Category Archives: baby accessories

Rub-a-Dub-Dub

Posted on December 6, 2009 | 2 comments

The best babysitters, of course,   are the baby’s grandparents.  You feel completely comfortable entrusting your baby to them for long periods, which is why most grandparents flee to Florida.”  Dave Barry

Is there anything sweeter than a freshly bathed baby? Is there anything slipperier than a freshly bathed baby? (The word “slipperier” looks all wrong, but trust me, this is correct. I’ve checked.)

Sweet and slippery as they are, after I nearly dropped infant Laurel lifting her from the tub, I decided that a hooded bath towel was a layette requirement, not just a nice accessory. You can “hang” the hood on baby’s head and get a good grip on The Wet One. Since this Aha! experience, it has become one of my favorite shower gifts. Continue reading →

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Posted in baby accessories, embroidery blanks, linen blanks, machine embroidery

Flying Santa Stocking

Posted on December 5, 2009 | Leave a comment

Before I learned to sew, I knitted Christmas stockings for both my son and newborn daughter. Their names were knitted into the cuffs and Ryan’s featured a choo-choo train, Rebecca’s a doll and wreath. I really dislike those stockings now, but my children hold them dear. Even though they are parents themselves, they think tradition trumps good looks and age appropriate designs. Memories of childhood Christmas magic are precious, I know.

When I was asked to make stockings for my grandchildren, it seems that I would have learned my lesson. But I reverted to my preference for childhood fantasy.   I might regret it years from now if the children prefer something more contemporary.

If that happens, I will not make a Spiderman or Dora the Explorer stocking. I refuse. So all three get traditional juvenile Christmas designs. If they want something else, they can shop at Cracker Barrel. They always have a nice selection. Continue reading →

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Posted in baby accessories, Holiday Projects, machine embroidery

Angel Watch

Posted on November 29, 2009 | Leave a comment

My daughter loves pretty blankets for her baby  boy and this is one of her favorites.    I like to think this angel and others, unseen, watch over my precious grandson.

The shawl is made of 100% wool challis.   It has the drape and softness of rayon challis, with extra lightweight warmth and without synthetic fibers.  What a luxurious and cooperative fabric this is!  This shawl has been machine washed and dried a number of times and requires only a light pressing. Continue reading →

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Posted in antique textiles, baby accessories, heirloom sewing, machine embroidery

Thanksgiving Bibs

Posted on November 10, 2009 | 2 comments

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, it’s time to think about bibs to keep the corn pudding and cranberry sauce off the grandchildren’s holiday clothing. Using ready made bibs reduces this project to quick and easy.  This is  a genuinely modern project for old fashioned Nanas who think bibs are in the  Dining Room Dress Code for every toddler.

I love hoop appliqué and find it especially appealing for children. So I usually seek out such designs for kid projects. This turkey is from the Autumn Harvest collection, Designs by JuJu  www.designsbyjuju.com .  The text has been added, using the Kid Block font from Monogram Wizard Plus, a great program that I use regularly.

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Posted in baby accessories, embroidery blanks, Holiday Projects, linen blanks, machine embroidery, recipes

Turtles Pack ‘N Play

Posted on November 10, 2009 | Leave a comment

For some time now, my grandson Alastair has needed another set of Pack N Play sheets. Finally, these were finished and mailed to him a few days ago. This time, instead of pima cotton, I used a heavy cotton flannel, which I thought would be cozier as the weather turns cooler.

This set was really fun to make , especially playing with the Terrific Turtles designs from Dakota Collectibles. As I stitched the turtles, I imagined Alastair enjoying these same activities when he is a little older.

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Posted in baby accessories, machine embroidery, Madeira applique

Nana’s nursery window shade and valance

Posted on November 8, 2009 | 3 comments

Valance is made from antique bassinet skirt.

Have you ever bought something just because you had to have it, even though you had no idea what you would ever do with it? I’m pretty sure most of you have.

About 20 years ago, a vendor at a doll show had an elaborate display of antique textiles. Among her wares was a bassinet skirt, cut in half. In her opinion, bassinets were no longer in use so she cut it in half to make the price more reasonable. I thought it was far more likely that one doting grandmother would pay a good price for a breathtaking skirt than it was for two creative sewists to pay a little less for a chopped up bassinet skirt.  But maybe she was right—I was one one of those “sewists” (I really don’t like that word, but it beats sewer) and she had already sold the other half to another like minded lady.

valance top

Maybe I was on a rescue mission, but I knew it was mine and it came home with me. And then it rested in a drawer for all those years. Continue reading →

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Posted in antique textiles, baby accessories, heirloom sewing, home dec, Nana's nursery

Weddings–Accommodating Little Guests

Posted on October 25, 2009 | 2 comments

 

kiddie wedding fun

For our daughter’s 2006 wedding at our home, the guest list went round the full “circle of life,” from infants to the elderly.

All were welcome, but, especially for the smallest guests, accommodations had to be made.   In order for little ones and their parents to enjoy themselves,  extra planning was required. It took some  effort, but in the big picture, it was not a major expenditure of time or money.

Our first consideration was seating for our 8 youngest guests, ages 0-4 years.  Reaching out to local friends, we borrowed enough high chairs for the babies and booster seats for the toddlers.  The high chairs were wrapped with gold organza bows, just like the adult chairs.   The booster seats were strapped securely onto the regular adult seats.

minister’s baby

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Posted in baby accessories, bags, embroidery blanks, machine embroidery, wedding

Children’s Corner Glenn

Posted on October 23, 2009 | Leave a comment

 

Alastair's first Halloween

What a great pattern this is! I’ve had it for more than 25 years and always thought that I would make it up. When I bought it, my own son was already eight years old, so it didn’t happen in his time. But with two little grandsons now, I decided to pull Children’s Corner “Glenn” out of my boys’ pattern box and give it a try.

It makes up just like the Jon-Jon pattern from Martha’s Favorite Applique’s, but has the button-on bib pattern included. It can be worn with or without the bib so you can get a lot of use from one suit. It also has nice tabs on either side to pull in at the waist where the armholes might gap. Bibs can be made up for holidays or simply for variety.

Alastair and his adoring mama, Rebecca

Have any readers made up this pattern?  Do you have any others that have been unused in your pattern box that you have finally tried?  I’m going to pull out some others and see if I am as pleased.

 

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Posted in baby accessories, boys, infant clothing, machine embroidery

Linen Machine Shadow Embroidered Pillow

Posted on October 19, 2009 | 1 comment

linenshadMadeirababypilwhole

 

 

I love projects for babies and this is one of my favorites.  From design to execution, this linen pillow has some interesting details. The open ends of the pillowcase offer the opportunity to give more balance to the overall design, with color and embroidery at both ends.

The handwork techniques used on this baby accessory look convincingly like they were stitched in the traditional manner, but they were all done entirely by machine. Thanks to the miracle advances in sewing notions and machine technology, Madeira appliqué, feather stitch, pinwheel roses and shadow embroidery are quickly, easily and quite perfectly done.

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Posted in baby accessories, heirloom sewing, machine embroidery, Madeira applique, techniques

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Nana’s Nursery

Posted on October 18, 2009 | 3 comments

Because our married children live nearby, I knew a well equipped nursery would make their frequent visits with grandbabies more enjoyable. So years before they were born, which happened in typically rapid fire succession, I began collecting items for the room I had dedicated as the grandchildren’s nursery.  The beloved, old, caneback rocker is the same one that rocked my daughter’s godmother, then my two babies.  It was just waiting to come out of retirement to rock yet again.

farmhouse light and baby w/bee picture

Many years ago, Suzanne Sawko and I went on a fabulous road trip to the midwest, ostensibly to visit old college friends.  From Florida, we drove  back roads all the way and found antique shops that were heavily stocked and rarely shopped. What treasures we found!

bluebird border, twig swag and valance

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Posted in baby accessories, Nana's nursery