We are welcoming our 3rd child next month and this time its a boy! As to ease the wallet - I've opted to make much of what I like and /or need for baby 3. Lets look at the projects shall we!
Above I've made a nursing pillow (usually about $25-$40). I used some of the fabric I got on my trip to Africa while visiting family. The underside is fleece, so this should be comfy! Cost for all materials about $6. Sure beats $40!
Here is my nursing cover, baby swaddler and tag blanket (Cover and swaddler usually about $20-$25 each, tag blanket from $5-15) I got the fabrics on sale for 3.89 a yard, the ribbon was $1 a spool, velcro was about $1 and the fleece was $1.5. Total to make all these was about $14.
Blanket detail
I just finished the play mat today. Its hard to gauge the fabric costs since its made from various scrap pieces. The batting is organic cotton and was $5 for the roll (with coupon from Jo-Ann's), I'll estimate the fabric at about $7 - since some was from Africa, other projects, and just left over scraps I found. So about $12 to make.
This brings the grand total to $32. Not bad! What would all this cost in the store? I think it would be around $100 - $150. As you can see - It pays to make it yourself!