Thank You, Guelph :)

Want to know something crazy? I made eight boxes this month! On Tuesday I went and picked up six more of the paper boxes that I fill and as of tonight there is one left...

I love so much that you guys help me do this and are so generous with your donations and skills! This idea would be useless if you didn't pass on your baby things for me to fill the boxes with. I've even had some beautiful knitting donated just for these babies!

Of all of the reasons I keep doing this the biggest one is this: how incredibly often these Mama's are surprised that anybody cares. And I just want to say that so many people do! People all over the city are sorting through their baby clothes and folding up blankets that held their own little ones and passing them on to another Mama in her turn. So I guess I just wrote this to say thank you, because I'm grateful to live in a city where people do care. I am grateful for the chance to make these boxes and for the peace of mind they give new Mama's. Because no matter the circumstances when a baby is being born, they should never feel like no one cares.

Urgent!

*Update* Found her :) Thanks Guelph!

I am looking for a lady by the name of J_ _ _ _ _ _  who is due in two weeks. She replied to my kijiji add and I have not been able to reply to the e-mail address she used. If you think you know who this is, please have her contact me at  katieryn226@gmail.com. I can prove I'm the one she contacted by giving her her name and the sex of her baby, both things she mentioned in her e-mail.

Please help! I do not know her circumstances and hate the idea of her maybe having the baby arrive without everything she needs!

Hmm...Where is That Tutorial Page Hiding?

...I have no idea, so I'm copying it into a post until I can get some technical help :P
Enjoy!


Here's a place to start if you're looking to save some money with diy baby things. Be creative finding materials; old clothes, scrap yarn, thrift stores, you'd be amazed what you can come up with!

Diapering

Sewing your own cloth diapers
http://www.diapersewing.com/

One size cloth diaper tutorial
http://www.adreamcrafter.com/2013/06/how-to-sew-your-own-cloth-diapers-free.html

Make your own pre-folds
http://ifonlytheywouldnap.net/2011/06/23/prefold-cloth-diapers-a-tutorial/

Pre-folds from t-shirts
http://dumbsainthood.wordpress.com/2010/04/20/tutorial-turn-a-mens-t-shirt-into-a-newborn-cloth-diaper/

Or tie dye them, just for fun
http://www.adventuresinfluff.com/2012/05/day-5-ddl-flats-handwashing-challenge.html

Sewn wool diaper covers
http://scrimplythrifty.wordpress.com/2011/02/28/diy-wool-diaper-soakers/

Sewn longies pattern, multiple sizes
http://katrinassqs.blogspot.ca/2008/09/longies-pattern.html

Crochet diaper covers
http://withatangledskein.blogspot.ca/2008/02/little-fire-crochet-soaker-pattern.html

Knit diaper covers
http://diaperpages.com/soaker.php

Cloth wipes tutorial
http://family.thinkingoutsidethesandbox.ca/cloth-diapering-tips-how-to-make-cloth-wipes/

Sew a swim diaper, many sizes
http://www.sewmamasew.com/2011/06/aquarius-swimmer-swim-diaper-tutorial/


Accessories  for baby

Toms inspired baby shoes
http://www.homemadetoast.com/2012/12/toms-inspired-baby-and-toddler-shoes.html

Crochet boy boat shoes
http://www.whistleandivy.com/2013/05/baby-boat-bootie.html

Baby shoes from an old purse
http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2012/02/making-baby-shoes-from-thrifted-purses.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+MakeItAndLoveIt+%28Make+It+and+Love+It%29

Colour block crochet baby mitts, 0-3m
http://www.tangledhappy.com/2013/12/two-tone-baby-mittens-crochet-pattern.html?showComment=1387284723634#c1037469782319195219

Crochet baby mitts 3 sizes
http://oombawkadesigncrochet.com/2014/09/warm-baby-mittens.html

Crochet baby socks
http://www.patternsforcrochet.co.uk/baby-socks-usa.html

 Knit crossover booties
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/chaussons-mignons

 T-shirt baby hats, 3 kinds
http://zaaberry.blogspot.ca/2012/08/baby-hats-tutorial-and-pattern.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+blogspot/qvPvy+%28Zaaberry%29&utm_content=Google+Reader


Accessories for Mama

Reusable breast pads
http://thehealthyhoneys.com/diy-reusable-cloth-breast-pads/

Crochet nursing necklace
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/teething-nursing-necklace

 Diy breastfeeding infinity scarf
http://diaryofamadcrafter.wordpress.com/2013/07/14/diy-breastfeeding-infinity-scarf/?crlt.pid=camp.VOwPGQXJgjY6

Nursing cover
http://prudentbaby.com/2010/01/baby-kid/diy-nursing-cover-2/

 Turn your regular bra into a nursing bra
http://quietudeblog.blogspot.ca/2012/10/new-and-improved-diy-nursing-bra.html

Easy comfy maternity skirt
http://www.craftinessisnotoptional.com/2012/09/comfy-diy-maternity-skirts.html

Maternity support belt
http://sggmom.blogspot.ca/2012/11/diy-maternity-support-belt.html


Sewn baby clothes

Sleep gown from an adult t-shirt
http://www.domesticblisssquared.com/2014/02/diy-baby-gown-from-adult-tee-shirt.html

Newborn sleeper
http://www.touchinglittlelives.org/nbsleeper.html

Knit jammies out of cardigans
http://www.soyouthinkyourecrafty.com/knit-jammies-tutorial/

Easy baby pants
http://ifonlytheywouldnap.net/2013/03/07/easy-diy-baby-pants-tutorial/

Baby leggings pattern in three sizes
http://gotosew.com/2014/02/free-baby-go-to-leggings-pattern/

Sweater leggings
http://belandbeau.com/2012/11/23/diy-target-sweater-turned-baby-pnts/

Baby dresses out of shirts
http://coffeeandbananasblog.blogspot.ca/2011/11/refashion-mens-polo-shirt-to-baby-dress.html?m=1

Turn a girl's stained top into a ruffled shrug
http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2010/06/re-purposing-stained-tshirt-into-shrug.html

Newborn size kimono shirt
http://www.purlbee.com/2012/06/21/mollys-sketchbook-newborn-kimono-shirt/

Baby shorts
http://blog.peekaboopatternshop.com/2012/07/Baby-Shorts-from-Sleeves!.html

0-3 month size sweatshirt pattern
http://leafytreetopspot.blogspot.be/2012/10/lapped-front-infant-hoodie-tutorial-and.html

Fleece jumpsuit, 0-9m
http://www.purlbee.com/2014/01/19/corinnes-thread-fleece-baby-jumpsuit/

 Tiny tunic, 3-6 m
http://icandy-handmade.com/2014/05/diy-tiny-tunic.html


Knit and crochet baby clothes

Crochet newborn sweater
http://ktandthesquid.com/2014/09/01/the-bailey-easy-top-down-free-crochet-pattern/

Crochet newborn dress
http://rhythmofthehome.com/2011/02/newborn-baby-crocheted-dress/

Crochet bear hat pattern, all sizes
http://allicrafts.blogspot.ca/2011/04/free-pattern-fuzzy-bear-hat-with-ears-3.html

Crochet sweater, several sizes
http://panpancrafts.blogspot.ca/2012/06/tutorial-simple-crochet-striped-hooded.html

Knit overalls, several sizes
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/on-the-go-veralls

Knit dress, several sizes
http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring04/PATTanouk.html

Knit sweater, several sizes
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baby-kimono-9


Baby blankets

Knit 10 stitch blanket, good scrap buster
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ten-stitch-blanket

Crochet granny square blanket
http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/summer-garden-granny-square.html

Diy crib sheet
http://www.danamadeit.com/2008/07/tutorial-crib-and-toddler-bed-sheets.html

No sew fleece blanket
http://craptastickatie.blogspot.com.au/2011/06/hi-my-name-is-katie-im-blanket-aholic.html


 Baby wearing

X-back baby carrier
http://www.lobolita.com/2009/08/x-back-baby-carrier-tutorial/

Water sling
http://www.mamasaywhat.com/diy-mesh-water-ring-sling/

Whole list of baby carrier tutorials
http://tothemoonandbackblog.net/2014/04/the-ultimate-guide-to-free-diy-baby-carrier-tutorials.html


Baby gear

Super absorbent baby bib
http://blog.peekaboopatternshop.com/2012/07/Baby-Shorts-from-Sleeves!.html

Travel chair
http://thismamamakesstuff.com/tutorial-this-mamas-fab-travel-chair/

 Sling bag
http://morningbymorningproductions.blogspot.ca/2012/05/sling-bag-tutorial-part-1.html

bustle backpack
http://www.mesewcrazy.com/2011/04/bustle-backpack-from-chloes-spring.html

Tutorials

Look up, I've added the tutorials page! It's got tons of fun and easy diy's for baby, so take a look and get your craft on!

What's In a Sweet Baby Starter Kit?

I know you're curious :)

So this one has:

crib sheet, light and warm blanket, receiving blankets, few size 1 diapers, washcloth, newborn outfit, snowsuit, bib, bottles or nursing items, teddy/toy, headbands (for little girls), sweaters, hats, socks/booties/shoes depending on sizes and weather, sleepers and several outfits in sizes 3 months, 6 months and 12 months. (That lovely blanket in the background is the warm one.)

I pack all of that (or something similar, running off of donations means I have no control over what I'm given), plus a thermometer and info sheet into a paper box. I have to tape them closed!

This is the sheet on top, where I mark any info I need to get it to the right person. Each Mama is given a number to keep things confidential.

And there you have it! Everything you need to get you started with a new baby. I love thinking about how much fun these must be to unpack!

Hello Everybody!

Welcome to Sweet Baby Starter Kits! :)

Excuse the mess, we've just set up house. You must be wondering what this is all about. I read an article awhile ago about how the Finnish government gives out boxes of baby essentials to any expecting parent who would like one and was inspired. It's just such an amazing way to make sure that every baby starts life with everything they need. (There is a link with more details on the Finnish boxes on the "What Are Sweet Baby Starter Kits Page" above, as well as more information about what is in mine.)

My versions are a bit humbler, with mostly good quality used items in them and targeting the Guelph, Ontario area. Instead of the government supplying the items, I have been collecting donations from local parents. My goal is to someday be able to give every baby in Guelph an equal start in life. Care to join me?