Babies aren't burping the same way today as they were a generation ago. Well, physically they are... they're still hoisted up onto Mom's shoulder while their tiny backs are rubbed and patted; but they're doing it with a lot more style and panache! Take a stroll through any baby boutique nowadays and you'll see what I mean. Gone are the days of burping your baby on a plain white, unadorned, cloth diaper. Today's burb cloths are trimmed with designer fabrics and all dressed up with ribbon, trim and fancy embroidery; plus, they are pricey little items. "I could make these and save tons of money", I thought recently. My daughter has a friend whose baby daughter, Anna, is due soon; and these would be perfect gifts to welcome her little girl. Whenever I have these creative thoughts rationalized by saving money I get myself into trouble, I know that, but how could I go wrong here? I purchased a dozen cloth diapers, specially packaged at a discount price. I prewashed them... the serged edges came out of the dryer a little raggedy and worse for the wear. "The ribbon trim will hide that", I imagined. I spent the morning in my software design program creating these embroideries to stitch out. I spent the afternoon embellishing the burb cloths with embroidery and then creating binding for the edges which, I discovered, became impossible to "neaten" up. I found fabric to make the binding in my stash.
I had to get in the car and drive to Hancock's to find the proper ribbon. I finally finished these up this morning after breakfast! Did I save tons of money? If you figure the supplies, my time, and two trips to the store, probably not! Did I enjoy every moment of the process? Absolutely! (I know my daughter's friend will love these and I'm guaranteed she won't be receiving duplicates of these little creations.) I saved the designs in a file, I'm thinking about how cute they would look on a hooded bath towel, or on matching bibs. Oh, and by the way, I still have ten more cloth diapers left over!Life is Good!
14 comments:
These are beautiful. Anna is really appreciate burping on them. It is really isn't true that you can make something cheaper than buying it. But now you can make up the rest, and sell them, or save them for future presents.
Carol gave me a cross-stitched bib. I hesitated using it, because I didn't want to get it dirty, but then I hesitated not using it, since it was its purpose, and she had gone through the effort to make it for me. I'll have to find it and take a photo.
Wow!!!What a delight;))))
What a happy girl, little Anna! Although Mom will be styled!
You know, they sell "diaper cloths" at most automotive retailers, for detailing cars. I presume they would be cheaper, and I do know they survive the washing machine. I am not sure if they are the proper size for burping (having never done such a task, nor knowing how large one of these things needs to be) but, maybe something you could look into next time. Now you are saying to yourself "what about the other 10 I still have". The answer is simple, just donate them to your son for the purpose of detailing.
Hope you get to feeling better soon.
Your burp cloths were well worth all your time, effort, and expense because they were made by you especially for the baby and they are precious. The mommie will be delighted at such a special gift! They're wonderful.
These are so adorable! Nice job. I'm sure Baby Anna's mother will just love them. You'll have to put the ten extras away to use for future babies because these make such wonderful, personal gifts.
Kyle is right though, old cloth diapers come in handy. I still have some that I use for polishing furniture. Stands to reason that they'd also be good for polishing cars.
When #1 son was a baby, he would have needed the embellished hooded towel for a burp cloth. The hood would have come in handy for "catching" what came up with the burp! ;-) Amazing that he grew to be so big when most of what he ate didn't stay down. hehehe
How delightful those cloths are. You have made a beautiful job of them, & I am sure little Anna's mother will love them.
Absolutely the cutest things ever! You're making me think about machine embroidery in a new way!
Those came out great. It is not so much saving money as having a story to tell with the gift! When my niece was a toddler my sister asked me to embroider some dishtowels and to put a ribbon on them so she could use them as bibs (my niece had a habit of threwing food everywhere!) They came out nice but I went a bit overboard and made a dozen - that's how many were in the bundle of towels I bought!
Second comment/post: lucky you to have taken the S&W class from BR. I have seen her on TV on a couple of quilt shows. I have only taken classes from locals, no celebs.
I enjoyed making mine and I bought fabric last June to make another one and it's lying somewhere in my stash. I should have known better! :) Maybe someday...
These are very very nice. Anna will be happy.ciao ciao
Those burp cloths are just adorable!!! What a wonderful job you did!!
Sometimes my "crafting" gets me into trouble too - I should just know enough to stick with quilting! LOL. But, the burp clothes are very cute!!!
Cheers!
Evelyn
Post a Comment