Way back in 2021, I posted about converting our old pushchair into a shopping trolley. This wonderful contraption has been used just about every week since then, and it was time to give it a little TLC in the form of a smart new waterproof cover.
When I originally converted our old pushchair into a shopping trolley, my lack of sewing machine and a very tight budget meant I went with a lightweight water-resistant fabric for the cover.
Although it has served its purpose well, this cover has been looking tired for a while, and the original design, which had elastics to secure to the bottom of the pushchair at the front edge turned out to be less than ideal. When not under tension, the elastic came off the pegs and the lightweight fabric tended to blow around in the breeze.
In the last couple of months I have been able to get hold of a sewing machine! It’s a second-hand Bernina 160 that’s not much different from the one I used growing up. It has a few ‘quirks’, the worst of which is that the reverse button doesn’t work. However, I still consider it a bargain at £150 plus the price of a service. The previous owner also included a lot of gizmos that I have yet to play with (or in some cases identify), including the marvel that is a walking foot!
Needless to say I am very excited and am now wanting to sew All The Things. I’m not sure I’m ever going to get the new kitchen we’ve been planning for 5 years, but I’m as sure as sausages I’m getting the new kitchen towels!
Knowing I can now sew a thicker material, and with a little more budget, I was able to get a heavier-weight waterproof fabric for the new shopping trolley cover. It’s the sort of thing you made cushions for outdoor seating out of. I chose a darkish denim blue that I thought would go well with the striped webbing on the pushchair.
I’m pleased to have a slightly less eye-catching colour for the cover than the original one! Now that I mostly do the shopping without the children, I’m more self-conscious about how weird the thing looks in the first place, without it also being a bright colour.
It’s an odd experience realising it’s 15 years since I had use of a sewing machine. I mean, when I was last sewing, Youtube and Pinterest weren’t something I was aware of or really using. I worked out clothes for the babies using books, a few websites and trial-and-error!
You know what else I didn’t have? Pens that erase with heat – what a revelation to use these for sewing! And wonder-clips – just perfect for heavy waterproof fabric like I’m using here!
Anyway, back to my pushchair shopping trolley cover.
With my years of experience with the old cover blowing around and having to bend down to try to hook the small elastic loops over the front pegs whilst wearing gloves, I had a new design in mind.
The new cover is longer at the sides and shorter at the front, and does without any attachments. I have sewn a weighted cord (the sort you put in curtain hems) into the side and front hems. It’s only a little weight, but I think this will be enough, along with the heavier fabric itself, to stop the cover blowing around in most conditions. It also makes the cover hang beautifully-straight!
The back of the cover is attached to the pushchair frame with the same elastics and poppers, which I removed from the old cover.
My Bernina made easy work of the fabric and stitched beautifully.
Overall I’m really pleased with the improvement. I think it looks much smarter, notwithstanding the fact the poor old pushchair itself is pretty battered. But it’s worth noting that the Fortnum & Mason basket is in exactly the same condition as when we started using it, and the 3-D printed parts are still perfectly secure. I thought about re-sewing the webbing straps with the machine, but on inspection, all they needed was a quick wash.
Here’s to many more years of milk, vegetables and library books!
More Upcycling Ideas
Find more mending and up-cycling ideas on my Pinterest board: