Handmade Baby Gift Ideas

Nothing is more heartfelt than baby gifts that you made with your own two hands. Take a little time to think about what you’d like to make for the new baby in your life. Then, leave yourself enough time so you can enjoy working on the project a little at a time.

Here are some ideas for handmade items that baby and family will treasure for years to come.

Make a baby blanket out of soft fleece or crochet one. There are patterns by the dozens available online and in knitting and craft stores.

If you’re planning on making a fleece one, choose the softest fleece you can find. Then, edge it with satin trim in a coordinating color.

If you are crocheting and you don’t yet know the sex of the baby, create a blanket in an array of soft pastels appropriate for a girl or a boy. If at all possible, choose a yarn that is washable for those inevitable spills.

You can make bibs by the dozen in your free time. Create a pattern from a store-bought bib or print one from online. Choose terry cloth fabrics in different patterns and colors. Choose binding in baby-friendly ginghams or stripes. Create a whole wardrobe complete with personalization. You can embroider baby’s name on or use iron-on letters. Or you can sew on a cute applique patch of a dog or other animal. Create a set for each day of the week or other theme like circus animals or farm life.

If you’re more ambitious, you might want to take on a bigger sewing project. Select a pattern for newborns or older babies. Then, plan to make several of the same item. You might choose to make sweat pants in several colors and fabrics. Or you might make onesies or t-shirts in different designs. If you are handy at the sewing machine, you might choose to make an entire outfit complete with hoodie, pants, and shirt. Start early so you won’t feel pressured to complete your new baby gift in a rush. You can always make bigger sizes, too, as babies grow quickly.

If you’re looking for a quick craft, why not decorate store-bought onesie bodysuits? You can use fabric paints or fabric markers. Just be sure that you don’t use the type that dry hard or crunchy as baby’s delicate skin will rub against it.

Use iron-on letters, designs, or decals. You can find cute sayings, type them on your computer, and print them onto special iron-on paper found at the craft store. You’ll find no one gives a gift even remotely like yours!

If you have some extra fabric from another project, you can use it up making soft blocks. Cut squares of fabric and sew them together to form a cube. Stuff with fiberfill stuffing and you’ve got a set that baby will love playing with and mom knows she can’t get hurt with.

Try your hand at crafting items for baby’s nursery. You might offer to make curtains, pillows, bedding, or toys that might otherwise be hard to find in the chosen theme. Take time to browse sites online that offer handmade baby clothes and décor to get other ideas.