tag:budgetbaby.blog.co.uk,2009-11-23:/Proving that nice stuff doesn't have to be expensive stuff!One womans quest to provide everything for her new baby without spending more than £250!MokoFeed2009-11-23T11:58:28+01:00tag:budgetbaby.blog.co.uk,2008-09-22:/2008/09/22/shame-to-waste-the-offcuts-4762446/OneProudMomma2008-09-22T14:24:58+02:002008-09-22T16:34:15+02:00 <p>One of the things about babies is that they are tiny. You don't need much material to make a little pair of boots or a pair of mittens. If your little one already has a big sister then don't forget that she might welcome a few things for her dolly!</p> <p>You can even make things for yourself from your offcuts, so don't chuck them in the bin - make use of them!</p> <p>My 2m length of ivory fleece which I bought for £7.98 was bought to make the lining for the winter baby sling. The offcut from that was used to make 6 nappy wraps for Amelia and 1 dolly nappy wrap for a My First Baby Annabelle. The offcuts from the nappy wraps were used to make 4 pairs of bitty boots, 4 matching pairs of mittens and a beanie hat. Not bad for £8!</p> <p></p> <p>I made a number of accessories for Beth's Baby Annabelle doll from offcuts. Bedding, nappy wrap and baby sling. I still have some small scraps of fleece left too, just big enough to make some bitty booties and mittens for the Baby Annabelle!</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/010/2833010_f6a6b222ab_m.jpeg" alt="Baby Annabelle Cot" title="Baby Annabelle Cot"></p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/011/2833011_7a3d221dda_m.jpeg" alt="Baby Annabelle Cot" title="Baby Annabelle Cot"></p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/009/2833009_333b532046_m.jpeg" alt="Baby Doll Nappy Wrap & Baby Doll Sling" title="Baby Doll Nappy Wrap & Baby Doll Sling"></p> <p></p> <p>Some of the other offcuts were used to make myself a new needle case & breast pads.</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/867/2832867_1b994dd2cb_m.jpeg" alt="Monkey Needle Case" title="Monkey Needle Case"></p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/868/2832868_bd70e05572_m.jpeg" alt="Monkey Needle Case" title="Monkey Needle Case"></p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/775/2752775_d253d6df59_m.jpeg" alt="Breast Pads" title="Breast Pads"></p> <p></p> <p>Items made for the baby from offcuts include head hugger, changing mat, booties, nappy wraps, nappy liners, cleaning cloths, pillow & pillow case.</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/412/2792412_fb1b8daaa8_m.jpeg" alt="Head Hugger" title="Head Hugger"></p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/538/2791538_cbd536f6af_m.jpeg" alt="Pillow & case" title="Pillow & case"></p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/009/2787009_836f14e67b_m.jpeg" alt="Changing Mat" title="Changing Mat"></p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/820/2832820_6e87fc0fe0_m.jpeg" alt="Nappy Wraps" title="Nappy Wraps"></p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/267/2833267_2f64bce0ab_m.jpeg" alt="Fleece mittens, booties & hat" title="Fleece mittens, booties & hat"></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://budgetbaby.blog.co.uk/2008/09/22/shame-to-waste-the-offcuts-4762446/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:budgetbaby.blog.co.uk,2008-09-22:/2008/09/22/bitty-booties-4762352/OneProudMomma2008-09-22T13:58:57+02:002008-09-22T16:40:27+02:00 <p>I came across this free pattern on the internet for <a href="http://www.heatherbaileydesign.com/Booties.html">Bitty Booties</a>. It seemed like a nice way to use the offcuts left over when I made the nappy wraps. I made one pair to see how they turned out and was so pleased with the result I decided to make a few more pairs. The printed pattern has two sizes on it, 0-3 and 3-6 months.</p> <p></p> <p>I cut out several pairs at once and then added the trimmings. </p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/856/2832856_4ed2ee07e4_m.jpeg" alt="Bitty Booties Ready To Decorate" title="Bitty Booties Ready To Decorate"></p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/857/2832857_dc6ab1c9b0_m.jpeg" alt="Bitty Booties Decorated & Ready To Sew" title="Bitty Booties Decorated & Ready To Sew"></p> <p></p> <p>Then I sat and stitched them all. They are very simple and very effective little booties.</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/855/2832855_6770a9c400_m.jpeg" alt="Bitty Booties" title="Bitty Booties"></p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/858/2832858_1bb389c924_m.jpeg" alt="Bitty Booties" title="Bitty Booties"></p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/859/2832859_07562196ec_m.jpeg" alt="Bitty Booties" title="Bitty Booties"></p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/860/2832860_ccc15c2a99_m.jpeg" alt="Bitty Booties" title="Bitty Booties"></p> <p></p> <p>I even made matching accessories from other offcuts!</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/267/2833267_2f64bce0ab_m.jpeg" alt="Bitty Booties with matching mittens & hat" title="Bitty Booties with matching mittens & hat"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://budgetbaby.blog.co.uk/2008/09/22/bitty-booties-4762352/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:budgetbaby.blog.co.uk,2008-09-07:/2008/09/07/how-not-to-make-a-head-hugger-4694574/OneProudMomma2008-09-07T17:55:24+02:002008-09-07T18:18:36+02:00 <p>I haven't been able to find any instructions whatsoever, on how to make a head support cushion (head hugger) for a car seat.</p> <p>I figured that I had fabric, I had wadding and I have a sewing machine - how hard can it be to make one!</p> <p>I guess the end result speaks for itself - better than nothing but not really good enough!</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/412/2792412_fb1b8daaa8_m.jpeg" alt="head hugger" title="head hugger"></p> <p></p> <p>I could have made it better. I was rushing, I was frazzled and I was making it up as I went along.</p> <p>I thought I would post the instructions on how I made it just incase somebody can improve on it and come up with a reasonable one! LOL</p> <p>Costs were negligable, an old pillowcase in the appropriate colour and some left over 6oz wadding.</p> <p></p> <p>Firstly make a paper template the fits inside the carseat, mark on the position of the shoulder straps. Make sure that when the straps are in the lowest position that the template does not cover the crotch strap.</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/392/2792392_b7f42ba5c9_m.jpeg" alt="paper template for car seat support cushion" title="paper template for car seat support cushion"></p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/391/2792391_382243bee3_m.jpeg" alt="paper template for car seat support cushion" title="paper template for car seat support cushion"></p> <p></p> <p>Double up the fabric and mark out the shape of the car seat and positioning of the shoulder straps.</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/393/2792393_749b199c0c_m.jpeg" alt="template on paper" title="template on paper"></p> <p>Cut out the fabric 6cm wider around the sides and the top, and 1 cm wider at the base.</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/394/2792394_d15357f2c7_m.jpeg" alt="cut out fabric & template" title="cut out fabric & template"></p> <p></p> <p>Lay the fabric on a piece of 6oz wadding and cut the wadding to the same size as the fabric.</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/395/2792395_931b0f2a09_m.jpeg" alt="Fabric & wadding for head hugger" title="Fabric & wadding for head hugger"></p> <p></p> <p>Turn over the top layer of fabric so that the pencil makrs are not visible and pin both layers of fabric to the wadding.</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/396/2792396_fad285958b_m.jpeg" alt="pinned head hugger" title="pinned head hugger"></p> <p></p> <p>Stitch around the curved edge and turn the right way out (so that there is fabric on both sides of the wadding!</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/397/2792397_4f201dcac5_m.jpeg" alt="stitched basic support cushion" title="stitched basic support cushion"></p> <p></p> <p>Stitch around the pencil mark from the paper template.</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/398/2792398_8b6025c613_m.jpeg" alt="stitched outer" title="stitched outer"></p> <p></p> <p>Cut a strip of fabric 4 cm wide and 2 cm longer than the cushion.</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/399/2792399_58d6bab0ab_m.jpeg" alt="cushion edging strip" title="cushion edging strip"></p> <p></p> <p>Iron 1cm in at each end. Then iron the strip in half lengthwise, then iron in the raw edge towards the middle of the strip so that you have a neat edge for sewing.</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/400/2792400_6ead442cbd_m.jpeg" alt="Edging Strip" title="Edging Strip"></p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/408/2792408_dfcf1bad1e_m.jpeg" alt="Edging Strip" title="Edging Strip"></p> <p></p> <p>Pin the edging strip over the bottom edge of the cushion, enclosing bothe layers of fabric and the wadding sandwiched between them. Pin and stitch in place.</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/409/2792409_e87705ab16_m.jpeg" alt="Fix the edging strip" title="Fix the edging strip"></p> <p></p> <p>Cut a strip of wadding long enough to go all the way around the curved edge of the cushion and about 8cm wide. Roll the wadding into a sausage.</p> <p>Fold the cushioned curved edge of the cushion in toward the centre, using the stitched line as your guide for the outside edge. Pin it down and insert the wadding sausage into the gap.</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/410/2792410_05688cae91_m.jpeg" alt="inserting wadding sausage" title="inserting wadding sausage"></p> <p></p> <p>Stitch the stuffed edging down and then make two large buttonholes over the pencil markings for the shoulder harness.</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/411/2792411_903628a009_m.jpeg" alt="Sort of finished head support cushion" title="Sort of finished head support cushion"></p> <p>It was at this point I realised that I hadn't left enough room for the babies head! <img src="/img/smilies/icon_redface.gif" alt=":oops:" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>So I added a couple more "button holes" slightly further down, so that the support cushion could accomodate both the harness and the babies' head! I'm hoping that with the shoulder cushions it will do - chances are it will only be used once, when I need to get home from the hospital after giving birth!</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/412/2792412_fb1b8daaa8_m.jpeg" alt="Here" title="Here"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://budgetbaby.blog.co.uk/2008/09/07/how-not-to-make-a-head-hugger-4694574/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:budgetbaby.blog.co.uk,2008-09-07:/2008/09/07/how-to-make-a-hooded-baby-towel-4693201/OneProudMomma2008-09-07T12:19:07+02:002008-09-07T12:20:36+02:00 <p>A hooded baby towel is really easy to make.</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/537/2791537_373c1478cd_m.jpeg" alt="Hooded Baby Towel" title="Hooded Baby Towel"></p> <p>You will need a large square of towelling and another square which is a quarter of that size - this is used to form the hood. You will also need 1" wide tape or ribbon to edge the towel, plus any lace, motifs or ribbon that you wish to use as trimming on the hood.</p> <p>Fold the smaller square in half diagonally and stitch any trimmings to it that you want to use.</p> <p>Place it on one corner of the larger square and stitch in place close to the edge.</p> <p>Iron the edging in half lengthwise and then pin and tack the edging all the way around the towel. Stitch in place and there you have it!</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/536/2791536_9d437a4544_m.jpeg" alt="Hooded Baby Towel" title="Hooded Baby Towel"></p> <p>I made mine with white towelling, white cotton edging and white lace trimming on the hood. </p> <p>It cost me 60p for the cotton edging. The towel was from an unwanted "Tenerife" bath sheet and the lace was already in the sewing box!</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://budgetbaby.blog.co.uk/2008/09/07/how-to-make-a-hooded-baby-towel-4693201/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:budgetbaby.blog.co.uk,2008-09-07:/2008/09/07/a-patchwork-baby-quilt-4692380/OneProudMomma2008-09-07T07:45:11+02:002008-09-07T12:02:59+02:00 <p>Having never made anything from patchwork before I wasn't too sure how this was going to turn out.</p> <p>I now wish that I had taken photographs at the different stages of manufacture because I am quite pleased with the result.</p> <p>I used offcuts of fabric and bought some 6oz wadding for the padding. The backing was some sheeting I had left over from making the cot sheets.</p> <p>The wadding cost £6 and I used about two-thirds of it, making the cost of the quilt £4.</p> <p></p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/534/2791534_e7ae1d284a_m.jpeg" alt="Cheeky Monkey Cot Quilt" title="Cheeky Monkey Cot Quilt"></p> <p></p> <p>I decided that I wanted the quilt to be approximately 1m wide by 150cm long, and that I would use 10cm squares. I drew a template on a piece of cardboard and used this to draw around on the fabric I was using before cutting.</p> <p>I selected 5 fabrics, 4 colour co-ordinating and the last one the animal print. You will need to cut 30 squares for each colour which means that each piece of fabric will need to measure at least 1m x 30m or 50cm x 60cm. In the case of the animal print fabric I created 6 squares for the 5 different animals, total 30 squares.</p> <p>Once the squares are stitched together the quilt will be smaller than 1m x 1.5m because of the seam allowances and the quilting. I had a 0.75cm seam allowance and once quilted it measured 82cm x 118xm.</p> <p></p> <p>Pattern I created for the quilt</p>   L         L       Z         Z                 E         E       G         G       M         M       L         L       Z         Z                 E         E       G         G       M         M       L         L       Z         Z                 E         E       G         G       M         M     <p>Key showing number of squares required in each fabric</p>   Cream 30   Khaki 30   Blue 30   Coffee 30 L Lion 6 Z Zebra 6 E Elephant 6 G Giraffe 6 M Monkey 6 <p></p> <p>I pinned and stitched one row at a time, pressing the seams at the back flat after I had finished each strip.</p> <p>Once I had stitched all 15 strips, I pinned and stitched them all togather.</p> <p>Then I layered a piece of light coloured scrap cotton (1m x 1.5m), the 6 oz wadding and the patchwork. I stitched around the edges to hold it all together and trimmed the edges so that it was all the same size as the patchwork.</p> <p>I then stitched up and down all the seam lines on the patchwork (through the wadding and the cotton) to quilt the patchwork.</p> <p>Once this once completed I placed my backing cotton (left over sheeting) right side together with the quilt top and stitched all the way around with a 1cm seam. I left a 30cm opening on the bottom seam in the middle to enable me to turn the quilt the right way out. I then stitched this opening closed.</p> <p></p> <p>The finished quilt in the cot.</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/535/2791535_5ebd927e63_m.jpeg" alt="Finished Cheeky Monkey Quilt" title="Finished Cheeky Monkey Quilt"></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://budgetbaby.blog.co.uk/2008/09/07/a-patchwork-baby-quilt-4692380/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:budgetbaby.blog.co.uk,2008-09-07:/2008/09/07/little-birdie-secrets-4692348/OneProudMomma2008-09-07T07:26:54+02:002008-09-07T07:28:14+02:00 <p>A friend posted a comment on one of my blog entries asking if I had seen the website <a href="http://littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com/">Little Birdie Secrets</a> as they have just run a "baby week".</p> <p>Well I hadn't, so went over to take a look. It's a fantastic looking website for crafty people with a different theme on a weekly basis.</p> <p>Baby week shows you some brilliant ideas including a nappy (diaper) baby cake, decorated wooden hangers, baby vest shaped cookies, appliqued vests, changing pouch and bitty boots, amongst other things.</p> <p>The bitty boots are on a free pattern from Heather Bailey which is available to download online (for personal use only). <a href="http://www.heatherbaileydesign.com/Booties.html">View the Bitty Boots pattern by clicking here.</a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://budgetbaby.blog.co.uk/2008/09/07/little-birdie-secrets-4692348/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:budgetbaby.blog.co.uk,2008-08-24:/2008/08/24/making-a-winter-baby-sling-part-4629999/OneProudMomma2008-08-24T12:43:41+02:002008-08-24T13:27:31+02:00 <p>Locate the bottom hem - the part where the wadding is the furthest distance (50cm) from the edge.</p> <p>Turn over the fabric a couple of times to make a neat edge and pin into place.</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/853/2754853_f14fc91993_m.jpeg" alt="pinned bottom hem" title="pinned bottom hem"></p> <p></p> <p>Stitch along the bottom hem (slowly and carefully - this is when my needle broke!)</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/845/2754845_35dc12bc20_m.jpeg" alt="Stitched bottom hem" title="Stitched bottom hem"></p> <p></p> <p>Turn the sling around so you are now working at the other end, this is the end where the wadding is only 20cm from the edge. It is now time to shape the shoulder part of the sling to take the rings.</p> <p>With the fleece facing down, fold the fabric in half lengthwise. Pin about 3cm away from the fold down until you are level with the start of the wadding. Then stitch along this line.</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/844/2754844_a24c8537f4_m.jpeg" alt="First shoulder seam" title="First shoulder seam"></p> <p></p> <p>You need to make two more pleats like this. One either side of the central pleat, half way towards the edge of the thick side seam (but not including it). Once pinned it should look like the photograph. Stitch the two pleats in place.</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/843/2754843_014f4c53d1_m.jpeg" alt="Pinned seams" title="Pinned seams"></p> <p></p> <p>Trim the excess fabric away from the three new pleats. Leaving about 1cm along the length and taking care to stop trimming about 3cm before the stitching stops.</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/842/2754842_4c3e421e44_m.jpeg" alt="trimmed pleats" title="trimmed pleats"></p> <p></p> <p>Fold the two edges into the middle and pin in place.</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/841/2754841_6a6f8dfebe_m.jpeg" alt="Folded shoulder strap" title="Folded shoulder strap"></p> <p></p> <p>Once again, trim away the excess fabric. Then stitch the side seams down to hold them in place (photo shows trimmed fabric without stitched edges)</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/840/2754840_84dd2f61bf_m.jpeg" alt="trimmed fabric" title="trimmed fabric"></p> <p></p> <p>Thread the shoulder strap through the two metal rings.</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/839/2754839_c1d0c8ce15_m.jpeg" alt="Threading the rings" title="Threading the rings"></p> <p></p> <p>Fold the strap over, then spread it out so that it meets the stitched line where the wadding is held in place.</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/838/2754838_47d7245d16_m.jpeg" alt="Pinned shoulder strap" title="Pinned shoulder strap"></p> <p></p> <p>Next you will need to Zig-Zag stitch across the raw edge, not only to finish of the edge neatly and prevent fraying but to fix the shoulder strap in place.</p> <p>You will need to stitch across the shoulder strap slightly higher up to the rings, and then again next to that.</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/837/2754837_00e22d85f1_m.jpeg" alt="Stitched shoulder" title="Stitched shoulder"></p> <p>I actually went over each row of stitching twice to make sure that it was very strong.</p> <p></p> <p>The rings I bought stated that they would be strong enough for a child 3 years old. So I thought that if it's strong enough for Beth it has to be strong enough for a newborn!</p> <p>And sure enough...</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/836/2754836_ec09d17203_m.jpeg" alt="A sling strong enough for a 3 year old" title="A sling strong enough for a 3 year old"></p> <p>The only problem I had with the sling (other than the fact I wish I had slightly larger rings) was the fact it was so comfortable Beth didn't want to get down! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://budgetbaby.blog.co.uk/2008/08/24/making-a-winter-baby-sling-part-4629999/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:budgetbaby.blog.co.uk,2008-08-24:/2008/08/24/making-a-winter-baby-sling-part-4629980/OneProudMomma2008-08-24T12:37:05+02:002008-08-24T14:06:08+02:00 <p>I knew exactly what I expected from my baby carrier this time, so I decided to make my own sling, customised to keep a newborn winter baby snug and dry. My last homemade sling lasted through two babies but I started experiencing problems with my neck, shoulder and back when Beth was around 1 year old. That sling was made from very thick cotton and was a very basic design with no padding, so it was cutting in. I want something a lot more luxurious this time, for my benefit and the babies!</p> <p>I wanted a fleece lined, waterproof, padded sling that would be big enough to hold a toddler as well as cocoon a newborn baby. Definitely time to make my own sling.</p> <p>I couldn't find a design on the internet that met my requirements so I had to come up with my own. I based my design on three patterns (picking the best from each!). One pattern is the one I bought on eBay which came with two sets of steel rings, the other two were from <a href="http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/">this sling sewing site</a></p> <p>The rings I bought were approximately 8cm diameter. For this sling though I would suggest trying to get 10cm rings if possible, as it's very hard to adjust the sling due to the bulk of the material.</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/836/2754836_ec09d17203_m.jpeg" alt="Completed sling with (nearly) 3 year old" title="Completed sling with (nearly) 3 year old"></p> <p></p> <p>This is a really thick, cushioned sling. Your machine (and needle) is going to need to be capable of stitching through several layers of fleece, cotton and wadding!</p> <p>To make the sling you will need 2m cotton, 2m fleece, 1m 2oz polyester wadding and two large (10cm) rings. Plus a waterproofing spray if you intend to waterproof the sling, or use waterproof cotton.</p> <p>I used ivory craft cotton with a pale blue Winnie The Pooh print and ivory polar fleece. I used Grangers G-Sport Rainproofing Spray on the outside of the sling once I had completed sewing it. If you are going to use a waterproofing spray make sure the sling is completed in plenty of time before you need to use it. The spray stinks and is not the sort of thing you want around a newborn baby! It needs plenty of time to air after it whas been waterproofed.</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/869/2754869_9dd693ea8d_m.jpeg" alt="Fabrics for baby sling" title="Fabrics for baby sling"></p> <p></p> <p>Cut the fleece and the cotton so that they measure 2m long by 82cm wide. Lay the two pieces of fabric on top of each other so that the right sides of the fabric are touching each other.<br> <img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/862/2754862_deb0f0139b_m.jpeg" alt="Layered fabric" title="Layered fabric"></p> <p></p> <p>Pin along the two long edges of the fabric, so that the two pieces are held together. </p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/861/2754861_3a62354f1c_m.jpeg" alt="pinned fabric" title="pinned fabric"></p> <p></p> <p>Using a running stitch on your machine stitch along the two long edges of the fabrics. Turn the fabric inside out through one of the open ends, so you end up with a tube </p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/859/2754859_1362eced62_m.jpeg" alt="Tube of fabric" title="Tube of fabric"></p> <p></p> <p>Lay the fabric flat with the fleece side uppermost. Turn over 10cm of fabric (approximately hand width) and pin along the edge of the material through all layers, continue for 20cm.</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/858/2754858_affd1087a9_m.jpeg" alt="Pinned side seam" title="Pinned side seam"></p> <p></p> <p>Cut two 1m long strips of wadding approximately 15cm wide, and two 40cm long strips 15cm wide. This needs rolling up to you end up with a 1m sausage of wadding (don't worry if it unwinds, you can reroll it as you are padding the edge of the sling)</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/857/2754857_fe4c107ffd_m.jpeg" alt="Wadding Sausage" title="Wadding Sausage"></p> <p></p> <p>Start stuffing a 1m wadding sausage into the wide side seam as you are pinning it. When you come to the end of the wadding use a 40cm length of wadding and continue stuffing and pinning in the same way. There should be approximately 50cm of fabric left once the wadding has run out, continue pinning this down without any stuffing.</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/856/2754856_fa185fdaf2_m.jpeg" alt="Stuffing the seam" title="Stuffing the seam"></p> <p>Do exactly the same on the other side, taking care to position the wadding at the same distances along the sling. Once completed the sling should look a little like this -</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/855/2754855_9d8f473224_m.jpeg" alt="Pinned Sling" title="Pinned Sling"></p> <p></p> <p>Stitch along both lengths of the sling just under 1cm from the edge. Once you have stitched along both lengths you need to stitch across the wide seam, at both ends where the wadding starts & finishes.</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/854/2754854_7db8dbce73_m.jpeg" alt="Stitched in wadding" title="Stitched in wadding"></p> <p></p> <p>Jump to <a href="http://budgetbaby.blog.co.uk/2008/08/24/making-a-winter-baby-sling-part-4629999">Making a Winter Baby Sling - Part 2</a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://budgetbaby.blog.co.uk/2008/08/24/making-a-winter-baby-sling-part-4629980/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:budgetbaby.blog.co.uk,2008-08-23:/2008/08/23/how-to-make-washable-breast-pads-4626969/OneProudMomma2008-08-23T15:03:01+02:002008-08-23T15:03:01+02:00 <p>I seem to remember that I bought two boxes of washable breastpads last time I was pregnant. They were around £6 per box and contained 6 pads. They weren't that comfy and despite being shaped they were still noticeable through my clothing. They also didn't have a waterproof layer, so when I leaked a lot when out I still ended up with a wet t-shirt. I figured that I could do better than that so have experimented with making my own. When you think about it, a breast pad is only a circular pad of fabric, so shouldn't be too difficult to make!</p> <p>I used offcuts of material left over from other projects, hence the bright yellow waterproof cotton, but the cost is £0.</p> <p>As they get tried and tested I will post updates of their performance and washability. I used two different fabric combinations to start off with. </p> <p>The different types of breast pads are constructed in exactly the same way, it's just the layers of fabric that are different.</p> <p></p> <p>One type has three layers of cotton flannelette and a layer of fleece, so that I can see if the fleece will act as a waterproof barrier on the outside and also, if I wear them the other way, to see if they are more comfortable should my nipples get sore. A bit like having a fleece nappy wrap or a fleece nappy liner! <img src="/img/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>The only difference is that I used a slightly smaller template. What I realised is that when I shaped two of the pads they ended up significantly smaller, so use a larger template when making shaped pads!</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/781/2752781_982126a2cb_m.jpeg" alt="fleece lined breast pads" title="fleece lined breast pads"></p> <p></p> <p>The main type I made have 4 layers of flannelette (left over from the nappies) with a layer of waterproof cotton (the bright yellow fabric!) and a layer of cream polycotton as an outer. This outer layer is not necessary, I just used it so I didn't end up looking like I had a couple of fried ostrich eggs down my top. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif" alt=":DD" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/782/2752782_d899aeb9f0_l.jpeg" alt="fabrics needed for breast pads" title="fabrics needed for breast pads"></p> <p>Layer the fabric so that you have your waterproof fabric on the bottom, with the waterproof side (usually feels rubbery) facing upwards, then lay your four layers of absorbant cotton on top (in this case the left over nappy flannelette) - if you are having trouble finding waterproof cotton you could use an old fabric shower curtain, I normally use this for bib backing. <img src="/img/smilies/icon_wink.gif" alt=";)" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/780/2752780_4a1a5f1314_m.jpeg" alt="Fabric layers" title="Fabric layers"></p> <p>Pin through all the layers of fabric around the edges so that the material doesn't slide about.</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/779/2752779_589c840b84_m.jpeg" alt="Pinned fabric" title="Pinned fabric"></p> <p>Select your template - I used a size A (11cm diameter) tupperware bowl - and draw as many circles on your fabric as possible.</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/778/2752778_822a22d5d5_m.jpeg" alt="drawing around the template" title="drawing around the template"></p> <p>Using a contrast colour thread to baste (tack) around the inside of the circle you have drawn</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/777/2752777_5e502d55ad_m.jpeg" alt="tacked breast pad" title="tacked breast pad"></p> <p>Cut around the circle, being careful to avoid the pins and to cut through all layers of fabric.</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/776/2752776_3a260be1c9_m.jpeg" alt="cut out breast pads" title="cut out breast pads"></p> <p>Using a zigzag stitch on a regular machine, or an overlocker, stitch over the edges of the pad. Remove the contrast coloured hand stitching.</p> <p>Repeat this procedure on all of the pads. You should end up with quite a few!</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/775/2752775_d253d6df59_m.jpeg" alt="Finished pads" title="Finished pads"></p> <p>These pads are unshaped (i.e. they are flat) like the majority of disposible breast pads used to be.</p> <p>To shape the pads you will need to fold the pad in half, with the absorpant cotton on the inside. Then using a running stitch (-------) sew from the centre of the pad on the fold to the outer edge of the pad about 1cm in from the seam. Trim the excess triangle of fabric away and open out the pad, it should now be slightly conical. I then used the zigzag stitch on my machine to sew over the seam, to reinforce and flatten it.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://budgetbaby.blog.co.uk/2008/08/23/how-to-make-washable-breast-pads-4626969/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:budgetbaby.blog.co.uk,2008-08-22:/2008/08/22/how-to-make-a-prefold-nappy-part-4622889/OneProudMomma2008-08-22T14:31:55+02:002008-08-22T17:07:34+02:00 <p><strong>Sewing The Nappies</strong></p> <p>Set up your machine with the correct colour thread and quite a wide zig zag stitch. This stitch is going to be used to fix the central pad in place and for edging the nappy.</p> <p>If you are not a very experienced sewer you will need to pin and tack/baste (i.e. hand stitch in large stitches with different coloured thread) down the two edges of the central panel to hold it in place whilst you are using your machine.</p> <p>You are now going to stitch the central panel in place. Position your nappy so that the zig zag stitches through all the layers of fabric on the central panel, as shown in the photograph below.</p> <p class="center"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/501/2750501_938608ff76_m.jpeg" alt="zig zag panel" title="zig zag panel"></p> <p>The stitched seam should looked something like this.</p> <p class="center"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/502/2750502_a53189e14b_m.jpeg" alt="Stitched seam" title="Stitched seam"></p> <p>Repeat this on the other side of the central panel, taking care to stitch through all four layers of fabric.</p> <p>When both seams are stitched, you can trim the unfolded ends of the nappy slightly to make sure you have nice neat edges. You should have something that looks like this -</p> <p class="center"> <img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/504/2750504_6186e5ec83_m.jpeg" alt="Trimmed prefold nappy ready for edging" title="Trimmed prefold nappy ready for edging"></p> <p>Next you will need to stitch close to the unfolded edge of the nappy so that the zigzag stitch just overlaps the edge.</p> <p class="center"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/505/2750505_d1cdc3d9b7_m.jpeg" alt="Edging the nappy" title="Edging the nappy"></p> <p>The stitching should look a bit like this -</p> <p class="center"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/506/2750506_289de4dd0b_m.jpeg" alt="Nappy Edging" title="Nappy Edging"></p> <p>Overstitch the other unfolded edge to complete the nappy. Repeat this with the other three nappies.</p> <p class="center"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/797/2750797_b73a3ed095_m.jpeg" alt="Completed Prefold Nappy" title="Completed Prefold Nappy"></p> <p></p> <p>A video showing you how to sew the prefold together.</p> <br><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/video/mjpg0002/2750811">MJPG0002</a></p> <p></p> <p>Personally I fold the nappies into thirds to make a pad. I find this is sufficient when the baby is younger as the shaped wraps I use hold the nappy in place and there is no need for pins or grips.</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/508/2750508_b717c31734_m.jpeg" alt="prefolded nappy stack" title="prefolded nappy stack"></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://budgetbaby.blog.co.uk/2008/08/22/how-to-make-a-prefold-nappy-part-4622889/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:budgetbaby.blog.co.uk,2008-08-22:/2008/08/22/how-to-make-a-prefold-nappy-4622611/OneProudMomma2008-08-22T13:29:17+02:002008-08-22T17:20:03+02:00 <p>To make prefold nappies you will need </p> <ul> <li>Flannelette or thick sheeting made from 100% cotton (preferably used and laundered as it will be softer & more absorbant)</li> <li>Tape measure</li> <li>Sharp scissors or dressmaking shears</li> <li>Iron</li> <li>Ironing board or pad</li> <li>Pins or needle and thread for basting/tacking</li> <li>Cotton thread the same colour as the fabric</li> <li>Sewing machine</li> </ul> <p>The number of nappies made will depend upon the size of the sheet used. As an example one old double sized sheet can make 8 nappies, with spare fabric left over for breast pads, washable wipes or booster pads.</p> <p>The nappy is actually simple to make only requiring four ironed folds to construct it and then use of a zig-zag stitch on a regular sewing machine to hold it together. Being a dab hand at it now, it takes me approximately 5 minutes to cut, press and sew one prefold nappy!</p> <p></p> <p><strong>Constructing The Nappy</strong></p> <p>First you will need to cut the sheet down into rectangles approximately 40" x 18". I usually fold the sheet into quarters so I cut through 4 layers at a time, making 4 nappies.</p> <p class="center"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/493/2750493_e7215ca62c_s.jpeg" alt="Getting ready to cut the fabric" title="Getting ready to cut the fabric"></p> <p>You should end up with 4 pieces of fabric in these proportions.</p> <p class="center"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/494/2750494_7891f2426f_s.jpeg" alt="Cut nappies ready to sew" title="Cut nappies ready to sew"></p> <p></p> <p>Next you will need to set up your iron. One nappy at a time you will need to iron the fabric flat. </p> <p class="center"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/495/2750495_9d513cc81d_s.jpeg" alt="Ironing the fabric" title="Ironing the fabric"></p> <p>1) With the narrow length towards you, fold over approximately 5" (just over one hand width) of fabric and press.</p> <p class="center"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/496/2750496_df9ae20330_m.jpeg" alt="First fold & press" title="First fold & press"></p> <p>2) Then fold over, nearly double that amount (approx 9") and press in place again.</p> <p class="center"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/497/2750497_30c745335d_m.jpeg" alt="second fold & press" title="second fold & press"></p> <p>3) Rotate the nappy on the ironing pad/board. Then fold and press a strip approximately thumb width.</p> <p class="center"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/498/2750498_531bce7534_m.jpeg" alt="third fold & press" title="third fold & press"></p> <p>4) The final fold is made by placing your 3rd fold over the position of the 1st fold (this is inside the nappy but you should be able to tell where it is, as you will be able to feel the ridge of fabric). You should have something which resembles the picture below.</p> <p class="center"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/499/2750499_8e4f503ca6_m.jpeg" alt="Fourth and final fold" title="Fourth and final fold"></p> <p>Repeat this on the other three nappies you have cut. You should end up with four ironed but not stitched prefolds.</p> <p class="center"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/500/2750500_7f254c44f5_s.jpeg" alt="4 prefolds ready to sew" title="4 prefolds ready to sew"></p> <p></p> <p>View a movie on how to prepare the prefold for sewing.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/video/mjpg0011/2750700">MJPG0011</a></p> <p></p> <p>Continue to <a href="http://budgetbaby.blog.co.uk/2008/08/22/how-to-make-a-prefold-nappy-part-4622889">How To Make A Prefold Nappy - Part 2</a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://budgetbaby.blog.co.uk/2008/08/22/how-to-make-a-prefold-nappy-4622611/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:budgetbaby.blog.co.uk,2008-08-21:/2008/08/21/a-sure-fire-way-to-blow-any-budget-4619000/OneProudMomma2008-08-21T17:53:25+02:002008-08-21T17:53:25+02:00 <p>The biggest problem with having a budget is trying to stop yourself from making impulse purchases!</p> <p>I made a £10 purchase today which was for something totally unnecessary. All I can say is that I really, really wanted one of these when Beth was a baby and I couldn't afford it.</p> <p>Today when I was in the hospice shop looking for any items that were on my 'To Buy' list, I saw it. It was in the box at the side of the shop with the instruction leaflet, but it was £10.</p> <p>I think I have totally blown my chances of keeping inside my budget now, but at least Amelia will have a bumbo to sit in!</p> <p class="center"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/864/2748864_f74573bfc4_s.jpeg" alt="Bumbo seat" title="Bumbo seat"></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://budgetbaby.blog.co.uk/2008/08/21/a-sure-fire-way-to-blow-any-budget-4619000/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:budgetbaby.blog.co.uk,2008-08-20:/2008/08/20/but-you-don-t-know-where-it-s-been-4613785/OneProudMomma2008-08-20T15:16:55+02:002008-08-20T15:16:55+02:00 <p>I have often met other people that are quite willing to complain about the cost of buying new but would not consider second hand items at all. </p> <p>Some people feel that there is a stigma attached to second hand goods, but are quite willing to go into debt to pay for new goods. As far as I know, nobody ever went to prison for buying something second hand (unless it was stolen!). </p> <p>In the current ecomonic climate I would much rather know that the things we have for the baby are ours, owned outright and not be worried about next months bills landing on the door mat. Goodness knows there are enough of those already without adding anything extra to the pile, just for the sake of having something new.</p> <p>The biggest argument I've experienced for not having second hand goods is that "you don't know where they've been". Well no, I don't. That's why I am thorough with my cleaning when I do get something second hand. Anything that can go in the washing machine goes in there, everything else gets stripped down and placed in the bathtub where it is systematically scrubbed until it is spotless and then disinfected.</p> <p>Let's face it, even when something is bought brand new, you don't know where it's been! You don't know if there have been rats, mice or cockroaches in the factory or warehouse where the items have been manufactured and stored. You don't know if the people that were involved in the manufacturing of your particular product washed their hands after they last used the toilet, or if they had a contagious disease and turned up for work anyway because they needed the money!</p> <p>New or not, nobody knows where their goods have been! How many people bother scrubbing their factory fresh high chair with a toothbrush and bleach just to make sure there are no germs lurking in those little nooks and crannies? Not many I bet!</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://budgetbaby.blog.co.uk/2008/08/20/but-you-don-t-know-where-it-s-been-4613785/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:budgetbaby.blog.co.uk,2008-08-17:/2008/08/17/feeding-baby-4600622/OneProudMomma2008-08-17T17:59:59+02:002008-09-19T08:41:18+02:00 <p>Not only is breast best for baby, it is free and ready whenever baby wants it. This keeps my costs down really low for baby feeding. As I only stopped feeding my youngest daughter a couple of months ago (whilst I was pregnant) it means I still have all my nursing bras - very handy. </p> <p>As a tip if you need cheap nursing bras, check out eBay! There are a number of sellers on there that specialise in surplus stock - I used to be one of them, LOL. However, I bought my M&S surplus stock nursing bras in a twin pack for £5 - and I still have them after nearly 3 years!</p> <p>The only other essentials that I feel are necessary when breastfeeding are nursing shells (to use on the opposite breast when feeding as I leak a lot!) and nursing pads for when I'm not feeding because I also leak a lot then too. I always use washable pads, and this time I am intending to make my own.</p> <p>I don't bother with a sterliser because they are bulky and for a couple of breast shells not really necessary. I don't keep the milk I leak and I don't feed breastmilk from a bottle. </p> <p>When I start weaning the baby I usually hand-express the milk into the bowl I am using and mix whatever it is I am feeding, for example baby rice, straight into the fresh breast milk!</p> <p>The only other things I will need for feeding will come at around 6 months old. High chair, bowls, weaning spoons and ice cube trays! The ice cube trays are useful for freezing pre-measured amounts of breast milk and baby food. Good News! During a clearout I found my old ice-cubes trays and a couple of weaning spoons. My mother also found a stack of tupperware bowls with lids, so no need to buy them anymore!</p> <p>Spent to date £1.99</p> <p></p> <p>Boobs (mine) £0<br> Nursing bras (already own) £0<br> High Chair (Freecycle) £0<br> 2 Dummies - just in case (Tesco) £1.99<br> Washable Breast Pads (homemade from fabric offcuts) £0<br> Ice Cube Trays (found in back of kitchen cupboard) £0<br> Weaning Spoons (found in my daughters toy box!) £0<br> Bowls (Mum) £0</p> <p></p> <p>One very thoroughly scrubbed high chair. Believe me it didn't look like this when we picked it up. It's taken over 24 hours of soaking and scrubbing to get it up to this state of cleanliness but boy was it worth it!<br> <br> <img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/500/2746500_945b467aec_m.jpeg" alt="Chicco High Chair" title="Chicco High Chair"></p> <p></p> <p>Washable breast pads</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/775/2752775_d253d6df59_m.jpeg" alt="Washable breast pads" title="Washable breast pads"></p> <p><a href="http://budgetbaby.blog.co.uk/2008/08/23/how-to-make-washable-breast-pads-4626969">View instructions for making washable breast pads.</a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://budgetbaby.blog.co.uk/2008/08/17/feeding-baby-4600622/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:budgetbaby.blog.co.uk,2008-08-17:/2008/08/17/bathtime-4599839/OneProudMomma2008-08-17T14:07:17+02:002008-09-09T14:41:53+02:00 <p>What exactly do you need to keep a baby clean? Not a lot actually! Something to make it easier for yourself so you don't have to lean over the bath holding the little one, some wash cloths or a sponge, baby wash/shampoo and a towel.</p> <p>Having tried all different combinations of bathing babies, I'm going for a plastic Tigex bath support seat for the bath again. Yes they are hard plastic, but that makes them robust. No bits of foam to get broken, no plastic cover to split. Just plain basic plastic which you can disinfect and scrub clean! What a result - a brand new bath seat, not a Tigex one but similar design, was donated to the Age Concern shop. It still had all the original labels on it and only cost £1.99</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/973/2797973_d78d4a9a54_m.jpeg" alt="Baby bath seat" title="Baby bath seat"></p> <p>I do like the ultra soft baby sponges, so will splash out on those. Looks like I will be making the baby towels after all although I bought some on eBay the seller was unable to find them!</p> <p>Spent to date £4.69</p> <p></p> <p>Baby Body & Hair Wash (Asda) £1<br> Pack of 3 Baby Sponges (Boyes) £1.10<br> White Cotton Tape (Boyes) 60p<br> Plastic Bath Seat (Age Concern) £1.99</p> <p></p> <p>White baby towel with lace trimmed hood.</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/537/2791537_373c1478cd_m.jpeg" alt="Hooded Baby Towel" title="Hooded Baby Towel"></p> <p>For details on how to make the towel - <a href="http://budgetbaby.blog.co.uk/2008/09/07/how-to-make-a-hooded-baby-towel-4693201">click here</a>.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://budgetbaby.blog.co.uk/2008/08/17/bathtime-4599839/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:budgetbaby.blog.co.uk,2008-08-17:/2008/08/17/out-aamp-about-4598574/OneProudMomma2008-08-17T07:28:01+02:002008-09-05T15:41:14+02:00 <p>Now this is can be an expensive section. The cost of a pram, stroller, car seat and baby sling soon mount up, especially when you then take into account all the accessories such as raincover, sunshade, cosytoes and the essential changing bag!</p> <p>I'm making a new baby sling this time, my last one I made was for a summer baby and was made from thick cotton but was only a very small size. I need something much more snuggly for winter up here so will be making the sling from fleece. I'm hoping that I have enough fleece in my sewing box and I've ordered special rings from eBay to make it. Oh no, disaster, not enough fleece so I had to visit the fabric shop - that is always bad for my bank account!</p> <p>I managed to get a Mamas & Papas travel system on eBay which includes the car seat, pushchair, cosy toes, changing bag & raincover. Any covers which are not washable I will steam clean so I can make sure that it is spotlessly clean before the new baby goes in it.</p> <p>Money spent to get around so far £48.05</p> <p></p> <p>Mamas & Papas travel system (eBay) £25<br> Sling instructions and 2 sets of rings (eBay) £6.09<br> 2m fleece for winter sling (Boyes) £7.98<br> 2m cotton for summer sling (Boyes) £5.98<br> Wadding for sling padding (Boyes) £3.00</p> <p></p> <p>Here's the travel system. A Mamas & Papas Freestyler Pushchair, Primo Viaggio car seat, car seat base, changing bag, raincover, sunshade and cosy toes. The covers came off easily, were machine washed on a cold setting, and the frames and plastic parts were scrubbed down in the shower and dried off.</p> <p class="center"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/807/2740807_5116006198_l.jpeg" alt="Mams & Papas Freestyler Buggy" title="freestyler buggy"></p> <p class="center"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/808/2740808_22a6ab470e_m.jpeg" alt="Mamas & Papas Car Seat" title="Mamas & Papas Car Seat"></p> <p></p> <p>The total money spent on making the sling was £23.05, which may seem expensive when compared to the cost of buying one ready made. However this sling has a waterproofed exterior, is fleece lined, padded and is suitable from birth up to 3 years old!</p> <p>Additionally I have a spare set of rings to make another sling at a later stage, left over fleece to use for nappy wraps, spare Winnie The Pooh fabric which I will use to make a toy sling for my 3 year old (shown in the sling!) and spare wadding which was used to make the changing mat and the cot bumper. </p> <p>That puts the cost into perspective, doesn't it!</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/836/2754836_ec09d17203_m.jpeg" alt="Padded winter baby sling" title="Padded winter baby sling"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://budgetbaby.blog.co.uk/2008/08/17/out-aamp-about-4598574/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:budgetbaby.blog.co.uk,2008-08-16:/2008/08/16/baby-clothes-4595215/OneProudMomma2008-08-16T08:29:31+02:002008-09-22T16:37:54+02:00 <p>For the first few weeks after the birth the baby is supposed to need </p> <p>6 stretch suits<br> 2 cardigans<br> 4 vests<br> a shawl or blanket<br> hat, mittens, socks or bootees</p> <p>Amelia is due just before Christmas so add to that list</p> <p>Snowsuit<br> Velour suits (warmer for the colder days)<br> Christmas outfit</p> <p>Now the <a href="http://www.raisingkids.co.uk/0_1/fea_01.asp">RaisingKids feature</a> reckoned around £200 on clothes for the first 6 months, and that is not including things given as gifts.</p> <p></p> <p>To date I have spent £51.05</p> <p>Velour Padded All-in-one 0-3 mths (Asda Sale) £3<br> Newborn Santa Suit (H&M Sale) £3<br> Velour fish sleepsuit 0-3 mths (Hospice Shop) 50p<br> Next hat (Age Concern) 99p<br> Next reversible padded jacket 0-3 mths (Age Concern) £2.99<br> 3 Ladybird long sleeve vests 0-3 mths & 2 Junior J white sleepsuit 0-3 mths (eBay) £4.30<br> 6 white velour all-in-one day suits 0-3 mths (eBay) £3.99<br> 6 cotton sleepsuits 0-3 mths (eBay) £2.98<br> 2 x 6-9 mths Humphries Corner Fleece suits (Hospice Shop) gift<br> NewBaby Disney Sleepsuit (Hospice Shop) gift<br> NewBaby Disney top (Hospice shop) gift<br> Ladybird Snowsuit with mittens & boots 0-3 mths (Hospice Shop) gift<br> 30+ Bundle Of Girls 3-6 mths clothes (eBay) £24<br> 15+ Bundle of Girls 3-6 mths clothes (eBay) £5.40</p> <p></p> <p>I have also made several items from offcuts and knitted little bits from left over wool, including -</p> <p>1 knitted baby bonnet<br> 9 pairs of fleece booties<br> 4 pairs of fleece mittens<br> 1 fleece beanie hat</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/269/2833269_e881540ca3_m.jpeg" alt="mitten & bootie set" title="mitten & bootie set"></p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/271/2833271_b3055b701a_m.jpeg" alt="Hat, mitten & booties set" title="Hat, mitten & booties set"></p> <p></p> <p>First size sleepsuits, all washed and ready to wear.</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/198/2749198_a706472f0b_m.jpeg" alt="Baby sleep suits" title="Baby sleep suits"></p> <p>3-6 Months baby girls clothes, all washed, ironed and ready to wear!</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/160/2780160_5516685838_m.jpeg" alt="baby girls clothes" title="baby girls clothes"></p> <p>And just a small selection of items I purchased - just to prove that it's nice stuff!</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/161/2780161_07f57ce65e_m.jpeg" alt="baby girls clothes" title="baby girls clothes"></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://budgetbaby.blog.co.uk/2008/08/16/baby-clothes-4595215/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:budgetbaby.blog.co.uk,2008-08-16:/2008/08/16/washable-nappies-4595016/OneProudMomma2008-08-16T07:02:43+02:002008-09-22T13:42:55+02:00 <p>I have used a combination of washable and disposable nappies over the years with my other four children. This time I've decided to use disposables for when the babies first week or so until I'm up and about safely, then move onto washables again.</p> <p>Washable nappies can be very expensive if you look at the cost of them new, and not many people are going to want to use second hand washables! But long term they can work out cheaper than disposables.</p> <p>There are so many types of washables to choose from, but having used the majority of them now I think the most simple and effective are flannelette prefolds with a fitted wrap and liner. This is especially true with a new baby and the wee & poop quantities are small. The wrap holds the nappy in place so there is no need for pins or gripper fastenings.</p> <p>I decided to make my prefolds this time as they are so easy to make. Rather than going out and buying loads of new flannelette I tried to get hardly used second hand sheets from the charity shop. This gives the advantage that the cloth has been washed many times and is as soft and as absorbent as it will ever get. Larger offcuts are used to make booster pads and smaller pieces wash cloths for cleaning bottoms!</p> <p>The wraps are a different matter, I bought the first size nappy wraps in Poundland! Proper Cotton Bottoms - how chuffed was I? LOL - I then used the shape of a disposable nappy to make larger wraps out of fleece for when Amelia is bigger and the offcuts to make washable fleece liners. These are simple to make as you only need to cut them fabric offcuts to the right size and shape for what you need. Fleece doesn't fray so there is no need to edge it!</p> <p>I prefer to dry store the nappies whilst waiting to wash them. I flush them in the toilet when I take them off the baby, and then put them in the lidded bucket. They get washed every evening in the machine and hung on the radiators to dry overnight. On nice sunny days in the summer I stick them on the washing line so the sun will naturally bleach any stains out.</p> <p>But you don't just need nappies for changing bottoms, you (apparently) need a changing area equipped with cotton wool, water, baby lotion, wipes, barrier cream and a bag to carry it all in when you go out. Personally, I fill the sink with warm water each morning, put a little squirt of baby body wash in it and wring out a load of clean cloths in the water. I then put the cloths in a lidded ice-cream tub at the side of the changing mat. These are used to clean the baby and they go in the messy bucket with the nappies. To make them I use the offcuts from the sheets I used for the prefolds, softer and cheaper than flannels!</p> <p>So the costs of nappying the baby work out as follows -</p> <p>Used yellow double sheet (BHF) £3<br> New coffee single sheet (Chiltern Mills) £4<br> Remains of white king size sheet (Chiltern Mills) £2.50<br> New remnants of flannelette (Hospice Shop) £1<br> Cotton Bottoms first size wraps (Poundland) £4<br> Little Angels First Size Nappies (asda) £1.64<br> Fleece for homemade wraps - in sewing box already or use other kids outgrown clothes! £0<br> Elastic (Boyes) £1<br> Velcro (Boyes) £2<br> One thick cotton sheet - given<br> Offcut of thick flannelette sheet - given<br> Nappy Bucket (already owned but originally cost 50p at a car boot sale!)</p> <p>The total spent so far is £19.14</p> <p><em>Purchases</em><br> 28 Disposable Nappies<br> 4 Cotton Bottom wraps</p> <p><em>Home-Made</em><br> 34 prefold nappies<br> 8 booster pads<br> 20 cleaning cloths<br> 2 fleece liners<br> 2 newborn fleece wraps<br> 6 small fleece wraps<br> 4 medium fleece wraps<br> 1 junior fleece wrap!</p> <p></p> <p>A drawer full of homemade prefold nappies, wipes and booster pads.</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/197/2749197_6b0471b5c3_m.jpeg" alt="A drawer full of homemade prefolds" title="A drawer full of homemade prefolds"></p> <p><a href="http://budgetbaby.blog.co.uk/2008/08/22/how-to-make-a-prefold-nappy-4622611">View instructions for making washable nappies</a></p> <p></p> <p>And a homemade changing mat. This was made from left over waterproof backed cotton and wadding. The mat is reversiblem has a lovely soft peachfeel to the fabric and can be machine washed. It's actually navy and bright yellow, but the flash from the camera kept reflecting off the fabric.</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/009/2787009_836f14e67b_m.jpeg" alt="Washable changing mat" title="Washable changing mat"></p> <p></p> <p>I made 2 newborn wraps from ivory fleece offcuts, 6 small wraps from ivory fleece and funky flower fleece, 4 fleece wraps from aqua and funky flower fleece and plus a toddler size fleece I tested the design out on.</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/816/2832816_d60c1421ec_m.jpeg" alt="junior nappy wrap" title="junior nappy wrap"></p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/820/2832820_6e87fc0fe0_m.jpeg" alt="3 sizes of nappy wraps" title="3 sizes of nappy wraps"></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://budgetbaby.blog.co.uk/2008/08/16/washable-nappies-4595016/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:budgetbaby.blog.co.uk,2008-08-16:/2008/08/16/nursery-equipment-aamp-furniture-4594969/OneProudMomma2008-08-16T06:10:31+02:002008-09-07T12:28:35+02:00 <p>My NHS Pregnancy Book states that the baby will need the following -</p> <p>a crib, carrycot or moses basket (to start with)<br> mattress<br> at least 4 sheets<br> several light blankets<br> a cot, plus<br> mattress<br> at least 4 sheets<br> several light blankets (assuming that you also need cot size bedding not pram size!)</p> <p></p> <p>To date I have spent £24.96 on</p> <p>Moses basket & mattress (Age Concern) £2.99<br> 2 Lemon terry fitted sheets (Chiltern Mills sale!) £2<br> 2 Lemon flanelette flat sheets (Chiltern Mills sales again!) £2<br> Mamas & Papas velour sleeping bag 0-6 mths (Age Concern) £2.99<br> Mamas & Papas white fitted terry sheet (Hospice Shop) 50p<br> White cotton flat cot sheet (Hospice Shop) 50p<br> 2 Mamas & Papas velour sleeping bags 6-12 mths (Hospice shop) Gift<br> 2 DreamPod cotton sleeping bags 0-6 mths (Hospice Shop) Gift<br> White cotton cellular cot blanket (Age Concern) £1.99<br> Cot (hospice shop) £5<br> Moses basket with wooden rocking stand (ebay) 99p<br> 2m of 6oz wadding to make patchwork baby quilt £6<br> </p> <p>The £2.99 moses basket & mattress with new fitted sheet (£1), Mamas & Papas sleeping bag (£2.99) and home made liner and frill. When the baby doesn't need the basket for sleeping anymore, I'm going to remove the handles and mattress and utilise it as a toy basket!</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/626/2742626_f3ae24510e_m.jpeg" alt="Moses Basket" title="Moses Basket"></p> <p>A drawer full of carrycot bedding</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/199/2749199_ac99e27790_m.jpeg" alt="Baby bedding" title="Baby bedding"></p> <p>Yeah! The finished moses basket in situ on the wooden stand.</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/704/2775704_5145ff166c_m.jpeg" alt="Moses basket & stand" title="Moses basket & stand"></p> <p></p> <p>The £5 cot is now up and functional, with newly made bedlinen and made-to-measure Cheeky Monkey bumper. The fleece blanket is one left over from Beth. Amelia also has two Mamas & Papas sleeping bags for 6-12 months, once she's in the cot.</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/426/2788426_7f6d8fb36d_m.jpeg" alt="Home made cot bedlinen" title="Home made cot bedlinen"></p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/425/2788425_82ac08954f_m.jpeg" alt="£5 cot" title="£5 cot"></p> <p></p> <p>I'm intending to use the offcuts of fabric to make a cot quilt and pillow for when the baby is 1 year old and has outgrown the sleeping bags. I will post pictures of those when I have finished sewing them, even though I won't be using them yet!</p> <p>Handmade small pillow with applique pillow case.</p> <p class="center"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/538/2791538_cbd536f6af_m.jpeg" alt="Cheeky Monkey Pillow" title="Cheeky Monkey Pillow"></p> <p>Cheeky Monkey pillow case, patchwork quilt and cot bumper.</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/539/2791539_f87a48132e_m.jpeg" alt="Cheeky Monkey Cot Bedding" title="Cheeky Monkey Cot Bedding"></p> <p>Instructions to make the Cheeky Monkey quilt can be found <a href="http://budgetbaby.blog.co.uk/2008/09/07/a-patchwork-baby-quilt-4692380">here</a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://budgetbaby.blog.co.uk/2008/08/16/nursery-equipment-aamp-furniture-4594969/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:budgetbaby.blog.co.uk,2008-08-15:/2008/08/15/decorating-the-nursery-4594204/OneProudMomma2008-08-15T22:06:13+02:002008-09-07T12:48:35+02:00 <p>One day as I was walking through the local market I saw some fun animal print fabric hanging up on one of the stalls. I quickly calculated that I needed at least 6 metres if I was going to make curtains and cot linen. Unfortunately the chap running the stall only had 3.5 m left and couldn't get any more. It was only £3 per metre and was a good quality thick cotton, so I took it and decided I would figure out what I would do with it later. Possibly one curtain and some appliques. That was when I was decided that the nursery would have an animal theme.</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/649/2791649_df248f9a49_m.jpeg" alt="Cheeky Monkey Nursery" title="Cheeky Monkey Nursery"></p> <p>I managed to purchase a 40m roll of 1000 grade lining paper in B&Q and used that to paper the walls and ceiling. A tin of Lemon Sorbet emulsion from Wilkinsons covered the paper. The gloss, undercoat, ceiling emulsion and radiator enamel was already in the shed left over from other decorating projects, as was the packet of wallpaper paste!</p> <p>I decided that a mural would be good. I had a couple of other bits of left over paint so I mixed the lilac with some white to make the light blue colour, and some lilac with some yellow paint to make the grey colour. The animals were painted using acrylic paints the same as the ones in my daughters art box. I only used about a quarter of the acrylics so I have them for another day!</p> <p>I bought three of those boxed stretched canvas frames that you would usually paint on, but decided to cover them with some of the fabric to hang on the wall like pictures. I just pulled the fabric tight across the frame and then using drawing pins to hold it to the back of the frame.</p> <p>The light fitting and curtain were bought in the closing down sale of our local Chiltern Mills, whilst the carpet was a remnant that had been reduced down for quick sale in our local carpet store.</p> <p>I laid the carpet myself and used carpet tacks to hold it down. I don't like gripper rods around children, I've witnessed too many scrapes caused by the bent over nails that hold the carpet in situ!</p> <p></p> <p>Total cost of fitting out the nursery - £81.97, a third of my budget!</p> <p>Fabric (Stockton market) £9<br> Wallpaper (B&Q) £6.48<br> Paint (Wilkinsons) £9.99<br> Acrylic Paints (Opitec) £7.39<br> Canvas Frames (Opitec) £4.60<br> Curtain (Chiltern Mills) £3.35<br> Light Fitting (Chiltern Mills) £0.66<br> Carpet (Local Carpet Shop) £10<br> Polyester stuffing (Boyes) £6.50</p> <p>It's looking good but as the room is small it's difficult to get all the detail in one picture! The images show the finished mural and the three canvas frames I covered with the animal fabric.</p> <p class="center"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/597/2738597_33d0401778_m.jpeg" alt="Mural" title="Mural"></p> <p class="center"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/596/2738596_0c33f4fed1_m.jpeg" alt="mural" title="mural"></p> <p class="center"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/595/2738595_2f5adf7f91_m.jpeg" alt="pictures" title="pictures"></p> <p></p> <p>Now all I need is the cot. Although I wanted a tallboy and a bookcase I managed to pick up a tallboy and a childrens chest of drawers on eBay for £24. They are beech effect with blue door & drawer fronts and match the colours in the mural, the carpet and curtain perfectly!</p> <p class="center"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/204/2749204_1daf5bdb3d_m.jpeg" alt="Wardrobe" title="Wardrobe"></p> <p class="center"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/205/2749205_cd7c1bceac_m.jpeg" alt="Drawer Unit" title="Drawer Unit"></p> <p></p> <p>I also want a load of floor cushions for sitting on when I'm feeding the baby and for later on when Amelia wants to play.</p> <p>I have established that two bags of polyester stuffing for the floor cushion is rather pricy. Next time I think I will buy some oversized cuddlies at a boot sale, wash them in the machine & destuff them, spreading the filling out so it will dry properly. I will then use that as the filling for the other cushions I want to make!</p> <p class="center"> <img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/807/2743807_12e87077b6_m.jpeg" alt="Floor Cushion" title="Floor Cushion"></p> <p>I sprayed the floor cushion with a coat of waterproofing spray that I found in the shoe cleaning drawer. Hopefully that will help prevent staining and give change to mop up any spills from the cushion before it has a chance to soak into the fabric - thereby helping the floor cushion last longer! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://budgetbaby.blog.co.uk/2008/08/15/decorating-the-nursery-4594204/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:budgetbaby.blog.co.uk,2008-08-15:/2008/08/15/so-how-much-does-having-a-baby-cost-4593983/OneProudMomma2008-08-15T21:13:19+02:002008-08-16T06:11:56+02:00 <p>According to <a href="http://www.raisingkids.co.uk/0_1/fea_01.asp">this financial feature on RaisingKids</a> you can expect to spend over £1,350 in the first 6 months of your babies life.</p> <p>This includes clothes and essential equipment. However only 1 month worth of nappies and 3 months worth of toiletries were included. So lets double the amount spent on toiletries and multiply the amount spent on nappies by 6. That adds another £155 to the total. </p> <p>So £1,500 in total so far.</p> <p>Assuming that the baby is going to have it's own room to sleep in, how many parents-to-be have a ready decorated nursery? I decided I wanted an animal themed nursery for my latest edition, nothing too bright but eye-catching with plenty to look at.</p> <p>The room needed everything doing to it as it was still a work in progress from a loft conversion that had been completed the previous summer. It needed paper, paint, curtains, light fitting and carpet.</p> <p>The room needed</p> <p>4 rolls paper for the walls<br> 1 roll paper for the ceiling<br> 1 tin paint for the ceiling<br> 1 tin undercoat<br> 1 tin gloss<br> 1 tin radiator enamel<br> 1 curtain 42" x 66"<br> 1 light fitting<br> 1 carpet 5'10" x 10'2"</p> <p>Assuming that I used the Fun At The Zoo range I quite liked (although felt it was a little gaudy) the room would have cost me over £100, and that doesn't include the paint I already had in the shed or the new carpet!</p> <p>We've clocked up £1600 so far and that doesn't include paint or a carpet nor things like dummies, breast pads, most of the bedding, somewhere to keep babies things like a wardrobe or drawers, changing unit and a cot + mattress (the article only mentions a crib)</p> <p>Once you hit 6 months you then have the added costs of a high chair, toys, a new car seat, more clothes, more nappies, more toiletries, plus all the extra you will need when weaning.</p> <p>I think that it is quite feasible for new parents to spend in excess of £2500 in their babies first year just on the so called essentials </p> <p>Personally I would like to stick to around £250 <strong>and</strong> I want my baby to have nice stuff!!!</p> <p>So here goes, my quest to have a baby on a budget!</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://budgetbaby.blog.co.uk/2008/08/15/so-how-much-does-having-a-baby-cost-4593983/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:budgetbaby.blog.co.uk,2008-08-15:/2008/08/15/because-having-a-baby-doesn-t-have-to-be-4593787/OneProudMomma2008-08-15T20:20:51+02:002008-09-07T17:23:15+02:00 <p>When I became pregnant with my first child I remember strolling off to Mothercare, buying copies of Mother & Baby magazine and browsing through catalogues from Argos and Boots. </p> <p>I remember being horror struck at how horrendously expensive everything was and thinking how unnecessary it seemed to spend so much money on something which was going to get so little usage or wear. Especially as I didn't always like the designs that were on offer.</p> <p>Thankfully, my brothers children had grown a little and so we were given their cot, outgrown baby clothes, some nappies and toys. The Grandmas-to-be and I knitted away making little jackets and trousers and everything was fine.</p> <p>Four children later I realised just how much money is wasted on stuff that really isn't necessary and how much it mounts up. I sold all of my baby stuff, except for a few bits which had sentimental value. Then found out I was expecting baby number 5.</p> <p>After the shock wore off I realised just how much I was going to have to do to prepare for this baby. Effectively I was going to have to start from scratch again and I begrudge paying out all that money. I decided that this baby was going to be a baby on a budget, but not any old budget. I knew what I wanted and was prepared to make it if necessary - This is one woman on a mission!</p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/650/2791650_ad55d0b78e_m.jpeg" alt="Cheeky Monkey Nursery" title="Cheeky Monkey Nursery"> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://budgetbaby.blog.co.uk/2008/08/15/because-having-a-baby-doesn-t-have-to-be-4593787/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>