HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011

Thank you for making 2010 such a great year.

Let's make 2011 an even better year, a safe one, filled with love, with all your needs being met and so much more.

Blessings!
Carolyn

Cotton Knit Fabric Baby Booties Sewing Patterns

There is just something about making a pair of baby booties that excites the soul.

Baby Bootie Pattern 1

 It might be the excitement that there will be a new baby that carries over to thinking about baby booties, that baby booties are just so cute or a mixture of both.

Baby Bootie Pattern 2

Next comes picking out a pattern. You will want something cute, but also functional.

By functional, I mean, will they be comfortable and stay on the baby's feet without binding or marking the baby's ankle because they are too tight.

Baby Bootie Pattern 3

You will also need to check sizes. Pattern sizes are different between designers. So check the measurements. Also baby's foot sizes vary.

Baby Bootie Pattern 4

I have several baby bootie patterns, for sale. The links to the patterns are in the left-hand column of this blog, as are quick links to the pattern tutorials. The first 5 patterns include 5 sizes. They are sized for small preemies and newborn babies up to 12 months or until the baby's foot length reaches 4 inches. Some babies feet reach this length by the time they are 6 or 9 months.

Baby Bootie Pattern 5

Airplane Bootie - Includes 7 sizes,

Preemie up to a foot 6 1/2 inches long.

 I also have links to a couple baby bootie patterns that are FREE. They are listed under "Free, Baby Related & Charity Patterns". 

The big question now is... Where can I find the knit fabric to make these baby booties with? 

Well... I carry that too. 

I am on a constant search to find "Hard to find" Cotton Knit Fabric in Interlock, Jersey, Rib Knit and Ribbing.

You will find it HERE, along with Ribbon, Elastic and Cording.

If you use my patterns to make baby booties and you would like to share pictures of them... You may post them on Lil' Baby Thangs Flickr photo stream or on Lil' Baby Thangs Facebook page.

Visit my shops...

Artfire

Zibbet

Etsy

Website

Carolyn

How to Make Fabric Pinwheels

I reworked my instructions on 

How to Make Fabric Pinwheels

2 Fabric Pinwheel

  It is now available as a free download in a PDF format.

You are only limited by your imagination on what to do with them once you have them made.

I have seen them used attached to Bobbi pins, hair clips and Barrettes, Mobiles for babies to look at, added to 3D quilts, on gift tags and cards, I use them on Airplane booties for the propellers and on the toe of Elf Bootie Christmas stockings and of course... attached to a stick or to a pencil eraser to blow in the wind. They may also be doubled up by placing a smaller one on top of a larger one.

I found another cute one made from paper HERE

and HERE but you could just as easily make it with fabric. 
It was used to decorate a gift box.

If you have more ideas... I'd love to hear them.

New Ooga Booga Flavors

Purple Ooga Booga on 100% Cotton Interlock Knit Fabric

Pastel Ooga Booga on 100% Cotton Interlock Knit Fabric

I have Purple Ooga Booga and Pastel Ooga Booga on 100 % cotton interlock knit, 58/60 inches wide...

Pastel Booga Booga on Velour

Pastel Booga Booga on Velour

And on a plush 80/20 cotton/poly velour, 58/60 inches wide. I have it listed either by the FQ (Fat Quarter) or by the Yard.

Just click on the picture to go there and read all about it.

Happy Holidays!

In the spirit of the season.... 

and since I have been such a slacker in keeping up with this blog... 

I am offering 30% off everything in my Etsy Shop, ArtFire Studio and Zibbet Shop

Use Coupon Code YEARENDSAVINGS during checkout. 
This offer ends Jan 1, 2011.

Thank you, Wishing you a Very Merry Yule and a Happy New Year.

Carolyn
♥

New Pattern on the Drafting Table

I have had quite a bit of interest and requests for me to make and make available a boys brief pattern.

The stir was caused by my posting a pair of size 2 briefs and a T-Shirt I had made on a listing for Halloween Orange Ooga Booga fabric in my Etsy shop. I just wanted to show what it would look like made up into something. Here are the pictures.

Due to popular request, I have started working on a multi-sized pattern for the Briefs and one for Boxer Briefs.
I have no idea when it will be completed...because I have a shop to run and fabric to play with, but I will let you know here and on my Facebook Fan page.

Let me know if you are interested too.

New Interlock Knit Fabric and a Rib Knit Fabric Too.

We have New Ooga Booga Fabric.

They are all on a Quality medium weight 100% combed cotton interlock knit.

Camouflage Ooga Booga Interlock Knit

Christmas Ooga Booga Interlock Knit

Winter Ooga Booga Interlock Knit

And a New light weight 100% combed cotton
Baby/Micro Rib Knit

Once Upon a Time Princess Micro Rib Knit

Come check them out at Lil" Baby Thangs

New Ooga Booga Fabric

Just in...Halloween Ooga Booga fabric on 100% cotton interlock knit and on 80/20 cotton/poly Stretch Velour.

Halloween Ooga Booga on White Interlock Knit

 Both are quality knits and wash up soft and beautiful.

Also have Ooga Booga in Blue, Red, Brown and Turquoise.

Get them while they last.

Red Ooga Booga on White Interlock Knit

Blue Ooga Booga on White Interlock Knit

Brown Ooga Booga on Light Yellow Interlock Knit

Turquoise Ooga Booga on White Interlock Knit

Halloween Ooga Booga on White Stretch Velour

Red Halloween Ooga Booga on White Stretch Velour

Turquoise Halloween Ooga Booga on White Stretch Velour

 

 

Click on the pictures to be taken to their Etsy listing.

♥

Gund is recalling baby paperboard books with plastic handles designed as baby rattles.

Gund Baby Paperboard Book Recall

March 23, 2010 - Gund recently received three reports from consumers involving paperboard books marketed under the Gund Baby brand. These reports indicated that the styrofoam material used to affix the baby rattle/plastic handle to the binding of the book had become dislodged when chewed or picked at, and could present a choking hazard to infants or young children.

Gund is conducting a voluntary recall of these items in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Health Canada. We are asking consumers to return these items.

This voluntary recall involves three miniature paperboard books, each with a plastic handle designed as a baby rattle. Each book is approximately 4.5”H x 7”W (including handle).

UPC 028399591732 set/3 books in vinyl pouch
UPC 028399591749 “Animals” book
UPC 028399591756 “Numbers” book
UPC 028399591763 “Colors” book

Consumers in the U.S. should contact Gund customer service at 1-800-436-3726 to arrange for a return of these items for a replacement item of equal or greater value, which Gund will provide at no charge. Consumers will receive instructions on how to return the items to Gund at no charge.

Consumers in Canada should return these items to the original point of purchase for a full refund.

Please note that no injuries have been reported as a result of this situation. Gund regularly conducts rigorous testing of all of its products before they are sold to consumers, and these recalled items passed all safety standards set forth by the CPSC and Health Canada. Gund is conducting this recall out of an abundance of caution on behalf of our consumers.
Click Here to view the Recall Notice
♥

New Ooga Booga 100% Cotton Interlock Knit Fabric Just In

I love it when I can get more Ooga Boogas. The new "Flavors" are both Turquoise.

Lovable Turquoise Ooga Booga and other Monsters in Dark Brown, Lime Green and Light Blue on a White or a Blue background with the words Ooga Booga printed on it in Turquoise, Lime Green and Light Blue. This is a soft, medium weight 100% combed cotton interlock knit.

*The print is the same as the one with the white background ... but the pictures show the colors incorrectly against the blue background.

I will also be getting these two prints in an 80/20 Cotton/Poly Stretch Velour. Can't wait. 

“Happy Feet” Felt Baby Booties

Here is a FREE Pattern to hand sew a pair of cute felt baby booties.

“Happy Feet” Felt Baby Booties

Cotton / Lycra Blend Ribbing in a Rainbow of Colors.

I have new colors of Ribbing.

It is a cotton/lycra blend and being sold in pre-cut fat eighths (9" X 21").

A normal 1/8 yard would be 4 1/2" long X 42 wide". A fat eighth, like a fat quarter, gives you more usable dimensions to work in.

I carry 3 rib types... a 1 x 1 (fine), 2 x 2 (obvious ribs) and a yellow uneven (a more patterned look). 

Ribbing is used as neckbands, sleevebands, cuffs at the wrists and ankles, and for waistbands (ie. the bottom of sweatshirts). I use it for the ankle cuffs on Baby Bootie Pattern 5.

The small amount of lycra in with the cotton, allows a better recovery of the fabric when it is stretched. It prevents stretched out looking neckbands and allows booties to stay on.

Ribbing is also made with polyester, but I prefer cotton, so I don't carry it.

Check out all my new yummy flavors (colors) HERE.

Study: Breast-feeding would save lives, money

Study: Breast-feeding would save lives, money
By LINDSEY TANNER
AP Medical Writer
April 4, 2010  

The lives of nearly 900 babies would be saved each year, along with billions of dollars, if 90 percent of U.S. women breast-fed their babies for the first six months of life, a cost analysis says.

Those startling results, published online Monday in the journal Pediatrics, are only an estimate. But several experts who reviewed the analysis said the methods and conclusions seem sound.

"The health care system has got to be aware that breast-feeding makes a profound difference," said Dr. Ruth Lawrence, who heads the American Academy of Pediatrics' breast-feeding section.

The findings suggest that there are hundreds of deaths and many more costly illnesses each year from health problems that breast-feeding may help prevent. These include stomach viruses, ear infections, asthma, juvenile diabetes, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and even childhood leukemia.

Read more here

Happy Easter, Ostara, Spring or whatever you are celebrating...

What pregnant mothers eat affects the skin health of newborns

What pregnant mothers eat affects the skin health of newborns

Government 'must follow Europe's lead and ban BPA'

If Denmark can outlaw danger chemical why can't we, ask experts
By Jerome Taylor
Friday, 2 April 2010
 
Scientists have rounded on the Government for refusing to take action on a controversial chemical widely used in baby bottles – even though other countries have begun bringing in their own bans.
 
Denmark has become the first European country to forbid the use of bisphenol A (BPA) in any food containers for young children, amid growing scientific evidence which suggests the chemical could inhibit brain development and lead to serious health issues.

Most mainstream baby bottle manufacturers have already begun producing BPA-free lines, but an investigation by The Independent this week revealed how leading high-street retailers, including Boots and Mothercare, were still selling off older bottles containing the chemical.

(Caption, "BPA is widely used to strengthen plastic in baby bottles - there is growing evidence it may inhibit brain development.")

Read more here

Neonatal dermatoses: Some are cause for more concern than others

Neonatal dermatoses: Some are cause for more concern than others

Apr 1, 2010
By: Lisa B. Samalonis
Dermatology Times

Wailea, Hawaii — The level of concern for neonatal dermatoses ranges depending on the type of condition, according to Julie V. Schaffer, M.D., director of pediatric dermatology, director of resident education, assistant professor of pediatrics and dermatology, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York.

Dr. Schaffer spoke on this topic at the 2010 MauiDerm: Advances in Cosmetic and Medical Dermatology in January.

“Common neonatal dermatoses include a variety of conditions, some worthy of more concern while others resolve,” she says.

Here are some conditions and their level of worry:
Read more Here

Infant bag-sling risks well-known: experts

March 29, 2010

Infant bag-sling risks well-known: experts

By CBC News

The risks of a bag-type sling similar in design to the Infantino models recalled last week after the deaths of three infants have been known for years, say sling advocates and designers.
Read more here

Safety Recall Notice

New 100% Cotton Interlock Knit Fabric, Continued...

Todays Featured Fabric are both on 100% Cotton Interlock knit fabric.

A Stripe, in Purple, Lavender, Gray and White.

And... Lil Bug Garden, with cute little ladybugs, dragonflies, butterflies, flowers and words on a pink background.

Purple Stripe, 100% Cotton Interlock Knit Fabric

Lil Bug Garden, 100% Cotton Interlock Knit Fabric 

They are available on both my Etsy and ArtFire shops.

♥

Baby sling company was warned about safety concerns

What Bedding To Buy For Your Baby

Do you have a baby on the way? Are you a new parent? If so, you may be confused on what your baby will need once they arrive. This is understandable, many new parents feel this way. There are a few things that should be considered for buying, such as bedding, whether you’re having a boy or a girl.

Your baby is going to require a lot of items and also a lot of space. Therefore, it makes sense to buy convertible baby furniture. For example, your baby will need a crib to sleep in. But what about when they grow? Do you want to spend more money on bigger cribs, child-sized beds, and eventually bigger beds? Of course not. That is why buying a crib that can converts into a larger bed is a smart buying option. This way, you save money even when your baby outgrows their crib.

Regarding the interior of the crib, numerous manufactures sell a bedding collection that will match your baby. Typically, parents choose which kind to get based on the gender of their baby. Different bedding is usually bought for girls than it is for boys.

For girls, their bedding can have cute colors and patterns. For example, the colors pink and light purple are popular choices for girls. As for patterns, cupcakes, twinkling stars, rabbits, bows, hearts, butterflies, and ladybug baby bedding looks very appropriate.

Colors like green and blue are popular choices for boys. Parents usually buy patterns for baby boys like sports-related patterns, dinosaurs, toys, cars, and trains. Themes for boys tend to be masculine instead of feminine.

There are also options that are neutral that both girls and boys can have. Colors like yellow, orange, white, and red are unisex colors. Patterns like characters from children’s TV and film, baby bottles, bears, booties, strollers, and storks are appropriate for both genders. If you buy neutral bedding, it is a smart idea because if you plan on having more children, it can be passed down to them as well, regardless of their gender.

So if you are unsure on which kind of bedding to get for your baby, consider the options. Things that can convert save you money. Different bedding for girls and boys or neutral themes should be decided on. Either way, it’s important to plan for your baby and their future.