it to look homemade.

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Step 4: If you're satisfied with your matching, then lay the pattern flat again and cut out the outside edges of the seat.

Or, if you only used 1 piece of fabric (no chevron) then cut out your pattern:

I used the fabric glue on the back side of the center seam of the chair. I don't have a serger and I got a little lazy about seam finishing. Once again if you aren't doing a chevron then this step isn't necessary.

P.s. this is what happens when you open a bottle of fabric glue the week before moving across the country and you decide that putting it in a ziploc bag is sufficient spill-insurance. Ha! Half the bottle spilled out and hardened all over the bottle. Oops.

Step 5: Make a pattern piece for the little flap on the underside of the bottom/foot area of the stroller seat. I just did this with the lengthwise grain of the fabric (straight). You'll also notice that on the original stroller seat that there are miscellaneous pieces of fabric on the corners (on each side, front and back-4 total). They give some reinforcement to the fabric where most of the stress of the weight of a child sitting on the stroller is.

 Step 6:I just used some plain white fabric as corner reinforcers. You'll want to baste these onto the corners of the fabric (two on the little piece, and two on the large main piece of fabric) before stitching these two piece of fabric together. Next stitch the little flap piece to the large chevron:

Step 7: My stroller had a thick piece of 1" wide black nylon belting across the top back edge of the stroller for added strength. Instead of buying new I just unstitched it from the old stroller fabric and sewed it to my new piece, in the same place:

Step 8: Next you'll need to finish off the edges of the fabric. I used grograin ribbon. Fold it in half and pin it to the entire outside edge (covering each side, like finishing a quilt) and stitch completely:

The underside (the little flap) will have the grosgrain ribbon fishing that edge. I started and finishing stitching the ribbon here to hide the overlap:

Step 9: Next you'll want to stitch the seat in the same places that the old seat fabric was stitched so that it will fit back onto the frame. It's sort of hard to tell you exactly where since each stroller will be slightly different. Use the old seat fabric as a guide:

Step 10: Next sew all the old straps and buckles onto the new fabric in the same places you removed them from the old fabric seat:

Step 11: Slip the new fabric onto the frame at the foot area and re-screw the new fabric onto the frame using the old screws and washers. You're done! Now go to the park and show off that new custom stroller!

 

What do you think?