Handmade Hand-me-downs

Here is a pair of BabyBird shorts:

Notice anything special about them?

No?

That's ok, they're really not that special. They're a bit faded and could probably do with an iron. But this pair of shorts makes me proud, they give me faith in my brand and the passion to keep doing what I do.

Ok. Ummm.... why?

Well, here are some facts:

- They are one of the first pairs of shorts I ever made under the BabyBird brand.
- They are approximately 2 years old
- They are a size 1 and created from heavyweight cotton
- They have been worn at least twice a week for say, 9 months by my eldest son
- They have been worn approximately twice a week for say, 5 months by my youngest son
- That's a whole lot of wear and tear on the knees and butt. A whole lot of washing, drying, time spent in the sun, on the grass, in the sand, in the dirt and rolling around with dogs.
- They are still in one piece and I've never had to mend them or fix up the stitching.

Most of my customers will notice that I do not overlock my seams - they are zig zagged, just like grandma used to do. It may not look as nicely finished as some clothes you buy, but I think my little roadtesters have shown that the shorts do withstand the rough and tumble of little boys.

BabyBird shorts are not created in a production line. They are not sewn in a factory somewhere in China. They are all made by me, in my sewing room - usually with kids playing on the floor near me. Often they are made late on a Friday night while my husband watches the footy on tv upstairs. They are made with love and care, so they can be passed down from child to child. The fact that they last and last makes me proud of my little brand. I hope you like them too.

Giveaway Time!

I have decided to have a giveaway to celebrate the BabyBird Facebook Fanpage reaching 200 fans.

One lucky fan will win either:

(a) One of the new winter hoodies in blue/black (sizes 00-2):

or

(b) A pair of the Giant Squid shorts (sizes 00-6):

Excellent! How can I win?

1. You must be a fan of the page to enter, so join up here.
2. Just post a comment below, telling me what winter clothing your little one (or you) can't live without.
3. Winner will be drawn randomly next Friday morning.

Good luck!

Neglectful. Again.

Sorry kids, I haven't forgotten about you, January has taken me by suprise and been quite the busy little month. I have brand new fabric, just begging me to turn it into lovely things - so that is my aim this week.

To get the ball rolling, I've just added these lovelies to my madeit store. Eddie (ok, I) likes them so much, he had to have a pair to call his own. I made the porker a size 2 by accident (he can also fit quite comfortably into the size 1), which shows how free the shorts sizing is.

There's still a whole lot of summer left....

It's hot in this part of the world at the moment, it really is. But there is still more to come. I'm guessing there is more than 4 months of shorts wearing weather left. So, here are some shorts in fun new fabric. They are available in sizes 00 to 6 these days too. Yay!

Rolling Hills:

Twisted Trees:



Sea Creatures:



Giant Squid:




But wait! There's more! Pop on over to my Madeit Store to check it all out.

Hi ho, hi ho....

...It's off to work I go.



That's 13 pairs of shorts, ready to be hemmed and have the waist elasticated, in time for the Boutique Markets tomorrow.

News News News

I have two exciting pieces of news today...

1. BabyBird has been offered a stall at the stunning Boutique Markets at Portside Wharf in January. Yay! I am very excited, it's such a beautiful market, with a strong focus on all things lovely and handmade.

2. BabyBird now makes shorts for boys in up to a size 6! Previously, they were only available in 00-3, but I had so many mums frustrated with the lack of boys clothes in larger sizes. So I hunted around and found a larger shorts pattern (patterns for boys shorts in size 4-6 are so elusive!), customised it and have started sewing away.

In other news, Ollie has become obsessed with all things Santa this Christmas. It's the first one where he is actually starting to understand what goes on, so while they're asleep today, I am attempting to sew him a little Santa softie. Wish me luck!

A Few Little Things

Woah, busy times here right now in the lead up to Christmas. So I have a few little things to share with you. Firstly, there is a BabyBird Clothing Party in the making. It will be held within the next couple of weeks and I will have some specials and new bits just for my party goers. So watch this space Brisbanites...

Now, due to the unexpected success of the Christmas Shorts at Mathilda's, I have unfortunately sold out and was unable to get more fabric. So sad, because it was so gorgeous. But, I have a little bit left that I have used for some singlets and just added to my madeit store.

But wait, there's more! I found some more gorgeous Christmas fabric on the weekend, so all is not lost! It's a really lovely aqua blue and features little Santas, so is perfect for boys and girls. So I've added those new sets to my madeit store, along with a couple of other new singlets. And, as a special little Christmas Bonus, I'm offering free postage on the 'Ho Ho Ho' Shorts and Singlet sets until Christmas.

Peace out.