15 Jan 2007 10:03 AM

New Uses for Old Baby Blankets

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

     

baby in blanket Well, it looks like everyone is mostly over the stomach flu. I'm spending the day catching up on all of the normal laundry that had to be pushed aside for all of the blankets, towels and clothes that needed immediate washing during the illness.

I'm also spending some of the day on those little things that need to be done, such as putting away the bassinet that Henry, now at six months old, is much to big to use. Under the bassinet, in its basket, I found a bunch of baby blankets. They are the small flannel type ones that you typically use to swaddle a newborn. Henry really doesn't need these anymore, so I started thinking of new uses for them. Here is what I came up with.

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I could sew the baby blankets together for a blanket or quilt. The nice rectangular shape would make this really easy to do, even for a inexperienced sewer such as myself.

I could give one or two blankets to Molly to use to tuck in her baby dolls.

I could cut the baby blankets down and use them for dust clothes. The flannel would probably be great for picking up dust and polishing.

I could make the baby blankets into cloth diapers.

I could use the baby blankets to wrap baby gifts. I think this is a sweet idea, especially with a matching fabric ribbon.

I could donate the baby blankets to a hospital. Sometimes people unknowingly think they should take all of the baby blankets supplied in the baby isolette at the hospital. Maybe donating some of the baby blankets would help. For the record, I did keep the first blanket and undershirt for each or my children, but I did ask the hospital first.

With a little stuffing and a little sewing, I could turn the baby blankets into Christmas ornaments. I could use cookie cutters as patterns for simple shapes and decorate them with a zig-zag stitch around the edges. This is my favorite idea, so far.

I could make the baby blankets into cloth baby wipes.

What do you think? Do you have any other ideas to reuse old baby blankets?

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

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Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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8 comments so far

Oonie (60) 19 Feb 2007 08:30 PM

I use the old flannel blankets in my diaper bags for on-the-go diaper changes. They cover the flip-down changing stations more completely than the little folding square that came with the bag, and then I can just wash and use again so it's not as wasteful as the disposable ones they sell. And with a 3 year old who refuses to potty train, they have stood me in good stead for a looong time with this! I like the quilt idea too, but we do t-shirt quilts and I think if I tried to quilt anything else my husband would have a fit.

Mary Ann Romans Online! (20824) 20 Feb 2007 04:48 AM

Oonie, that diaper change idea is a great one! I will have to remember that. I'd love to see one of your t-shirt quilts!

platinumblondemom (35) 17 May 2007 09:22 AM

I keep them around for major colds, stomache problems, etc. My youngest had reflux issues, and I would cover myself with a receiving blanket before feeding him, so I wouldn't have to change my clothes. Also, sew ribbon ties on one, then another blanket on the back, and you've got a bath apron or feeding cover-up. Tear them up and make a rug! :-) Sew two together with a pretty trim or fringe, and you've got a cute baby gift for a friend.

Mary Ann Romans Online! (20824) 17 May 2007 09:58 AM

Thanks for the great ideas! I especially like the coverup ideas. With three young children, I feel as if I am changing my clothes constantly.

missymarissa (5) 08 Nov 2007 09:41 AM

Hello, you have some stupendous ideas for dealing with old baby blankets. another thing you could do following the christmas ornamint idea, is you could trace them and make like pillows for the kids, or trace out a teddy or a doll even and make a new toy for one of them. sorry about the spelling.. haha thank you!

Mary Ann Romans Online! (20824) 08 Nov 2007 09:45 AM

Ooh I love the teddy bear and doll ideas! They are just in time for Christmas. Thanks so much!

missmcmac (15) 25 Mar 2008 07:10 PM

I saw this on a decorating show today. This lady was holding onto her prom dress, taking up a great deal of space in her closet, and for what? Like she would ever wear it again. They made a pillow out of the fabric, so she could keep it forever! I think this would be great, esp. with senitmental blankets. Then your child could continue to use them as they grow up, or you could embrodier and make it a keepsake!

Mary Ann Romans Online! (20824) 26 Mar 2008 04:17 AM

It is so hard to get rid of those little memories, especially on children's items. I still can't give up the bassinet my mother picked out for us, even though my babies are long out of it.

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