Friday, September 23, 2011

Keeping the baby DOWN

Well, this isn't about hurting my children... although after 12 hours alone with them and each night doing bedtime while Andy works on his CFP (Certified Financial Planner) classes, it's been enough to make me super glad for bedtime!!!  This is actually just a quick post about this awesome baby gate I MADE.  Yep, just "Suzy Homemaker" here.  Actually, I really enjoy sewing and since we don't live close to much, it's made me really utilize my handiness!

This is a baby gate for THE BOTTOM of stairs.  NEVER at the top, those need to be screwed in and secured and made specifically for keeping baby safe from falling down the stairs.  This gate is for deterring baby (kids) from going up the stairs- it is NOT foolproof, but it does a pretty good job and at least gives me more time before Maxwell is up the stairs. :)

I found the idea at this link Merrimentdesign.  I put it on my to-do-list and it was always hanging in the back of my mind.  Then, about 2 months ago (at 8 months), Maxwell started to crawl up the stairs.every.chance.he.got.  So, something had to be done at the bottom of the stairs.  I did not want to screw into our banister so I had to find something else, that's when I finally made the fabric baby gate.  It's GREAT!



I made a few changes to the design partially, because I didn't have enough fabric, but mostly because I lack the sewing skills and was nervous!  I used a pre-quilted material for the back, that I was going to use to make crib rail covers, but decided instead to just go onto Etsy and buy these.  I was a little nervous to do the whole interfacing thing too.  I haven't sewn much and that seemed a little too much for me and my $50 machine.  I also did not use the velcro idea, because I was nervous to sew velcro, but also, because of the way our stairs are, I need to have an extra loop to attach to the wall.  I like how it turned out and I LOVE the fabric, from a local store.  So far my projects have been successful!!

Tatertots and Jello

3 comments:

  1. Very clever! I need something like this. If I'm not paying close attention, my 13 month old is halfway up the stairs before I can blink! Nice job Emily!

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  2. Move over Martha Stewart!! :) It looks nice!

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  3. How do you attach to the wall? My 11 month old keeps hopping over the Ottoman and getting up the steps. Thanks.

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