How to Sew a Baby Quilt - Create a Baby Clothes Patchwork Quilt

If you’re looking to make a special gift, or are awaiting a new arrival soon, this baby quilt is a fantastic project to get you started with quilting!  Why not take this design from Hobbycraft Blog a step further and use fabric squares from your baby's own clothes to make the quilt, creating a gorgeous personalised keepsake to cherish forever. 

For the basic Quilt design;  

You Will Need

• 2 Charm packs 
• Bias binding 
• Cotton wadding 
• Backing fabric – available in store

Craft Essentials

• Pins 
• Cutting tools 
• Sewing machine 

How to Make

1. Lay out the charm pack squares to make a design and size you like.

2. Cut out a shape from some spare squares or backing fabric to applique on the design.

3. Sew the shapes onto their squares.

4. Sew the squares right sides together by row, using a ¼ inch seam allowance.

5. Press the seams open.

6. Sew the rows with right sides together using a ¼ inch seam allowance.

7. When the quilt top has been assembled, press all seams.

8. Lay out the backing fabric and wadding on a flat surface.

9. Place the quilt top, right side up and pin through all 3 layers.

10. Make sure the quilt sandwich is secure and cut to the size of the quilt top.

11. Sew the layers together, stitching in the seams where the squares are joined.

12. Cut enough binding to reach around all 4 quilt sides.

13. Unfold the bias binding and pin to the reverse side of the quilt, matching the edges.

14. Sew the binding to the quilt, stitching as close to the edge as possible.

15. Fold the bias binding over the quilt edge to the front side.

16. Sew to the front, stitching close to the inside edge of the binding. Make sure to catch the binding on the reverse side in the stitching.

Baby Shoes Shadowbox - DIY Personalised Keepsake Shadow Box 3d Frame

A great way to treasure your child's first pair of shoes, courtesy of Daddycandoit!  

https://daddycandoit.wordpress.com/2011/01/02/baby-shoes-shadowbox/

What does one do with a pair of bronzed baby shoes?  That was my dilemma.  I wanted to preserve Julia’s first pair of shoes, but I wanted to do it in a way that wouldn’t actually destroy the shoes.  Sure, bronzing them would preserve them forever, but it would also take away the color and some of the details in the shoes that make them special.

I decided to mount Julia’s first pair of shoes in a shadowbox.  This way, the shoes are not only preserved, but also could be worn again by her child if she so chooses . . . plus, they make a fairly attractive display item that we can enjoy every day.

First, I gathered my supplies:

1 shadowbox with a 12×16 interior space

1 can of black spray paint

1 piece of mat board

1 sheet of handmade 20×30 paper

chipboard letters to spell out Julia’s name

1 sheet of 20×20 black cardstock

Julia’s baby shoes

1.  Finding an appropriate shadowbox turned out to be quite an adventure.  It had to be large enough to hold Julia’s shoes in length and width, but also in-depth.  After measuring the height of one of the shoes, I figured I needed a shadowbox that is 2 1/2″ deep.  I also preferred a wooden frame in black so that it would match the rest of the frames in our house.  I was unable to find a shadowbox that fit all my criteria.  So, I improvised!  I found one that had all the right dimensions, but was silver (this is where the spray paint comes in!).  I took the glass off the shadowbox and removed the back and then spray painted everything black – including the small strips of wood that hold the glass in place from behind.

2.  Since the inside of the shadowbox is not a standard mat size, I was unable to find a pre-cut one.  So, I bought a sheet of artist’s board, cut it to size, and then cut an opening in the center of it.  The finished mat is 2″ wide on all sides. 

3.  To give the mat a nicer finish, I decided to wrap it in handmade paper.  The design in the paper doesn’t show up well in the photo, but it’s a cream-colored paper with little silver silk threads running through it.  I found this paper at Hobby Lobby in the pre-cut mat section – it’s actually intended for wrapping mats.  I taped the mat I had made to the wrong side of the paper and then cut slits in the paper from one corner to its opposite, making an “X” inside the mat opening.  Then, I pulled the paper tight around the mat and held it in place using double-sided tape.  Essentially, I wrapped the mat the same way you would upholster a seat cushion or wrap a present.

4.  To create more depth in the shadow box, I then cut strips of black foam core (the kind that is black in the center as well) and adhered them around the outside perimeter on the backside of the wrapped mat.  This way, once the mat was adhered to the back of the shadowbox, it would look as if it is suspended above the backing.

5  Next, I covered the backing of the shadowbox with the black cardstock using double-sided tape.

6.  At this point, all that was left was to adhere the letters of Julia’s name and her shoes to the backing of the shadowbox.  I used double-sided tape to hold the letters on and since the shoes are relatively heavy, I used a double-sided foam tape to hold those on.  Then I just popped the glass back in the frame, slid the backing into position, and it was ready to be hung or sit handsomely on a shelf.

DIY Newborn Shadow Boxes – a Memorable DIY

This is a great design idea for a baby keepsake frame from Aimee, at The Crazy Craft Lady. A simple and effective design - perfect for displaying and treasuring those special keepsakes and moments. 

https://thecrazycraftlady.com/newborn-shadow-boxes-for-the-twins/

You won’t believe how easy it is to make the perfect customized newborn shadow box.  Learn how to make a personalized baby shadow box with a few basic supplies and keepsakes

Sae

 

I have seen some pretty creative newborn shadow box ideas lately, and knew this was something I wanted to do with our twins.  There is a little corner in the hallway outside their bedroom; I felt like this would be a perfect place to display some newborn mementos.

Enter my decision to make two newborn shadow boxes with all of our keepsakes from the hospital.

Here’s what I kept:

• Hospital hat and kimono top (the ones given to us by the hospital)
• The footprints from their “souvenir birth certificates”
• Ankle bracelet identification tags – I used two in Miss. B’s shadow box, since the back of hers had a stamp that reads “twin #2”
• The identification card from the hospital bassinet
• The socks the babies wore home from the hospital (so small!)
• A photo from the night they were born – I edited the pictures and reduced the color saturation level by about 50%

I bought two shadow boxes from Michaels during a BOGO sale as well as pink & blue scrapbook paper and two little wooden letters – R and B.  

I painted the letters pink and blue to match the paper I would be mounting some of my keepsakes on.

First, I arranged everything on the back board – walking away and coming back with fresh eyes to make sure I liked the positioning of all my items.  I decided to do a mirror image of my first arrangement in the second shadow box.  This way the boxes are not too similar.

I displayed my two newborn shadow boxes outside the nursery.  This was for several reasons.  One: I’m not a big fan of hanging newborn pictures in the nursery itself.  I think the nursery should be a room for the babies to grow in, explore, and enjoy.  Two: I wanted to keep the shadow boxes close to the nursery as a reminder of how much they have grown and changed.  Three: The corner just outside the nursery was pretty empty looking.

My sister gave us a collage frame filled with newborn and baptism pictures, which I decided to hang on the opposite wall from the shadow boxes.  I love this project, and constantly find myself looking over at the keepsakes and telling myself I can’t believe just how tiny they were, and how blessed we are to have two happy and healthy babies in our lives.

How to Make a Baby Keepsake Shadow Box Frame

Here's a little bit of inspiration for those wanting to frame some of your special baby keepsakes. It's a shame to hide them away in a box in the loft, when they can make such a beautiful and meaningful display in your home.

Feeling organised? Then maybe it's time to sort through that abundance of old baby clothes and create a beautiful keepsake...

The start of a New Year tends to bring out the organized side in many of us, whether it be re-organising the kitchen cupboards, making room in the playroom / bedroom for the abundance of new toys or the arduous task of re-arranging the attic.

So what better time than now, to start sifting through all those old baby clothes that you haven't had the heart to let go of, but you know won't ever be worn again.

Even worse, you are unlikely to ever see them, except in the instance that you are organising the attic!

We wouldn't suggest being ruthless and giving them all away but instead why not pick your absolute favourites and consider turning them into a stylish patchwork quilt, blanket or cushion full of special memories for you and your child?

That way those pre-loved baby clothes that had been gathering dust in the attic can be transformed into a family heirloom that can be seen and treasured every day?


Just a thought.........

FKS x

For more information see: Memory Quilts & Blankets  

• FAQ's   
• How to Order Your Memory Keepsake Quilt 
• How We Make Memory Quilts & Blankets

Memory Keepsake Quilts, Blankets and Cushions from Baby Clothes - New Product Line

We are really excited to have just launched our brand new range of keepsake products.  In line with the British-made, hand-made and made-by-mums theme that most of our products embrace, this gorgeous new range will make the ultimate keepsake from your child's pre-loved baby clothes!

Using blocks of the clothing, we can create stylish patchwork memory quilts, blankets and cushions.  Our high quality patchwork products are carefully designed and made to leave you with a precious keepsake full of special memories.  

Because we use your clothes, you are guaranteed a one of a kind product, that is completely bespoke to you.

They make perfect gifts for family and friends, christenings & birthdays and provide the ultimate keepsake for your own child.




This range is already popular and because each order is individually designed and handmade we have current wait times of around 6 weeks for cushions and up to 12 weeks for blankets. 

Unfortunately we don't have any slots left for Christmas, BUT we are offering free delivery for any slots booked before Christmas for delivery sometime in the New Year.  We can give you an approx lead time on enquiry, but please allow at least 12 weeks for quilts / blankets. 

We know that you will have a lot of questions about how we make these items and the order process, so we've included links to all the information you will need below.  But please contact us with and specific questions / ideas / requests.  We'd love to hear from you!

• Visit our website to view our range of memory keepsake quilts, blankets and cushions.
• Memory Quilts FAQ's
• How to Order Your Memory Keepsake Quilt 
• How We Make Memory Quilts & Blankets

 FKS xx

21 Baby Keepsakes Ideas - What to Keep!

Everyone always says that time goes so fast when you have children and I never appreciated how true this was until I had my first child.  In a sleepy haze of 3 and 4 hour routines; drifting between feeds, changes and sleeps - time inevitably escapes you. 

They grow so fast and having those few special items that remind us of how tiny and precious they were can be really important. Not just for us parents, but also for the children.  When they are older, all of these special keepsakes and memories can be passed onto them to cherish.

So what kinds of things can you keep?  The answer is simple.  Anything.....anything that means something to you and reminds you of your child and your pregnancy.  One of my favourite keepsakes, for some reason is the car park ticket from the hospital when I went into labour with my first child.  It was left in the car for at least a couple of years before I rediscovered it - perhaps that's why it's special because I kept it by accident.  Either way I love it and still have it.

You can start collecting keepsakes from the first moment you find out your pregnant and then continue throughout the baby's childhood.  Here's our list of 21 keepsakes ideas:

1. The positive pregnancy test
2. Appointment cards given throughout the pregnancy - hospital and doctors.
3. Scan photos
4. Photo of mum's tummy in the last days of pregnancy
5. Photo of the baby when it is first born
6. Hospital ankle band    
7. Hospital car park ticket
8. First size nappy to remind you how small they were
9. The card that was attached to the hospital cot
10. Umbilical cord clip (some people even keep the umbilical cord stump... I admit I preferred the car park ticket)
11. The outfit they wore when they came home from hospital
12. A newspaper from the day the baby was born
13. Their first Christmas bib / baby grow
14. Imprints or casts of their tiny feet and hands
15. Their first pair of shoes / booties
16. All of the congratulations / new baby cards you were given
17. Any item of baby clothing that was special or represented a special time to you. 
18. Writing letters that record what the baby is doing, how she is growing etc as well as all my dreams for her future.
19. Creating and keeping a scrapbook that includes photos, summaries and records milestones- or completing a record book that prompts you for the information.
20. The first lock of hair
21.  Copy of birth announcement cards (if sent out)

I'm sure you'll have a few of your own ideas and if you've got any to share, please do comment below.  We'd love to know, however obscure they might be ;o)

FKS x

Fingerprint Handprint & Footprint Keepsake Ideas

There's something about a baby's tiny little feet or hands that make us all go gaga.  And something special about a fingerprint, that a one of a kind, truely unique mark, that can be left by an individual - irrespective of their age.  That's what makes fingerprints, handprints and footprints such popular keepsake themes.

With this in mind, we've gathered a few ideas for using fingerprints, handprints and footprints to create a special keepsake or gift that will be cherished.  Some of these you can buy through our website and others are simple but fantastic ideas that you can do at home.  We just had to share!

Daddy & Me Fingerprint Mug

This one is also great and something you could do at home with a plain mug and some enamel paint.

If you'd prefer you could visit a local pottery pals (or similar ceramics painting workshpp/shop) and do it in one of their shops.

I came across this on on Kaboose: read more.




Fingerprint / Handprint / Footprint Jewellery.  

Probably one of the most obvious keepsakes when it comes to this particular theme, but it still deserves a mention as it is such a special keepsake.

I love my fingerprint bracelet, it carries such sentiment and is a beautiful contemporary piece of jewellery.  More information / to purchase silver fingerprint handprint jewellery


Handprints or Footprints On a Poem.

I Love this idea and it's certainly a keepsake I'll be keeping hold of.

My daughter brought it home from nursery for a Mother's Day present - one of the best I've had so far.

It was printed on card and laminated to keep it safe.

Footprints on Canvas & Personalised.  

This is an easy idea that you can create yourself.  When I say easy, I really mean that it's easy to get the materials you need, trying to get your baby or child to keep still whilst paint may be quite another story.  But there's some really helpful tips on Pippa's Long Stockings Blog.


Wedding Guest Book Finger Print Tree. 

I have only come across these recently and there seem to be a fair few on the market.

I love them, such a brilliant idea and had they been around when I got married, I definately would have used one.

This particular one can be found on Esty here.




 

Baby Hand / Foot Casts & Imprints.  


There are so many on the market, this is such a popular gift to give to new parents.  There are lots of hand and feet imprints, but I much prefer the 3d casts - they are so lifelike and magically recreate the size and detail of a baby or child's hands or feet.  They are wonderful and can be done using baby casting kits at home, which is costs much less to getting them cast in a studio. More information / to purchase baby casting kits.


Finally there is an abundance of ideas for handprints, footprints and fingerprints on the Handprint and Footprint Blog.  Take a look and I'm sure you will find a unique idea for inspiration.

As always, we'd love to hear your comments and any ideas that you may have for creating keepsakes with your hands, feet or fingerprints.

xx

Customer Photo - Unique Baby Cast Display

Here's a fab photo that one of our customers has been kind enough to send in.  Rather than taking the usual display approach  (a photo and a cast) Charlotte had a shelf fixed into it for the rollies to sit on and then included two casts of her son Gabriel - one at 3 weeks and the second at 9 weeks.

We love this photo and think it makes a unique and very personal display.  Thanks for sharing Charlotte!

Buy Keepsake Frames and Baby Casting Kits from For Keep's Sake.

Just what Keepsake Frames are for!

Here's an email we received from a customer who bought one of our Keepsake Frames.  

I wanted to share it, as for me it completely sums up the reason for our keepsake frames - to display cherished items that hold great value and sentiment to us.  I love this picture, for the reasons explained by the customer below.  You don't have to frame something that is still completely perfect and in tact as more often than not, it is items such as the teddy bear that have been used and loved and are therefore worn out, that remind us of the most precious times.  

"I just wanted to let you know that I wanted the frame to put a little teddy in that my now 19 yr old son used to carry everywhere. 

It is completely without ears - has hardly any arms and legs but was so loved and I thought it would be a lovely way to preserve what there is left and to look at to remind me to wonder where all the years have gone.

Many thanks he fits perfectly."

So a huge thank you to our customer for not only sharing the story but also the picture of the bear in the frame.  If anyone else is happy to share their images, please email us at info@forkeepssake.co.uk.

If you are looking for a deep box frame to display your cherished keepsake, visit our website to view our range.  Thanks for reading!

Tips for Baby Keepsake Frames. 1. Choosing the Keepsake and Frame

If you like the idea of framing something special and sentimental to you, but don't know where to start, here's a few basic tips to help out.  Since my website is geared to babies and children, this is where I will focus, but the same tips will apply to anything.

1) Choosing the keepsake.  What is important to you?  Do you have something in particular that reminds you of cherished times or a special occasion?  For children this might be christening gifts that end up getting hidden away in a box, or a baby's first shoes, a comforter, the hospital band, a first nappy, 3d baby castings, a booty.....

2) Making sure you get a frame that fits.  If you are buying one of our empty keepsake frames, you will need to measure the items prior to purchase to make sure they will fit.  Depth is probably the most important factor here as it can be the most restrictive.  We have a range of deep box frames in three different depths.

3) Mount or no mount... that is the question.  How do you want your keepsakes displayed?  Are you going for a less is more approach and framing a lone item?  If so a mount would look great.  If on the other hand you have several items to frame and you need the extra space, then you probably won't need the mount.  If you do decide on mount, you can get more than one opening to split the display (e.g. photo on one side and a shoe on another). 

4) Choosing the frame colour and style.  Where is the frame going to be displayed?  Which room?  Do you want it to stand on a shelf or windowsill or hung on a wall?  What decor will it need to match?  By considering all of these questions, you will narrow down the colour and style that you are looking for.

Check out our website www.forkeepssake.co.uk to view our range of deep shadowbox style frames (Empty Keepsake Frames) that have been designed specifically to display baby keepsakes.

Silver Keepsake Frame for Christening Keepsakes

If like me you've had numerous gorgeous gifts and keepsakes for your child's christening or baptism and are to reluctant to hide them in a keepsake box, why not display them in a keepsake frame?

Set in a shadowbox style box frame, they make a stunning display and the frame can be co-ordinated to complment any room in the house.

We have a range of Empty Keepsake Frames at For Keep's Sake.  Our deep box frames come in a range of 3 depths and various colours. 

We can also frame your keepsakes for you, in the designs specified in our website.  If you have a more bespoke request, please email us and we'll do our best to help.

Don't forget to visit www.forkeepssake.co.uk to see our complete range of products which include baby casting kits, name frames, wooden nursery letters and more.  Thanks for looking!