Babies

I've seen a lot of variations on the soft baby book, and I'm really liking the latest addition to the pack from Kristena of Thimbly Things. She uses reclaimed denim and scraps of fabric paired with our good friend, Heat 'n Bond, to create colorful appliques in a sturdy fabric book that will stand the test of time and drooly fingers.

My kiddos are a bit too big to ride hip-side in a sling these days, but I wish I'd had a simple tutorial like this one from Katie for Dabbled when they were wee babies so I could have toted them around a little easier!

Sylvie at Chez Plum has a new pattern for her Baby Altay Hat which is a variation on the popular granny square. In celebration of the pattern, Sylvie is giving away two copies of the pattern! Just leave a comment to her post here.

John Baichtal @ MAKE points us to this prototype flatpack cardboard high chair. I'd think it would have to be wax-coated to withstand a toddler's meal, what do you think? Maybe it's a neat idea in need of a few tweaks?

I just finished up a lovely, crackly treat for my 9-month-old using this great crinkle square tutorial. It's a fantastic way to use up small scraps of fabric you can't bear to part with and an even better use for old wipes packages! My son loves anything that makes noise and chewing on ribbons is also a favorite, so this is right up his alley. I just wish I'd made it months ago. (Via this great roundup of baby girl tutorials from Luvinthemommyhood, although obviously many of these are just as good for baby boys!)

Recycle an old sweater into toasty wool long johns.
By Nikol Lohr

Cotton thermals and space age synthetic long underwear are all well and good, but nothing kills the winter chills like a pair of old fashioned, toasty wool long johns. Trouble is, despite improvements in softness well known to knitters, wool still has a bad rap among the general population for itchiness. So despite the prevalence of cottony-soft merino, wool long johns have fallen out of favor. Not only are they hard to find, but at around 50 bucks a pop, they're hard to justify. But fret not! Real wool long johns can be yours for the price of a thrift store wool sweater and about an hour at the sewing machine. If you get lucky and score a cashmere sweater, you're really in for a treat!

Recycled long johns are cheap, eco-friendly, community-conscious (supporting local thrift stores), and can be made in interesting colors or stitch patterns, depending on what you find on the sweater rack. You can make them thicker (read: warmer) than the typical off-the-shelf counterpart, and you can get a custom fit. While they're not as streamlined as their store-bought brethren, you're probably wearing them to bed or under layers, so what's a few extra seams between friends?

If you've got kids to dress, the recycled long johns are especially fun, because you're more likely to find Fair Isle options in the smaller sizes on the thrift store rack.

Calli of Make It Do shares how to sew a car seat cover to help shield your wee one from cold temperatures, wind, sun and more.

Etsy crafter SandysCapeCodOrig is offering PDF patterns for this incredibly adorable Baby Brown Bear Cocoon and Hat Set. Perfect to crochet up for the baby bear in your life!

The folks at Bolt Fabrics in Portland have posted a tutorial to create a large, super soft baby blanket with Anna Maria Horner's new yummy line of flannel fabrics. They've also included instructions for creating custom bias tape to bind the blanket. When my kids were newborn, I loved having a stash of light, but warm large blankets for swaddling. These would be a perfect baby gift!