lareine
 
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NEW ZEALAND
Member since 11/10/06
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Date: 2/16/12 5:41 AM I am so excited - one of my best friends just told me today that she's pregnant! My circle of friends here in NZ doesn't include many with children and nobody close who's had a baby since I met them, so this is a huge deal to me. Naturally I want to spoil her and her husband and the baby-to-be something rotten 
Since I don't have kids myself and don't know anybody with a baby, what do new first-time mothers value or need that I can sew? I want to make things that are useful rather than heirloom quality. I'm already planning to make a Babynomade style wrap, as the baby is due in winter and their house is cold so it'll definitely need lots of wraps. What else would be good? They are not finding out the gender until the baby is born.
I thought of a man-friendly diaper bag as the father will be a stay-at-home dad, so any good patterns would be appreciated. Any other suggestions? I've got a few months to plan and execute this so I can take my time about it.
Any advice would be appreciated  |
gramma b
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USA
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Date: 2/16/12 7:34 AM I make up a fabric bowl with a roll of burpies, several pairs of booties, and some baby toiletries/pacis inside.
1. Burp cloths are easy and quick, in fleece/flannel/terry/diaper fabric, they can never have enough. Over-the-shoulder free shapes are online, they generally look like a dog bone.
2. Lots of bootie styles free online, here is a higher style that stays on: http://dorothy-comewhatmayandloveit.blogspot.com
(2010/01)
3. Coiled-bowl fabric baskets (also tutes online) to hold hairbows, changing table needs, etc. in boy or girl colors.
4. A small raggy "lovey" for later. Use a piece of minkie or fleece for one side, the other 3-4 kiddie coordinate squares in soft patchwork with the seams to the outside and clipped to become raggy--babies love to finger them. Add a loop with clippie so it can go on the stroller or carseat. |
SexiSadi
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SC USA
Member since 5/10/05
Posts: 2633 |
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In reply to lareine
Date: 2/16/12 8:52 AM Baby wipes made out of terry or flannel. I went through these like crazy with my little one. They're easy to make, just cut a 7 X 7 square of fabric and serge the edges. ------
http://theramblingsoftcm.blogspot.com/
Numbers for 2013:
Yards in stash: 610.75
Yards in: 22.75
Yards out: 6
Numbers for 2012:
594.00 yards in stash
4 yards in
10.25 yards out
Numbers for 2011:
601.25 yards in stash (I'm sure this number is off by a few yards)
Yards in: 137.50 (Seriously? I'm over 100, and it's only JULY? Ugh!)
Yards out: 88.75 |
CraftAddict
Intermediate
OH USA
Member since 9/1/10
Posts: 276 |
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Date: 2/16/12 9:28 AM A man-friendly diaper bag is an excellent idea. There are few things I hate worse than seeing a man walking thru the mall carrying a pink diaper bag.
I don't have any project ideas of my own but if you check out prudentbaby.com I think you will find a wealth of projects for both baby & mom. |
marjoriekh
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VA USA
Member since 8/28/10
Posts: 547 |
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Date: 2/16/12 9:53 AM lareine -- This thread from last month has a lot of ideas and some pictures, too. ------
marjoriekh |
sugarduck
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FRANCE
Member since 2/7/10
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Date: 2/16/12 10:16 AM I'm a first-time mom with a 3-month old baby, so this subject is right up my alley, so to speak! 
As previously mentioned, fabric baby wipes or soft washcloths are a great idea. It's amazing how many you can go through in a day.
Something else that has proven to be surprisingly useful for me are large muslin swaddle blankets; it's just a single layer of fabric with a narrow hem around the edge. My mom made me a whole stack of these blankets and they can be used not only for warm weather swaddling (with the muslin, you don't have to worry about baby overheating), but also as a nursing blanket, pram cover, "tummy time" mat, picnic blanket...and on and on! I always keep one or two of them stashed in my bag. You can dye the muslin in different colors or even use fabric paint to stamp different motifs onto the fabric, according to your friend's taste.
Finally, one of my favorite baby shower gifts (which was actually store bought, but that would be so easy to replicate) has ended up being this bib/burp cloth. It's hard to tell in the photos, but the bib is a half circle with snaps on each end that you can fasten around baby's neck as a bib (it covers the entire front and shoulders, which is great for when baby is wearing a nice outfit that needs extra protection), then you can unsnap the bib and throw it over your shoulder as a burp cloth. The shape of the bib contours nicely around your neck so that it doesn't fall down. It's made of several layers of muslin and has bias binding around the edges. It's so simple, but pretty ingenious. **I hope no one from this company will come after me for suggesting that you copy their idea! |
tourist
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BC CANADA
Member since 7/23/07
Posts: 5414 |
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In reply to sugarduck
Date: 2/16/12 10:28 AM sugarduck - I don't think anyone could copy that item as it is really difficult (at least for me) to see what it is! It sounds interesting, but I sure would never buy it online without being able to see it better. It does sound like a very useful product and, as it seems unique, understandable that they wouldn't want it copied, I suppose.
OP - I make my flannelette wipes 11" x 11" which I find is a useful size. Serge the edges and sew the tails in neatly. simple! ------
http://bgballroom.wordpress.com to follow the progress on my next ballgown. |
CraftAddict
Intermediate
OH USA
Member since 9/1/10
Posts: 276 |
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Date: 2/16/12 10:39 AM Here's a free tut for a burpee/bib |
weekendstitch
Beginner
TX USA
Member since 7/22/11
Posts: 55 |
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Date: 2/16/12 12:48 PM I might have to hijack some of these ideas as one of my coworkers is having a baby this spring |
lareine
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NEW ZEALAND
Member since 11/10/06
Posts: 1042 |
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Date: 2/16/12 5:40 PM Thank you for all the suggestions, and for the link to the other thread that I somehow missed last night. I can't wait to get stuck in!! |
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