First Custom Order

I am loving custom orders! I thought it might be a lot of pressure to take a custom order and have to meet the expectation of a customer; and in a way, I still do see that aspect which guides me to strive for the best product I can make. My first custom order is done and it is a dress/blouse that will fit approximately an 18 month old as a dress to at least a 3 year old as a blouse. I am really loving the combo she selected which made it that much more enjoyable to make. And the fact that she is super sweet helps too!

So I start my custom orders by asking if there is any particular pattern or color my customer has in mind. Sometimes it’s as easy as, “just show me a few combos of what you think looks good together”. I send off photo swatches of a few options and wait to hear if any of those suit your fancy. I also request specific measurements to insure the piece will fit now, and later. I love clothes that can grow with your children.

Beautiful print

Reversible

Hand embellished with buttons and textured flowers

There are some items, like the coats that I really can’t make a grow-with-me product but I can attempt to make them reversible for a little more variety. The same customer also custom ordered a coat in my favorite combo. She has an amazing shop of her own on etsy for handmade dolls and I will soon be the proud owner of this one!

3/4 sleeve coat approximately 12 months

Soon to be posted in the shop

Coat combos

Here’s a few of the combos for upcoming coats. If one of these catches your eye and you would like to order a specific size, just send me an email through the shop!

Paisley and Chevrons – RESERVED for custom order

Embossed and Tweed

Flowers and Checks

Froo froo rocker or knickerbocker rocker?

So, I fashioned the rocker girl soaker and was further inspired by the gal’s personality to add some extra frill. This would be the front of the soaker with the legs cuffed. Now, the challenge is that you all can’t really see the speck of blue that are in this soaker in my horrible dining room lighting but everything seems to wrap up at night when there’s no other choice. I’m wondering if the front is just too plain and needs to have another embellishment like a blue bow to bring this look together.

The back is super cute and the blues are visible because of her hair barrette. Note she still doesn’t have her eyes attached yet but you can see them here.

These are extra long cuffs which makes them perfect for transforming the shorties into longies with flair. I am conflicted because I love the rear view so much but the front just isn’t doing it for me. What do you think should be done?

The soaker does look oober-cute without the lace cuffs as well. It would essentially make the soaker a pair of shorties/knickerbockers. I suppose I could make it an option for the buyer to add. The practical side of me says the soaker will be wearable longer without the longies option but the lace adds the froo froo flair that some of you would love.

And for all those of you who haven’t seen my belly these days, it snuck into this photo!

A little flair

So, here’s a bit of prep work for the new line of Baby Bear Bums Booty – soakers with personality! You already saw the sheep soaker which is also a part of this line, but I thought having some monsterish-punkish-people to add to the mix. Above you can see the male version with a bit of sideburn action.

Here’s a shot of the rocker diva with her mega mouth and sparkly barrette. I have these sewn up a bit at this point and their mouths turned out great. These soakers are 100% wool like my others, but I have added a top layer of material for the face that may or may not be wool but was certain not thick enough nor woven tightly enough to use alone.

These are the lovelies from the first Baby Bear Bums Beauty line. Just a bit of froo froo for the Goldilocks in your little bear! I have plans for others that include tulle and a fun new idea for longies as fall begins its approach in many of the states that have the joy of experiencing seasons!

Give me your your two cents, and let me know what personalities or animals you’d like to see on the bum of our soakers!

Paddington Bear style

I spent the last few days creating this pattern and sewing up the first coat from it. I am so excited to say that it turned out just as I had envisioned it – and that never happens! I came to realize that it reminds me of a foggy, London morning, which then reminded me of one of my most favorite bears – Paddington. How appropriate that the first Baby Bear Bums coat would remind me of such an adorable little bear.

It seems quite contradictory to show you this warm, lovely-lined coat in the midst of such sunshine pouring through the window. However, I couldn’t resist and missed taking photos in the overcast and all-too-rare raininess of yesterday.

My daughter, I’m sure, stamps in protest to the wearing of such an item in her brilliant 18-month-old logic, “Mom, it’s 105 degrees outside!” Of course, she didn’t really say that but that is definitely what I heard. Perhaps we’ll get a snapshot or two outside over the next couple days as they are calling for rain again by the weekend!

I have yet to add the closure to the coat, but am envisioning a large red button. As you can see, the coat can be worn either way so it is just oozing with fashion options!

What is a soaker?

If you have found yourself asking, “What is a soaker?” then you are among many people I have encountered in the short time since I opened Baby Bear Bums so I would like to take the opportunity to post a bit about soakers, bum sweaters, butt sweaters, cloth diaper covers, longies, shorties or any of the other creative names that have described this invention of long ago. As a word of comfort and assurance – you are NOT the only one who is befuddled by the purpose of these wool covers. In fact, I just learned about the benefits of soakers myself about two years ago. It is a very common term in the cloth diaper world because wool soakers have several benefits for this community.

Wool has great elasticity (unless it is felted at which point it loses a good deal of it’s flexibility) and will fit well around the bit bulkier baby booties associated with cloth diapers. Wool is naturally anti-bacterial, and has been documented to have up to 30% absorbency before it begins to feel wet (great for overnights when we are not changing bums as we would during the day). Wool helps to regulate body temperature, keeping your baby warm in winter and cool in summer.

If you are questioning the comfort of a soaker, I can understand your hesitancy to put wool on your baby’s sensitive skin. I think we have all experienced the dreaded itchy sweater incident ourselves at some point. Depending on the style of soaker you choose, you will find that they can cover like a diaper all the way to a pair of pants (longies). The diaper style will cover the area where the diaper is already covering your baby’s skin, whereas the shorties and longies will cover more skin that will not have an additional layer between the wool and your baby bear’s skin. If I find a piece of wool that is itchy but just adorable, I often will simply use it for the crotch/bum area because I know those areas will not touch the baby’s skin. Then I will add a softer wool for those areas that will come in contact with skin. I have not had any problems with our daughter itching or showing irritation toward the material; however, there are children who are allergic to wool and there are fleece soakers available for those wee ones.

As you can see, soakers serve a very practical purpose, but I strive to make them cute enough to be worn as a piece of clothing screaming to be seen and cooed at by all! And now when you are stopped and asked about the cute cover on your baby’s bum, you can spout about all the benefits yourself!

Not to eat!

Well, here’s the new and improved sheep soaker! I am quite happy with the outcome and thank you guys for your feedback. I will be posting this soaker in the shop next week when I am able to get some fabulous photos of the soaker in action on my littlest model.

It’s interesting because our wee one often decides she will not be my model. She goes on strike and refuses to come anywhere near me when I beckon her with a newly fashioned piece of sweetness. Well, this item was definitely different. It is the first and only item she has cried about when it is removed from her body. It’s the only items she insists should be returned to her bum immediately. I hate to break her little heart, but just like the other items I put her in for dress up photos and fittings, this one is going to another baby bear somewhere out there!

What is a sleep sack?

If any of you have been to my etsy shop you may have seen the category labeled Sleep Sacks and you may have wondered, “What is a sleep sack?” You need wonder no longer! The sleep sack is a cozy little sack with a zippered edge to wrap your baby bunting in. Many babies love the security of being surrounded and many parents enjoy the security of knowing their child is surrounded and secured while laying on a bed or couch. Some moms pay particular attention to dirt and germs. Having a washable “security blanket” to wrap their child in brings them a peace of mind that they can lay their baby bear down any number of places they may otherwise not consider.

The handy snap makes the sleep sack a practical option to take along with you wherever you go. When rolled, the sack measures 11″ long by 4″ in diameter and can easily be tucked into a diaper bag or even snapped to the handle of the outside of a carry-all to make it more accessible or to provide more carry space for all of baby’s other necessities.

For the practical, multi-purpose mama, like me, it can also be easily used as a changing pad. As with many of Baby Bear Bums items, the sleep sack can be reversible; keeping in mind that the liner fabric is not as durable as the corduroy outer layer.

I have a very fun and bright indian print in red and blue as well as a delicate smokey lavender and flower print that are just waiting to be stitched up into two more sleep sacks. They should hit the shop in the next week or two. As always, please keep in mind that I accept custom orders and have a large selection of fabrics to choose from. If you have something in mind I may just be able to make it a reality for your little one!

To eat or not to eat?

Here’s the latest creation for Baby Bear Bums. Can you tell what it is? I have changed the ears a couple times and I am thinking of removing the mouth (hence, the hand covering it to give you an idea) and replacing it with simply a black nose and lined mouth.

This pair is my first knicker style with the longer cuffs that actually hug the knees. Does anyone remember knickers knickerbockers?! It’s been a long time since I’ve even heard the word uttered, and little did I know that every time my mom used the term “knickers” she was mistakenly saying I was wearing cute underwear – oh the things we learn through wiki! Now I am conflicted because soakers truly are a form of underwear, but Baby Bear Bums are made to show off; so, are they knickers or knickerbockers? This whole conundrum reminds me of one of my most favorite avatars.

I suppose that’s enough to say that Baby Bear Bums soakers can be called knickers or knickerbockers so as not to deject the innocent exhibitionist in our wee ones! After all, how long will they actually get to enjoy the freedom of wearing their skivvies for all to see?

Don’t forget to give me your two cents, please! Should the lamb have a simple nose and line mouth or should I leave the gaping, chomping grass mouth as is?