bumper pads foam or batting (sp???)-hand made...

[mama2be]

I'm not a seamstress so I am not certain that I got that word correctly...batting...?????
OOOOPS I accidently posted this under the first catagory "furniture" so if you saw this questiont here I realized it and have reposted here...sorry!!!!


I have hired a seamstress who really seems to know what she is doing and she is making me a full ensemble of very full dust ruffle, bumper pad, frilly canopy, cushion for the toy box, skirt for a round table and possibly curtains if I decide to use them.

I have only (to my knowledge) seen bumper pads with batting in them and thus bought the nicest quality one I could find (not too expensive...but purchased and take back). Well she is now recommending "foam", she was smart to say don't let it be too stiff because it could serve as a step to a little to actually get "footing" on and climb out.

For the gals amoungst us who are making their own bed ensemble what is your suggestion??? She didn't seem too opinionated on this but did suggest I go and purchase some foam.

Thanks in advance!!!

[JMarie]

I made my sister's bedding and used batting for the bumpers. I think all bumpers have batting in them - I cannot say I've ever seen one with foam in it. I would think it would be way too stiff and you would almost need ties for each post to keep it curved around your round crib. Foam MIGHT work on a standard crib, but I don't think it would work at all on a round one. Batting also 'crumples' when you press on it (at least the thinner kind you're supposed to use in bumpers), so your little guy shouldn't be able to get much of a foothold on it. Foam, on the other hand, is springy and might actually help catapult him out. I want to say I read on these boards that Hancock's or JoAnn's Fabrics carries batting specifically for bumpers - you may want to check those out.

On a side note - DEFINITELY get foam for the toy box cushion. I'm working on one for our nursery (as well as basket liners for under the changing table, Roman shades for the windows, and knitting a baby blanket - all talents courtesy of my grandmother!) and batting would flatten after a couple of sittings. You may, however, want to request the foam be wrapped with batting for the cushion to make it look more plush. I'm also putting elastic on the corners rather than velcro on the bottom of the cushion and top of the box - when Aidan has outgrown his nursery, we can just take the cushion off without damaging the box. There's also a zipper on the back so if we want to change the theme (DH wants baseball when Aidan moves to a toddler bed) we just have to take the cover off and replace with a new one. HTH!

JMarie
EDD 2/23/03
Aidan Christopher

[mama2be]

JMarie,

Thank you soooo much for your great response...I actually had bought the batting from Joanne's so I already have it (and it is in the seamtress hands) the thought of treking back out for an afternoon to get foam had me sick.

I had an extra changing pad (never used...and a very simple one) that actually fit the toy box perfectly so we are using that and coating it with batting.

I plan to keep the room exactly the way it is for all of the children (assuming there will be more)...thus I am not hesitating as much with dropping money on fabric etc...

Send me pics as you get them I would LOVE to see them!!!!

[JMarie]

I will get those pictures together - as soon as the crib arrives! It's only been three weeks since we ordered it, so hopefully it will be here by the holidays. The store said 8-12 weeks, so it will be January at the latest. I just can't wait for it to get here - everything else is in its place.

We are planning on three children, if things work out. I HAD to have a Winnie the Pooh nursery for the first child - it was what both DH and I had, so it just seemed appropriate. I really wanted something a little more unique, but we decided tradition was more important. We'll do unique for the next two, and I will in all likelihood just make the sets for those.

I would also love to see pictures of your nursery when it is complete. If you're using the silk dupioni, it should be just gorgeous. My aunt used silk and velvet in her son's room (deep blue) and it was just about the most fabulous room I'd ever seen. You will not be disappointed at all. Good luck with your seamstress and let us know how your set turns out.

JMarie
EDD 2/23/03
Aidan Christopher

[mama2be]

I LOVE winnie the pooh...and as a child I collected Beatrix Potter (in fact I would pretend that I was Beatrix Potter...:)

I wanted to Winnie the Pooh something and think that I might do the childs bathroom in it, I have room to hang picutres (more than in the nursery)...I will send pics once in place.

I couldn't think how to do a canopy and bought on a super sale a really thick frame from Bombay that was round and was going to Liquid Nail/and have DH double (triple) enforce it into the ceiling. BUT then came across these super cheapy plastic things at a thrift store that folks use for curtains. I don't know if you've ever seen them but they are thin and have large holes in them to just pull fabric thru and then you can stuff them with tissue to look full. So hard to explain. I attached four of these $1 things together and they are light and look super easy to use so I am going to attach those to the ceiling if all goes as planned. If a room decides my sons fate I don't think he'll be the most masculine guy on the block:):):) I'm suprised DH is letting me do all of this.

I hope I don't regret the silk...it was on sale and gorgeous!!!! But I know so impractical...I have bought almost everything at thrift stores or second hand...or stuff from my childhood and have had it painted etc...I swear my budget went towards this fabric...my weakness is fabric!!!!

Send pics...and I will do the same...

Have you gotten your stroller, car seat etc... yet??? Here is my email address if you ever want to chat off line...
[email protected]

[kathsmom]

Hi, Neve!

My SIL made her own bedding and she used foam for the bumper pad. This pad was used with their first child (now 5 years old) and is currently being used with their 2nd child (now 20 months old)). Their kids did try to climb out of the crib, but I don't think they used the bumper as a step. Their solution was to get one of those crib tents to put over the crib and to keep them in. Have you ever seen one? It looks like a cross between mosquito netting that you see over beds in the tropics and a canopy. The bumper pad looks great and does not sag at all. I don't think that she used the firmest foam on the market, but just firm enough for it to keep its shape!

HTH and good luck! Please post pictures when you get the nursery ready. If you like this seamstress, let me know, because I may need some things done for our home when we move to Raleigh!!

Toni - mom to Katherine (5/19/96) and Andrew (9/23/02)

[mama2be]

Her resume looks brilliant so if she produces 1/100th of what it represents she can produce I think I will be happy. She does have a lot of cats and I worry about them getting to my fabric (I have two so speaking from experience)...but outside of that I feel good with her. I'll keep you posted on that.

I am emailing you directly regarding your move...we had guest this week-end so I got behind on chores, look out for that:)

[mama2be]

Alexa,

Thank you so much for posting them here too I wanted to make certain that they were under "decorating" so other folks could enjoy them...what a great room!!! I LOVE IT!!!! And know that Maeve won't want to leave it with #2!!!!!

AWESOME JOB!!! thanks so much for sharing your pics and ideas...

I just noticed...those stencils ain't cheap!!!!

[kathsmom]

Alexa,

The room is absolutely gorgeous!! I love everything you have done! Are the letters with the hooks that spell "poo" from Pottery Barn kids? I saw some similar ones in the catalog and at the store.

My poor son's room is just so plain right now. We have been so busy with everything that decorating his room has fallen by the wayside. Plus, with us moving, I am not doing too much and then have to leave it (i.e., a mural, stencilling, etc.). We were supposed to move this summer with DH's current job to SC, but then that got pushed back to January 2003. Then, DH got a great opportunity with another company and we are moving to NC.

Thanks for posting! Also, what is the name of the fabric that you picked out and who is the manufacturer? I think it would be great for DS if I could get someone to make the stuff for me!!

Toni - mom to Katherine (5/19/96) and Andrew (9/23/02)

[mama2be]

Kathy,

Don't worry about finding someone to make it...we'll get you someone once you are here. I suspect the gal I have hired is going to do a great job and her initial price (before I added several things) seemed very reasonable.

If her quality is not good there is another gal who has done some work for me...she is just a little slow (or should I say busy which is the truth)...which is why I hunted for someone else...

We'll get you hooked up once here on that :):):)