All it takes is a little fabric and a little of your sewing time to create sewing memories for a new baby. Baby clothes have just a few seams, little fabric is needed, and there are substantial cost savings to sewing your own basic baby layette and nursery accessories. Fabrics to select for a newborn’s layette are soft cuddly cotton flannel or flannelette; lightweight fleeces and cotton chenille fabric for blankets; cotton baby rib knits for t-shirts and Onesies; for nursery items any seersucker, gingham, or cotton prints work well.

Basic Newborn Layette Suggestions
4-6 Long-sleeved Gowns
4-6 Footed Sleepers
4-6 Lap Shoulder T-Shirts
4-6 Onesies
4-6 Bibs
2-4 Caps and Booties
3-4 Receiving blankets
3-4 Towels/Wash Cloths
1 Warm knit or fleece blanket
1 Sweater Set

Elna USA has a free pattern for a Vintage Baby Day Gown made from a baby’s purchased kimono-style t-shirt or an over-the-head style t-shirt with an added dress skirt attached. Heirloom embroidery design included.

The Home Sewing Association’s Sewing.org has free instructions for a Quick Baby Bonnet to make. Trim with a variety of decorative machine stitches.

McCall’s pattern 4236 features infants' buntings, jumpsuits, hat and blanket.

Martha Stewart Living has instructions on making the traditional tiny newborn t-shirts (baby kimono) that wrap diagonally and fasten on the side.

Super easy to sew receiving blanket instructions:
Materials: Just two yards of 36” wide flannel. Fold in half or use one-square yard from each of two pieces of coordinating solid color and printed cotton flannel or flannelette.
With right sides together, cut all 4 corners slightly rounded.
Stitch together with a 1/4” to 3/8” seam, leaving a 6” opening to turn.
Turn right-side out, press, then hand stitch opening closed.
Select a decorative stitch if you’d like or use a straight stitch with a long stitch length and top stitch about 5/8” to 1” from all edges.

Favorite Nursery Items to Sew
Diaper stacker
Diaper Bag
Fitted crib sheets
Bassinette liner
Baby quilt or lap quilt
Baby album
Soft toys
Crib bumpers
Changing Pad

The following Simplicity Patterns may be found by a Pattern Search on their website. Just enter their Simplicity pattern design number.

Simplicity pattern 4642 shows a fabric picture frame, photo album cover, diaper bag, changing pad, bib, pillows, padded hangars, and blanket.

Simplicity pattern 4636 features covers for rocking chair, shopping cart, bassinet, car seat and stroller.

Simplicity patterns 4627 and 9140 have many nursery accessories – diaper stacker, bumpers, crib sheets, crib dust ruffles, quits, pillows, crib canopy, window curtain, and organizer.

McCall’s pattern 4897 has a stroller or car seat cushion, head support, highchair cushion, stroller organizer, wall or crib organizer, changing table organizer and changing pads.

McCall’s pattern 4403 also has a Laura Ashley® diaper bag and car organizer.

Free bib patterns from New Conceptions Sewing Patterns. Please respect their copyright. Their free patterns are offered for individual home use or items may be made from their patterns for donations to charity. Look also for their free 3-Seam Baby Footies and Burping Cloth patterns.

Happy Sewing.

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