Baby Gift Items in Flannel

 

I had fun sewing baby items for a friends shower last week. I used super soft flannel fabrics for bibs and burp cloths.  Joanns had their Snuggle flannels on sale so, I pick up a few.

I also had a couple of solids in my stash and a pretty vintage pink rose flannel that I found at an estate sale last summer.

For the shower gift I used the mint green cherry blossom paired with a pink minky dot for one set...

And the vintage pink rose and solid pink for the other set.

I used the same pattern for the bib as the last one I made. Its from Heather Bailey's blog.
For the pink rose burp cloth I just free-handed a pattern.
Then, along with several items from her registry, I packed them all into a handmade fabric bin.

I constructed this one slightly different than the others I've made here and here.
It is a bit smaller and the handles are attached to the sides rather than the top edge.

I think bins are always useful...for toys, diapers, blankets, dvds, books, etc.  So, hopefully she can find a place for it.  :)
Babies are so fun to sew for! And I'm always looking for new ideas.  What type of projects do you like to make for baby?

Sewing for Babies

This past week I was able to sew some fun baby items for a friends shower.  She's having a girl and judging from the crib set she registered for, the nursery will be decorated in pinks, orange, yellow and green and have a slight jungle animal theme.
So, I put together a pretty fabric toy/diaper bin. I followed the same construction methods that I used for this larger one that I made a few years ago, but scaled down the size just a bit.

 I also made a couple of applique burp cloths using a giraffe and elephant template that I found here on Sew for Home. 

 

And using a free pattern provided by Heather Bailey of Hello my name is Heather, I made a baby bib out of cotton toweling and vintage fabric scraps.

 

I also filled the basket with a number of smaller items from her registry, a couple of books, and a cute stuffed giraffe (love him!).

 

Have you been able to sew for babies lately?  If so, what kind of items do you like to make?

A is for Applique

A is for Applique. I have been sewing some cute appliques on burp cloths. Yes, I know. This baby gift theme is going on a little longer than I intended. This will be it for a while, I promise. LOL

B is for Buttefly.

C is for Circle.
D is for Dove. (ok, yes, it should be Bird, but B was already taken)

I can't post about the fun of machine applique without thanking Katherine of Sew Me Something Good. She has written an excellent and easy to follow tutorial. There is a link to it on the side bar of her blog. Thanks again, Katherine! :)

Spring Floral Fabric GIVEAWAY! and Baby Gift Ideas Part 2

* Comments are now closed for the giveaway. A winner is being randomly chosen and will be posted later this evening. Thanks everyone for entering! :)
First things first...the GIVEAWAY! Spring officially arrives later this week (Yea!) and to celebrate the end of this dreary winter, I'm giving away lots of pretty floral fabrics. * Two large pillow panel size pieces of vintage fabric. Both were salvaged from curtain panels and would be wonderful to make into pillows for your patio or front porch swing.
* Seven (7) pretty floral fat quarters. These are all newer fabrics in sweet pastels and feature roses. Ok, the black isn't pastel, but the print is little thimbles with flowers, I had to include it. :)

Giveaway rules:

1. Anyone is welcome. US and international bloggers, regular posters, lurkers, first time visitors, ...really anyone.

2. I have to be able to contact you. If you have an active blog, great! If you don't, you'll need to make sure I get your email address. (you can contact me from the side bar)

3. Just leave a comment on THIS post between now and 3:00pm EST Sunday March 22. I'll lock the comments at that time.

4. A winner will be chosen and announced that evening.

Oh, And in case you're not the winner of the giveaway, for the rest of the month (and maybe into April) there will be lots of vintage floral bouquet fabrics ON SALE on the website.

And a big Thank You to Jodi from Simply This, That, and the Other for featuring my blog today! :)

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Gift Ideas for Mom and Baby ~ Part 2

Here's a few more ideas to add to last week's post.

*1* Portable Diaper Changing Pad- This was a pretty easy project and could certainly be customized to coordinate and fit inside of a matching diaper bag.
Several layers of batting covered in Sisboom fabrics fold into thirds with handy pockets for diapers and wipes. (I may post a tutorial for this project in the future.)

*2* Diaper Bag Set - This set was made for a friend several years ago. She had her children's room decorated with Raggedy Ann and Andy and wanted a diaper bag to match. We found this cute vintage print and paired it with denim. A matching zippered pouch and roll-up changing pad completed the set. *3* Slip Covered Children's Chair- Very girly! (I wish I had taken more pictures before giving it to her.) I used an old child sized bentwood chair. It was first sanded, primed, and painted white. Next, I added water-slide decals with big pink roses. Then the pretty custom slip cover was made. I used a vintage white linen fabric for the seat and back along with a sheet from the Simply Shabby Chic line for the skirt. This one definitely required more time than money, but I think the end result was worth it.

I hope everyone is able to get outside this week and enjoy the beginning of spring. Be sure to leave a comment on this post to be entered in the fabric giveaway. :)

Gift Ideas for Mom and Baby

Do you want to add a little something extra to your next baby shower gift? Why not try your hand at one these easy projects for Mom and baby. Here's a few of the things I've given to friends over the years. (please excuse the horrible photography of some of these earlier pictures)


*1* Burb Cloths - A very easy project! I don't think an all-out tutorial is necessary, but here's how I did them. I bought a pack of prefold diapers and washed in hot water. Cut strips of pre-washed fabric 2 inches wider and longer than the center section. Press in a double fold hem on each side and pin to diaper. Now turn the short ends under, press and pin. I waited to fold the the end hems because the length of the diaper can vary a bit. I used a zigzag stitch to attach the fabric. Fold and tie with a pretty bow and you're done!

*2* Minky Baby Blanket- Minky Dot fabric is sold in 60" widths, so one yard cut in half width-wise will make two bankets approximately 35x29. I made a frilly-edged flower and securely sewed it to the minky fabric and used a pretty cherry print for the other side. Sew right sides together, leaving a small opening. Turn right side out and top stitch about an inch and a half from the edge. All done!

*3* Nursing Cover- I used a tutorial online for this one. All you need is a yard of fabric, a pair of D rings, and a small length of boning. Basicly its just a big square of fabric with an adjustible strap and a rod pocket at the top to insert the boning. The boning creates a bowed opening so mom can see her little one and allows better air flow so baby doesn't feel like he's sufficating under a heavy blanket.

*4* Photo and Memo Board- Yes, I know, this can be used throughout the home. But it also comes in handy for baby. All those pretty baby gift cards, Doctor's appt. cards, Mommy and Me classes, play dates, Emergency and First aid instructions, and all the photos can be displayed right in the nursery. I made this one using a vintage cutter tablecloth, ribbons, and little fabric flowers to cover the staples.

I have several more ideas to share in the next post later this week. And a BIG fabric GIVAWAY! Some new, some vintage. So be sure to stop back on Sunday March 15th for all the details!