The collection of new baby clothing and bedding that is lovingly prepared for a newborn baby: socks, booties, gowns, hats and jackets, swaddling blankets, sheets, pillowcases, and comforters.
In earlier times, all the women in the family would have been involved, gathering to help the expectant mother with these items, taking great care in making them, following family tradition, and using only the best of materials; some of these textiles would have been especially shorn, spun, woven, stitched or saved for just such an occasion.
Preparing the layette is still very much part of the excitement of the pregnancy period but with more complex logistics, and time pressures, greater consumer choice such close involvement is rare, but there is still nothing like the good news of an imminent baby to set the knitting needles a-clacking.