Onceuponatime Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 If you have had a baby in the last five years (or are going to have one), and have recieved any handmade gifts, what was your favorite? What would you have loved to get but didn't? Any kind of handmade item, please I see a lot of sleep sacks out there. Do mothers still want/ use receiving blankets or knit and crocheted blankets? I like to bring handmade gifts to baby showers, but I want to bring things that will be used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieJ Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 My standard baby shower gift is a hooded towel I make from a bath towel and half of a hand towel. For my grandkids I always make flannel burb cloths (My girls all prefer square ones as they cover more shoulder) and I crochet on the edges. I also make large flannel blankets ( 43-45 inch square) double sided and sometimes crocheted around the edges if I have time. THey are not keepsake but can be used for every day use and washed frequently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MercyA Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 I *treasure* the homemade baby blankets I've received (one quilted, the other crocheted). Both have received a lot of use. I love bibs made out of towels, like these. Safe homemade toys are also very nice (soft fabric balls, crocheted dolls and animals, etc.). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnIslandGirl Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 I have a beautiful white sweater set with matching hat and booties made with itsy bitsy needles. I know how much work it took and just how much love must have gone into that set. It was perfect for our infant photo session with our photography studio. And as unglamorous as they sound, the most used was definitely the burp cloths that were embroidered with cute sayings. What a wonderful friend you are to put such thought into a gift! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wendyroo Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Are you looking for something they will use right away with the newborn or something the child could grow into after a few months? Personally, when I had my kids (1 and 3 years ago with another on the way) I was given enough receiving blankets and burp clothes for 10 children - I had a few favorite blankets that got used a lot in the first few months, but right from the start I found plain prefold diapers to be the best burp clothes. Then after a few months we were past the spitting up, swaddling stage and all of that stuff just got packed away. Those first months went so quickly and before I knew it it was time to start solid food and what I used and loved were really durable, absorbent, catch-all bibs. I made myself a bunch of dish towel bibs kind of like this tutorial. They are so useful and I get asked about them constantly when we are out and about because they really keep the kids' clothes clean. I started using them when my older son was 4 months and here we are almost 4 years later and I am still using them for my 18 month old younger son (and occasionally with my older son if he is eating spaghetti). Wendy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrdinaryTime Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 I really like the homemade burp clothes I've received. Some have been embroidered, some have had colorful printed fabric down the center and trimmed with ribbons, etc. My mom made some to match my diaper bag. You can never have too many burp clothes! I received one blanket I love. It had the baby's name, date of birth, birth weight and length, etc. embroider around the edge. I loved a handmade and cross-stitched baptismal stole I received for one child. (I am Catholic and the baby recieves a small white baptismal stole at baptism.) It had the baby's name and baptismal date cross-stitched on it, along with a scripture verse and some lovely images of water flowing out of shells. It was so much nicer than the generic one you get from the parish! A handmade nursing cover would be awesome as well. I have seen online tutorials for how to make the rigid edge at the top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynn Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 I loved the embroidered onsies and burpies someone gave me with dd. One said little sister and the other princess, they were folded on a popsicle stick with a ribbon, so, so cute. I also liked the burpie someone made when I had ds it just had plaid ribbon sewn on either side. A lady in my bible study made 2 for every new mother using different ribbon. Very cute and practicle, loved it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k2bdeutmeyer Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 I just can't NOT love a fuzzy, soft, handmade baby blanket/quilt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lily_Grace Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Favorite - a stroller blanket with separate legs. I loved that thing. What I wish I would have gotten: -a minky blanket -a bamboo velour or minky crib sheet - bonus if it fits the pack n play. -a car seat poncho/cover (not one that goes under the baby. They're dangerous). Even better if it doubled as a carrier cover, snapping to the straps. I knit my own blankets and I make a pair of booties for new babies. But if I could sew the above would have been super high on my list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Lulu* Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Blankets, hooded towels and burp cloths were the most used handmade gifts we received. One of the best was an oversized baby quilt Punk received as a newborn; it was perfect to lay on the floor for tummy time, perfect as the bedspread for the toddler bed, was passed down to each child, doubled as a superhero cape and draping for a ghost, and, even though it long ago lost it's back and batting, it it still the first blanket Bug reaches for when he needs a snuggle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjzimmer1 Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 I don't like knitted clothes or blankets. All of my kids have had eczema and that irritated their already sensitive skin. I have several cute sweaters and blankets that went straight to goodwill because we couldn't use them. I do like cotton blankets especially when embroidered with child's name. Fleece blankets for when they are older are really nice too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomtoCandJ Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 I received one knitted and three crocheted blankets. The one my Aunt Lynda crochet we still use, she made it a toddler size but its perfect as a lap blanket for snuggling on the couch. Wish I had the homemade towels and everything else. Hmmmm if I start now maybe I can get them all done before a little one arrives (we are TTC) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
runbikeswim Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 My standard baby shower gift is a hooded towel I make from a bath towel and half of a hand towel Yes, I love these! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomtoCandJ Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Does anyone have directions for towels and what not? Oh I hand sew and crochet (sewing machines don't like me and I'm not sure I'm coordinated enough to operate two needles) and I found a pattern for booties on a yarn label I saved :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onceuponatime Posted January 15, 2013 Author Share Posted January 15, 2013 I looked up those hooded bath towels. They are awesome and so easy! I've found a new project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jujsky Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 It's been 8 years since I had my youngest, but my favorite hand-made shower gift was a set of extra-large, double-sided receiving blankets my aunt made for me. I used them for everything! DD was the world's crankiest baby and I had to swaddle her for a long time -- far after she had outgrown the skimpy little receiving blankets sold in stores. They were also large enough to make great play blankets/tummy-time blankets when we were out and about, or I could use it as a changing pad if needed. I've made and given them for shower gifts several times since then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MinivanMom Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 I have loved getting the handmade burp cloths. I have treasured the homemade quilts and blankets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluemongoose Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 These are things that I have made and were well received, or things I loved receiving myself: all flannel burp cloths-large square ones a nice quilt for tummy time those little taggie lovie squares with ribbons around them knitted toys/stuffed animals knitted sweaters/booties/hats a star bunting for the stroller knitted washcloths with cute designs nursing covers with boning for the top part so the mom can view baby bibs cloth nursing pads cloth books/blocks/balls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momto10blessings Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 I love making large receiving blankets- 3x6 feet. Great for everything. I love receiving handmade hats for the baby. Handmade blankets are always a hit. I have one saved away for each baby that their aunt made for them. Handmade clothes. Handmade fabric shoes Handmade baptismal gown would be awesome! Burp blankets, minky blanket, bibs... Stuffed animal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vonfirmath Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 the handmade gifts I've gotten that got used were the fleece blankets -- one was tied together and Noah's Ark theme and the other was embroidered with the baby's name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ewe Mama Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 My friend made a beautiful Waldorf style baby doll for our youngest. It became Faith's favorite dolly when she was old enough to play with it. It was just the right size for a little one to carry around. The doll will go into Faith's baby box when she outgrows it, if she ever does. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieJ Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 http://www.make-it-do.com/tag/hooded-towel-pattern/ Instructions for hooded towel. I don't do the tuck that these instructions show. I use one hand towel and cut 3 inches out of the middle of the towel across the width. (I serge the edges and use it for a rag). I then have two towel pieces that are the perfect size. Continue on with her instructions. You can use ribbon instead of the fabric she shows. I keep a supply of white or off white towels from Costco on hand at all times. I then keep a supply of pink/blue/neutral ribbons around. In about 10 minutes I have a baby gift. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beth S Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 http://www.make-it-d...-towel-pattern/ Instructions for hooded towel. . Our ds received a very lush version of this as an infant. When he outgrew it, I just seam-ripped to remove the little hood. He's used this towel now into adulthood. His was embroidered with his name on the hood part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saraha Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 I got a terry cloth bib that had an elephant nose with a snap on the end to snap around the handle of a pacifier. We used that thing with all 6 kids because we never had a dropped fooler and the nose was short enough that they couldn't get a good grip to pull it off (like with the ribbon one we had that clipped to their clothes) The terry cloth soaked up all dribble during the teething phase when they would bite around and mouth the fooler and the "nose" meant there was never a lost fooler in the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 We received two taggy lovie blankets that have been well loved. One was in the shape of a bear and was made with minky fabric, the other was made with flannel and was embroidered with his name and birth date. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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