Keepsakes not Toys

I've been wanting to write this blog post for quite some time, not quite getting round to it and not really knowing how to word it. Then last night I had a nightmare........

Ok, so it wasn't the typical nightmare, no monsters, no being chased by some axe murderer (although I may dream that now I've put that thought out there!), but a nightmare in my business head.

I dreamt that I had taken Sock Baby to the playground, and while there, was approached by an angry man, not bearing an axe, but a monkey I had created for his family, from his son's most cherished baby sleepsuits. He started pointing where the seam had come undone on one of the arms, and where the fabric was tearing at the point where the tail was attached. The monkey was looking pretty battered, and covered in fingerprints. I tentatively asked the question: 'Has your son been playing with it?'. The reply I'd expected came: 'Well of course, it's a stuffed toy isn't it?'.

'Erm, well actually it's not. It may have the appearance and feel of a stuffed toy, but it's actually intended to be a keepsake, a memento of your child's early days'. Of course I woke up before I'd carefully worded my response. Well actually I was kicked awake by Sock Baby, but that's another story!

Although sleepsuits are tough little suits that get worn again and again, getting thrown up on, pooed on, and washed and washed more times than you'd imagine, they're not always that tough once they've been cut. The fabric can become quite fragile, especially when you add a needle sewing through it into the mix. Of course, some are stronger than others, and this varies by brand and how much or little they've been washed, but all potentially could tear if pulled about or played with roughly. 

From a safety point of view, each keepsake has button eyes, and although I try and sew these on securely, they still pose a choking hazard for young children. Because clothing isn't CE tested, I can't have the keepsakes CE tested, so therefore, from a legal sense, these can not be advertised as being toys. 

Another point to consider is washing. Sock Baby has claimed my keepsake samples and has them sat on a chair in her room. As they are samples, and hold no sentimental value to me, I'm not worried if they do get pulled apart. Mostly they just sit there untouched, but one day she ventured upstairs shortly after eating a chocolate biscuit. She took the lion off the chair. I put it in the washing machine to clean it, and although it is now clean, the stuffing inside has displaced and the appearance of the lion is now not as pleasing on the eye. Therefore, I would deem these keepsakes as 'sponge clean' only. 

Hopefully my nightmare will never become a reality, and of course if anyone did have any issues I'd like for them to contact me so I can try to resolve them. However, if your keepsake is used as intended, then it's very unlikely any problems will arise. 

Thanks for reading.