My Emiline. Living. Kids. Crafts.: Handmade Baby Gifts

When my son, Will, was just a teeny tiny newborn, I received a little tip from a friend of ours from New York. She told me about the most simple way to make receiving blankets that are just perfect for swaddling a newborn, plus everything else you can think of! And because they're handmade, they're unique and extra special!

Here's a quick rundown of the whole process: buy two yards of coordinating flannel fabric (one yard of each). Sew them right sides together (leaving about 6 inches open), turn the blanket right side out through the opening and then tuck under the gap and topstitch all the way around with a cute, little decorative stitch. And that's it! You're done! Sweet and simple!

And let me just tell you a few reasons why I love these blankets. First of all, you can pick whatever fabric you want to make it personal and unique (I found the cute fox and plaid flannels at my local Joann's), with two layers of flannel they are just the right weight for indoors or outdoors, and they are big enough to swaddle a newborn, use as a playmat, cover the carseat when needed, or as a cover-up for nursing. After learning about this super simple baby blanket, I made a few for Will, and then when I was pregnant with Clara, I made her a few as well, and out of all the baby blankets we have, these have been my favorites by far!

So . . . since my sister-in-law is just days away from having a sweet baby girl, I knew I had to whip up a cute, pink, foxy and plaid blanket for her! And to go along with her little blanket, I also crocheted her a quick newborn-sized Baby Turban that I found on Pinterest a while back. You can find the free pattern here!

Once you're finished sewing up your flannel receiving blanket and crocheting your baby turban, wrap them up in some tissue paper and adorn with matching yarn, and you've got a super sweet handmade baby gift!