40 Handmade Gifts for Baby & Mom: All Free Patterns
Find your inspiration for that upcoming baby shower right here. Gifts for mom are just as important as gifts for baby; even gifts for siblings are appropriate. When my third child was born I got a thoughtful gift of matching shirts for all the children.
*Disclaimer – Dad is absolutely important too! I promise that making life easier for baby will also help dad.
My children are grown now, but I love handmade gifts. My favorite are adorable and helpful! All of the following ideas are pretty perfect. Enjoy!
Stroller-Friendly Diaper Bag
Let’s start with the basics. THIS diaper bag! The versatile bag hooks easily to your stroller so there’s no need to transfer things from one bag to another.
Pro Tip: Be aware of your stroller’s fulcrum. You don’t want to weigh the back down and send things flying.
Baby Stroller Caddy
This amazing stroller caddy has a strap that converts from a double loop to a shoulder strap for effortless transition. This bag is smaller than the first, but sometimes smaller bags are more useful than large ones.
Tiny Tote
The tiny tote can go in a diaper bag or larger tote. It’s perfect for keeping essentials organized and easy to find. This would also make a cute diaper bag for a “big” sister.
Color Blocked Tote
Once you start having children I found that you need bags for everything! This free color block tote tutorial is at the top of my list for excellent gifts.
Out the Door Organizer
Keep it together no matter what bag you take, or where you’re going! There is a lot to remember as a new mom, so help her simplify the other things so that the new stuff can be no big deal. Here’s the tutorial for this ultra practical new mom gift.
Cute Diaper Clutch with a Big Front Pocket
Fast and easy, this is the best go-to handmade baby shower gift. The big pocket baby pouch is perfect for keeping a few diapers and wipes on the go.
Baby Car Seat Cover
Protect baby from rain or direct sunlight with this car seat cover. It’s also great for cold weather so that baby can stay just a little warmer.
Car Organizer Pouch
Keep baby’s essentials easy to reach with this cute mesh pouch. Pack it full of snacks and chocolate (or travel size shower things) for mom’s stay in the hospital.
Soft Baby Shoes
Soft shoes are amazing for baby because they leave room for the feet to move and grow while still keeping them clean.
Snuggly Swaddler Pattern
This great swaddler pattern is perfect for baby, and helpful for mom.
Soft Baby Hat Pattern
Sew a cute baby hat made out of soft knit fabric. There is a fitted top and a cuff that can be rolled up for more cuteness. There is a top knot version, too! The free baby hat sewing pattern comes in various sizes.
Knot Bow Headband
Can you imagine how cute the Knot Bow Headband would look in pictures? This tutorial is easy to sew using soft and stretchy fabric.
Side Snap Baby Bib
These little side-snap baby bibs were useful for me when my baby would drool a lot. They were more like an accessory during that time, but the side snap makes it easy to change no matter how you use it.
Patchwork Baby Bib and Burp Cloth Set
This quick and easy patchwork baby bib and burp cloth set is made of regular quilting cotton and coordinating solid flannel fabrics. Choose your favorite prints or grab your cutest scraps to make lots of these!
Baby Burp Cloths from Vintage Handkerchiefs
This upcycling project would make a charming gift for a new mother. The burp cloths would be even more special if the vintage handkerchiefs belonged to the baby’s grandma or great-grandmother.
Custom Adorned Baby Onesies
Decorate some baby onesies with applique or heat transfer vinyl with this easy DIY idea. It’s the perfect gift to make if you are new to sewing or short on time.
Baby Lovey Blanket with Fleece and Ruffles
This small blanket has ruffled cotton fabric on one side and soft minky on the other. It’s a lovely comfort blanket that also looks super cute in photos! The baby lovey sewing tutorial is from 2 Little Hooligans.
DIY Baby Swaddle Blanket
Coral + Co.’s easy Baby Swaddle Blanket Pattern sews up quickly (10 minutes). Many store-bought swaddle blankets are never quite big enough to get a good swaddle. By making your own, you can make one large enough for the baby to grow and still wrap them up tight.
Baby Swaddle Blanket from Double Gauze Fabric
Another great fabric for baby swaddle blankets is double gauze cotton. It’s light and cool and very soft. Try this great tutorial to make your own. These were my favorite!
Autumn Woods Baby Quilt
Quilts are always a perfect gift; they’re great even if you live in warm weather. Just adjust the batting or use it for tummy time! This beautiful baby quilt is an easy design to start with.
Monogrammed Baby Quilt
This quick and easy tutorial for making a monogrammed baby quilt (or any size quilt) uses large pieces of fabric with a fun print for a fast, personalized handmade baby gift.
Starship Baby Quilt
Sew a Starship quilt for your future little astronaut! The Starship Baby Quilt Pattern requires just 3 different 1-yard pieces of fabric. This pattern is super easy to sew and super easy for anyone to love.
Easy Puff Quilt Tutorial
Make this easy and comfy quilt that looks like lots of fluffy little pillows. The free Pillow Quilt Tutorial would be adorable sewn with scraps from your scrap bin.
The Fastest Baby Quilt Ever
Perfect for a first quilt, this super fast baby quilt tutorial utilizes pre-sewn patchwork fabric. The complete tutorial includes preparing the quilt sandwich, quilting, and sewing on the binding.
Wholecloth Baby Quilt
There are some beautiful prints with scenes (called panels) that you can use, or choose a favorite darling print. Then use straight-line quilting or hand quilt with embroidery floss or pearl cotton to sew around elements on the fabric.
Baby Heart Log Cabin Quilt Pattern
The baby heart log cabin quilt is easy to sew and quilt on a domestic sewing machine. It uses low-volume neutral fabrics mixed with one bold color for a modern-traditional quilt perfect for a boy or a girl.
Easy Baby Room Storage Baskets
Let’s talk baby’s room! These baskets make a great place for hair accessories, tubes of ointment, floral decor, etc. The can double as a gift bag!
Baby Clothes Drawer Organizer
Keep all those tiny clothes orderly with this divided drawer organizer. It can also double as a gift box, so stuff it with diapers, outfits, or treats for a truly thoughtful gift.
Baby Linen Storage
Sew a set of these sturdy storage bins for storing sheets, towels, or clothes to grow into! These fabric bins are so appealing that I wouldn’t mind storing those things in the open.
Organizing Bins Perfect for Diapers
This fold-up basket pattern makes an organizing bin for the changing table that is the perfect size to hold baby diapers. Fill it with baby care items, and it’s a darling gift basket.
The Miracle Caddy
The Miracle Caddy can also double as a gift basket! It’s nice to have a place for all the bath or diaper essentials, especially if you don’t have a traditional space for a changing table. I used to sit on the floor to change diapers, so I kept a caddy under the coffee table with a changing pad.
Changing or Play Mat with Storage
Speaking of changing areas, this mat is practical and cute! It can be used easily when traveling as a safe and clean place for tummy time. Check out this free tutorial on Gluesticks!
Fat Quarter Baby Dress
There’s nothing as precious as a handmade baby dress! Make a sweet pillowcase-style baby dress using fat quarters using this free tutorial. Baby can wear it with a onesie underneath (and tights) during the chilly months.
Baby Mermaid Outfit
This cozy and comfy Mermaid Outfit is an easy pattern that can be a just cute outfit or a costume.
Fabric Animal Rattles
Natural fiber toys are my preference over plastic. These plushie animal rattles are great for using scraps, matching blankets, and entertaining baby!
Fabric Airplane Toy
Here’s another free pattern for safe natural fiber toys. Make them into a mobile or add them to a gift basket.
Fabric Picture Books
I adore these pocket picture books that are perfect for baby’s first picture book. Use your fabric scraps to make lots using the free tutorial.
Free Fabric Doll Pattern
Learn how to make a precious fabric doll that you can customize with your own fabric choices for the body and hair. I used felt eyes to keep this pattern baby-safe.
Baby’s Sibling Bears
Buy an outfit for baby, and a matching one to make a cuddle buddy for brother or sister. This tutorial can show you how. Who doesn’t love matchy matchy?
Washcloth Teddy Bear
These washcloth teddy bears are a no-sew project that you can include in your handmade gift basket. It’s a charming way to give a new mom some extra washcloths.
Hooded Baby Towel
Use a new towel and some fabric to make a cute hooded baby towel and some matching washcloths. This idea allows you to coordinate your gift with the baby’s room or a handmade baby quilt.
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