Delving into Baby Bunting ... Not Rabbit Skin Here

My mother recently asked me if I could make a baby sleep sack for a cousin and another for the grandchild of a family friend. As many of my projects have started, I did a bit of research and went, "Sure, I can make that!" While the newer ones sometimes call them sleep sacks, sack sleepers, or baby sleeping bags, the older name that I am familar with is baby bunting. Remember the old nursery song? No rabbit skin used herre, but the principle is the same. You want to make a piece that you can wrap your baby up snug and tight to fight the fall and winter chill while simultaneously creating a secure and comforting confinement.

First Pattern in the Bunting Wars

There are many different patterns out there both sewing and knitting and crocheting. Just google baby sack or baby sleep sack and you will find all variations listed. For my first one, I chose to go with Simplicity 2165 sewing pattern. It seemed to be the easiest design inspired more by the way you swaddle a baby in a blanket than by the more common jumper style sleep sack. It's the image in the top left hand corner of the pattern front to the left of this paragraph. This pattern also includes two styles of diaper covers, a changing pad that folds into a bag, a doll, and a nursing cover.

I chose to make this the simple way. I found some lightweight fleece receiving blankets at a local store for $1 each. I used two yellow and blue plaid blankets to make the outside and two solid, powder blue blankets for the inside. There are only two pieces to this pattern: the t-shaped back piece and the oval piece that makes up the lower front section. I made a really simple matching hat with some of the left over material (hat found on the Butterick pattern mentioned below). I would still have enough material left over to make a couple of more hats or matching mittens and booties as well.

McCalls 4236 Sewing Pattern

The next version I plan to make will be using  McCalls 4236 sewing pattern. I will be making option A, which is the long sleeve sleep sack with the fold over hand covers (middle picture on the right hand side of the pattern front to the right of this paragraph). It takes a little more skill because it involves setting sleeves and putting in a zipper. It shouldn't be too difficult though. I think I will end up using a little heavier fleece on this one because it is only one layer instead of two like the previous one. I think it would be really cute to either use a fun printed fleece or use a solid and then embroider a design on one side of the chest like they show on the main picture of the pattern front.This same pattern also features a pleated and non pleated version of a sleeveless sleep sack as well as a hat, two different jumpsuits, and a receiving blanket.

Butterick 5583 Sewing Pattern

The third and last version that I would like to make uses Butterick 5583 sewing pattern. This one is similar to the McCalls pattern, but it offers a couple of slight variations. One is almost identical to the previous one except it has fitted cuffs at the neck and wrists (think sweat shirt style). It also has another option that leaves the bottom open like a  night gown and has a drawstring to draw it closed at the feet. I really like the drawstring option because then it would allow you to change the baby without completely undressing him or her. Another reason why I really like this pattern is that it offers so many other items all in one pattern package. It has patterns for hats, receiving blankets, mittens, booties, aprons, diaper covers (which I plan on converting to a cloth diaper), the ever popular feetie pajamas, and a cardigan style shirt.

Below are pictures of the baby bunting that I have completed so far. This is the first one described above. I will continue to post pictures of the others as I make them.