Great Ideas for a Homemade Fabric High Chair Pattern
Summary: Crafty moms enjoy making things for the baby, and what more practical item than a fabric sling that will turn any chair into a safe high chair.  This article includes directions to help you make your own fabric high chair pattern.

Fabric high chairs, also called chair slings, are a nice option for traveling with your baby.  Folded up, one will fit easily in your diaper bag.  Then, when you need a high chair and all that is available are adult chairs, you can whip out your fabric high chair and attach it to one of the adult chairs.  Baby can fit into the chair safely and you can strap her in without a worry.

Be aware, however, that while these items are often called fabric "high" chairs, they really don't elevate the baby above the level of the seat of the chair.  Now, if you place a booster seat under the baby first, he or she will be a little more on your level when tied into the chair.  So with that caveat, let's talk about how to make one of these handy items.

First you will need to choose your fabrics.  A sturdy woven cotton, like denim or lightweight corduroy, would work well.  Look for a design that you enjoy, whether it is a classic solid color that would complement any decor, a kitschy vintage print, or a bright kids' print.  Choose two if you want to make the seat part in a contrast fabric from the back.

You will need about two-thirds of a yard of fabric for the back of the chair sling, and another half yard for the seat portion.  You will also need a spool of matching thread.  For the straps, you can use a yard or two of webbing, or you can make straps from fabric doubled over and sewn.

The fabric high chair will be assembled as follows.  The first step is to measure the chair you expect to use it on.  If you will be taking it places, you will want to pick a very standard chair, so it will fit most.  Measure the width of the back.  Also measure the back from the seat to the top of the back.  Chances are, the chair will be about 18 inches wide and 20 inches tall (or a little smaller.)  

You will make a cover for the back of the chair that will fit over it something like a pillow case.  The back of the opening of the slip cover needs to be hemmed.  Do this first.  You will sew up the sides in a moment.

Now, on the front edge of the bottom of the slip cover you are going to attach a shape similar to a fitted cloth diaper.  This is going to pass between the child's legs and tie or buckle on the sides.  Alternatively, you could use large patches of Velcro fastener sewn in place or large snaps attached with   a grommet tool.

Whatever method you choose for the seat to be secured around the baby, remember that unless you have a buckle, chances are the child will be able to undo it if she is determined.  Like you've heard a million times already, there is no substitute for adult attention!  Plan on being nearby at all times.  You already know you have to have eyes in the back of your head!  Don't worry.  You'll develop those if you haven't already!
 
While sewing, always put right sides together so your seam allowance will be to the inside.  If you like seam binding, you can have the seams to the outside and bound, but it is a more tricky procedure.  Looks nice when it is done right, though, and it adds a professional touch with decorative flair.

You can choose plain earthy tones or navy blue so that the chair fits into any decor and doesn't stand out.  This plan might be nice if Dad is the one taking the baby out and about.  Dad might not appreciate a garish hot pink and turquoise vintage print.  But on the other hand, Mom might love it!  And Baby might prefer the Sesame Street gang strewn about on the fabric!  Just choose the type of fabric and colors that will keep everyone happy.

Make a little matching drawstring bag for storage if you like.  Eight inches square finished size should be large enough to fit the travel high chair inside for slipping into the diaper bag.  To make this, cut your fabric into two rectangles about 9 by 10 inches.  Sew down both long ends and across one shorter end with right sides together.  Fold the open end to the fabric's wrong side and make a 1/2 inch wide casing.  Leave enough opening to thread a shoelace through.  Knot the ends.  Turn right side out.

For more help in designing and sewing your own fabric high chair, find and study pictures of the "Totseat," the "Baboz" brand chair harness, and the "My Little Seat" travel high chair.  There is also a pattern available called the "SewBaby! Travel High Chair."  It differs from some of the others because it fits around the back of the chair and not over the top.  The pattern costs about $8 USD and is available from many fabric sources.

For a webpage that has a free pattern and instructions for a fabric high chair, visit "Jan Andrea at Home on the Web."   She has a lot of help for people who want to sew for babies.  One of the projects that she has posted is a "chair sling."  If you like to sew, you are going to flip when you see all the projects available to try!

Happy crafting and happy traveling, too!