MrsBrown's philosophy of life and stuff

I'm organising a baby shower for a friend.  We were discussing what gifts she might like and she observed that there is a gap in the maternity wear market - she can't find nighties that are:

long enough
buttoned low enough for easy breastfeeding
NOT WHITE

So we suggested that she ask friends to make them, and a handmade baby shower grew from there.  We're suggesting that all gifts should be handmade.  Just to be clear, that's not hard in this friendship group - its more like a themed party challenge.

Anyway, I thought I'd pull together a bunch of links for online baby patterns that I've tried, or that look like they'll work better than others.

I've used this nappy pattern.  The elastic has to be surprisingly tight, but the finished newborn nappy looks looks good.  I like the t-shirt reuse part too.  Someone on my f-list mentioned they had a bunch of rowany t-shirts they didnt' need anymore, this might be a good use for them.

That nappy will need a waterproof cover.  A nice, dense wool works really well.  You could use the same pattern or knit one.  I have also seen patterns for making wool covers from an old jumper.

Breastfeeding pads are useful, easy and quick.   DON'T include a waterproof layer!!!  When I made mine (mumble 20 years ago) I used an old towel with a layer of fleece cotton on either side.  A 5 inch circle is about right.  Here's a picture, so you know what I'm talking about.

There's a fabulous site with a bunch of links for making stuff - slings, pads, nappy bags.

And there's my pattern for a baby shirt here.  It's actually from a 40's book I own - its a nightie pattern.  The green lines in the pattern are the cutting lines.  The red ones are there for drafting.