So snuggly!

Wouldn't you imagine that one of the best things about being a new baby is that you are nearly always being snuggled? It's just about ideal, the thought of being wrapped up tight in warmth and love, letting the rest of the loud, fast-paced, and indifferent world just melt away. Newborn babies must agree with me, because I have never seen a baby resist being swaddled!

Indeed, my own baby wanted to be swaddled until he was 10 1/2 months of age... Had I known how loved swaddling would be, I would have taken the time before giving birth to make a swaddle for him rather than buy one. As it is, I have a friend who is one month away from giving birth to her first baby, so it was the perfect excuse to make a cute swaddle for that baby to get cozy in!

I had been dying to use this pattern from my baby sewing book, and am so happy with the outcome! Rather than use the suggested fleece for the lining, I used flannel to not only make it more suggestive of bedtime (because who has fleece sheets or pajamas?), but also because winter nights where I live don't get cold enough for heavy fleece.
I originally wanted a more modern prints for the outside, since this particular friend is a modern minimalist, but she's opted to not find out the sex of the baby, and most modern prints that were gender-neutral were also ugly. Now that it's complete, I couldn't be happier with the plaid. You really can't go wrong with a good plaid.

I just gave her the swaddle today and she thought it was a beautiful gift. I'm so happy! I hope she and her baby get a lot of use out of it. I had a lot of fun making it, and it was nice to reflect back on when my baby was a newborn...*sigh* He could have used a swaddle like this!

-Sara