Making your own toys for GE X
 

Some people have stated that they do not want to recieve toys from China for GE. So my question is if we make toys ourself and the some of the materials are of origin of China(which most are nowadays) is that ok?

I had thought that too,since most fabrics are from China.

I don't know how we would know if the material came from China or not. I think almost everything originates there anyway. Even if things say "made in the US" some of the materials probably came from China. You just can't avoid it completely. I say make them and if your GE buddy doesn't want them, then they don't have to use them.

I don't see why not, that would be cute, as long as the material isn't bad for them

I think most people have said that plush toys from China are fine, so I would imagine that material would fall into the 'plush' category.

Some fabric and materials arn't all made in China, I have been looking at these things while I was in there. There are some ppl that want NOTHING from China, so I dont know what I am going to do, but so far the things that I have the yorkies can't really get hurt by them, so I guess you should tell them when you right a note and put it in there box.

It can be very difficult to determine the origin of all the components of a product -- take simple cotton fabric for instance. First there would be all of the raw materials that make up the fiber including the dyes that are used. If the raw materials are from the US and sent to China to manufacture the fabric, then how can we be sure that cross contamination doesn't occur -- i.e. that the dyes sent from the US aren't swapped with or diluted with unsafe products from China?

I guess we have to be vigilent and watch for recalls and information regarding the safety of everything we use with our kids. I don't know of any problems with fabrics -- It might be a good idea to wash fabrics and/or toys before sending them out or include a note to remind the receiver to wash toys before use.

I'll be making some of my own GE presents, and I'll do my best to check out the China thing. Washing them first is a real good idea.

Well, washing poly fill should be interesting....

i think most of us are just concerend about the plastic toys.... layla LOVES plush toys.. esp tug of war ones.. and if the fabric comes from there.. that's fine by us.. we LOVE homemade gifts!!

I agree with this-please wash any fabrics you buy to make toys/clothes before you start sewing. Also, I wash all the clothes/toys that I buy before giving them to Emma & Milli-just to be safe! If you've ever worked in retail, you know the kinds of things that merchandise can come in contact with before it ends up with the buyer-and I wouldn't want anyone, or my dogs to have anything that was unwashed.

I plan to check the origin of products as carefully as I can, wash fabrics when possible, make homemade toys, and not purchase laytex or rubber toys or treats from China at all. I'm also being very careful to avoid fabric or material that is heavily dyed.

I guess I'm just suspicious. Please forgive me if this offends anyone.

I was thinking the same thing....I picked up some felt the other day and it was made in China ---- WHICH almost everything we buy anymore IS made in China. So, I think it would be soooo hard to find something that is 100% China FREE! In fact, it is probably near impossible these days!

I think the recall items were the painted items (lead based items) and of course, dog toys that are rubber, latex, vinyl would fall under that catagory (if they were made in China).

I think everything else is fine (isn't it)....shoot half of human baby plush are made in China and they are not recalled, so I would assume if they are fine then plush dog toys are.

Also, human clothing (most of) are made in China and they are not recalled, so I take it dog clothing that might be made over there is fine too.

I think it would cause soo much stress to look, wonder and worry about if each material is made in the China or not. So, for our GE buddies, we are happy and fine with anything plush or clothing (from anywhere) - we do not want any treats from China or any rubber (painted) toys - which all that is listed on our GE sign up sheet anyway.

Happy Stress-Free Shopping to our GE Buddies!

I think washing toys and clothing is a MUST no matter what - before you wear them or play with them! YUCK! Imagine all the places they have been already! :(

I don't know if I would pre-wash items before you send them though for your GE....what if something doesn't fit right.....if you already washed it, the tags will be off and then the GE could not exchange it for the right size...etc. Just my thoughts.

Yes, that\'s true-just wash fabrics before you sew with them, and leave the tags on the things that you buy so that your GE buddy\'s parents can make an exchange if necessary. Great idea Jenn!