HELP! Ideas needed * Baby stuff

[StitchinGrandma]

I need help. I'm SO sick of giving people the same old thing for baby showers. I need more ideas of what I can make other than blanket, burp cloth, or onesies. And onesies are now off my "to do" list until the baby is at the very least wearing a six month size. LOL

I want quick and easy but I suppose I'm asking a question that has no answer since the burp cloths and blankets are very much needed. :confused:

Any ideas?

[sew4fun]

What about hooded towels? They are great for a long time and much better than the oddly shaped store bought ones. Plus you can get really creative with ribbon and embroidery designs. When the baby is born, you can add a name. Or you can make a poncho style. But the regular hooded style is very quick and easy.

[StitchinGrandma]

I do have a pattern to make one of those, but I haven't tried that yet. Thanks.

[Sew So Happy]

What about a tab blankie? I did this over the weekend for a shower I had to go to. I used the same sock monkey fabric for a burp cloth to match. I just used scraps of ribbon for the edges.

[Sewfaithfully]

I was going to suggest the same thing. Everyone I have done hooded towels for love them so much more than the store bought ones.

:) Another idea is a photo album with custom cover. I read in another thread how some of you have customized those pocket calendars. It would sort of be like the same thing but with a photo album.

[StitchinGrandma]

Ooh that just reminded me, I do have a pattern for that and the round ball you can make with tags similar to the blankie. Thanks. See? I just have TOO many files and even though they are super organized, my brain just isn't working.

[Sew So Happy]

Ooh that just reminded me, I do have a pattern for that and the round ball you can make with tags similar to the blankie. Thanks. See? I just have TOO many files and even though they are super organized, my brain just isn't working.

Can you send me the pattern for that ball? I would love to try it out.

[scorp10]

I need help. I'm SO sick of giving people the same old thing for baby showers. I need more ideas of what I can make other than blanket, burp cloth, or onesies. And onesies are now off my "to do" list until the baby is at the very least wearing a six month size. LOL

I want quick and easy but I suppose I'm asking a question that has no answer since the burp cloths and blankets are very much needed. :confused:

Any ideas?

I have made several buntings made of fleece and/or cotton knit for my new granddaughter. You can embroider sweet little things on the front. See Butterick pattern 5220 for winter babies and McCall's 9407 for spring or summer babies.

Enjoy!:love:

[StitchinGrandma]

Can you send me the pattern for that ball? I would love to try it out.
Maybe. :p
I have made several buntings made of fleece and/or cotton knit for my new granddaughter. You can embroider sweet little things on the front. See Butterick pattern 5220 for winter babies and McCall's 9407 for spring or summer babies.

Enjoy!:love:
Thanks for that idea. I may consider that later for my own granddaughter, but right now I'm looking for quick and easy stuff for baby showers I am being invited to. :D

[kwilliard]

I found a site selling cute little stuffed door hangers made of minky dot fabric. They embroidered the baby's name on one side, and put it together with ball fringe around the edges/ribbon to hang over the door knob.

I put cute phrases on mine, like "Out like a Light", and "Forty Winks". They were so cute!

Also, you might get the canvas totes and personalize those for baby. I made daycare bags for my grandbaby and used a cute button and coordinating ribbon to close the bag. I also made embroidered onesie's with a ribbon secured under the design and a snap at the other to corral those pesky pacifier's!

[idesign]

Buy one of the little photo albums with a see through plastic cover. You can make a cloth insert with a cute children's design embroidered, and a reverse applique, cut out oval that you digitize yourself, where the picture of the baby goes in. I did many pages for a booklet for my son, but you could easily do just one for the front cover, or maybe a couple more.

[StitchinGrandma]

I found a site selling cute little stuffed door hangers made of minky dot fabric. They embroidered the baby's name on one side, and put it together with ball fringe around the edges/ribbon to hang over the door knob.

I put cute phrases on mine, like "Out like a Light", and "Forty Winks". They were so cute!

Also, you might get the canvas totes and personalize those for baby. I made daycare bags for my grandbaby and used a cute button and coordinating ribbon to close the bag. I also made embroidered onesie's with a ribbon secured under the design and a snap at the other to corral those pesky pacifier's!
Thanks. Those are cute ideas too.


Buy one of the little photo albums with a see through plastic cover. You can make a cloth insert with a cute children's design embroidered, and a reverse applique, cut out oval that you digitize yourself, where the picture of the baby goes in. I did many pages for a booklet for my son, but you could easily do just one for the front cover, or maybe a couple more.
Cute idea but sadly, I have no digitizing program. Some day though. The money saved for that went poof and into one of our cars for surprise repairs.

[Sewfaithfully]

Money has a way of doing that.

[StitchinGrandma]

Yea, I know. Sadly, that happened right after we'd paid off all our credit cards with a consolidation loan and got the extra for Embird. Then hubby's car had the transmission go out and it's still in our yard but the towing bill alone was over $200 to get that car home. UGH

[Sewfaithfully]

Hate that for you.
I've thought about getting a digitizing program before. My closest vac and sew shop is always trying to sell me one LOL. I just can't justify it right now and they seem to take a while to master. I've piddled with one before at the vac and sew shop, sort of confusing if you don't know what you're doing.

[Sewfaithfully]

But back to the baby gift ideas...there are a lot of good ones on this thread. My favorite is the hooded towel. I've made those a lot.
I've also done birth announcement blankets. But of course they have to be done after the baby's born. I usually put a cute design then the baby's full name, DOB, weight, and even length. Parent's love them.
You could even do that on just fabric then frame it.
Happy sewing!

[craftmama]

love the ideas. makes me want to run out to Target and see what's on clearance.

[Sam]

I make 7 bibs with 7 different designs on them, one for each day. They have cute sayings on them with or without a pic as well. It's amazing how many bibs people go through. I get the blanks in different colors so I don't have to worry about making them.

[StitchinGrandma]

I make 7 bibs with 7 different designs on them, one for each day. They have cute sayings on them with or without a pic as well. It's amazing how many bibs people go through. I get the blanks in different colors so I don't have to worry about making them.

Funny you say this because this morning I was just thinking that maybe I should do a "1st" bib for him as in making "Baby's 1st St Patricks Day, Baby's 1st Halloween" etc but putting his name instead of "Baby". I could start with the first holiday after his due date and make the bib for each holiday for the rest of that year.

[Sewfaithfully]

Super idea. Where do you all get your bib blanks?
I get frustrated every bib they sell at Walmart is already embroidered.

[StitchinGrandma]

Super idea. Where do you all get your bib blanks?
I get frustrated every bib they sell at Walmart is already embroidered.

Personally, I make most of my own bibs and embroider before completing them.

You can find some other places in the newly created "Steals & Deals" (http://www.embroidables.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=25)forum area though. I know I've seen others talking about where to buy them. I think some had said Target has nice ones. All I have knowledge of are those I purchased at IKEA - bad idea. Theirs are very thin and any stitch intensive design will rip right through. Ask me how I know. :D

[Sewfaithfully]

Thanks for redirecting me, Vicki! I checked out those links and found one I liked.
Thanks again.

[NJMo]

Mini totebags with more of a "dad feel" seem to be welcomed gifts. Even though Dad loves his little girl, toting around a pink polka dot monster bag can be too much. I have made several smaller versions for dads and they seem to be used. That's a good way to measure success -- lots of use.

NJMo

[cruisin]

I know you said no more onsies....but consider this...

buy larger onsies...3, 6, 9, mo size...and embroider the number of the month on it. (3,6,9 mo age) They can take pictures of the adorable little one in the onsie of their age. Now ...it might now always work if you have a large or small child...but hopefully it would be close enough.

BE (before embroidery) I used fabric paint to paint a 9 on my babies onsie and take his photo. His older brother was 72 months at the time...so I made him a shirt as well. The older brother liked the shirt but did not cooperate for the photos. Until months later....when the baby was too big and all the numbers had changed.

cruisin

[artsiegirl]

Vivki, I found a neat gift for a baby if you know ahead of time that the Mommy is allowing a pacifier. I tried to post a picture, but the site with the picture wouldn't allow copying (the nerve of those folks!) Anyway, I'll try to describe it as best I can: it's a pacifier clip made from a covered button, of course you monogram or embroider the fabric first then cover the button and attach a ribbon with snaps. My sister wants several of these to match her baby's bibs and dresses.

[Sewfaithfully]

Hey, artsiegirl, I love that idea. Could you PM me a link to that so I could see a pic of it?

[StitchinGrandma]

Vivki, I found a neat gift for a baby if you know ahead of time that the Mommy is allowing a pacifier. I tried to post a picture, but the site with the picture wouldn't allow copying (the nerve of those folks!) Anyway, I'll try to describe it as best I can: it's a pacifier clip made from a covered button, of course you monogram or embroider the fabric first then cover the button and attach a ribbon with snaps. My sister wants several of these to match her baby's bibs and dresses.
That's fine that you didn't post the link since I probably would have to remove it anyway if that person sells designs too. LOL

I know the item you are describing as I've seen them all over. I do already however, have another pattern to use for pacifiers, but thanks for still keeping an eye out for me. I think I've decided to make her a quilt if I get energetic and if not, she's getting a few sets of matching bib, blanket, and burp cloths and some baby cloths that I also hoard just like fabric. LOL A few friends and I frequent the Carter's baby outlet about 45 minutes from my house and I've spent TONS of money there in the past year. The girls loved seeing us three coming in the door because it was three grandma's shopping for first and second grandabies. :D A few times they had to restock the store when we bought them out I swear. LOL

[artsiegirl]

Wow, I didn't realize you were thinking of making such a nice gift! I get invited to so many baby showers, and some of the people I barely know. I teach in four schools, and there must be something in the teacher's lounge water that makes every teacher under 40 pregnant! When we're invited to these showers on a monthly basis, we try to team up and put together a basket of goodies. My donation to the basket is always a painted item or burp cloths and bibs. Those pacifier holders would be cute to attach to a matching bib. The picture of them was actually on a retail clothing boutique site, so no competition there. Good luck with the quilt!

[StitchinGrandma]

Like I said, I'm not sure yet if I want to do the quilt. I'd like to, but just can't decide. It is a lot of work and this girl isn't a best freind or anything but, she is one that has been dealing with infertility for a number of years and has finally gotten pregnant with her first child. I'm thrilled for her so I wanted to do something a little nicer because of that. It may be though that she gets the clothes I also have hoarded next to all my fabric. LOL

[Sewfaithfully]

I know the item you are describing as I've seen them all over. I do already however, have another pattern to use for pacifiers,

What is your pattern like? I looked up the one artsie girl was talking about but I'm interested in seeing others. It's something I hadn't thought about but really like the idea of doing. I'd like to see diffferent ones out there though.

[StitchinGrandma]

I can't tell :D It's more like a bib though than the ones with the ribbon and buttons.

[Sewfaithfully]

You can't tell? Awwwwww. You're going to make me cry. :bawling:

[Sewfaithfully]

Well I've got to go to bed anyway. Catch y'all in the morning.

[StitchinGrandma]

I'm sorry but telling that would be against the rules. :D

Night.