"Julia Altshuler" wrote in message
. ..
tiny dancer wrote:
snipped

One of the quilt groups I belong to took on making quilts for at-risk
babies. That's kids born with AIDS or drug addictions or almost anything
that puts them at a disadvantage to start. There's also having one of
kind quilts in the hospitals so the hospital staff can give them away to
kids who need something to cuddle with when getting nasty procedures done.
We wanted to work with the hospitals to make the quilts out of the best
materials and had access to some of the best advice out there.


The result: No easy answers. Some fibers catch fire easily but then burn
quickly. Other fibers are slow to catch, but when they do catch, they
melt at high temperatures and can do more damage as they stick to skin.
Some fibers wash easily which makes them more sanitary. Some fibers dry
quickly which makes them more comfortable or easier on the parent doing
laundry.


To my knowledge, there are no dangers associated with chemically treated
fabrics for babies to sleep in. That doesn't mean you can't have a
preference for all natural fibers anyway (I like to stick to cotton
myself), but there's no reason to suspect health troubles down the line
from chemically treated fabric.


The fiber that interests me the most at the moment is bamboo. It's
starting to appear in stores. Because it grows quickly and without a lot
of need for pesticides, it's being advertised as green. That's led to
wondering about the claims. Is it really more environmentally friendly
than cotton?


The result: No easy answers. If you really want to do something for the
environment (and, for that matter, sweatshop conditions), cut down on the
consumer end. The most ecologically sound clothes are the ones in your
closet. Wear them until they wear out. Then shop at used stores. Hoo
boy, have I got that one covered.


--Lia

Thanks for an interesting and informative post, Lia. Down here there is a
large 'Kid's Exchange' twice a year. Parents sell used clothes and all
kinds of kids products, furniture, baby items, bouncers, swings, strollers,
toys, etc., at the fairgrounds. It's gotten to be a huge event each spring
and fall. My daughters have shopping at it down to a science. They take
their wagons, Radio Flyers I mean, with them, so they can really shop. We
also make use of craigslist, both selling and buying. I make clothes for
the boys for special things, like all matching outfits, especially for the
twins. Those are sometimes hard to come by second hand. And then once,
especially little boys, get past a certain age, their pants and pajamas are
pretty well worn out. Knee's torn, etc. And it seems the fabric ready made
pajamas are made from, really don't stand up to washings the way the ones I
sew do. I like working with flannel, 100 % cotton flannel.

Some of the baby blankets I make are flannel, some are cotton quilted, and
some are fleece. Those I make especially for the grandkids and as gifts
mainly because I can choose the fabric/colors/patterns/prints, etc. Each of
the children have favorites. My grandson with autism loves planes,
helecopters, rocket ships, etc. I found some cotton fabric with all his
favorites, and then backed it with a plain white cotton quilted fabric, and
satin blanket binding. It's always been his favorite blanket. The twins
have matching snoopy fabric quilts, Jake has choo choo trains, and my baby
granddaughter has lady bugs, red and apple green fabric. My older
granddaughter has a really pretty fleece fabric with bright tuorquoise
elephants floating on a pink background. I've always loved sewing kids
clothes, partly for the cost/savings, and partly because of all the neat
kids fabrics. Plus, I like to take patterns and create just the right
dresses. I may take the puffy sleeves from one pattern, add a peter pan
collar from another, etc. And with the little boys, they love their
pockets. So I usually add those big cargo pockets to their little cammo
pants I make them.

Thank you for a great idea, I have crocheted little hats/caps for
charity/hospitals, etc. But I could also make some little blankets too.
I'll have to check into that.

I haven't seen bamboo fabric, I'll have to check into that too.

As for the chemically treated fabrics, a couple of my grandchildren have
very sensitive skin, they can get a rash from many things, so I like to keep
things as simple as possible. Plus, two of my grandsons have significant
sensory issues, so softness, texture, etc., is very important when choosing
clothes for them.

td