Linky Love: Top 10 Handmade Baby Gifts

Shopping for babies is so much fun--way more fun than shopping with babies.  And if you have the time, making gifts for babies can be a lot of fun, too.  I like to make baby gifts and, of course, things for my own little one.  Right now, I think I have at least half-a-dozen friends and family members who are expecting, so I'm thinking a lot about baby gifts.  It's so special to give (and receive) handmade gifts, so here's some linky love to share my FAV handmade baby (and baby-momma) gifts! 

(Boy, I sure do love parenthesis!)

1. Nursing Cover from Sew Much Ado - These are a must-have for all nursing mothers.  They're $30 at many stores, but you can make one for a fraction using fabric of your preference!  Nursing was very important to me, and doing it modestly (and somewhat fashionably) is a must!

2. Diaper Cake from Homemade by Jill- Perfect as a gorgeous (and useful!) gift or as a unique centerpiece at a baby shower.

3. Burp Cloths from Homemade by Jill.  This is a great sewing project for beginners and the results are professional and oh-sew-satisfying!  (Forgive my pun...) 

4. Appliqued Tie Onesies from Crap I've Made are such a fun craft to make for little boys.  If you don't have a sewing maching, you can try my no-sew version (a tute is offered on my previous personal blog, Spartan Living).

5. Itty Bitty Baby Dress by Made by Rae- A sewing project suitable even for beginners!  I made a black and white one for my sweet little Elliott.  She wore it once.  Go figure.  I didn't get any pictures of her in it, either.  Lame!  Anyhow, this was the first dress I ever made and Rae's tutorial is practically foolproof. 


photo by Rae Hoekstra, used with permission

The Itty Bitty Dress I made for Junebug

6. Stardust Shoes - Such a cute little accessory for either gender!  Use coordinating fabric from your tie applique onesies or Itty Bitty Baby dress to make the perfect gift set for a little boy or girl.  They're trickier to make than they look, but the results are pretty fabulous!  (Silly me never took a picture of the ones I made!)

7. Crocheted Hat from Girl in Air.  It's super simple, even for a new crocheter like me!  Below is the hat I made for Junebug using Girl in Air's pattern, and I embellished it with a crocheted butterfly from Little Birdie Secrets.

8.  Pacifier Clips from Prudent Baby.  I received some of these at Junebug's baby shower and man, were they handy! 

{You may be interested to know that before I had a baby I said that I wouldn't use pacifiers.  Then, I had the baby and changed my mind...quickly!}

9. Lullaby CD by Prudent Baby.  You don't have to be crafty to pull this off, but it is such a thoughful and personal gift.  I received a soothing lullaby CD in a gift basket when we returned home from the hospital with Junebug, and lemme tell ya, that simple CD meant a whole lot to me.  Soothing music really takes the edge off of the frustration and exhaustion that comes with a newborn (I mean, babies are precious, but they're not always easy, ya know?)

10.  If you're not crafty, why not make dinner for the baby's family?  A meal that can be frozen would be especially appreciated by dazed and confused, sleep-deprived new mommies and daddies!

Happy crafting!