What to do with all of those adorable baby clothes once they've grown out of them?
Of course, you'll hand down some to friends and relatives who are having babies shortly after. Or maybe you'll hoard them with the notion that one day your grandchildren will wear them (our mother). We've also seen someone over at Etsy sewing baby clothes onto a blanket.
But we love projects with fabric, so this is probably our favorite idea: A Baby Clothes Swatch Book.
It's really up to you how creative you want to get. Wondertime's instructions are below. We think taking a favorite picture of baby in each outfit is a must to really bring back those memories. What a beautiful way to hold on to those few precious outfits you first hung in the closet in anticipation of your new arrival.
Instructions (via Wondertime's website.)
Using sharp scissors, cut the clothing into swatches that will fit on the blank book's pages. Experiment with a small piece of fabric first: Hold the fabric taut and make a small initial cut, then use the open jaw of the scissors to zip the length of the fabric. It's easiest to rip woven fabrics along the grain. If you prefer a more precise edge, draw a chalk line on the fabric and cut along it, then dust it off after cutting.
Match the photos (if using) to the clothing.
Mount the photos and fabrics onto the pages, using double-sided tape.
Write your memories on the labels. Affix the labels as desired.
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
not to be a party pooper, but isn't it a little environmentally irresponsible to pass up the chance to keep the clothes intact and reusable - by friends, family, thrift store shoppers, whatever - in exchange for a snippet of fabric and tossing the rest in the trash?
view hbl's profile
hbl- That thought did cross our mind as well. Here's one idea-you can always reuse the rest of the fabric as well. Maybe for other craft projects or collages with the kids later on? You could even frame a piece of it for their room if it's pretty enough. Just a thought.
view julia's profile
I've thrown away quite a few baby/toddler clothes that were too stained/ripped to be of any use to anybody. Most of mine had already been through up to 4 kids, so they were on their last legs, but had sentimental value to me nonetheless. I think this is a good idea, wish I'd thought of it back then.
view mjoe's profile
I love this idea in tandem with sewing the rest of the fabrics onto a blanket, or into a quilt.
Of course there are those special pieces I just can't resist saving for posterity or "for the grandchildren." I have a dress that I used to wear when I was about two, and am glad my mother saved it for me. I even have a pic of my two year old self wearing it.
view cecilia's profile
One way to keep a memento of the fabric and pass along the outfit would be to photocopy or scan the outfit. Then just clip the copy to the size you want, or even use it under the photo of the child in the outfit.
view pelicolina's profile