Sewing Vloggers

Sunday, April 29, 2012

McCall's 5721, The Cart Cover

This is proving to be an interesting project to work on, no home dec or garment here! I am using McCalls 5721. It's called a 3 in 1 cart cover but I am not sure why. If anyone can solve that mystery, please let me know.
As usual, I did things a bit differently than the pattern spec'd. Instead of quilt batting I used a flatter firmer heavy wool/poly blend blanket that has been washed a zillion times. I have used this king size blanket in many projects so needed to put it back together to get a piece large enough for the cart cover.  I triple zigzagged the pieces together and then cut out my cover. The ripples you see disappeared as soon as it was all pressed. I wasn't sure about this change at first but have since decided I like the flatter look. I think it will fold up into it's bag more easily as well.
Here you can see the two print fabrics and the blanket all stitched as in a pillowcase and then turned. The pattern has you stitch around the leg hole area and then cut them out leaving a half inch seam allowance. Then it instructs you to cut back only the batting  to the stitching line. I was not digging that little layer of batting out and doing that. I just cut the whole staystitched leg hole to a 1/4 inch. You'll see why in a minute. The pattern then has you stitch 3/4 of an inch away from the edge to make a casing for the elastic. I went bigger, one inch. I hate pushing elastic through tight areas. I know this is a border print, but I assumed it matched on both sides. Assume nothing! I think it will all work in the end however so I am not worrying about it.
Sewing around the leg holes makes a lot of bulk on the machine, fair warning. Here's another change: the pattern has you make bias binding that is folded in to the center and then you wrap it around the hole and topstitch it on. I am not always successful with that method. So that is why I cut the leg hole back to a 1/4 inch. I did a French binding instead, folding the 2 inch strip in half, applying it to one side, turning and pressing, and then applying it to the other. It made the bias more of a contrast and wider looking which I liked as well. Above you can how I did the leg hole. The raw edge is sewn in a 3/8 inch seam to the leg hole starting one inch away from the beginning of the bias strip. That needs to stay clear at this point. When you get to the end stop about two inches short of the beginning. Cut the end to fit and tuck it inside of the folded begining edge. Pin (must) and keep stitching to finish the seam. I say must pin because the strip will definitely want to pull out of the fold. Once this was done the leg hole was trimmed back to 1/8 inch. Then the binding was pressed to the other side and topstitched.


Another interesting aspect of this pattern is the giant buttonhole you make two of to accommodate the strap to hold the child in. This was pretty easy. My thread is a nice blue to match but looks black here. Once I cut the buttonholes open the white blanket showed through of course so I took a blue sharpie and touched that up. Lots of Fray bloc was used as well. You can see one of the pockets topstitched to the left. Here is a closer look. They have loops to hook toys on to (?).
It's hard to see but I tacked the ends of the pocket/loop with a tiny zigzag, like you see on jeans.

This pattern is basically an oval with two leg holes and two pockets for toys or such and a big bag pocket off the back that the whole mess folds into. I think it's pretty clever construction. I hope to finish it today and go to market tomorrow and take a pic of it in the cart. Think I'll turn a few heads? .....Bunny

15 comments:

  1. I made a similar type cover for my grandson. I added my own straps to buckle him in rather than the buttonhole. I also added 3 straps with hoop and loop tape to front to add toys and a bottle. I made a long tube from the left over fabric and stuffed with poly fill for a pillow.

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    Replies
    1. I like that pillow idea. I think I may do that if I can pull together enough of my scraps. Thanks so much, Virgina.

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    2. Great tutorial. Love your choice in fabrics. It amazes me when pattern instructions take the hard way around tasks. Wonderful job!
      Beckie in Brentwood, TN

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    3. Guessing: 1-grocery cart seat cover; 2-restaurant high chair cover; 3-some, but not all, baby baskets or car seats cover- but they are reluctant to depict that clearly on the pattern envelope, to stay on the safe side.

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    4. The basket use is in grocery cart pic number 2, visualizing an infant in it. Beautiful work as always, Bunny!

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  2. what a lovely idea - I have to say until you posted this I didn't ever really think too much bout who has been sitting in these shopping carts before.

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  3. I have seen more toddlers with green goop coming out of their noses chewing the cross bar. At least now at our local market you can get antiseptic wipes to wipe them down before you put the child in.

    BTW, this pattern also has a twin version, four leg holes!

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  4. This is awesome! Love the blue you used.

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  5. Nice gift for the baby.
    I've been catching up on your blog, and just now noticed the entry about the member of your family. I'm so, so sorry for your loss, and so sorry I didn't convey my sympathies sooner.
    God Bless,
    Designdreamer

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Cissie. It was not unexpected as Danny was suffering from mental illness. Now he is rid of his demons and there is peace to found in that for him and our family.

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  6. The baby will surely enjoy the ride much more in that cart cover.

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  7. Love that you re-cycled the blanket.

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  8. I saw your "finished" post before I saw this one... I am definitely following your directions better than the ones printed with the pattern! You make it all sound so easy and effortless!

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  9. Thanks for this post. I am almost finished with this project. I could have used more descriptive instructions as I am a novice.

    I think the pockets would be better to sew first instead of trying to sew over all that bulk. Unless I need the bulk to keep the pocket on?

    I am having trouble with the bag placement. It says to sew on contrast side. I am visual learner and can't quite figure that out. Also, Is the webbing sewn onto the cover?
    These were my first button holes and I got the contrast fabric knotted up into my button hole.
    I also bought 1/2 binding instead of making my own. I used 1" batting. Pattern doesn't specify.

    I think this is a cute project and will try again and learn from my mistakes.

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  10. I made this in 2012 so my memory is really fuzzy on the details. If I remember right the webbing passes through those big buttonholes and around the seat of the carriage and through the rungs of the seat, all to hold baby secure.

    You have used really thick batting at one inch. I am sure that bulk is complicating things. My filler was quite flat but dense, an old wool blanket, well washed and felted. It didn't look puffy like the pattern picture but I actually liked the thinner look a bit better.

    The second time is always faster, easier, and just better. Good luck. I am sure whoever the cover is for will be thrilled.

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