by: Kirsten Hawkins
As any mother with a young child will tell you, babies grow very quickly. So for new mothers, making the most out of baby clothes is of the utmost importance. So what do you do when those onesies just don't quite snap anymore? How do you get an extra month out of those jeans that are a little too short for the winter months?
The great thing about onesies, is that they're a very workable cotton fabric, and there really isn't any hemming necessary to turn a couple of onesies that fit at five months into a couple of shirts that fit at eight months. Simply cut them off right at the leg holes, and gently pull the material around the edges so that it rolls a tiny bit. This way there are no exposed threads for baby to pull at or chew on. The same can apply to footsie pajamas. By simply snipping off the feet, you can easily get another month's wear out of the sleepwear.
Adding extra buttons to overalls or snappy shirts makes them naturally grow with your child. Perhaps one of the best investments a new mother can make is in a mid-priced sewing machine. This makes alterations and additions a breeze, and gives you a new hobby for when baby naps (Just make sure there is enough wall between you and the crib so that the whirring of the machine doesn't make undue stress for you!)
Things like adding extra material to the bottom of a dress or skirt can be done in just minutes, as can letting out the hem of a pair of jeans or overalls. Buying clothes initially that are mid-priced and made of a cotton material with a lot of elastic and snaps makes transitions that much easier. Shoes are always going to be a problem, but buying a canvas sneaker in the spring can convert into a mule for summer wear, as long as the baby is not walking yet. Socks without built in heels is key?that way the baby can grow a little bit longer in the socks. Also, even though socks with ducks and elephants are cute, sticking to a plain color can help extend the life of individual socks if one gets lost. In the summer a grey or white sock is less likely to irritate a sweaty baby's sensitive skin because they don?t contain dyes.
Think of ways that you would extend the life of your own clothes. T-shirts that come three to a pack can easily be downgraded to rags or dust cloths. Jeans and pants that have become worn or are too short can be cut and hemmed for summer shorts. Sweaters can become blankies. Things like first outfits and special occasion?s clothes can be put into a special chest to pass on to your child for when they have children of their own. For the most part, making baby clothes last, laundering aside, is about ingenuity and personality. Learn the basics of stitching and hemming and let the designer in you shine through!
About The Author
Kirsten Hawkins is a baby and parenting expert specializing new mothers and single parent issues. Visit http://www.babyhelp411.com/ for more information on how to raising healthy, happy children.
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The History of Knitting
The History of Knitting
by: Howard I Schwartz
Hand knitting has been practiced for thousands of years. Where and how this art was invented is still a mystery. Some people believe that knitting began when primitive man made webs out of roots. Others think that Arabian nomads carried the craft into Europe. Still others think that this art originated in Persia. Regardless of where the craft began knitting is the textile infant.
From the beginning the art of knitting was an occupation for women. The oldest remnants of seemingly knitted pieces are those worn as socks. It seems that socks and stockings were knitted because they had to be shaped to the foot or leg. Records seem to indicate that sweaters were first knit in the 17th century. At this time the purl stitch does not seem to have existed. The first time the purl stitch is mentioneddates from the mid 16th century.
The earliest example of true knitting is a pair of knitting socks found...
The History of Knitting
Socks > The History of Knitting
All About Plantar Warts
All About Plantar Warts
by: Michael Sanford
Some of us still believe with the old folk tale, that you will get some warts when you touched a toad. Don?t you know that when you take a public shower or simply when you just walk around bare footed will possibly increase the plantar warts in your feet? When your feet perspire and the moisture is trapped, the plantar warts spread out in the area of the foot, in which they increase in size and have their babies. These could be some of the possible reasons why some of us have plantar warts.
Well, some of us are not aware of these plantar warts. Plantar warts are just the common skin infection on the bottom side of our foot. Most teenagers have warts and these plantar warts are cause by the virus that usually enters the body through a break in the skin. The virus of the plantar warts often grows in warm, moist environments. It could be difficult for you to determine the plantar warts from the calluses,...
All About Plantar Warts
Socks > All About Plantar Warts
Essential Baby Clothes
Essential Baby Clothes
by: Stephanie Pearce
People love to buy baby gifts - especially the adorable baby outfits.
Beautiful outfits with cute buttons or bows are plentiful even in the smallest of sizes, but they are not very practical.
New parents need to know that they will be changing their new arrival countless times a day and that babies are very messy in general.
Following is a checklist of basic baby essentials that you will really need--so stock up on these!
Baby Clothing
* one-piece outfits (onesies) with snaps for easy changing
* one-piece footed pajamas (you generally want soft cotton, easy to change outfits)
* newborn socks
* little booties
* fleece outfits/sweaters or jackets for winter
* mittens
* newborn hats
* receiving blankets
* swaddling blankets
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Socks > Essential Baby Clothes
The Secret Source of Clear Content
The Secret Source of Clear Content
by: Susan Raab
You can do anything in four easy steps!
An outrageous claim, no? But I can prove it. Because you're doing it now.
Imagine your laundry basket. What are you going to wash today? Ah, socks. How will you wash them? In the machine. Now you do the wash and when the socks come out of the dryer, you wonder, "are they done?" Are they really clean and dry? Are they both there? Don't you have to match them and fold them and put them away? Because what you really want is socks that are ready to wear. And soon enough, they'll be back in your laundry basket again.
This is the circle of life: you decide what you want to do and how you want to do it; then you do it and check whether it's really done. The pattern's easy to see with a simple project, but when you're facing a complex project like writing a book, it's easy to get muddled.
To get where you're going, know where you are.
Many...
The Secret Source of Clear Content
Socks > The Secret Source of Clear Content
Tips For Travellers To The Tropics
Tips For Travellers To The Tropics
by: T. O' Donnell
I went on my first holiday to the tropics recently. I was afraid of catching a disease, so I did a bit of research, and took some precautions. Here are some tips I found useful.
1. Get your shots.
I spent a short time in areas relatively free of mosquito-borne disease. The key word is 'relatively'. A two week holiday in an urban area is probably alright. If you're staying for months, or in an area flagged as dangerous, get your shots well in advance. Don't leave it until the last minute, as by then it'll be too late! The drugs need some time to 'kick in', and your doctor may have to order them in advance.
2. Get an insect repellent.
I made one for mosquitoes by mixing citronella with olive oil. Citronella is an essential oil (an essence). I rubbed the mixture on all exposed areas morning and night, and after washing. Seemed to do the trick. I put too much oil in, I think,...
Tips For Travellers To The Tropics
Socks > Tips For Travellers To The Tropics
Women, War, and Dating
Women, War, and Dating
by: Ed Williams
I guess I should?ve figured something like this would happen one day. My son Will, who has just turned sixteen, is now dating, and was out on one this past Saturday night. I happened to be sitting in the den watching one of those high speed cop chase TV shows when he returned home from said date. He walked in, nodded, and then looked at me somewhat seriously and said,
?Dad, I need to ask you something. Tonight I took Candi to the movies, and I even let her pick out the movie. I bought our tickets and I even bought her some refreshments before we went into the theatre, even though I?ll be broke for the next two weeks. I did all that, and then when we sat down in our seats she looked over at me and asked if I liked her blouse? Dad, between us, it was this weird sort of orange looking deal, in fact, it looked just like someone had rubbed red clay all over it. I thought I?d at least be polite, so I told her...
Women, War, and Dating
Socks > Women, War, and Dating
Fathers Day is the 3rd Sunday in June
Fathers Day is the 3rd Sunday in June
by: Lucy Huffenstuff
Great gift ideas for Dad on Father's Day.
- Personalized crockery - plate, mug or bowl.
This is perfect when the children are young - Why not get the kids to put together a time capsule, with some photos of them with their dad, some other personal items and bury it in the garden
- There are gift experience companies, why not treat dad to drive a sports car or perhaps sky diving?
- Why not get some printable iron on transfers which you can print using your computer and home printer.
- How about baking a cake or some of his favorite biscuits?
- What about a photo album of a frame of photos of dad and the kids
- Name a star after the father - there are a number of online websites who offer this service
- Casting kits are great fun, get the kids to mould their feet or hands and paint them afterwards.
Although there...
Fathers Day is the 3rd Sunday in June
Socks > Fathers Day is the 3rd Sunday in June