Easy-to-plan sewing patterns to prepare for the arrival of a baby
Are you expecting a baby, or are you looking for an original and unique gift for a new baby? We’ve got some easy sewing ideas for baby and parents!
A sleeping bag for the night
A sleeping bag is a perfect birth gift for young parents: even if they’ve already planned to buy one, it’s always useful to have a second one on hand so they can alternate and wash them. This isn’t a very difficult project to sew, and can be a great way to start sewing. You’ll just need to know how to attach a zip, which you’ll need to place on the side or front of the sleeping bag. If you want to practice beforehand, you can use an old zip and practice assembling it on fabric scraps before going on to the clean side.
This project can be sewn in a myriad of different fabrics, depending on the season and the parents’ tastes. Choose a natural fiber like cotton or linen, and avoid less breathable synthetics. Be careful, too, to choose a fabric that’s soft and pleasant for babies. To stuff it, usea wadding material, which can be thicker or thinner depending on the season.
As for patterns, you can follow our models of sleeping bags with the zip on the side or with the zip in the middle, and help yourself to the accompanying videos if you’re just starting out.
A pretty bloomer for summer
The bloomer is a must-have for babies! With its wide, puffy shape, it’s easy to wear over a diaper and bodysuit. It makes a perfect birth gift because it’s so quick to sew, and even easier to personalize by using different fabrics, sewing pretty ruffles, bows (we’re always careful to fasten them firmly so they can’t be ripped off), adding embroidery…
As for the sleeping bag, you can sew it with cotton(double gauze, chambray, voile, poplin…) or use fabric scraps or salvaged fabrics (old sheets or clothes). No technical difficulties: this project is accessible to beginners.
The Patronnes pattern offers three variations on this classic (with or without bow, with or without ruffle…) and our pattern is available in eight sizes, always accompanied by a video tutorial.
A sleeveless vest for first outings
The sleeveless cardigan is a super-easy-to-sew piece that, with just a little time spent at the sewing machine, makes a lovely garment for baby. It’s all about choosing the right fabric, and choosing one with texture: faux fur, plush / teddy fabric, minky, quilted fabric… You’ll also need a cotton lining like poplin or pretty linen. You can follow our homemade pattern available from 6 months.
Zero-waste accessories for first toilets
Wipes are useful for removing make-up, but can also be very practical for washing babies. They make a lovely gift, slipped into a matching pouch or small hand-sewn basket.
To make wipes, you need two types of fabric: cotton for the lining and terry cloth. If you can find it, you can choose GOTS-certified organic fabric, which is ideal for babies’ skin. For the cotton lining, you can use fabric scraps or coupons. The important thing is that the chosen fiber is resistant to repeated washing.
Reusable wipes are easy to sew and very practical to use. The Miss Cactus pattern can be used to make a matching resealable basket. And if you’re often on the move, our travel wipes are sure to please!
The bodysuit for everyday use
Young parents know: you can never have too many bodysuits for babies! So this is a great project to sew as a gift or to stock up for a future birth. Unlike the other projects, you’ll need to use stretch cotton jersey, which is easy to sew on the sewing machine. You’ll also need a jersey bias and jersey snaps! Don’t hesitate to make several to make a lovely gift for the parents-to-be.
You can follow our pattern and video tutorial to learn how to sew jersey if you’re just starting out!
What about you, do you usually sew layette? What’s your favorite piece to make?
