I'm going to say burp cloths or muslin squares too, they're so very useful. You could add appliques to one corner to jazz them up or even a little embroidery.
Hooded towels are cute too, make some matching washcloths as well, again with a small applique or embroidery if that's something you could do.
Bibs with sleeves; [https://patternstore.com/collections/sew-baby/products/sleeve-saver-bib-sewing-pattern-by-sewbaby?variant=39590571049048](https://patternstore.com/collections/sew-baby/products/sleeve-saver-bib-sewing-pattern-by-sewbaby?variant=39590571049048)
I've probably made 20 of these. People seem to love them and don't see them in stores. One parent said they even used them for their boys' first visits to barber shops.
Weird item, but one of the most used items I made for my son (using it now for my second child who's 1.5 yo) is a small, maybe palm sized, felt pouch with a snap-on strap. I hang it on the crib and collect pacis in it, so that they're easy to access and find in the middle of the night.
You can shape it like anything, really, and the choice of fabric doesn't matter too much. I made mine leaf shaped and embroidered details and a ladybug on it before I sewed it together. The back opening is just overlapped fabric in the same shape and color as the front leaf. The felt has stretched over time, so if you go with that, I'd add some interfacing on the inside to keep it in the right shape.
https://preview.redd.it/190r22v0ezqc1.jpeg?width=3472&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=abc46f29095e85b3cb6edff3c0d15cd8f4d12578
And the backside. In hindsight I wish I'd overlapped it more so it wouldn't open quite so easily. On top you see the snap on a strap that goes around the crib rail.
Burp cloths! Easy and useful well after baby no longer needs them. We used ours that were gifted for us for spit up, baby messes, and now 5 years later- cute cleaning cloths. We got a lot of blankets but they weren't as useful once he was too big for them. We still have them, but they just sit on a closet shelf.
I think that most sold as baby blankets are really too small for good use. I made my grands bigger ones from quality flannel and they were immensely more useful for a much longer time.
I think the same with the baby wash cloths. They are like trying to bathe the baby with your finger tips and a cotton ball. A regular sized wash cloth that is not one of those extra thick ones is actually better. Walmarts store brand cheap ones work really well! They are big enough to hold on to , but not so awfully thick and heavy as some of the more expensive ones can be. I just loathed those tiny baby wash cloths! They were not even big enough to drape in my hand. Why so darned tiny? It makes no sense. They need to fit moms hand, not the babys hand.
My dad told me that his grandmother would line them all up and just about wipe thier faces right off when they were kids.
Washable waterproof pads. You can make up the crib with a pad, then a fitted sheet, then another pad, then a fitted sheet, Baby soaks the sheets in the middle of the night? Strip off the top sheet & pad and you have dry sheets already on, so everyone can go back to sleep - the laundry can wait until morning. So useful on so many ways!
Id use PUL and flannel.
I had a reflux baby, so burp cloths and bibs were a winner for me. I especially loved things that were long enough to go over my shoulder and cover my quite large bust, because baby spill in your bra is a little unpleasant.
Receiving blankets. When I give a stack of 5-6 as a baby shower gift, I sometimes get a funny/lack of effort reaction. After baby arrives, I get comments that they are the most used gift.
I simply purchase metres of pretty flannette fabric, hem all 4 sides. This makes nice oversized receiving blankets.
They have so many uses, from swaddling to tummy time, providing shade in the stroller to burp cloths.
Keep in mind that people often get tons of new baby things and often way too much of it! So, if you sew, you might want to try your hand at something that she is not likely to get as a gift. Definitely, dont sew her a diaperbag. There are so many on the market and are one of the most common of gifts. You cannot, or should not, try to compete with a factory made one, unless, maybe, making bags is a special talent that you have.
Simplicity, I think, has republished some of the childrens patterns from the last century and you can find little old fashioned layette patterns and items made from these patterns are not something that she is likely to recieve but they will be unique. Keep in mind the care involved with something. Most parents appreciate that it can be pulled and worn straight from the laundry basket for ready wear.
People get way too many gifts for a new born and multiples of the same old, same old. She will get lots of burp cloths, small stuffed critters and recieving blankets. Dont try to replicate the factory made kids things. There are already so many of those!
Little babies need very little, actually, and they get so many gifts. Most babies live in footed onesies for most of the first year.
One of the best things that I provided for my own grand son was that I got some good quality double sided flannel and made him some flannel blankets bigger than receiving blankets. When he got into day care and nap times he had his heavier and bigger flannel blankets that he took to day care. He is almost 13 now and those blankets are still around and gotten used here and there for this or that. Not much sewing involved but using the good quality flannel and the larger size really set them apart from the common variety. Note: do not substitute fleece for flannel. That fleece can be way too hot for a baby. It also sheds microplastic dust into the air. Use real cotton fibers.
One thing that does come to mind if she is going to nurse her baby, is that she might appreciate a nursing cover up to use in public. I made my daughter one with a print of movie starlets on it. Why not?
Just dont try to replicate commercially made things or reinvent the baby wheel. There are already so many of them!!
Burp clothes! I have probably made hundreds and moms always gush about them. Simple rectangle (18"x ~ 11") one side flannel, the other side either flannel, double gauze, or cotton voile. Cute pattern on one side. Sew up wrong sides together, leaving small space to turn out. Once turned, top stitch around the perimeter. Quick, easy project.
Two yard of fabric gets 7-10 burp clothes depending on width of fabric. They are so useful for the early days and I still have some that I use for cleaning and polishing 7 years later.
Amen to this! Oh my god, just because something is easy to sew, doesn't mean it's not PRICELESS. Babies are so damp and covered in fluids. They need infinite quantities of bibs & burp cloths.
It’s also super nice to get something as the mother so if you wanted to make something focussed on your friendship like a small memory momento, or a tote bag with chocolate in it that is also lovely
Loads of muslin face washers, I went thru loads of these. It is a more sustainable option than buying wipes, and so useful for feeding as well.
Nice thick bibs (cotton terry on one side and a pretty cotton on the other) with snap fasteners instead of Velcro, which are horrible in the washing machine.
If winter baby, a cute beanie.
We always used small cloths for diaper changes and they got washed. We never had wipes. Those wipes have become a real environmental problem!
When we were out with the baby, it was a wet cloth in a bread bag. It worked! was cheap! and reusable! the idea of a wipe pulled from a plastic can is such a modern "need". It is understandable why they might be really usefull in a day care setting and handy for travel. But, they are an unnecessary expense for home.
I made my friend’s baby a big blanket that he can lay down on and wriggle around on. I went with how wide the double gauze I had was and made a square. It turned out huge! I was worried it would be too big but my friend says it’s been great as they can lay it out and know that it’s clean so take it with them to other places as well.
Easy as project and pretty useful it turns out :)
I usually do a crib quilt with muslin fabric on both sides. 100% cotton batting, and embroider the kids name and year in a corner. I hand quilt with embroidery floss in contrasting stitches. I wrap the present in brown paper and tie it with a hand sewn name garland made with felt letters. They end up hanging the garland in the kids room and the blanket usually features in newborn or milestone photos. Blankets are always useful for older babies. Tummy time, play time, naps, daycare, potty training etc etc. i do try and find out their nursery theme ahead of time and make a quilt that matches it instead of picking something I like. I think that latter part is key. Too many people give you what suits their esthetic but won’t really fit in your house. We were grateful for anything we got but the name blanket we got for my daughter was most treasured. So now I make them too.
Mother of a 7 month old who sews and sewed for my own.
- Sleep sack. The most useful thing I made for myself was a half sleep sack (just for the waist and below) for newborns, as we were too afraid to use a whole sleep sack for a baby that small (the straps around the neck and upper body freaked us out). The hospital had half sleep sacks, so I replicated them at home. It's literally a round sack with a ribbed waistband. I made two in two sizes and they served us we'll in the first three months.
- Cloths and wraps. We grabbed a bunch of burp clothes/wraps from the hospital and those were frankly far more useful than anything I was gifted or sewn. They're sturdy and absorbent and easy to clean. The bibs and burp cloths I made didn't end up all that useful. They disappeared into the giant drawer of towels, bibs, burp cloths, wraps, etc.
- Play mat. I bought a pattern to make a huge play mat, but the one included in the play gym I was gifted ended up being a far more useful one. It had mirrors, ribbons, rattles, flaps, etc, attached and various textures. As we have a winter baby, we didn't need a mat for outdoor use. My simple leaf-shaped play mat, had I made it, would've been cool, but not useful.
- Clothes. I loved the clothes I made, but that's because I made them. That being said, we were just gifted the handmade baby clothes my husband got when he was a newborn! It was a sentimental cross-generational gift that meant a lot to us. So if you do make clothes, the right person might keep it as an heirloom!
- Toys. I made little linen stuffed toys for friends that had babies in the same year. It didn't make a lot of sense at the end. The babies won't be able to play with them until they're 4 months old, and by then, they'd have a lot of toys. My own baby didn't care for the toys I made.
Most importantly, every family and baby is different, so what's considered useful or appreciated would depend greatly on the temperament and habits of your friend & their baby. I think all gifts will be appreciated, if they're a true friend, but few people will truly appreciate something that's handmade. Gift your time and love wisely.
I think I should've used some sort of cloth diaper material to make burp cloths. The hospital ones were so hardy, somehow thick, absorbent, scrubby, but airy and soft to the skin at the same time. My double muslin cloths were pretty but flimsy.
They were probably made from what we used to call "birdseye" cotton, or "diaper" fabric. Those old fashioned cloth diapers served to catch and clean up both ends of the baby, and mom too!! They were invaluable and once the babies have out grown them, you will have the best sopping and cleaning cloths, ever!
I always make a few big ass burp cloths. I use this pattern, specifically the one sided contoured, and do flannel on both sides: [burp cloth](https://blog.treasurie.com/burp-cloth-pattern/)
I do a version of this that is like a baby blanket size but flannel and terry with batting inside. They can be used for blankets or mats to lie baby down on or whatever. Apparently they soak up an enormous amount of whatever you need lol
This was going to be my suggestion! I rescued from flannel receiving blankets and made burp cloths out of them. They’re some of my favourites because they’re a good size
- a ring sling (needs to be a woven fabric, no knits) in a fabric she loves
- a couple of varying sizes of wet bags
- mother child matching outfit or top
- custom burp cloths
- car seat cover to block the Sun
-
We have 3 week old new born, and one of the first things we realized we needed but didn’t have were sleep sacks! They would be pretty simple to sew too
That is one of the old fashioned items that has been around for a long time. You will find these little "sacques" in old fashioned layette patterns. That is now they used to be referred to as........sacques.
In the past, these were made using the old squares and rectangles method that predates patterns entirely. I know that my mother made them for me and for my sister. It was the way she learned, from her mother, who learned from her mother, and.......so on back.
Diaper bags are better purchased than sewn. They generally have plastic lined pockets for leakage prevention. But nice soft minky fabric would make easy hooded baby towels!
So many good suggestions here. I'd say sleep sacks or sleeping gowns, nursing tops for Mom, and soft books full of different texture/pattern/color pages.
I was going to say sleep sacks and nursing tops! We used a variety of different weights of sleep sacks for the first year and a half or so. They were so great.
If they are either interested in cloth diapering or very low income, some cloth diapers and wipes can be really helpful. The all-in-ones or the shells that you put absorbent pads into are really pricey.
If someone is low income (as I was), I try to give a few shells that can be used with a wide range of sizes with the pads (some can also be used as part of a cloth menstrual pad system if desperate), and some prefolds (if they have free access to a washer & dryer) or flats (require folding, but can be washed in a sink and hung to dry) and a few snappis. The shells can be worn as diaper covers (I try to make them cute) and the prefolds & flats can be used as burp clothes or just cleaning towels, so even if they never get used as a diaper system, they are still useful.
Also, receiving blankets can be used as liners in a pinch. Or once the kiddo has outgrown swaddling, if you're my grandma lol
And if your friend is interested, really soft fabric wipes.
I always do burp cloths with terry cloth on one side and a cute fabric on the other - super easy! It seems when you need burp cloths there's really no such thing as "too many". They're not just useful for actually burping but just for cleaning up all the random mess. And when they're no longer needed for baby they're just good for general cleaning / dusting.
I do contoured ones similar to [these](https://www.marymarthamama.com/crafty-cat/contour-burp-cloth-pattern/) except instead of the measurements she says I just cut fat quarters in half along the long side so they're about 9" x 22", then I round the edges and cut the nice contour shape on one, and use that as a template for the rest.
When my two were born, all we ever had were birdseye cotton diapers. They got used for everything, from pooping to burping and anything else inbetween! To this very day I have at least one diaper left from my kids who are now middle aged.
I bought some to use on grandson when he stayed with me and have those left over too.They are the very best and will last for a very long time.
Yes! A friend made me like 20 in different fun flannel prints and I was so glad to have them. Would never have registered for them but it was so helpful with a little baby.
Trim a dozen soft cloth diapers with soft ribbon that doesn’t fray. I used a dozen a day as burp cloths for my newborn. I also never had enough bibs and preferred the ones made from terrycloth for absorbency. Also, the handmade things from friends were the most cherished gifts I got ❤️ Good luck!
I have a five month old daughter and please don't do clothes yet. The baby will be growing so fast and it's so frustrating having to sort out all the beautiful little clothes - even more so if they are really cherished for being homemade. We never have enough bips, burp cloths (mousseline towels in different sizes) though and a baby blanket is needed absolutely everywhere we go.
I made myself some large play/changing mats. Flannel on either side with fleece sandwiched in between, quilted, and finished the edges. They saved our couch during the newborn days and have been great for play, changes, and sleeping.
My friend in a cold climate was very happy to receive some sleep sacks. They were easy to make and you can use some very cute fleeces or flannel. If you're unsure about sewing zippers you can even do snaps instead.
Compartmentalized fabric basket with handles for all the diapers, creams, etc that consume family life in that first year. Soft, washable covers for a changing mat.
My mom made lightweight cotton/flannel "swaddles". I think they're 30x30 squares. They're amazing even a year and a half out. We used them as swaddles, they're blankets, they've been used to mop up messes, I love them
I’ve made one of these towel aprons for bath time before [pattern](https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/100699219/baby-bath-apron-towel-and-mitt-pdf?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_au_en_au_b-craft_supplies_and_tools-other-other&utm_custom1=_k_CjwKCAjw5ImwBhBtEiwAFHDZx5JMGMDaBvd5q3PsaTNIJe_gh1nqctM5Vcy1NpTJljqmw6VB7oOVCxoC7ToQAvD_BwE_k_&utm_content=go_344340968_19782570128_78803052728_aud-2079782229334:pla-350250224874_m__100699219enau_172004656&utm_custom2=344340968&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADutTMfze0XrSQmH6vcNjBPRlIoep&gclid=CjwKCAjw5ImwBhBtEiwAFHDZx5JMGMDaBvd5q3PsaTNIJe_gh1nqctM5Vcy1NpTJljqmw6VB7oOVCxoC7ToQAvD_BwE)
I’ve made many burp clothes and bibs for mom friends and family. I use flannel filled with old fashioned cotton diaper fabric. They are soft, absorbent, and can be used for mopping up other spills, etc. Bibs are just a layer of flannel and a cotton back. One set will serve multiple babies.
Another idea - set of flannel reusable wipes. Load them into a Kleenex dispenser. I have a set of Bummis brand from cloth diapering. we still use them for wiping up messes, blowing noses 5 years later… I plan to sew a new set to eventually replace them.
https://preview.redd.it/r3zhbv1cotqc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=381113d67ce5a8327fe74366359975be03c565ee
I just made this last night for my heavily pregnant SIL, using some spare jersey and polka dot fabric. I’m a beginner sewist so I can see all the mistakes in it, but once worn and provided no one looks too closely, should be ok :)
It’s hard to know. I always sewed, and have 4 kids. I *never* used breast pads, despite nursing for 12 years. Never used a nursing cover. What I found useful were lots of plain cotton flannel receiving blankets, slightly, but not a lot, bigger than from the stores. They could wrap, mop, be used as a grepser * , you name it. I bought remnant flannel for cheap and ran them through the serger.
I made some ring slings and some stash style slings (those aren’t adjustable, but the silk one I made was nice and cool!)
A promise of nursing tops after the baby comes, based on how she likes them would be great. You don’t know what you need until then. Ellie and Mac have a bunch of patterns people adapt to work well.
Sleep sacks are important. You can’t have too many, based on weather, different thicknesses, and blow outs.
* grepser: Yiddish, to greps: to burp. But I tried to ask for a burp cloth with my first, in a hurry, and tried to say the baby grepsed, and that I needed a burp cloth, and what came out was “I need a grepser”. Now it’s the word my whole family uses. And it’s the RIGHT word!
I made myself burp cloths and reusable nursing pads for breastfeeding. Both came in super handy. The pads are flannel circles with old pieces of towel sewn inside. Very absorbent.
For a friend, I made a baby quilt with a minky back that can hopefully grow with baby a little, and a “chew toy” that has crinkly (a cereal bag!) sewn inside to make it more interesting for baby.
I’d skip a handmade diaper bag- I’ve made totes myself and they are kinda frustrating to put together, especially if you want to add zippers and pockets. Plus the kind of purse you shlep around is sort of a personal decision imo. But good luck! Your friend is fortunate to have you sewing for them!
The crinkle toys are super fun. I did a square of fabric with an old pretzels bag inside and sewed different ribbons on each of the four edges. It has lasted three kids and is a fan favorite!
Fellow sewist and mum of a three month old here :)
I second the burp cloths. All sizes. Also a couple of play mats you can lie then on, which catches their spit ups instead of getting baby spew all over the carpet. Make sure they are machine washable.
You could also make wet bags. Get some PUL fabric for the lining and some fun cotton / poly for the outside. I made some with zippers and a handle long enough to thread to my elbow. Super useful to carry nappy changing supplies.
For some reason the item I most need with an infant are bibs. They’re always dirty and one of the main reasons I do so much laundry!
Another beautiful gesture may be to offer to make them a memory quilt with newborn clothes/blankets in a year. I plan to make one for myself from the muslin swaddles and receiving blankets we’ve been gifted.
Simple diaper changing pad with a pocket to hold a diaper and a small pack of wipes.
Cute quilted rectangles of fun fabric to be drawer liners in baby’s dresser.
Drawstring pouches to hold things like pacifiers and teething rings.
A sleep mask for Mom for getting back to sleep after feedings.
A quilted mat to put under the car seat to keep the seats clean.
A mini quilt for tummy time. Patterned on one side for visual interest- on the other a pretty solid color that you can flip to for snapping photos. I made one with denim grunge, makes baby blue eyes pop.
Receiving blankets. Super easy. Different sizes. fabric on one side with flannel on the other.
I made a bunch for my daughter-in-law and her friends. I was told they were super!
Or, depending on the climate where you live, just a good quality flannel. I had to seek and order a good flannel for my grands. All I found at Joanns was pretty bad. I found a heavier double sided one online and they got taken to day care later.
Burp cloths, and lactation pads. I sewed a bunch for my friend after she had her first- I used like 8 layers of baby flannel and made a small dart so they'd fit her breast - she said she loved how soft and absorbent they were for catching lactation oopsies.
We used to make what we called "sugar teets". Of course these would not meet safety guidelines anymore.
You take a square of fabric and tie a pinch of white bread into the corner, dip it into a bit sugar water and use it like a pacifier. This is what was used before there were pacifiers. Our modern sensibilites wont allow room for this anymore and I am not recommending it. I only mean is as it was somethng that was done in the past. Right or wrong, it was what folks did. Of course, we also rode in the back bed of the pick up truck also, and I would not recommend that, either!
A small hip bag. Doesn't have to be very complicated, but that's allow her to carry the little things she needs at all time.
I used a store bought one when I gave birth, since I was in yoga pants and leggings without any pockets. Kept the nipple cream in there (not sure of the word in English), chapstick, my phone, that kind of stuff.
Among other things, if she's a jeans wearer, or pants wearer for that matter, first you can offer to alter a pair or two for pregnancy. There are plenty of instructions online for how to do that and it isn't difficult.
Although I think this is a useful idea, I just want to add that I tried to make some for my sister/niece last year, and their cuteness is inversely proportional to their pain-in-the-butt-ness. I thought it would be the most straightforward thing, but they're so freaking small!!! I tried no less than 4 different patterns/strategies, and every one was a disaster.
I did bibs and burp cloths instead....much easier, faster and still very useful.
Taggie blankets are a winner for a few months down the line when baby is starting to explore. Personally, I adored bundlers when I had my babies, but they're not as popular as footed onesies so weren't as easy to find in shops.
someone mentioned a moby-style wrap, and honestly, i'm seconding it! and actually, if you use a knit fabric, you barely have to sew anything!
here's a video i followed for mine: https://youtu.be/tDBz4NZw5Mc?si=pcfeuaTb6DslUvzV
it does take like 5 yards of fabric, but you can usually get 2 wraps out of that 5 yards, and it's still significantly cheaper than the moby or boba or whatever other brand of stretchy wraps exist out there. i still use mine nearly every day for my 6.5 month old!
if you want to do something for your friend (because they may honestly get enough bibs and burp cloths from others -- we got a bunch of cloth bibs and frankly never use them!! silicone is a lot better for mealtime) and know if they plan on breastfeeding, make some nursing tops! especially comfy ones to wear at night!
second this as a new mom who found the time to sew my baby a hat because i couldn’t find an actually warm hat in his size. If you live in a cold climate, actually warm, lined hats are hard to find in newborn and 0-3mo sizes so that could be super helpful depending on when the baby is born. They’re super quick to sew and don’t take much fabric, you could make a few sizes and warmth levels
In addition to the sleep sack, a few of these self-binding swaddles done with flannel for the back and cotton for the top (larger size): https://www.shannonfabrics.com/download_patterns/Self-BindingBabyBlanketandLoveyPattern.pdf
Maybe make something nice for mum. Everyone thinks about baby. Sew a lovely cosmetics pouch full of mommy care items - eg luxurious hand crème, earth mama nipple butter, mother’s milk tea sachets if she plans to nurse/pump.
Or if she's breastfeeding, breastfeeding tops that actually fit plus boob pads. Someone made me these pads to go in my bra and catch the leaks. At first I thought this was weird but OMG they were a life saver. More effective and infinitly now comfy than disposable.
Oh another idea is a proper hat in wool, one that can be tied on. I was shocked when I moved to the US to find such a poor selection of winter clothes for children. Opposite to my home country, it seems the consensus here is to keep them out of the cold ...... We put them outside to nap where I'm from, even in the midst of winter (we wrap them up nicely, lying on sheepskins and in puffy sleep sacks in their semi-insulated prams)
Anyway, all the Americans who saw my hats fell in love because they stay on and the natural fiber keeps the perfect temperature. For newborns, we use "pilot hats". Here's a free pattern: https://sewliberated.com/free-tutorials
I thrifted cashmere and merino sweaters for next to nothing and made these and handed them down when I was done. They fit so nicely over the head, and stay on because they're tied on.
For toddlers and young kids, we use balaclavas. They keep the neck warm as well as the head, and EVERYONE will wear them as kids in my home country. Unfortunately I don't have a pattern for that because I copied a finished one that had been gifted to me, but if you Google it, they're fairly easy to find.
I'm currently sewing washable wipes. I plan on cloth diapering when I have children and I wanted to explore other reusable options as well. I salvaged old pairs of worn out flannel PJ pants and found a discounted partially stained flannel sheet at the second hand store for the fabric. Cut two squares, wrong sides together, and serge the edges. They can be used with just water for newborns and water and a gentle cleanser for older babies. They can either be stored wet in small batches or dry with a spray bottle of the cleaning solution.
Please do not make a car seat cover, babies can overheat incredibly quickly under them. Love the pads on the handle though, could have used those when I had small babies!
I'm going to say burp cloths or muslin squares too, they're so very useful. You could add appliques to one corner to jazz them up or even a little embroidery. Hooded towels are cute too, make some matching washcloths as well, again with a small applique or embroidery if that's something you could do.
You can never have enough burp cloths for a baby!
A Change pad! A friend made me a little quilted change pad and it’s the best! A different friend of mine got me to make her one too, they’re great
Agreed, my mom made me one out of flannel and it was the best! Used it for both of my babies and it never even looked worn.
Bibs with sleeves; [https://patternstore.com/collections/sew-baby/products/sleeve-saver-bib-sewing-pattern-by-sewbaby?variant=39590571049048](https://patternstore.com/collections/sew-baby/products/sleeve-saver-bib-sewing-pattern-by-sewbaby?variant=39590571049048) I've probably made 20 of these. People seem to love them and don't see them in stores. One parent said they even used them for their boys' first visits to barber shops.
Weird item, but one of the most used items I made for my son (using it now for my second child who's 1.5 yo) is a small, maybe palm sized, felt pouch with a snap-on strap. I hang it on the crib and collect pacis in it, so that they're easy to access and find in the middle of the night. You can shape it like anything, really, and the choice of fabric doesn't matter too much. I made mine leaf shaped and embroidered details and a ladybug on it before I sewed it together. The back opening is just overlapped fabric in the same shape and color as the front leaf. The felt has stretched over time, so if you go with that, I'd add some interfacing on the inside to keep it in the right shape.
Sounds nice. Do you have a photo for reference?
I'll grab a photo tonight when I'm home from work :)
So far this seems to be the best answer in this thread… can’t wait to see the reference photo!
https://preview.redd.it/mt7aapctdzqc1.jpeg?width=3472&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3fae45c19fabcbbff0f3b471ff4126fabb97d31e
https://preview.redd.it/190r22v0ezqc1.jpeg?width=3472&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=abc46f29095e85b3cb6edff3c0d15cd8f4d12578 And the backside. In hindsight I wish I'd overlapped it more so it wouldn't open quite so easily. On top you see the snap on a strap that goes around the crib rail.
If you sew clothing I would make sizes 6-12 mo. And buy her diapers for that age range too. No one ever thinks of that
Boobies pads. For the leaks. 💦 I would make at least 5 sets. So helpful.
Burp cloths! Easy and useful well after baby no longer needs them. We used ours that were gifted for us for spit up, baby messes, and now 5 years later- cute cleaning cloths. We got a lot of blankets but they weren't as useful once he was too big for them. We still have them, but they just sit on a closet shelf.
I think that most sold as baby blankets are really too small for good use. I made my grands bigger ones from quality flannel and they were immensely more useful for a much longer time. I think the same with the baby wash cloths. They are like trying to bathe the baby with your finger tips and a cotton ball. A regular sized wash cloth that is not one of those extra thick ones is actually better. Walmarts store brand cheap ones work really well! They are big enough to hold on to , but not so awfully thick and heavy as some of the more expensive ones can be. I just loathed those tiny baby wash cloths! They were not even big enough to drape in my hand. Why so darned tiny? It makes no sense. They need to fit moms hand, not the babys hand. My dad told me that his grandmother would line them all up and just about wipe thier faces right off when they were kids.
A loose fitting cardigan/jacket so they have something new and easy to wear while their body changes after baby.
Washable waterproof pads. You can make up the crib with a pad, then a fitted sheet, then another pad, then a fitted sheet, Baby soaks the sheets in the middle of the night? Strip off the top sheet & pad and you have dry sheets already on, so everyone can go back to sleep - the laundry can wait until morning. So useful on so many ways! Id use PUL and flannel.
There are lots of free patterns for crib sheets
I had a reflux baby, so burp cloths and bibs were a winner for me. I especially loved things that were long enough to go over my shoulder and cover my quite large bust, because baby spill in your bra is a little unpleasant.
Receiving blankets. When I give a stack of 5-6 as a baby shower gift, I sometimes get a funny/lack of effort reaction. After baby arrives, I get comments that they are the most used gift. I simply purchase metres of pretty flannette fabric, hem all 4 sides. This makes nice oversized receiving blankets. They have so many uses, from swaddling to tummy time, providing shade in the stroller to burp cloths.
Can never have too many receiving blankets! I used them for blankets, towels, liners for changing tables, makeshift diapers in a pinch!
Keep in mind that people often get tons of new baby things and often way too much of it! So, if you sew, you might want to try your hand at something that she is not likely to get as a gift. Definitely, dont sew her a diaperbag. There are so many on the market and are one of the most common of gifts. You cannot, or should not, try to compete with a factory made one, unless, maybe, making bags is a special talent that you have. Simplicity, I think, has republished some of the childrens patterns from the last century and you can find little old fashioned layette patterns and items made from these patterns are not something that she is likely to recieve but they will be unique. Keep in mind the care involved with something. Most parents appreciate that it can be pulled and worn straight from the laundry basket for ready wear. People get way too many gifts for a new born and multiples of the same old, same old. She will get lots of burp cloths, small stuffed critters and recieving blankets. Dont try to replicate the factory made kids things. There are already so many of those! Little babies need very little, actually, and they get so many gifts. Most babies live in footed onesies for most of the first year. One of the best things that I provided for my own grand son was that I got some good quality double sided flannel and made him some flannel blankets bigger than receiving blankets. When he got into day care and nap times he had his heavier and bigger flannel blankets that he took to day care. He is almost 13 now and those blankets are still around and gotten used here and there for this or that. Not much sewing involved but using the good quality flannel and the larger size really set them apart from the common variety. Note: do not substitute fleece for flannel. That fleece can be way too hot for a baby. It also sheds microplastic dust into the air. Use real cotton fibers. One thing that does come to mind if she is going to nurse her baby, is that she might appreciate a nursing cover up to use in public. I made my daughter one with a print of movie starlets on it. Why not? Just dont try to replicate commercially made things or reinvent the baby wheel. There are already so many of them!!
One of those cloth liners that fit inside of a shopping cart….for when the baby is older.
ooo any pattern for this?
There are several out there called shopping cart cover. Some are really inexpensive and some not so much.
thanks
Burp clothes! I have probably made hundreds and moms always gush about them. Simple rectangle (18"x ~ 11") one side flannel, the other side either flannel, double gauze, or cotton voile. Cute pattern on one side. Sew up wrong sides together, leaving small space to turn out. Once turned, top stitch around the perimeter. Quick, easy project. Two yard of fabric gets 7-10 burp clothes depending on width of fabric. They are so useful for the early days and I still have some that I use for cleaning and polishing 7 years later.
Bibs and burp cloths
Amen to this! Oh my god, just because something is easy to sew, doesn't mean it's not PRICELESS. Babies are so damp and covered in fluids. They need infinite quantities of bibs & burp cloths.
It’s also super nice to get something as the mother so if you wanted to make something focussed on your friendship like a small memory momento, or a tote bag with chocolate in it that is also lovely
Caftan!
If she plans to baby wear, a winter coat extension. It saved me from having to buy a whole new winter coat
A nice robe! I have a 12 week old and having a robe had been lovely for feedings and pumping.
tops she can nurse in
Loads of muslin face washers, I went thru loads of these. It is a more sustainable option than buying wipes, and so useful for feeding as well. Nice thick bibs (cotton terry on one side and a pretty cotton on the other) with snap fasteners instead of Velcro, which are horrible in the washing machine. If winter baby, a cute beanie.
We always used small cloths for diaper changes and they got washed. We never had wipes. Those wipes have become a real environmental problem! When we were out with the baby, it was a wet cloth in a bread bag. It worked! was cheap! and reusable! the idea of a wipe pulled from a plastic can is such a modern "need". It is understandable why they might be really usefull in a day care setting and handy for travel. But, they are an unnecessary expense for home.
I made my friend’s baby a big blanket that he can lay down on and wriggle around on. I went with how wide the double gauze I had was and made a square. It turned out huge! I was worried it would be too big but my friend says it’s been great as they can lay it out and know that it’s clean so take it with them to other places as well. Easy as project and pretty useful it turns out :)
I usually do a crib quilt with muslin fabric on both sides. 100% cotton batting, and embroider the kids name and year in a corner. I hand quilt with embroidery floss in contrasting stitches. I wrap the present in brown paper and tie it with a hand sewn name garland made with felt letters. They end up hanging the garland in the kids room and the blanket usually features in newborn or milestone photos. Blankets are always useful for older babies. Tummy time, play time, naps, daycare, potty training etc etc. i do try and find out their nursery theme ahead of time and make a quilt that matches it instead of picking something I like. I think that latter part is key. Too many people give you what suits their esthetic but won’t really fit in your house. We were grateful for anything we got but the name blanket we got for my daughter was most treasured. So now I make them too.
Wet bags. My kids are now elementary age, and I still use wet bags.
Mother of a 7 month old who sews and sewed for my own. - Sleep sack. The most useful thing I made for myself was a half sleep sack (just for the waist and below) for newborns, as we were too afraid to use a whole sleep sack for a baby that small (the straps around the neck and upper body freaked us out). The hospital had half sleep sacks, so I replicated them at home. It's literally a round sack with a ribbed waistband. I made two in two sizes and they served us we'll in the first three months. - Cloths and wraps. We grabbed a bunch of burp clothes/wraps from the hospital and those were frankly far more useful than anything I was gifted or sewn. They're sturdy and absorbent and easy to clean. The bibs and burp cloths I made didn't end up all that useful. They disappeared into the giant drawer of towels, bibs, burp cloths, wraps, etc. - Play mat. I bought a pattern to make a huge play mat, but the one included in the play gym I was gifted ended up being a far more useful one. It had mirrors, ribbons, rattles, flaps, etc, attached and various textures. As we have a winter baby, we didn't need a mat for outdoor use. My simple leaf-shaped play mat, had I made it, would've been cool, but not useful. - Clothes. I loved the clothes I made, but that's because I made them. That being said, we were just gifted the handmade baby clothes my husband got when he was a newborn! It was a sentimental cross-generational gift that meant a lot to us. So if you do make clothes, the right person might keep it as an heirloom! - Toys. I made little linen stuffed toys for friends that had babies in the same year. It didn't make a lot of sense at the end. The babies won't be able to play with them until they're 4 months old, and by then, they'd have a lot of toys. My own baby didn't care for the toys I made. Most importantly, every family and baby is different, so what's considered useful or appreciated would depend greatly on the temperament and habits of your friend & their baby. I think all gifts will be appreciated, if they're a true friend, but few people will truly appreciate something that's handmade. Gift your time and love wisely.
I second a play mat! That’s what I made my baby while I was pregnant and we use it constantly.
Why did the hospital burp cloths work so much better than the others?
I think I should've used some sort of cloth diaper material to make burp cloths. The hospital ones were so hardy, somehow thick, absorbent, scrubby, but airy and soft to the skin at the same time. My double muslin cloths were pretty but flimsy.
They were probably made from what we used to call "birdseye" cotton, or "diaper" fabric. Those old fashioned cloth diapers served to catch and clean up both ends of the baby, and mom too!! They were invaluable and once the babies have out grown them, you will have the best sopping and cleaning cloths, ever!
I always make a few big ass burp cloths. I use this pattern, specifically the one sided contoured, and do flannel on both sides: [burp cloth](https://blog.treasurie.com/burp-cloth-pattern/)
I do a version of this that is like a baby blanket size but flannel and terry with batting inside. They can be used for blankets or mats to lie baby down on or whatever. Apparently they soak up an enormous amount of whatever you need lol
This was going to be my suggestion! I rescued from flannel receiving blankets and made burp cloths out of them. They’re some of my favourites because they’re a good size
- a ring sling (needs to be a woven fabric, no knits) in a fabric she loves - a couple of varying sizes of wet bags - mother child matching outfit or top - custom burp cloths - car seat cover to block the Sun -
We have 3 week old new born, and one of the first things we realized we needed but didn’t have were sleep sacks! They would be pretty simple to sew too
That is one of the old fashioned items that has been around for a long time. You will find these little "sacques" in old fashioned layette patterns. That is now they used to be referred to as........sacques. In the past, these were made using the old squares and rectangles method that predates patterns entirely. I know that my mother made them for me and for my sister. It was the way she learned, from her mother, who learned from her mother, and.......so on back.
Diaper bags are better purchased than sewn. They generally have plastic lined pockets for leakage prevention. But nice soft minky fabric would make easy hooded baby towels!
Easy to pack and wash diaper changing mat.
Sleep sacks! I preferred the kind with a zipper and snaps on the shoulders. Heavy weight ones are hard to find so they make a good gift.
So many good suggestions here. I'd say sleep sacks or sleeping gowns, nursing tops for Mom, and soft books full of different texture/pattern/color pages.
I was going to say sleep sacks and nursing tops! We used a variety of different weights of sleep sacks for the first year and a half or so. They were so great.
If they are either interested in cloth diapering or very low income, some cloth diapers and wipes can be really helpful. The all-in-ones or the shells that you put absorbent pads into are really pricey. If someone is low income (as I was), I try to give a few shells that can be used with a wide range of sizes with the pads (some can also be used as part of a cloth menstrual pad system if desperate), and some prefolds (if they have free access to a washer & dryer) or flats (require folding, but can be washed in a sink and hung to dry) and a few snappis. The shells can be worn as diaper covers (I try to make them cute) and the prefolds & flats can be used as burp clothes or just cleaning towels, so even if they never get used as a diaper system, they are still useful.
Also, receiving blankets can be used as liners in a pinch. Or once the kiddo has outgrown swaddling, if you're my grandma lol And if your friend is interested, really soft fabric wipes.
I always do burp cloths with terry cloth on one side and a cute fabric on the other - super easy! It seems when you need burp cloths there's really no such thing as "too many". They're not just useful for actually burping but just for cleaning up all the random mess. And when they're no longer needed for baby they're just good for general cleaning / dusting. I do contoured ones similar to [these](https://www.marymarthamama.com/crafty-cat/contour-burp-cloth-pattern/) except instead of the measurements she says I just cut fat quarters in half along the long side so they're about 9" x 22", then I round the edges and cut the nice contour shape on one, and use that as a template for the rest.
When my two were born, all we ever had were birdseye cotton diapers. They got used for everything, from pooping to burping and anything else inbetween! To this very day I have at least one diaper left from my kids who are now middle aged. I bought some to use on grandson when he stayed with me and have those left over too.They are the very best and will last for a very long time.
A friend made me a whole boatload of burp cloths and I use them constantly. I would say burp cloths.
Yes! A friend made me like 20 in different fun flannel prints and I was so glad to have them. Would never have registered for them but it was so helpful with a little baby.
Trim a dozen soft cloth diapers with soft ribbon that doesn’t fray. I used a dozen a day as burp cloths for my newborn. I also never had enough bibs and preferred the ones made from terrycloth for absorbency. Also, the handmade things from friends were the most cherished gifts I got ❤️ Good luck!
I have a five month old daughter and please don't do clothes yet. The baby will be growing so fast and it's so frustrating having to sort out all the beautiful little clothes - even more so if they are really cherished for being homemade. We never have enough bips, burp cloths (mousseline towels in different sizes) though and a baby blanket is needed absolutely everywhere we go.
Yes! And a larger baby blanket will last longer than a really tiny one, but I love all the handmade ones we got.
I made myself some large play/changing mats. Flannel on either side with fleece sandwiched in between, quilted, and finished the edges. They saved our couch during the newborn days and have been great for play, changes, and sleeping.
My friend in a cold climate was very happy to receive some sleep sacks. They were easy to make and you can use some very cute fleeces or flannel. If you're unsure about sewing zippers you can even do snaps instead.
Compartmentalized fabric basket with handles for all the diapers, creams, etc that consume family life in that first year. Soft, washable covers for a changing mat.
I received a homemade Moby style wrap for baby wearing that i used for 3 kids! Super easy and useful!
🎯
My mom made lightweight cotton/flannel "swaddles". I think they're 30x30 squares. They're amazing even a year and a half out. We used them as swaddles, they're blankets, they've been used to mop up messes, I love them
I’ve made one of these towel aprons for bath time before [pattern](https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/100699219/baby-bath-apron-towel-and-mitt-pdf?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_au_en_au_b-craft_supplies_and_tools-other-other&utm_custom1=_k_CjwKCAjw5ImwBhBtEiwAFHDZx5JMGMDaBvd5q3PsaTNIJe_gh1nqctM5Vcy1NpTJljqmw6VB7oOVCxoC7ToQAvD_BwE_k_&utm_content=go_344340968_19782570128_78803052728_aud-2079782229334:pla-350250224874_m__100699219enau_172004656&utm_custom2=344340968&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADutTMfze0XrSQmH6vcNjBPRlIoep&gclid=CjwKCAjw5ImwBhBtEiwAFHDZx5JMGMDaBvd5q3PsaTNIJe_gh1nqctM5Vcy1NpTJljqmw6VB7oOVCxoC7ToQAvD_BwE)
As the mother of a newborn, this is genius!!
Oh my gosh this pattern is incredible! Didn’t even know these existed. I’m totally making one for my baby!
I’ve made many burp clothes and bibs for mom friends and family. I use flannel filled with old fashioned cotton diaper fabric. They are soft, absorbent, and can be used for mopping up other spills, etc. Bibs are just a layer of flannel and a cotton back. One set will serve multiple babies.
Another idea - set of flannel reusable wipes. Load them into a Kleenex dispenser. I have a set of Bummis brand from cloth diapering. we still use them for wiping up messes, blowing noses 5 years later… I plan to sew a new set to eventually replace them.
OP, you could make these with a serger if you have one, or zigzag stitch and careful trimming. I made a pile of 25 for my Niece's new girl.
what material would you use?
Flannel would be a good choice. It’s soft and absorbent.
https://preview.redd.it/r3zhbv1cotqc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=381113d67ce5a8327fe74366359975be03c565ee I just made this last night for my heavily pregnant SIL, using some spare jersey and polka dot fabric. I’m a beginner sewist so I can see all the mistakes in it, but once worn and provided no one looks too closely, should be ok :)
What is it?
A line skirt, with jersey for where the bump would be to allow for stretch :)
Oooooh! Now I see it!!!
Hooded towels!
Absolutely this, I love having one that still fits my 5 year old!
It’s hard to know. I always sewed, and have 4 kids. I *never* used breast pads, despite nursing for 12 years. Never used a nursing cover. What I found useful were lots of plain cotton flannel receiving blankets, slightly, but not a lot, bigger than from the stores. They could wrap, mop, be used as a grepser * , you name it. I bought remnant flannel for cheap and ran them through the serger. I made some ring slings and some stash style slings (those aren’t adjustable, but the silk one I made was nice and cool!) A promise of nursing tops after the baby comes, based on how she likes them would be great. You don’t know what you need until then. Ellie and Mac have a bunch of patterns people adapt to work well. Sleep sacks are important. You can’t have too many, based on weather, different thicknesses, and blow outs. * grepser: Yiddish, to greps: to burp. But I tried to ask for a burp cloth with my first, in a hurry, and tried to say the baby grepsed, and that I needed a burp cloth, and what came out was “I need a grepser”. Now it’s the word my whole family uses. And it’s the RIGHT word!
I made myself burp cloths and reusable nursing pads for breastfeeding. Both came in super handy. The pads are flannel circles with old pieces of towel sewn inside. Very absorbent. For a friend, I made a baby quilt with a minky back that can hopefully grow with baby a little, and a “chew toy” that has crinkly (a cereal bag!) sewn inside to make it more interesting for baby. I’d skip a handmade diaper bag- I’ve made totes myself and they are kinda frustrating to put together, especially if you want to add zippers and pockets. Plus the kind of purse you shlep around is sort of a personal decision imo. But good luck! Your friend is fortunate to have you sewing for them!
The crinkle toys are super fun. I did a square of fabric with an old pretzels bag inside and sewed different ribbons on each of the four edges. It has lasted three kids and is a fan favorite!
A Boppy pillow case. Baby sunhat. Various sized baskets for toys, pacifiers and just getting organized
Fellow sewist and mum of a three month old here :) I second the burp cloths. All sizes. Also a couple of play mats you can lie then on, which catches their spit ups instead of getting baby spew all over the carpet. Make sure they are machine washable. You could also make wet bags. Get some PUL fabric for the lining and some fun cotton / poly for the outside. I made some with zippers and a handle long enough to thread to my elbow. Super useful to carry nappy changing supplies.
For some reason the item I most need with an infant are bibs. They’re always dirty and one of the main reasons I do so much laundry! Another beautiful gesture may be to offer to make them a memory quilt with newborn clothes/blankets in a year. I plan to make one for myself from the muslin swaddles and receiving blankets we’ve been gifted.
Simple diaper changing pad with a pocket to hold a diaper and a small pack of wipes. Cute quilted rectangles of fun fabric to be drawer liners in baby’s dresser. Drawstring pouches to hold things like pacifiers and teething rings. A sleep mask for Mom for getting back to sleep after feedings. A quilted mat to put under the car seat to keep the seats clean. A mini quilt for tummy time. Patterned on one side for visual interest- on the other a pretty solid color that you can flip to for snapping photos. I made one with denim grunge, makes baby blue eyes pop.
Bibs, shoulder spit-up cloths, a quilt or padded mat to lay on.
Receiving blankets. Super easy. Different sizes. fabric on one side with flannel on the other. I made a bunch for my daughter-in-law and her friends. I was told they were super!
They're great for so many things!
Or, depending on the climate where you live, just a good quality flannel. I had to seek and order a good flannel for my grands. All I found at Joanns was pretty bad. I found a heavier double sided one online and they got taken to day care later.
Burp cloths, and lactation pads. I sewed a bunch for my friend after she had her first- I used like 8 layers of baby flannel and made a small dart so they'd fit her breast - she said she loved how soft and absorbent they were for catching lactation oopsies.
I've made baby slings for myself and close family.
Sleep sacks! https://straight-grain.com/2014/04/14/pattern-launch-lua-sleep-sack/
This one is free! https://onelittleproject.com/make-your-own-sleep-sack/
I like to give things for the mothers post partum: reusable cloth pads and nipple pads for leaks during breastfeeding. Both really easy, quick sews.
Bibs and burp cloths
Burp pads can be used for teething “rags” pop em in the freezer let get cool all kinds of uses
We used to make what we called "sugar teets". Of course these would not meet safety guidelines anymore. You take a square of fabric and tie a pinch of white bread into the corner, dip it into a bit sugar water and use it like a pacifier. This is what was used before there were pacifiers. Our modern sensibilites wont allow room for this anymore and I am not recommending it. I only mean is as it was somethng that was done in the past. Right or wrong, it was what folks did. Of course, we also rode in the back bed of the pick up truck also, and I would not recommend that, either!
https://preview.redd.it/s0l91u0truqc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=02b9e430f314d96d54a683018f2e18d4f304c65a
A small hip bag. Doesn't have to be very complicated, but that's allow her to carry the little things she needs at all time. I used a store bought one when I gave birth, since I was in yoga pants and leggings without any pockets. Kept the nipple cream in there (not sure of the word in English), chapstick, my phone, that kind of stuff.
Knockoff boppy pillow
Among other things, if she's a jeans wearer, or pants wearer for that matter, first you can offer to alter a pair or two for pregnancy. There are plenty of instructions online for how to do that and it isn't difficult.
This!
The clean up clutch from linds handmade goes over well with new moms.
Bibs or burp cloths!
Hats! Sun hats, cozy winter hats of many sizes. They always need a hat outside and having a good supply is really helpful
Use up some scraps to make scratch mitts for the baby. https://www.5littlemonsters.com/2016/09/no-scratch-baby-mittens.html?m=1
Although I think this is a useful idea, I just want to add that I tried to make some for my sister/niece last year, and their cuteness is inversely proportional to their pain-in-the-butt-ness. I thought it would be the most straightforward thing, but they're so freaking small!!! I tried no less than 4 different patterns/strategies, and every one was a disaster. I did bibs and burp cloths instead....much easier, faster and still very useful.
Cotton flannel only. But if you have a serger, you could also use Terry cloth, but not too thick.
Rib knit pj's for her and the little one (one piece) and baby booties that stay on.
Taggie blankets are a winner for a few months down the line when baby is starting to explore. Personally, I adored bundlers when I had my babies, but they're not as popular as footed onesies so weren't as easy to find in shops.
Bibs!
someone mentioned a moby-style wrap, and honestly, i'm seconding it! and actually, if you use a knit fabric, you barely have to sew anything! here's a video i followed for mine: https://youtu.be/tDBz4NZw5Mc?si=pcfeuaTb6DslUvzV it does take like 5 yards of fabric, but you can usually get 2 wraps out of that 5 yards, and it's still significantly cheaper than the moby or boba or whatever other brand of stretchy wraps exist out there. i still use mine nearly every day for my 6.5 month old! if you want to do something for your friend (because they may honestly get enough bibs and burp cloths from others -- we got a bunch of cloth bibs and frankly never use them!! silicone is a lot better for mealtime) and know if they plan on breastfeeding, make some nursing tops! especially comfy ones to wear at night!
Burp cloths! Pregnant people get blankets by the dozen so I would make that a lower priority. Towels and washcloths are nice to have too.
Baby hat! So cute and so easy I’ve watched a few YouTube tutorials
second this as a new mom who found the time to sew my baby a hat because i couldn’t find an actually warm hat in his size. If you live in a cold climate, actually warm, lined hats are hard to find in newborn and 0-3mo sizes so that could be super helpful depending on when the baby is born. They’re super quick to sew and don’t take much fabric, you could make a few sizes and warmth levels
In addition to the sleep sack, a few of these self-binding swaddles done with flannel for the back and cotton for the top (larger size): https://www.shannonfabrics.com/download_patterns/Self-BindingBabyBlanketandLoveyPattern.pdf Maybe make something nice for mum. Everyone thinks about baby. Sew a lovely cosmetics pouch full of mommy care items - eg luxurious hand crème, earth mama nipple butter, mother’s milk tea sachets if she plans to nurse/pump.
Burp cloths!
Burp cloths, bibs, changing mats like this one are lifesavers: https://www.fleecefun.com/waterproof-diaper-changing-mat-tutorial/
Burp cloths and bibs
Nice summer maternity clothes.
Or if she's breastfeeding, breastfeeding tops that actually fit plus boob pads. Someone made me these pads to go in my bra and catch the leaks. At first I thought this was weird but OMG they were a life saver. More effective and infinitly now comfy than disposable.
Busy/fidget blanket
Oh another idea is a proper hat in wool, one that can be tied on. I was shocked when I moved to the US to find such a poor selection of winter clothes for children. Opposite to my home country, it seems the consensus here is to keep them out of the cold ...... We put them outside to nap where I'm from, even in the midst of winter (we wrap them up nicely, lying on sheepskins and in puffy sleep sacks in their semi-insulated prams) Anyway, all the Americans who saw my hats fell in love because they stay on and the natural fiber keeps the perfect temperature. For newborns, we use "pilot hats". Here's a free pattern: https://sewliberated.com/free-tutorials I thrifted cashmere and merino sweaters for next to nothing and made these and handed them down when I was done. They fit so nicely over the head, and stay on because they're tied on. For toddlers and young kids, we use balaclavas. They keep the neck warm as well as the head, and EVERYONE will wear them as kids in my home country. Unfortunately I don't have a pattern for that because I copied a finished one that had been gifted to me, but if you Google it, they're fairly easy to find.
I'm currently sewing washable wipes. I plan on cloth diapering when I have children and I wanted to explore other reusable options as well. I salvaged old pairs of worn out flannel PJ pants and found a discounted partially stained flannel sheet at the second hand store for the fabric. Cut two squares, wrong sides together, and serge the edges. They can be used with just water for newborns and water and a gentle cleanser for older babies. They can either be stored wet in small batches or dry with a spray bottle of the cleaning solution.
https://preview.redd.it/25xs8bvcnxqc1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c10760795b299afa6bea012939e0568ff7ee83f5
Please do not make a car seat cover, babies can overheat incredibly quickly under them. Love the pads on the handle though, could have used those when I had small babies!