Baby Shower Gifts

Some time ago I was a guest on Gracious Threads for a virtual baby shower, so now I think I post it here.
I'm known as the go-to person when getting baby shower gift baskets ready. I get this type of mesasge on a regular basis...I'm going to a baby shower tomorrow, do you have anything on hand? I'll look in my stash and come up with what is needed to make this new little baby feel cozy and comfy.

Here are some of my favourite handmade gifts for a new baby. I start off with an oversized receiving blanket, a baby can never have too many of those. These blankets are over sizes so they do last longer than the store bought ones, JubeJube still has her favourite one that she snuggles with in front of the television or in the car when we go for a long drive. 

I use cotton flannel and cut it to measure about 115cm by 95cm (44 inches by 36 inches). I like using a bias tape to trim them out for extra durability and style. If you want a closer look on how to use bias tape here's a little tutorial I posted a while ago.

I'll add bib and washclothes to the gift basket, two more items you never have enough of with a baby. To make the washclothes I cut out a 7 inche square piece of a cotton print and another of cotton terry, both have been prewashed. Using a 1/4" seam allowance with right sides of fabric together I sew all around the edge, leaving an opening to pull them right side out. I then edge stitch all the way around. They're the perfect size for those messy faces.

The next little item on the list...These adorable little crib shoes! These are the Ruched Mary Janes, and the pattern is by PetitBoo.  The pattern shop has a nice veriety of boys and girls crib shoes.

Seriously They are addictive to make!

So now we have in this gift set, a blanket, bib, washclothes, crib shoes, and I also like to add a set of baby hangers, and wrap it all together with a pretty keepsake box. The box can be used to keep the hospital bracelet, that lock of hair from the first hair cut, some photos and many other cherished memories.

Once everything is put together I run to my friend Elena of Just ME, card maker and desinger extraodinaire,  and ask her to put a baby shower card together or raid her stash.

Until next time, xx.

Using Bias Tape to Trim a Receiving Blanket

Some have recently asked me how to use bias tape, so I thought that I'd write up about it and at the same time make an easy handmade Christmas gift for a little lady.

I know I'm starting by the end, but the whole point of using bias tape is what the end result will look like. I love this print, makes me think of snowflakes and I love the way the bias tape makes the blanket looks crisp and clean and pretty.

This is what I started out with...flannel and bias tape. I cut out the fabric to the size I wanted the blanket to be, usually 44 inches by 37 inches, and used a 10 inch round dinner plate as a guide to round out the corners  of the blanket.

So there you have it, a huge spool of bias. I buy it in large quatities because I just hate having to run to the store in the middle of a project because I didn't buy enough, but you can also get it in small packages of about 3 meters. You can also get it in different widths for different projects.

Notice how the tape is folded in two and again in two on each side. 

Once completely folded along its length you will notice that one side is slightly wider than the other, and there is a perfectly good reason for that...and here it comes...

For best results you start with the wrong side of you fabric and the side of the bias that is the smallest. Don't start right at the edge of the bias, so that when you've made it around your blanket you can simply fold over the tape (like in photo #2) for a nice finsh. Stitching right in that fold line is very important when you go to sew on the "right" side so take you time. When you've sewn completely around cut your thread, check your work to make sure all is perfect and that you won't have trouble folding over your bias. 

So you're half way there! To finish off, fold over twice (photo #1 and #2) and remember you want to hide the seam that you see in photo #1. Place you project under the presser foot and away you go another time around your blanket. Snip your threads and press all the way around for a nice clean finish.

All done! The bias tape not only adds to the style but also to the durability of the blanket and your baby will love it as she becomes a toddler.

Over-Sized Receiving Blankets Giveaway

17 years ago, going back to my oldest baby Sebastien, I realized that those store bought receiving blankets didn't cover up much of anything since they were so itsy bitsy, so of course they were useless for swaddling. I started making my own receiving blankets with cute little prints. When baby #2 came along, Sabrina, I was now a pro at swaddling and she just loved her blankets. 15 years later she still holds on to her favorite one with the sheep print.

Just to give you and idea store bought balnkets are about 32 inch square, and Sprouting JubeJube blankets are 36 inches by 43 inches. those few inches makes all the difference when swaddling a baby.

When baby Julia (AKA JubeJube)  was born 4 years ago I started all over again with those receiving blankets and this time decided to share my knowledge with those around me. While on maternity leave I founded Sprouting JubeJube and today has become a lot more than blankets and bibs. Soon after I was blessed with baby #4, Amelia, who is now 2.5 years old, and Sprouting JubeJube continues to "sprout".

 For all the new parents out there take a look at The Happiest Baby on The Block believe me it really works.

So there you have it, the short story of the receiving blanket and why I began creating them. Now I'm giving you a chance to win your very own set! You'll be able to choose the 3 prints you like from my Etsy shop.

a Rafflecopter giveaway