Baby footwear

Shoes complete the outfit for kids, but wait until your child begins walking--- usually at 10 to 14 months--before buying her first official pair of shoes. That is when a child really needs them.  

We recommend picking a first shoe with flexibility, which helps the foot develop its arch.  Try to bend the shoe in half, if it bends easily, it is a good shoe.  The best shoes also have traction on the bottom so your baby won’t slip easily. A shoe doesn’t have to be expensive to be flexible. Pick a pair of shoes that is light weight as your kid will not be able to carry  a ton with their tiny feet.

Beside these, make sure you buy the right size. You will want some room at the toe, but not so much that your child will trip. Also, keep in mind that toddlers kick off anything and everything, so look for flexible shoes that lace. They are harder to take off than shoes with Velcro closures.

To keep your prewalker’s feet warm outside on cool days, look for soft, elasticized baby socks or booties that cling to the feet so your baby can’t kick them off. You don’t have to buy expensive leather baby shoes as baby will outgrow quickly.

Recycle & save the earth

One easy way to help save the earth is to quit using plastic shopping bags from stores, as they end up in landfills and stay there for years. Make some simple tote bags instead, either from ripstop nylon (sturdy for groceries), or from your favorite fabrics.   Keep the bags in the car for your shopping adventures, and remember to take them in the store with you. It will soon become second nature for you as there will be more and more eco-minded people and businesses. Some even reward us for bringing our own bags, and some businesses now charge extra if you don’t.

Now is also a good time to investigate earth-friendly and sustainable fibers like bamboo, hemp and other options. Most fabric stores, and certainly many online sources, offer these alternative fibers and fabrics at increasingly economical prices. There’s nothing as comfy as a lightweight bamboo knit garment.

Don’t forget to clean out your sewing room and give things you no longer need to worthy causes. Check with a chapter in your area to see what you can repurpose, and give yourself more room, plus a good feeling from helping others. So, honor our precious Earth and plan a sewing-related activity!

Anti-theft underwear

Are you afraid of the family jewels being taken from the family safe?  Put them where no burglar has gone before, a pair of skid marked underpants. Now you see the genius of the Security Briefs, anti-theft protection masquerading as your dirty tighty whiteys. Not meant for wearing, but it's between a Small and Medium sized men's underwear. Security Briefs are disgustingly funny. Secretly conceals your valuables stash. Has skid-mark technology to ensure no one will touch these things so your valuables are safe.

 

Alternatively, the below are also available for sale at night markets and Chinese department stores. The zipper front pocket is convenient for carrying cash or other items you wish to conceal. They come in an assortment of styles and colors and usually cost around 1 US dollar, a smart investment if you plan on travelling around China for some length of time. 

I know this could have been an ugly design but one should pack a couple pairs for long trips in China and wear one on the day you embark on a train ride or long distance bus.

How to choose winter sports apparel for warmth & comfort

Layering is an effective and versatile way to dress for winter. The three layers are: wicking, insulating and weather protection.

1. Inside layer (or long underwear): This is the layer worn next to your skin. The inside layer, worn next to your skin, is usually long underwear. But, long underwear is no longer boring -–you'll see fun, slick and sexy styles for both men and women. There are definitely stand-alone pieces that can be worn as tops to show off. Choose a synthetic fiber that has "wicking" power so the material can wick (or move) moisture away from your skin and pass it through the fabric to evaporate. That way you stay warm, dry and comfortable. Silk is also a good, natural fabric that has wicking abilities.Even when it's cold, it’s possible to sweat — especially if you’re hiking uphill, snowshoeing or Nordic skiing.
2. Middle or insulating layer: Look for sweaters, pullovers, hoodies and vests designed to keep you heated by trapping air between the fibers. Popular insulation materials include fleece (and numerous variations), which dries quickly and keeps you warm even when wet and good old-fashioned wool which naturally wicks away moisture.
3. Outer/protection layer: Shells and pants serve as your guard against the elements of winter. They should keep out snow, sleet or rain and block the wind, while also letting perspiration evaporate.

Modern shells and pants are made waterproof and breathable by using tightly woven fabrics teamed with a coating or laminate. This keeps moisture on the outside but allows perspiration to escape — to keep you dry and comfortable. Look for jackets and pants using Gore-Tex, which is best for keeping out rain and wet snow.

Snowboard apparel is designed looser to give riders freedom of movement. Pants are reinforced in the seat and knees for extra protection when kneeling or sitting on the snow.

Don’t forget the details.Look for functional hoods, cuffs, pockets and zippers — details that work well in a snowstorm.

Tips for Winter Fashion & Clothing

Fashion Tips

1. The wicking layer should fit snugly (not tight) next to the skin in order to effectively wick moisture. Comfort is key for the insulating layer. It should be loose enough to trap air between layers, but not so bulky that it restricts movement. Whether you are a skier, snowshoer or snowboarder, your protection layer should fit comfortably, offering you maximum range of motion.
2. Don't wear jeans or street pants. Denim is not waterproof, so water will soak through and you'll end up cold, wet and miserable.
3. Cotton is not the best choice. Cotton is great for towels, because cotton soaks up and retains moisture. That's precisely why cotton is not great for on-slope apparel. It absorbs moisture (sweat and snow), and retains it. When the wind blows, you will get very, very cold. Don't wear cotton athletic socks, cotton jeans, cotton sweatshirts or cotton T-shirts unless it’s warm out!

Apparel Tips

1. Look for 100 percent UV protection in sunglasses. Make sure the glasses fit snugly behind your ears and rest gently on the bridge of your nose. You don’t want them falling off when you’re cruising through the powder!
2. Goggles should form an uninterrupted seal on your face, extending above your eyebrows and below your cheekbones. Watch for gaps, especially around your nose.
3. Don't buy gloves or mittens that are too tight. There should be a little air space at the tips of your fingers, which acts as additional insulation.

Cleaning sheepskin boots

I came across an article written by a filmmaker/writer Jonathon E. Stewart on how to keep your Ugg boots clean and this article will be very useful if you were to soil your boots one of these days.
Ugg boots is an Australian term for sheepskin footwear.  Footwear made of sheepskin will last a lifetime if they are well looked after and it is really easy to do the cleaning yourself at home.

First, look for a sheepskin cleaner meant for cleaning your sheepskin boots. They come in various types and prices so buy one that suits your purpose best.  Normally a mild cleaner will be more than sufficient to do the job but make sure you read the washing instructions on the bottle.
Then, wet a piece of soft cloth in water.  Squeeze out excess water so that the cloth is damp enough to do the cleaning without soaking the entire boots.  Gently wipe the outer part of your shoe with the damp cloth until you have removed all the dirt on it.

After that, get a sponge and dip it into the diluted cleaner.  Squeeze out excess cleaner and gently scrub the outer part of the boots with the sponge in small circles. Continue cleaning until you have removed all the dirt. For dirt trapped in corners and hard to reach places, use a toothbrush dipped in the cleaner. When all the cleaning is done, remove excess cleaner with a damp cloth. You might have to rinse several times.

Your sheep-skin boots is now ready to be dried. Remember to keep your boots away from direct heat as this can cause your boots to pucker. To maintain the shape of your boots, stuff the inside with paper and let it dry in a warm and dry corner.
To have your boots smelling fresh again, sprinkle some baking soda into it, shake well and leave overnight.  Charcoal will do the same but don't sprinkle charcoal onto your boot!  Finally, give your boot a good gentle brush using a suede brush.
If you are unsure of the step-by-step cleaning method, go to http://video.about.com/shoes/How-To-Clean-Ugg-Boots.htm. After this you won’t need to spend money sending your Ugg to the cleaners.  Good luck

How to clean suede

Suede is a lovely material - warm, soft and cuddly. Too bad it's such a terrible beast to clean. In general, have suede garments professionally cleaned. This can be costly but the most effective way to ensure the safety of your fabric. If you must clean your own, follow these guidelines.

1. Rub suede gently with a bath towel to restore some of its nap. 

2  Remove dry stains and marks from suede by gently rubbing a pencil eraser on the affected area. For wet stains lay a papertowel on top of stain to absorb most of the liquid. Do not apply any kind of stain remover or other products, especially if you want to have it professionally cleaned. This can interfere with the cleaning process. 

3.  Brush with a suede brush.

4. Apply a small amount of white vinegar to a lightly dampened cloth as a last resort for cleaning suede.

5. Gently rub the surface of the shoe with the cloth, then allow it to air dry.

6. Remember that stains on leather and suede should be professionally treated. This is always the best option. You never know how the leather was treated during the making of your fabric and what will happen if you try to clean it yourself.

Travel light & travel right

Holiday is here! One of the last things vacationers want to worry about is the condition of their clothes. And nobody wants to drag around suitcases full of stuff that never gets worn. To help travelers avoid these scenarios, here are some packing tips.

The best travel wardrobe consists of a few garments that can be combined to create multiple looks. This means fewer clothes and fewer shoes, which is especially important because footwear is heavy. Multi-purpose garments, such as an oversized shirt that can serve as a bathrobe and a coverup at the pool, or a simple dress that serves as a backdrop for accessories that can change the look from casual to dressy, will also help lighten the luggage load.

Plastic bags are a boon to a carefree travel wardrobe. Used properly, they can minimize, if not completely eliminate, wrinkled clothes. Garments can be hung on a hanger and covered with a dry cleaner´s bag, then folded and packed.

Once the destination is reached, hang the garments and remove the bags. If there´s no room for hangers in the luggage, hold the garment and bag by the shoulders, allowing the hanger to fall out before packing.

To help shoes keep their shape, stuff them with rolled up socks and stockings. Pack the shoes in plastic bags so the clothes stay clean.

Assemble children´s clothes by outfit. Then pack each outfit, right down to underwear and socks, in its own large self-closing plastic bag. Children will enjoy the on-the-road independence of being able to dress themselves. These same plastic bags, in assorted sizes, can be used to store small, easily misplaced supplies, such as band-aids, aspirin, first aid cream, etc. Be sure to squeeze the air out of the bags before sealing them.

Be prepared for some wardrobe first aid. A small traveler´s sewing kit and a stain remover stick or gel can handle most clothing emergencies. Use it to pretreat stains at the end of each day.

When choosing luggage, keep in mind that two small bags, with evenly distributed weight loads, are easier to handle than one large, heavy one.

How to get rust off your white clothes

When metal and water come into contact, it seems that metal is always on the losing side. Rust forms, creating a red-colored stain that makes the metal brittle.  If white fabric comes into contact with rust, the rust easily stains the fabric.  Everything shows up on white, so there is no hiding this obvious stain.  With the right "recipe", you can remove rust stains.

Step 1:  Mix cream of tartar and table salt in equal parts in a bowl.

Step 2:  Add enough hot water to make a thick paste.

Step 3:  Apply the paste onto the stain with a clean cloth

Step 4:  Allow the paste to sit on the stain for 15 minutes

Step 5:  Launder the garment in the hottest water allowable, with a scoop of laundry detergent

You can treat a large stain by adding 4 teaspoons of tartar cream to a pot of boiling water.  Place the stain area into the pot and allow it to boil for 10 to 15 minutes.  Check the label to ensure the garment can withstand heat,  Do not attempt to dry the garment until the stain is gone or it will become permanent.

Get wrinkles out of clothing using aluminum foil

Are you having a difficult time getting the wrinkles out of clothing that cannot take direct heating, such as silk, wool or rayon?  There is a little trick you can do.  Try aluminum foil, it has more uses than wrapping leftovers.

Step 1:   Place a piece of aluminum foil on the ironing board.  The piece of aluminum foil should be long enough to cover the clothing.

Step 2:   Lay the clothing flat over the aluminum foil.  Straighten out the garment, so that it is not bunched up in places.

Step 3:   Fill the iron half way with water. If the iron is filled up too much, it has the potential to leak. Press the steam button down and move the iron back and forth 3 or 4 inches above the clothing.  You will need to repeat this several times.

Step 4:    The wet heat emanating from the foil helps to get the wrinkles out!

Warning - do not place the iron directly on the clothing.

Clothing safety for children

t is important to check a child's clothing daily for safety, including clothing that children wear during dramatic play at home or at school.  Some children clothing - even a favorite pair of pajamas, an innocent-looking sweatshirt or a favorite Halloween costume - can be a health hazard.  Make safety a priority when dressing your little one.

Sharp Edges

Sharp points or edges can easily cause injuries to the delicate skin of children.  Metal zippers that come in contact with the skin must have a zipper guard behind the zipper (facing the body) for protection.  All stone-washed garments must have pockets basted shut to keep objects out of the pockets.  Velcro, hook and loop or fastening tape with sharp corners should not be applied.  No monofilament threads (those transparent fishing line likes of thread) should be used to sew children garments.  Trims such as rhinestones, sequins, etc should not be allowed on garment size 3T and below.

Drawstrings

Injuries and strangulation can occur if drawstrings from hoods and necks of jackets or sweatshirts get caught on playground equipment or objects such as doors, tree branches or fences.  Drawstrings can get caught on crib rails or in the netting of playpens as well.  It is best to purchase clothing that does not have drawstrings.  For waistbands that have drawstrings, the drawstrings must not exceed 3 inches outside the channel when the garment is extended to its fullest width and this drawstring should be secured to garment at midpoint.  Even single yarns used on products for decorations can be no longer than 3/8 inches.

Small Pieces

Buttons, studs, sequins and other small ornamental decorations on clothing can present a choking hazard.  Ensure that these items are securely fastened to garments.  If drawstring cord lock is used, it should lie flat against the garment. Also check for sharp objects or pins that could detach and puncture a child's delicate skin.

Fire Safety

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, it is safer to place a child in snug-fitting sleepwear.  Children who sleep in loose-fitting and over-sized cotton T-shirts are in danger because such garments can easily catch fire if near an ignition source.  The danger with loose-fitting clothing is that there is an air space between garment and the child's skin, which helps the fire t burn.  With snug clothing there is no air space to ignite and burn.  Nylon or polyester fabrics are safer than cotton, as these do not ignite easily.  Additionally, some children's sleepwear is specially treated to make the fabric flame-retardant.

Sun Protection

No matter where you live, children need to be protected from the skin-damaging effect of the sun.  Clothing should be made from tightly woven fabrics.  For maximum sun protection, wearing long sleeves and long pants is best.  Color plays a role in sun protection :  lighter colored fabric blocks more sun than darker colors.  Some new "high-tech" clothing is specially treated with UV absorbers that create a sunblock in the fabric.  Hats are a must to protect the face.  Hats should have a soft, adjustable brim that wont obstruct a child's field of vision.

Footwear

Shoes need to be worn for protection and to provide support.  Shoes that do not provide support or that have a high heel can be dangerous.  Keep shoelaces properly tied or choose Velcro fasteners with round edges, which are especially good for young children.  Wearing high heels when playing dress-up can cause injuries.  Untrimmed thread ends n the foot area of newborn baby items is a serious safety hazard as they may become wrapped around the babies toes and cause tourniquet.