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I don’t know about you, but there is always someone in my life having a baby, so I am always making plans for baby gifts. And while of course I want the gifts I give to be adorable I also want them to be very useful. I hope they will actually be used and loved.
I thought I’d share my list of top baby gifts to sew. This list is made up of items I used myself when my four kids were tiny and I have tweaked them over the years, so they work really, really well.
They are all beginner-friendly, easy sewing projects and if you make a few of them in matching or coordinating fabrics they could be the perfect present for a baby or new parent.
Let's jump right in!
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Sew A Waterproof Changing Mat for a Baby Gift:
First on my list are three patterns I have used over and over and over because they are THE BEST. Let’s start with a Waterproof Changing Mat. There are a great many diapers in the future for anyone with a baby and this one is a favorite for a number of reasons.
First, it’s waterproof so it will protect any surface baby is on from getting covered in whatever baby is producing, if you know what I mean. A couch, the backseat of a car, a lap – all protected from the contents of the diaper and a naked baby booty. Because we all know that a fully loaded diaper is no guarantee that baby is done taking care of business.
Second, it’s soft and comfortable for baby to lay on so it protects the baby from whatever surface he or she might be resting on – a public restroom changing table, grass, or floor. The top is made with flannel and not only will it most likely be made with an extra cute print, it will be soft too.
My third reason for loving these things is how easy they are to fold up and throw into a diaper bag or purse making it easy to have on hand whenever it’s needed. I made one for each level of my house and had a separate one in my diaper bag. They come together so quickly I decided to put one wherever I might be when diaper duty called.
And did I mention that they wash up in a laundry machine really well? Yep, they are machine washable and will come out looking as good as new.
Supplies:
Flannel print for the top cut
White flannel for the center – you could use any color or print but I like to buy a bunch of white and use it for a lot of different changing pads and I don’t want any color to show through.
PUL (PolyUrethane Laminate) fabric – the back of the changing mat
Sewing machine
Matching general purpose thread
Fabric scissors OR rotary cutter, ruler and mat for cutting the fabric
Ironing board
Sew a Waterproof Burp Rag as a Baby Gift:
Next up is a Waterproof Burp Rag/Cloth. I tested a bunch of different shapes and styles and picked the one that worked the best. It flops onto a shoulder very easily one handed and stays there. No need to constantly adjust to make sure it stays put. It’s also large enough to protect the wearer from getting covered if baby has a bit more oomph to that spit up.
Plus, let’s not forget that it’s WATERPROOF since it’s made with same material people make cloth diaper covers with. It won’t allow mess to seep through to the other side, but the fabric is soft and pliable.
And lest you worry that baby would stay wet, there are two layers of absorbent material to help keep the little tot dry.
To make it easier for me (and you), I have a free printable pattern template. Print it out on cardstock and you can use it again and again.
Supplies:
Cute flannel fabric – 1/3 of a yard will make two but you need at least this much for the width.
White or light-colored flannel for the center of the burp cloth. A light color ensures that it won’t show through the top layer of flannel – 1/3 of a yard will make two burp cloths.
PUL (Polyurethane Laminate) fabric - the back of the burp cloth and the secret ingredient to making them spit up proof.
Sewing machine
Matching general purpose thread
Fabric scissors OR rotary cutter, ruler and mat for cutting the fabric
Ironing board
Sew a Waterproof Bib:
The third item on my list is also waterproof because keeping baby dry and comfortable is a priority. My third project is the perfect baby bib. The free pattern template is available here and it is (in my opinion) the best shape and size – large enough to cover their front, but not so large as to get in the way.
It is also made with the same waterproof fabric that feels like a fabric, not crunchy or stiff like plastic bibs.
This bib snaps in the back so no VELCRO to accidentally catch some soft, downy baby hair. It’s easy for an adult to remove but will stand up to baby tugs from the front.
In addition to the waterproof layer, these bibs have two additional layers to catch all the drool and food that drip down onto it. I’m telling you it’s the perfect bib and you’ll love it!
Supplies:
100% cotton fabric in cute prints
White flannel fabric
Size 20 plastic snaps- I used some white Dritz snaps and some KAM snaps
Sewing machine
Thread
Sewing pins
Iron
Sew a Wrist Keychain for a New Parent Gift:
The next item on my list is a wrist keychain. I know you might be thinking that a keychain is not a baby item, but I would disagree. With a baby or toddler along on a car ride there are a number of things that need to be carried and juggled – the baby and their car seat, a purse and/or diaper bag, grocery bags, and possibly the small hand of another kiddo - all in addition to the CAR KEYS.
This handy dandy wrist key strap slides right onto a hand and will keep keys out of the way but easily accessible.
And I don’t understand the magic of it, but it somehow makes it vastly easier to find your keys at the bottom of a purse or diaper bag. No more digging around to find them while fighting to hold all the other things and small people.
These are great for anyone, not just new moms. It’s one of the craft projects I get asked to replace when originals finally wear out from use. You might want to make some to give away, and one to keep for yourself.
Supplies:
10 ½ inches of 5/8 inch wide ribbon - I find grosgrain works the best. You can use the silky type too, but it tends to buckle a bit when sewn on, giving the edges a curled look.
OR
(If using fabric) 10 inch x 1 ½ inch iron on interfacing like Pellon SF101
Sewing machine
Pliers
Duct tape
Iron
Lighter
1-inch-wide cotton webbing - I found the one I used at Hobby Lobby in the fabric section. It is sold near the ribbon by the yard. I recommend using a darker color because these key chains get a LOT of use, and white or lighter colors will look grungy much faster. Amazon also sells it.
OR
1-inch-wide nylon webbing OR 1-inch-wide seat belt webbing cut to 10 ½ inches long
Optional:
Dritz Wash Away Wonder Tape (this is most helpful if you have decided to make it with nylon or seat belt webbing, or silky ribbon)
Sew a Diaper Strap for a Baby Gift:
In the name of keeping things as easy as possible for a new parent you can make a diaper strap. These things hold a packet of baby wipes and a few diapers in one place so when it’s time to change a diaper all a person needs to grab is this loaded up strap and maybe one of those diaper changing mats I mentioned before.
Held together with snaps, this strap is adjustable depending on how many diapers and wipes and/or a changing mat are held.
And thanks to the addition of some shelf liner, nothing is going to fall out the bottom, or top, of the strap. The shelf liner grips all the components and holds them until they are needed.
Supplies:
2 pieces of cotton fabric cut to 14 ¾ x 5 inches
1 piece of iron on interfacing cut to 14 ¼ x 4 ½ inches – I use Pellon SF 101.
Non-stick shelf liner cut to 13 ¾ x 4 inches
Size 20 plastic snaps – one male side and three female sides
Iron and ironing board
Matching or coordinating all-purpose thread
Sewing machine
Rotary cutter, cutting mat and sewing ruler OR Fabric scissors
Sewing pins OR clips
Fabric marking pencil or marker
Optional:
Sew Baby Toys:
We talked about keeping babies dry and comfortable, how about keeping them entertained? A Tag Blanket is very easy to sew but will keep them happy for hours. This small blanket is made with ribbon “tags” lining the outside. Have you ever handed a baby a toy only to discover that their favorite thing to play with is the tag on the toy? These “blankets” lean into that idea and provide a whole bunch of tags for them to play with and chew on. And since it is made with soft fabric like fleece, it’s cuddly too.
Along those same lines, why not sew up a Little Ray of Sunshine Tag Toy? I have a free pattern for this crinkly little toy that also has tags sewn along the edges. Cute and fun and easy to sew, these are a fun baby toy you can make yourself.
Or you could just make a smaller version of a tag blanket with crinkle fabric and combine the best of both worlds!
Supplies:
Small amount of fleece fabric – enough to cut out two large circles with the template.
Very small amount of felt in colors for the eyes and mouth. I used black, white and pink.
Ribbons – You need 8 ribbons cut to 3 inches long. My ribbons were between 5/8 and 7/8 inches wide and I used four different patterns and cut two of each pattern.
Sewing clips OR pins
Matching or coordinating all-purpose thread – I used black, white, pink and yellow.
Sewing machine
I hope this gives you some inspiration and points you in the right direction they next time you need to whip up a fantastic baby present.
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