Tipnut’s Picks: 40+ Crafty Projects For Baby

Here’s a whopping list of free patterns and tutorials for your favorite little one, perfect to give as gifts to welcome a newborn or if you’re a soon-to-be new mom–you’ll find lots of goodies here to fill the nursery. You’ll find nursing covers, slings and accessories. I’ll be adding to this list over time so you may want to bookmark this page for reference. Don’t miss the new section here on Tipnut, it’s loaded with more goodies (such as diaper bags, blankets, burp cloths & more): you’ll find it here.

Changing Pad & Wipes Case: Pouch closes with foldover flap & velcro, mat is made with fat quarters and lined with batting.

Diaper Pocket: Gift-worthy design made with linen and cotton prints (lined with fleece) and features a fold-over cotton webbing tab with velcro closure.

Crocheted Bottle Cozies: There’s not an exact pattern for this but enough details that an Intermediate or Advanced crocheter will be able to whip these up no problem.

Super Soft Playmat: Pretty cotton print for the top, backed with soft chenille. Rolls up and ties with straps for easy toting.

Clutch Pocket: Rolls out so it can be used as a changing pad, features a pocket to supplies (velcro closure).

Simple Changing Pad: Rolls up and ties closed with ribbon straps, features pockets to hold supplies. Ideal for toting along on errands!

Open Pocket Pouch: Great for holding diapers, small containers and other items. Sits upright in bag.

Binky Leash & Bag: Great little shower gift, here’s a drawstring pouch and matching leash to carry the soother.

Easy Changing Pads: Made with a vinyl tablecloth so it’s easy to wipe and go.

DIY Car Seat Cover: Uses four different fabrics and can double as a blanket.

Strap Holder: Sew a simple strap with cotton fabric and muslin, velcro closure with button embellishment.

Clutch: A handy (and stylish!) little pouch to store a spare diaper or two and package of wipes.

Changing Pad: Uses cotton fabric, prequilted flannel, bias binding and thin gage vinyl sheeting (optional), rolls up with velcro tab closure.

Bathing Apron: Uses a towel and some ribbon, this makes a bath apron with a pocket to hold shampoo, a bath toy or whatever you like.

Bundles Towel: Quick & easy! A clever towel roll/organizer to keep bath supplies organized.

Crib Sheet: Step-by-step instructions for sewing a custom sheet for the crib.

Wet Bag: Simple design that you can make in any size you like (to hold diapers, breast pads, etc.).

Fabric Case: Features a foldover top flap with velcro closure. Free pattern pieces available to download (gif files).

Basic Kit: This pocket organizer rolls up and ties closed with ribbon strips, ideal to hold supplies and tucks nicely into a bag.

Zipped Clutch: Repurpose a suit coat or use similar weight fabric for this boxy pouch.

Changing Kit: Finished changing pad is about 12″ x 27″ with a pocket on one end to hold supplies. Rolls up with Velcro tab closure.

No-Sew Binky Leash: Keep binky close by with this easy project made with ribbon, snaps and suspender clips.

Poopy Clutch: Made with leather vinyl, fabric or fused plastic, a few different styles are offered (including a no-sew version).

Snuggly Bottle Warmer: Cute softie lion knit with DPNs, bottle is held inside the lion’s “mouth”.

Bumpers: Learn how to make fabric covers for ready-made bumper pads, finished with piping and cotton cording.

Crib Skirt: Learn how to make a pleated skirt to perfectly fit a crib, sewn onto a piece of fabric to fit underneath mattress.

Wipes Case: You’ll need a Bitatto refill case cap, laminated fabric, a zipper and some glue.

Washcloths: Quick & easy! Make luxurious homemade cloths with squares of flannel and chenille.

Ruffled Crib Skirt: Tiers of ruffles are sewn along side panels (3 sides only since the 4th is along the wall).

With Boning: Made with 3/4 yard of pre-washed fabric, 12″ of boning and a package of d-rings.

With Inner Pocket: Features an inner pocket at the corner, made with a yard of fabric, 16″ of boning, small piece of terry cloth (for other corner) and a set of d-rings.

Sling: Simple design featuring a wide fabric back to help distribute baby’s weight comfortably.

Car Seat & Nursing Cover: Simple design that doubles as a car seat cover and a nursing cover, edges finished with bias binding.

With Hidden Pocket: This is easy-to-make and includes a hidden inside pocket for nursing pads or wipes.

Sling: Photo tutorial showing how to make a custom fit sling in about an hour.

Changing Roll: Made with a hand towel and fabric, this rolls up and is held in place with an attached loop of elastic.

Modern Shawl: Has a cute boat neck, covers your back and is made with a yard of knit fabric.

Here’s a nifty way to keep diapers organized while adding a pretty touch to the nursery, they make lovely homemade gifts too. Some know these as nappy stackers. They hang near the crib, change table or on a door knob to keep items tidy and within easy reach. They feature a front open pocket so they’re easy to get into and can hang with a clothes hanger (that’s tucked up inside), ribbons or attached ties.

Sewn: This is made with three coordinating pieces of fabric, some interfacing, plastic children’s clothes hanger, poster board (or cardstock; cardboard) and an applique (which is optional).

Crocheted: Instructions are for the main bag body but there are reference links included if you’d like to embellish with the green trailing leaves and bright, cheery crocheted flowers.

With Ribbon Bow: Made with cotton or chintz fabric, fusible interfacing, piping or lace, a child size hanger and cardboard (for stiffening the bottom). A ribbon bow is used to embellish the front.

Simple Design (pdf): Very detailed instructions, a piece of heavy cardboard is covered with a fabric sleeve and then placed inside at the bottom to help shape and stiffen it.

*First published April 13, 2007 and moved to this page for better organization

This recipe for homemade wipes comes from an old frugal email list. Makes two batches.

4 cups boiling water
4 TBS Johnson’s baby bath soap
4 TBS Johnson’s baby lotion
1 roll Bounty Paper Towels (cut in half)
2 airtight containers to fit paper towels

Directions:

• Mix together the liquids then pour half (approximately 2 cups) into each container. Place paper towel rolls in the liquid and seal containers. Wait 5 minutes then flip the containers over to evenly distribute the solution on the paper towels. Make sure to use containers that are airtight and can hold boiling hot water.
• Remove the cardboard tubes from the center of the rolls, then use the wipes by pulling the towel from the center.

Soap and lotion can be changed to whichever brand you prefer.

In the sunburn remedies post I mentioned a tip about boiling lettuce and using that water as treatment for relief. This same recipe (boiled lettuce water) is a home treatment for diaper rash that was passed on to me, but requires just a few lettuce leaves:

• Boil a few washed & cleaned dark green lettuce leaves in water (amount to cover leaves) and boil for about 5 minutes.
• Strain the leaves and pour the water into a sterilized container. Allow to cool then apply to the rash after each change.
• The skin should show signs of healing the next day.

I know some poor burning bottoms don’t seem to respond to various creams and lotions, try this to see if it helps.