Sleep tight little one

Facebook can be a wonderful tool. Upon reading an article on the Guardian about how to make a swaddle blanket, I looked for friends' take on whether on not it is something they would or have used.

This blanket would be a lovely gift for newborns, however it is a present that assume babies are swaddled.

In the UK, swaddling is accepted and it is acknowledged some babies need it and  that it will grant some babies and their parents some very needed sleep.

In France, it is seen as an old practice that is not the done thing anymore. However I have heard of some of my girlfriends doing pretty much this, but not calling it swaddling.

The Facebook pool was half pros and half cons. So here's the result:

The blanket is made with a soft flanel with a circus animal prints and the bias was bought already made.

I drafted a pattern from the Guardian's instructions, then measured up of much bias was needed. I'll lengthen the ties next time to let them protrude from the opened blanket, to facilitate tying. I'll also round the bottom corner. Sharp corners are challenging to make with bias, rounded ones are much easier.

How to swaddle your little one, with Caroline (the doll):

1.Place the little bundle of soon to be joy with the neck lining up with the top of the blanket

2. Fold the bottom corner up to cover your little cherub's energetic legs

3. Fold one of the corner across your wiggly newborn's body and tuck the corner under the opposite shoulder

4. Repeat step 3 with the leftover corner, and tuck under the shoulder of your cheeky monkey

5. Finally, tie a double knot, making sure your soon to be asleep little angle can breathe normally.

Have you ever used this sleeping technique?

Pretty smellies

I come from a place in France where lavender thrives. The harsh winters and hot summers are a perfect combination for the little raggedy bush (look beneath the pretty stems and flowers).

In September, when the flowering is over the plant dries up, one can pick up the stalks and leave them to dry in an open crate for a few months. Attics are perfect for this.

Once the stems and flowers are dry, detach the flower buds from the stems. It is the messy part of the job, but quite fun.

There are many different ways to make lavender bags and many uses to these. They can be like a pouch with a string, a sealed bag (below) or even in stuffed animals. 

This time, as I was racking my brain for a sweet present to friends' wedding, I chose to make close pouches his & her, machine stitched hearts and a little loop so that if they're not used in a draw, they could be hung in a wardrobe.

The fabric was leftovers as well as the silky tape. The lavender comes from my mum's.

Presentation is key.

I did this one for a dear friend of mine's birthday and try to embellish it with a button. I'm not really sure if that one works actually. You're the judge.