Editor: Liz Johnson

Friday, 23 July 2010 03:00

We just wrapped up a series of seven awesome Baby Gifts, using the beautiful Pretty Bird collection by Pillow & Maxfield for Michael Miller Fabrics. Now that you have them all made and ready to present to your expecting friends and family, we have a few more ideas on how to go the extra step and create the ultimate Baby Shower Power Gifts. Use a green wrapping idea, bundle-up some unique accessory sets, and create a clever presentation. We've also collected some of our favorite past baby gift projects to add to the mix.

The mere fact that you have a handmade baby shower gift immediately sends you to the head of the class. To move beyond, and get everyone wondering, "How DOES she do it all!?!"... try one of these ideas on for size.

Create a Mother Knows Best bag.

Baby Gifts: Pretty Bird Binky 'Leash' & Carry Bag

Make a matching larger bag for a gift-within-a-gift and include a list of your own Top Ten Mom Tips ... all the things you wish someone would have told you before your first little bundle of joy arrived. You could also include a gift certificate for babysitting or running errands.

For the Sporty Mom, give this gift inside a yoga tote.

Baby Gifts: Pretty Bird Travel Changing Pad

Is the new mom a yoga fan? Pop our pretty changing pad into a beautiful new yoga tote for her. Depending on your budget, you could also include a new yoga mat, some flip flops and a water bottle for mom along with matching booties and baby bottles for the new arrival. Of course, Sew4Home has two great yoga bag tutorials: a Yoga Tote and a Yoga Sling.

Wrap up a mini First Reader library.

Baby Gifts: Pretty Bird Ruffled-Edge Blanket

No need for paper or boxes; use this adorable blanket as the gift wrap for a set of great books to jump start baby's library. Don't forget these classics: Goodnight Moon , Pat the Bunny , If You Give A Mouse A Cookie , The Very Hungry Caterpillar , Chicka Chicka Boom Boom , and Poky Little Puppy .

Put together a Laundry Layette.

Baby Gifts: Pretty Bird Burp Cloth Trio

The one thing I always claimed no one ever told me was just how messy babies are. It seemed like our washing machine was running 24/7. These adorable burp cloths (stain fighters on their own) make a great base on which to build a Laundry Layette. Toss them into a small plastic or wicker laundry basket along with: baby safe detergent (like Dreft or Seventh Generation), a mesh bag to hold tiny socks and booties, child-size hangers, a cloth drawstring laundry bag in a bright color, and a pocket organizer to hold all the little items once they're clean. We have a great tutorial for a nine-pocket, over-the-door organizer.

Build a Bath Time Bundle.

Baby Gifts: Pretty Bird Hooded Towel With Matching Washcloth

Since bath time is an every-day affair, new parents always welcome this classic shower gift. Start with a plastic baby bathtub, and fill it first with your own beautiful, handmade hooded towel and matching washcloth. Then add in these tools of the clean machine trade: natural baby shampoo and soap (like Earth Mama Angel Baby or Nature's Baby Organics), a comb and brush set, extra organic washcloths, and... of course, a rubber ducky!

Pin-up a Baby Bib Clothesline.

Baby Gifts: Pretty Bird Snap-on Baby Bibs

Our bibs are super quick to make. You could whip up a week's worth in a single day. Pick a great mix of fabric colors and patterns for a rainbow of variety. Then, purchase a short length of cotton clothesline and some bright plastic or classic wooden clothespins, and pin the bibs all along the clothesline. Finally, coil up the line inside a pretty covered basket. Mom opens the basket and pulls out the clothesline o' bibs like a snake charmer.

Load up a Bag o' Goodies for the whole family.

Baby Gifts: Pretty Bird Quick Trip Diaper Bag

New parents need snacks. Trust me on this one. Trips to the store, or anywhere for that matter, are suddenly a lot more complex than they used to be. Wouldn't it be nice to have a cupboard stocked with treats to turn to at 2:00 in the morning?! Fill up our classy Quick Trip Diaper Bag with an assortment of favorite treats... you could go all natural, succumb to the junk food junkies or find a happy medium between rice cakes and Twinkies. Pop in a gift certificate to their favorite grocery store. Better still, include a handmade certificate offering your shopping services: pick up their list, do the shopping, and carry the full sacks right back into their kitchen.

Take a look at this baker's dozen of Stylish Baby Nursery Items from last summer for even more great baby gift ideas:

Scalloped Rag Quilt

Crib Bumpers

Crib Dust Ruffle

Receiving Blanket Trio

Collapsible Storage Baskets

Twin Bed Duvet

Nursery Curtains and Valance

Dresser Cloth/Crib Quilt

Super Simple Throw Pillows

Buttoned Up Triangles Pillow

Pretty Patches Pillow

Fast & Fabulous Wall Art

Chic Pinafore Pillow Jacket

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eileensideways said:

	... wow fabulous tutorials all in one space. love it. i shall refer to it often. thank you.
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July 23, 2010
Votes: +1

Trish *** said:

	... Yes, thank you for putting these all in one place! I will come back here often. Your tutorials are the best!
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July 25, 2010
Votes: +0

Liz Johnson, Editor, Sew4Home said:

	... It does help to have a bunch 'o baby ideas in one place, but don't let that stop you from wandering through the rest of the site. You never know what we've hidden here and there . Thanks for visiting. Come back often and bring your friends.
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