How well do I need to be able to sew in order to make your patterns?

If you can thread your machine, make a buttonhole and stitch a straight or zigzag seam, you will be able to make all of our patterns.  If you have ANY trouble at all, please, contact us!!  Our designers will not only give you any help you need, but are anxious to hear of any problems encountered while using our pattern instructions.  Click for e-mail.

May I glue-gun my pieces together instead of sewing them?

An emphatic “No!” to this one. We have found that activities made this way just don’t last. Sorry!  Also, when pieces aren’t securely sewn, the chance of little ones swallowing buttons, pieces, etc. increases.

If I order a ready-made quiet activity, how can I embellish it to make it one-of-a-kind?

Embellishing our quiet activities can be a lot of fun.  Here are just a few of the ways our customers have been creative: 

• tiny buttons and ribbons sewn to the Dress-Up outfits and closets
• child's name embroidered on the Take-A-Long Tote
• specialty buttons sewn wherever! 
• small feathers sewn on hats
• However you decide to embellish, please make sure that buttons etc. are sewn on securely.

NO!  Those activities that are offered as a pattern require only fabric, felt and notions easily found in any fabric store.   Froggy eyes, squeakers and Velcro used in the Take-A-Long Tote are offered on our website.  

Do I need to worry about pieces getting lost?

Before we answer this question, let us offer a suggestion.  We have found that quiet activities are most effective when they are NOT accessible to children EXCEPT during those times when a quiet activity is needed i.e. church, doctor visits, one-on-one quality time with parents, during car and plane trips etc.  This makes the activity something special which children will continue to look forward to using.  Since it is used only during specified times, it is easier to make sure all the pieces are accounted for before putting the activity away.  However, knowing that losing pieces is a problem and concern, we have constructed our activities with plenty of pockets!!   Teach your child, as soon as the quiet book is presented, that all the pieces to each activity need to be put away before going on to the next one.  We have found that, when taught, even young children enjoy putting pieces away in a pocket or making sure they are fastened to the page.  It merely becomes part of the adventure!!

That said, if you do lose a piece or it gets destroyed (kids are very handy with scissors and permanent markers!) we will replace it for a nominal fee.  Click here to replace lost pieces.

Are the quiet book pages able to be washed?

The Take-A-Long Tote and Folder Tote are machine washable. Unfortunately, felt and sewn laminated paper are not.  Both can be hand cleaned, however.   The pieces are water resistant but not waterproof.  That is why we stress clean hands!