Hosting a baby shower? Hand made baby blankets make an
Hosting a baby shower? Hand made baby blankets make an exquisite gift!When a friend is expecting, you want to host the perfect baby shower, with gifts that are both practical and mark the occasion in a way that Mom will remember. While towels and washcloths, teeny newborn t-shirts and sleepers are certainly needed items, it's so tempting to have at least one hand made item that baby won't outgrow in the first three months. Here's one baby shower gift idea that will become a treasured family heirloom.
A baby blanket doesn't need to be very large, because baby's so small! Handmade baby blankets can be a group project, with everyone contributing a square, or piece of the finished blanket. If just one of you is just the slightest bit handy with needle and thread, that's all that's required. You can get together one night each week and work on your piece. A 2 foot by 3 foot baby blanket is a perfect size for baby to cuddle under while sleeping, or bundled up in Mom's arms for a visit to Grandma's house.
The flat, rectangular shape is easy to work with no sleeves or difficult pieces. You'll find dozens of patterns at the fabric store. You can also make your own pattern easily enough. Work out your squares on a piece of graph paper. For a baby blanket of the size described, you only need six squares of 12 inches each. With just six people participating, the project won't take long. Cut six pieces of backing for each square, allowing a inch on each side to sew the squares together.
Decide among you what sort of theme you'd like. You can alternate squares in pastel shades, embroidering a special message on each square, with each seamstress signing her name. Another theme might be small calico patterns in coordinating colors. The quilter's classic 'baby blocks' visual illusion pattern can make a stunning baby blanket.
Your pieces don't need to be of a uniform size. You can alternate a long strip with a larger square, or match up triangles until you have a geometric pattern of roughly the 2 foot by 3 foot dimensions.
Another idea is to have everyone work all together to make a collage of fanciful fabrics that forms a single picture, much like a wall hanging.
Fabric isn't the only medium. Does anyone crochet or knit? That individual can create a yarn trimming to bind all the squares together. Cross stitch is easy enough for anyone to learn and you'll find stamped patterns all ready to stitch at the fabric shop.
When making baby blankets, the absolute cardinal rule is to be sure that the materials you use are fire-retardant! Be sure to check the fabric bolt for this information, or ask the clerk to help you select appropriate fabrics.
It won't take but three or four nights for you and your friends to create the most beautiful baby blanket Mom has ever seen. She'll remember you forever for the honor you've shown her and that adorable baby!
