My Best Sewing Friend (or Foe?)

Friend, I think.  I really couldn't live without him and find a strange calm wash over me as he does his job.  Yes, it may mean I really screwed up, but it's proof that in sewing, most things are salvageable.  I don't know what you are thinking about...I'm only talking about my seam ripper!

Those colorful, stripey pants I made for C were a bit too snug in the bum area.  So, I actually managed ten quiet minutes to myself this afternoon to listen to the rain, put my feet up, and start tearing the pants apart.  I know, TEN WHOLE MINUTES!!!  Granted, I probably should have been folding laundry, or some other domestic duty, but it's a rare occasion when both kids are napping/resting simultaneously, and after a busy day on the the go, I needed to take those ten minutes and methodically pick apart those threads.  I'm not finished with it, but at least I've started!

Getting Chilly!

Fall is in the air!  We are having a nice fall thunderstorm as I type.  Mornings are chilly and since C is more of a leggings girl, she doesn't have many warm pants to wear over her gymnastics leotard.  I just purchased a new fleece in her favorite color, and happened to have some matching fabric.

Honestly, what doesn't match this multi-colored fleece?  C chose it last year, and I am finally getting around to using it to make her something.  

Although I have several "patterns" for pants in my sewing pile, I didn't mark them, so am not sure if they were drafted for C or S.  (I know they are 2 years apart in age, but the cloth-diapered toddler body is remarkably similar to the panty-wearing preschool body.  They actually wear the same play-pants--which are pants for S and capris for C.) 

I made a new pattern using this basic method.  This time I marked it with her name and the date.

I also decided to make a quick scarf.  

I don't think we'll lose track of her while she's wearing this outfit!

Baptism Dress

My beautiful new niece was baptized on October 10th.  She is such a delightful baby.  I was so happy my family and I could attend her baptism and especially pleased to help my sister sew the baptism dress.

 The dress was made from a shirt Neely wore while pregnant with little W.

Can it be considered an heirloom even though only one baby has worn it?  I really loved helping make the dress and like to think that it will be worn again.

Sewing with my Sister

The kids and I recently spent ten days with my sister.  She and I found a few evenings to sew together.

Growing up, she was the one that learned to sew.  I remember the scrunchies she churned out on my Gram's sewing machine.  She even made some to match our candy striper uniforms.  She modeled an outfit at the county fair, too.

I didn't started sewing until last year, but it inspired Neely to get out her machine again. It's much nicer than mine.

Why would Pooh Bear be serving as a model?  Very "Project Runway", don't you think?

Big Butt Baby--Pants!

I've been trying to perfect my pants pattern for months.  I can do knit and fleece, which stretch, but using cotton or something similar has proven challenging.  They just don't want to go over that fluffy diaper!  And store-bought pants are a joke.  So, I was thrilled when Made-by-Rae recently published a pants pattern appropriate for cloth-diapered babies, aptly named Big Butt Baby Pants.

My first pair I made using some fabric I picked up very cheap at an estate sale.   I didn't want to use something I had spent much money on in case they didn't turn out, and it turns out I LOVE them.  I also found out the fabric is called chambray (kind of like denim, but cotton-weight) and Rae made something similar for her daughter.

These pants feature an extra panel in the rear, which not only helps accommodate that big ol' dipe, but it is so cute!

I also added some pockets, but clearly my placement is off.  They ended up more like knee pads.  Oops!  Check out Rae's for a better version.  The wide cuff is because I made the 2T size, but S is more of 12-18 month height, but this will leave plenty of growing room.  In fact, they fit C as capris!

I am also working on a pair in a linen-like fabric to coordinate with a project my sister is working on.  We're headed there this week so you'll have to check her blog for progress.  

Cloth Napkins for the Kids

Now that S is eating everything we do, and using a spoon, we need more cloth napkins.  They are so much more effective then using a disposable napkin or paper towel, and at the end of the meal, we can just wet it and give the little guy a really good wipe down, then wipe the crumbs off the table, chair, wall and floor.  C's "job" at mealtime is to lay out napkins, and the kids have their own flannel monkey set.  Flannel is great for kids because it is so soft.  So, when I found this fun flannel for my ribbon blankets, I bought extra for napkins.  This is the same method I also use to make cloth wipes, so pay attention Neely, I know you'll be needing more of those soon!

(Since I sew at night, these photos are not the best.)

First, off, what size should you cut the napkins (or wipes)?  Since these are kids' napkins, you don't want them too big.  I find 8x8 to be a good size, but in the spirit of using every single inch of my fabric, cut mine 8x9 (so the finished size ends up being more like 7.5x8.5).  Put a few pins in, noting that black pin at the top of the square.

That black pin at the top helps me remember to leave a 2 inch gap for turning.  (Yes, I have forgotten.)

Now clip the corners.

Turn it right side out and poke the corners a bit with a chop stick.  Press it and think of Gram (remember from this post how I said she loved ironing).  Top stitch with a smaller seam allowance, remembering to close the opening.

When you get to a corner, make sure your needle is down, lift the presser foot, and turn.

If you have difficulty getting around a corner, use your scissors to help push the fabric along.

I always make sure to trim the extra fabric from the beginning before I meet up with it.  I've had those threads catch in my bobbin before and it made quite a mess.  

Admire your top-stitching.

And now you have new napkins (or wipes)!

 P.S.  Has this ever happened to you?

What a pain.  If it's on the inside, I just trim the threads nice and close.  No one will see.  Otherwise, rip out the seam and start sewing again, making sure to back stitch over that area.  

Road Trip?

We're ready!  In fact, road trip is a regular part of our 3-year olds vernacular.  She LOVES traveling, and also LOVES playing with her cars (and trains, for that matter).  At home, we build parking garages, car washes, car haulers, etc.  With several trips coming up, the girl would be lost without her cars.  So, inspired by this and this over at Homemade by Jill, I made C a nice little packet.

Which unfolds to reveal some fun.

You can easily tell where we do most of our errands--Whole Foods, the library, Costco, and of course, home.  You could find several better-made versions of car play mats and car caddies, but the best part of sewing for a preschooler is that they don't really care how nicely it is constructed, just how fun it is.  I think this will be lots of fun!!!

I'm thinking of adding some little felt replicas of our family to go with it.  Another day, another trip.