Making Your Baby's Clothes Last!
As any mother with a young child will tell you, babies grow very
quickly. So for new mothers, making the most out of baby clothes
is of the utmost importance. So what do you do when those
onesies just don't quite snap anymore? How do you get an extra
month out of those jeans that are a little too short for the
winter months?
The great thing about onesies, is that they're a very workable
cotton fabric, and there really isn't any hemming necessary to
turn a couple of onesies that fit at five months into a couple
of shirts that fit at eight months. Simply cut them off right at
the leg holes, and gently pull the material around the edges so
that it rolls a tiny bit. This way there are no exposed threads
for baby to pull at or chew on. The same can apply to footsie
pajamas. By simply snipping off the feet, you can easily get
another month's wear out of the sleepwear.
Adding extra buttons to overalls or snappy shirts makes them
naturally grow with your child. Perhaps one of the best
investments a new mother can make is in a mid-priced sewing
machine. This makes alterations and additions a breeze, and
gives you a new hobby for when baby naps (Just make sure there
is enough wall between you and the crib so that the whirring of
the machine doesn't make undue stress for you!)
Things like adding extra material to the bottom of a dress or
skirt can be done in just minutes, as can letting out the hem of
a pair of jeans or overalls. Buying clothes initially that are
mid-priced and made of a cotton material with a lot of elastic
and snaps makes transitions that much easier. Shoes are always
going to be a problem, but buying a canvas sneaker in the spring
can convert into a mule for summer wear, as long as the baby is
not walking yet. Socks without built in heels is key--that way
the baby can grow a little bit longer in the socks. Also, even
though socks with ducks and elephants are cute, sticking to a
plain color can help extend the life of individual socks if one
gets lost. In the summer a grey or white sock is less likely to
irritate a sweaty baby's sensitive skin because they don't
contain dyes.
Think of ways that you would extend the life of your own
clothes. T-shirts that come three to a pack can easily be
downgraded to rags or dust cloths. Jeans and pants that have
become worn or are too short can be cut and hemmed for summer
shorts. Sweaters can become blankies. Things like first outfits
and special occasion's clothes can be put into a special chest
to pass on to your child for when they have children of their
own. For the most part, making baby clothes last, laundering
aside, is about ingenuity and personality. Learn the basics of
stitching and hemming and let the designer in you shine through!