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From: tishroy40
Date: 10-12-2006, 10:50 AM (1 of 6)
 I am in need of ideas for a discovery mat for my 2mo old baby boy. I know that I will need to use bright primary colors, shapes and maybe a mirror to reflect his beautiful face. Any ideas or a pattern that I can use to make this mat for my baby. I have seen some at Wal-Mart or baby stores and they are expensive and I just don't have the money to purchase one so I thought I would make one myself since I have felt, batting and a sewing machine.Leticia |
User: tishroy40
Member since: 10-10-2006 Total posts: 2 |
From: MaryW
Date: 10-12-2006, 11:31 AM (2 of 6)
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Texture can be interesting. What about some fringe or chenille. Minkee fabric is soooooo soft.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: Pudge99
Date: 10-12-2006, 12:27 PM (3 of 6)
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I looked around for a pattern I did not find one. You could design one yourself. Just remember that if you attach anything to the mat with ribbon or string that it not be so long that the baby can wrap it around their neck. I never liked the mirrors that came in the ones I had for my kids. They were very distorted and hard to keep clean. Textures are great. Things that respond to his touch like squeakers would be a good idea too. I found this really cool crinkly foil in the floral department that I put in my kids sock monkey tails along with a pipe cleaner so they could position it. I don't suggest the pipe cleaner though because as hard as I tried to prevent it the pokey ends finally escaped. You could if you wanted put loops of ribbons in the seam around the outside edge. I believe that this is a copyrighted process though so if you add that feature do not attempt to sell your creation. My kids really liked lift the flap things. You could make the flap with the crinkly stuff inside it. Then have a picture of something under the flap. Instead of the mirror you could have a picture of your baby under one of the flaps. They make fabric that your computer can print on. The possibilities are endless! The number one thing is that it need to be washable. If you decide to use a lot of different fabric types for texture I highly suggest that you prewash all the fabric in hot water and dry at the highest heat possible. There will be times that what your baby gets on that mat will need to be attacked with hot water, and if your baby truly loves the mat yo uwill want it in and out of the washer and dryer as fast as possible, hence the high heat. Good luck and let us know how it all turns out! Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: Magot
Date: 10-12-2006, 02:29 PM (4 of 6)
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What about furry teddy bears appliqued on - may need to make them in fleece. Or some footprints appliqued on with puffa paint tread put on afterwards. Crinkly is good. You could make a tree with the leaves only sewn on in the middle so that the tree has texture - use pinking shears to cut the leaves out of felt. Flaps that popper open, flaps that have velcro to open, flaps that button open. A little mouse in the bottom of a pocket ( securely sewn to a short piece of ribbon so he can be pulled out and tuckied in again. love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626 
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From: Sancin
Date: 10-12-2006, 10:01 PM (5 of 6)
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http://sewnews.com/library/sewnews/archives/aatoys.htm http://hometown.aol.com/anotherpat/babystuff/index.html *~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895 
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From: megasew
Date: 10-14-2006, 07:42 AM (6 of 6)
Lets not forget some of the truly tactile fabrics like fun fur, chenille, velveteen or cut corduroy as well as slick stuff like satin, vinyl. My memory is nudging me that I have seen a commercial pattern for such a baby mat, but can't get which company. As everyone is saying you could design your own, that way you could make the shape( I like the idea of round) and size to fit the space where your little person will be doing most of their playing with it. I'd be sure and apply several things with Velco so they could be removed for washing. If you can find an unbreakable mirror(try auto supply shops) you could velcro is on for the little one to look into. I would be careful with strings, beads or buttons etc.as they would be a choking hazard. I could see using prequilted fabric for the base, either cotton or fleece for a padded effect unless you machine or hand quilt and can do it yourself. Add some corner loop handles(not too big) for gathering it up toys and all and carrying it around.
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User: megasew
Member since: 09-02-2004 Total posts: 8 |
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