Sewing for Baby: The MVPs & the Ones Gathering Dust
Before my baby arrived, I was deep in the nesting phase, armed with fabric, a sewing machine, and Pinterest-fueled ambition. I sewed up a storm, convinced that every handmade project would be essential to newborn life. Fast forward to today, and reality has set in. Some makes were absolute MVPs, while others… well, let’s just say they’ve found their way to the back of the cupboard.
So, if you’re wondering which DIY baby projects are worth the time (and fabric), here’s my honest review.
The MVPs – Used Every. Single. Day.
The Baby Mat – Small But Mighty
⭐ Rating: 10/10 – Would Make Again
This little mat is hands-down my favourite make. It’s soft, portable, and versatile—perfect for tummy time, a quick park outing, or as a cozy spot for my baby to roll around. Bonus points for being aesthetically pleasing (hello, gingham love) and small enough to fold into the nappy bag.
Would I change anything? Maybe add a second layer of wadding for extra comfort. But overall, it’s a winner.
The baby mat in question. See this blog post on how I made it..
Bassinet Covers – The Unsung Heroes
⭐ Rating: 10/10 – Practicality Queen
I made three bassinet covers out of an old bed sheet, a remnant fabric from Spotlight, and a random piece from my stash. At the time, I thought, Do I really need three? The answer is YES. Because if there’s one thing newborns excel at, it’s making an unholy mess at 3 AM.
These were in constant rotation and saved me from many late-night emergency washes. Zero regrets. If you’re considering sewing for your baby, make bassinet covers. Lots of them.
Bassinet covers: made with love, photographed in pure chaos. Trying to get 'aesthetic' shots with a crawling baby determined to locate every hazard in the room? Basically an Olympic event. So please enjoy these poorly lit, messy-background photos - because survival came first.
The ‘Meh’ Makes – Functional, But Not My Faves
The Baby Nest – Good in Theory, Annoying in Reality
⭐ Rating: 6/10 – Needs a Redo
A baby nest felt like a genius idea at the time. And to be fair, it was useful in those early days for naps. The problem? The dark fabric scraps I used for stuffing bled when washed, permanently staining my beautiful gingham and beige covers. Now, it always looks dirty, no matter how much I wash it.
On top of that, my rushed drafting meant the shape ended up more square than snug, which wasn’t quite what I envisioned. Would I make it again? Yes, but with lighter stuffing fabrics and a proper rounder shape.
The natural lighting is doing way too good of a job highlighting the stains - cheers for that. But let’s be real, no amount of strategic cropping will hide the fact that my fabric stuffing betrayed me. So here it is, in all its blotchy glory.
The Ones Gathering Dust
The Breastfeeding Pillow – Cute, But Kinda Useless
⭐ Rating: 4/10 – A Decorative Item At Best
I had high hopes for this one. A cozy, handmade breastfeeding pillow? Yes, please. But… I made it too small and not nearly firm enough. After a few attempts, I swapped it for a bigger, firmer pillow gifted by a friend, and mine got benched.
It has, however, found a second life as padding for the high chair and a little extra support for tummy time. So not a total fail—but next time, I’ll go bigger and stuff it properly.
Allow me to introduce you to the not-so-breastfeeding-friendly pillow. It’s cute, it’s soft, but it’s more of a ‘look, don’t use’ kind of accessory. Who knew a pillow could have so much personality... and none of it helpful?
Final Thoughts: Would I Do It All Again?
Absolutely. Even the flops were worth the effort (if only for the learning experience). But if I had to recommend just two must-sew projects out of the ones I made? The baby mat and bassinet covers. Functional, well-used, and genuinely helpful.
In hindsight, I should have sewn many more useful projects—rookie mistake. If you're expecting or planning ahead, check out 7 Things I Wish I Had Sewn Before Having a Baby to avoid my missteps.
What about you?
Did you sew anything for your baby before they arrived? Which projects were MVPs, and which ones never saw the light of day? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear your sewing wins and fails! And if you enjoyed this post, don’t forget to share it with a fellow sewing parent.