Make A Newborn Nest Photography Prop

I noticed on a Facebook forum/group which I am a part of, that some members were looking at buying a newborn photography prop that is like a little nest.
I have actually seen a few in photographs that people have taken and some are really sweet!
Instead of paying $100 for one, I am going to show you how to make one. The best thing about it is that it really is very easy to do, I made mine in less than an hour, and It can be totally free!

When it comes to photography fashion ( yes, it even happens in photo-world ) it can change in the blink of an eye and you will have spent a fortune on props that in a few years time, and with only a small amount of use, are no longer your or your clients prop of choice. Making your own is sensible, AND you can take pride in the fact that your images are entirely yours, right down to the details!

Right let's get started.

The first thing you will need is your branches. I used off cut vines from the local vineyard. They are long, very flexible and pretty interesting too. Most useful is the lack of pokey and thorny bits, you don't want any of those with little babies!

I would suggest that if you cannot access prunnings from vines, use willow branches. The look of the nest will be different, but no less useful and sweet.
Just make sure that you are creating your nest straight after you get your material, because the wood will loose it's flexibility quickly. If that happens, you may as well throw the branches out and start again.

Some scissors and something to tie the ends together at the start are also needed. I just used some wool I had lying around. You only need a little bit, so don't spend any money on something fancy!

Take a good, long piece of your vine and shape it into a circle. Tie the ends together.

The size of your nest will depend on the size of these initial circles. If this is being used as a newborn photography prop, make sure it's large enough to fit a baby!

Repeat this 3 times till you have a little stack of them. Try to make them a similar size.

Gather the three rounds together and take a new, long branch/vine and wrap it around the three circles. You can use your shorter branches further down the track.

You will need to go over and under the circles, weaving it tighter as you go. I did not tie anything together because I was using vines. You may need to do this if using willow. If you do need to, make sure it is tucked in and hidden, and most importantly, NOT sharp!

Tuck your ends between the other branches. As you build up the nest, the weaving and sticking ends in will become easier and easier. If using willow, you may find it a little quicker if you take four or five branches together and weave. ( just make sure you have removed the leaves first! ) A willow nest will have an entirely different feel and look to this vine one.

Keep building on the weave. 

It doesn't matter if some of the branches are not perfect. Real nests are like that too!

Keep working at it until you feel you are happy with the size.

Your all done!

Now, as an option, you may like to make a couple more and stack them, using wire to tie them together and make them safe. This way you could use them as a toddler nest as well, and the child could sit within, peeking out. It's up to you!

You can also vary the look by how loose or tight you weave. It really is entirely up to your own personal taste and the material you are using.

As I don't take on much work as a newborn photographer, I can only show you the nests with a pillow and blanket in the middle. One day I will update this and add a real baby in my nest!

Have fun! Don't get scared that you can't make one! 

Give it a go and feel proud of yourself for creating it! 

How To Make A Vintage Bonnet

I have seen these gorgeous bonnets, that some people are using for infant photography. They really appeal to me, as they suit my style and I love delicate, pretty things!

When I set out to find one, I realised they cost a fair amount of money. So, typically, I decided to make my own, and give you a tutorial on how to make your own too.

Be aware, my sewing skills are pretty poor, my machine is a 1966 singer, and this is a photography prop... not for every day use!

Lets get started!

YOU NEED 

Scissors.

Fabric

Really wide lace

A sewing machine

Hot glue gun

Fancy wool, that can be pulled out

A beautiful button

Small bit of felt

Pins

Thread... LOL

It will take around 5 minutes to cut it out, five for dying it, a day for it to dry, and around 1 1/2 hours to make. And the cost is around $ 5.00. If you use stuff you already have at home, even better!

To start, you will need to dye your lace or fabric. If you are starting with white, you have so many choices!

I chose to colour mine using tea and coffee! I just took a couple of really long bits or my wool, a piece of my lace and the felt, and dunked them in my bowl with the tea/coffee solution. I left mine for an hour. ( Of course, you could spend a bit of money and get some real dye, and do it according to the instructions.)

 This really aged the colour, which I like. You will need to rinse them thoroughly after, and dry them to begin the bonnet.

You will need to cut your fabric into a piece that is 50cm x 25cm. This should fit a child 1-3 years.

I think if you want it for a really little baby, do it at 40 x 20cm. Or smaller!

And you also need two long strips, about 3cm in width and as long as you can get it. These will make the frill, and the bonnet ties.

You will need to sew a edge to the longer sides. I find ironing them first, then sewing them makes it really easy and quick. And you can iron out all the creases in the fabric while your at it!

The Frill was the trickiest bit, for me. ( I'm really not good at sewing, hence the crooked lines!! )

I folded the fabric in half. Then, through trial and error, added my frill, in between each side of the fabric. I pinned each time, so the end result will look something like this...

Then sewed it very slowly, taking the pins out as I went... making sure that the fabric on either side was covering the frill.

Then I sewed all the edges... BUT.. Now this is very important... I made a mistake when putting it together!
Please note, you need a gap for your back ribbon/ wool to fit through, and be pulled tight.
  I made it too long and so it ended up looking like this.

When It should look like this...

 So, yes, stick to the fabric length which was first suggested, it makes for a much sturdier bonnet!

The ends MUST be left open! ( note the dodgy sewing!!! ) 

All the next photos are done with the first edge, so please understand, your hat will look shorter than the images, because you will have got it right the first time!

Now take the other long strip of fabric, and sew it to the bonnet a shown below...

Now you can add your pretty things. You need not add the wide lace, that I am using. You can add mohair wool, or flowers, or fabric or anything that takes your fancy! Depending on your skills!

I added and measured my lace...

Then I threaded my fancy wool through the gaps, with plenty left at the sides to hang down, with the bonnet fabric ties.

 So It ended up looking like this.

Then I used a hot glue gun to stick it on, directly over the fabric used to tie it...

Don't forget to tuck the ends of the lace in, it's neater that way.

This is what it should look like... with STRAIT sewing and gluing...LOL!
(luckily, it doesn't really matter too much! )

I then made a little flower to glue onto it, using felt cut into a circle, and gluing the same wool onto it, twisting it into a circle till it meets the edge.

Then I glued a pretty button on.

And I added a strand of wool onto the back too, this gave it some extra interest.

Glue it on!

The final bit!

Thread some wool, ribbon or string through the back , and gather it in, tight.

Tie it in a knot, to hold it, and a pretty bow.

 Ta Da!!!

And I guess I will be using it, at the next girlie shoot! Hmmm, this was actually quite easy, so I think I might go and get some different fabric and make some more, it's always quicker the next time you try something!

Have fun!