Something about Wonder Threads' designs, with their gently curving lines and clever details, makes them seem friendlier than most babywear. But it's not until you have them in your hands that you can really appreciate the craftsmanship of these hand-appliqued, machine-washable duds. The smiling creature on the snail T-shirt ($38) is crafted from three shades of super-touchable terry cloth, stitched into spirals and accented with embroidered antennae. The mushroom onesie ($38), in woodsy green or psychedelic pink, sprouts three pieces of polka-dotted fungi, each with its own texture and personality. Wonder Threads is a one-woman operation, and creator Diana makes even the most over-used motifs — skulls, dinosaurs — seem fresh and distinct. All patterns are available in both onesies and toddler-sized T-shirts. — Gwynne Watkins