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2/22/12 blog post

pinteresting...car seat covers

A couple weeks ago I shared my new addiction to Pinterest. The days have gone on and I continue to find amazing outfits that I wish were in my closet, great ideas for future birthday parties and inspiration for my dream home. These social media and sharing sites are really incredible – you just never know what you are going to find!

Being the self-proclaimed car seat nerd I decided I would search on Pinterest for car seats. Little did I know, although I shouldn’t have been surprised, there is a whole DIY world out there for amazingly handy and talented ladies (I’m assuming) recovering their children’s car seats. Search on “car seats” and you’ll see what I mean…

This immediately reminded me of a car seat check I was at a few years ago when I was checking the seat for recalls and labels and realized that the car seat pattern was unfamiliar (I tend to have the car seat designs somewhat memorized). I commented to the mother about the new pattern and she said, “Oh – I made that!” And after a little closer look I realized that she had – she created a pattern with the original car seat cover and then recreated it.

Unfortunately I had to tell her the same thing I want to tell Pinterest world – the craftswomanship is incredible but you’re messing with the integrity of the seat. Most (if not all) car seat manufacturers will agree unregulated or after market products should not be used with their seats – and this would include homemade covers.

Why? I mean really – some of those patterns aren’t too cute. Car seat manufacturers have to adhere to certain regulations not only on the types of fabric that they use but also labeling – and many of those labels come on the seat cushions themselves. What if you accidentally cover up something that tells you at what weight your child should move into the next seat?

My hat goes off to the DIYers – I envy you! But this is one area where I would use caution. Happy pinning!

Visit Dayton Children’s on Pinterest

How a children’s hospital is using Pinterest to reach moms