Waiting...

... for baby girl to be here to snuggle in this cocoon...and pose in a shrug and don some hats.

Less than a month to go, and yes, mommy is feeling it. Below is the first cocoon (deemed not girly enough by me, have I mentioned that this pregnancy has left me so indecisive it's just ridiculous? I have knitted a couple of items, only to decide I don't like them once they are complete). The cocoon is a free pattern get it here.

Below is my second Itty Bitty Baby Dress from Made By Rae (free here). You can see my first attempt here. I've gone back and forth about adding a little something to the top, like an embroidered flower, a friend suggested baby's first initial (um, we don't know that yet, no agreement between me and C, probably won't know until forced to decide by her arrival and even then, I'm thinking it's going to be a tough decision).

An awesome wet bag for cloth diapers (or anything wet, like bathing suits). I did not make this. It's a gift from a friend who (along with Mel and her husband and some posts from Tasha) has really encouraged me to try cloth diapering. Isn't the fabric great?!?

This past week, C and I went to a free cloth diapering class put on by a local store that carries lots of cloth diapering gear as well as breastfeeding supplies and slings, wraps, etc. We purchased a few prefolds and a Snappi, and the same friend who gave me the wet bag has loaned me a few newborn size covers. We are going to give it a try.

So about the waiting...
we are also waiting for...

-me to use up all the regular detergent, so we can "treat" our washing machine to start laundering cloth diapers

-the paint in baby's room to dry, so we can see if any touching up needs to be done

-the painting to be done, so we can put all the *girly* crib bedding on, set up the bed and put the quilt my aunt made on it, move all the shower gifts in, decorate... Aieee!!

-for me to finish her coming home outfit (requires a bit more sewing and a try at freezer paper stenciling... Aieee!!)

Notice a theme here? To top it off, I'm having some contractions as I type this (I've been having them off and on).

Knowing me, the next post will hopefully be all about baby :)

A Hitch in My Giddy-up

I really, really want to be doing a whole bunch of sewing for the coming baby, but my aching legs make the cutting fabric and ironing parts of sewing difficult. Here is my first finished project for baby:
Itty Bitty Baby Dress tutorial from Made by Rae (free!)

So, my varicose veins have really put a hitch in my sewing giddy-up as well as my giddy-up in general. I am hoping to go tomorrow to get some better support hose that the midwife actually wrote a prescription for. Maybe that will help me get going on my ever-growing list of projects for baby.

In other news, things that are making me happy:

1) Only one more week of school for the boys! Hooray! Can't wait to wake up and not have to rush around like a mad woman.

2) A shower for baby! Great friends are hosting a shower for me and baby next month. I have been having so much fun registering for pink clothes. Mel, wouldn't it be cool if you could register at fabric.com??

3) Aunt J and her husband are visiting us today! They are in town for the week from their home in London.

4) Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles Recipe from Smashed Peas and Carrots go here! Dangerously yummy!

5) C has agreed to paint baby's room if I take the boys away from the house for a full day :)

Hope to be back with more sewing projects soon! Maybe between the new hose and no school, I'll be giddy-upping:)

The Simple Woman's Daybook

On a blog I enjoy reading, Cheaper By the Half Dozen, these Daybook posts appear some days, and I really enjoy them. Sometimes, it's fun to have a peek into another's thoughts and schedule.

Outside my window...the dogwoods are abloom along with the azaleas on the sunny side of the house (and there is a greenish-yellow film on the cars from all the pollen).

I am thinking... about colors to paint the walls in a little girl's room.

I am thankful for... friends who loan maternity clothes. One brought by two Rubbermaid boxes full this weekend. It's awesome to have a whole new wardrobe.

From the learning rooms... almost finished with Little House in the Big Woods. I wasn't sure if H would enjoy this, but, luckily, there are several bears, a panther, and a deer involved in some chapters.

From the kitchen... ha ha! Maybe this shouldn't be a part of my daybook entry.

I am wearing... white t-shirt and black yoga pants (pretty much still in my pj's).

I am creating... a schedule for this week of fun things to do with the boys.

I am going... to the museum with the boys later in the week, also to a doctor appointment, looking forward to sharing the news that it's a girl with one of my favorite midwives.

I am reading... The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson (It started out sort of dry, but it's getting better).

I am hoping... to get busy on some knitting projects this week.

I am hearing... the washing machine and two little boys playing, vroom vroom crash.

Around the house... we are being overrun with Rubbermaid boxes but mostly for good reasons, as mentioned above.

One of my favorite things... sewing things for the boys. I made this vest for H to wear on Easter. It turned out a bit smaller than anticipated (even though I decreased the seam allowances), but I still thought it looked nice. I have to add a button (that's why the pocket seems a bit far toward the side seam). You can get the pattern free from Leila and Ben here.

Sanity Keepers

Sanity keeper #1 - knowing Spring is coming. Maybe slowly, but it's coming! And once it's here? H can wear what Mel has christened his jams. I think they'll be great for playing outside and lounging around the house in the summer. I used the bandanna pants tutorial from Blue Yonder Ranch.

#2 and #3 -Knitting and Reading (not at the same time, I'm not that advanced) When W is getting his hair cut, he usually looks at pictures on my iPhone. I have pictures of my knitting and sewing projects on there, and the gal who cuts his hair asked, "How do you have time to do that?" meaning knitting in this case. My first thought was, "I have to." I guess for me knitting is pretty therapeutic and, for someone who adores crossing a to-do off my list, the sense of completing something is so nice. So, I wondered, how does someone not do it? I know knitting isn't for everyone, but for me knitting and reading are sometimes my "sanity-keepers" if you will. (I wish I could say sewing was the same, but let's just say not yet, just not as natural to me yet). If I didn't have these hobbies to help me feel that I am accomplishing something and let me escape a bit, I'd be crazy (or crazier). What's keeping you sane?

More Projects: Sewing (Reversible Pinafore)

Finally, I got an outfit made for my good friend's daughter who was born in (cringe) July. I am so excited to have the two pictures of her below modeling her outfit.
Particularly happy to have a back view, as it isn't easy to get a good shot of the back when it's just on a hanger. The top is a combination of Butterick's 3846 pinafore pattern and this awesome tutorial from The Stuff I Live For blog. Check it out! She's got some awesome stuff and tutorials. The McCall's pattern pieces were great for helping me cut out the right shape and size, but when it came to following the sewing instructions, I was lost, completely lost.

Pocket detail on the pants. I didn't think this through all the way, because, the pockets are on the sides of the pants, so you don't see the pockets straight on. Oh well, I know the hearts are there, and I like 'em! Pants are Simplicity pattern 3765.
Of course, the pinafore is reversible and above is the reverse side of the pink pinafore top. And, just to prove that I wasn't just being lazy, below is the first pinafore I made for the same little one. One side, the awesome bug fabric (as seen here)...
...the other, a sweet autumn leaves pattern (put out by Springs Creative Products Group).
Unfortunately, by the time I got it completed, I felt like it was too late for fall leaves, so this pinafore will wait for another little one. So there we are, finally, I get it all complete and delivered, just in time for Valentine's!

A New Dress and Some Models

So this is the other little girl's dress I've been working on...
The neckline (above). This dress was pretty simple and fast. The back (below) which I like as much as the front. The arms and back are a Moda fabric which I bought at a quilting store and is a bit pricey. Alas, the pricey fabric is easier to work with and doesn't have to be ironed as much. I was hoping this wasn't true, but it seems that, at least in this case, higher price = higher quality.
Details of the bugs above, and below, a model! Actually, it's the recipient of this dress. She's the daughter of a friend. Sorry about the whited-out faces, but as paranoid as I am about pictures of my own children on the internet, I must do it.

Her older sister received one of the dish towel dresses. Check here for a dish towel dress made from different Target Dollar Spot towels.

I think she's telling me, "Enough with the pictures, Ms. K!" Or maybe she's going to break into "Stop, In the Name of Love."Hooray for hand sewn dresses!
I've got some other finished projects to post soon!

Halloween Sewing

Here are some of my Halloween goodies.



The little pillowcase-style dresses are from the tutorial at Trey and Lucy's (check the right side of Trey and Lucy for pictures and links to all of the great tutorials). As you can see if you check out the tutorial, I completely copied her, right down to the ribbon color choice. These are made from dish towels that were in the Target Dollar Spot! The material is stretchy which I hope will help as I'm making these for a three year-old and four year-old. I used my four year-old as a size guide, so fingers-crossed they'll fit. These truly were easy peasy to sew.

The headband (that orange thing in the middle) is from the tutorial at Blue Bird Studio. I've used it before. It's very simple and quick to make. However, I have issues with backstitching on zig zag to enclose the rubber band type hair whatchmacallit. I don't think others have this problem. I got the material for the headband in a fat eighth, and that is enough to do two of these headbands, good deal!

So now you know (at least some of) what I've been working on.

Pants-Along: All Done (aka The Big Reveal)

As my little guy would say, Ta da! Here are my pants all sewn up. I love them! I had set myself a deadline to have them finished to wear to book club, and although I was hemming the legs twenty minutes before departure, I finished. The book club members commented on them before I told them I made them, so that gave me more confidence for future sewing. And no, I have no idea why this text is underlined.


Excuse the wrinkles, these pictures were taken after I wore them to book club. They "ride" quite low, but that's how I wanted them. Plus, they have to fit over the hips since there isn't a button, zipper, or elastic.

Here's the view from above. Lets you see the pretty casing. I've been pleasantly surprised at how well the drawstring works and how comfortable I feel in the pants.
Here's a picture with the fabulous pockets and some of the casing for the drawstring. My front and back did not line up evenly (although my sewing aunt says that is okay). I also had a place on the front where I must not have cut straight and there was a place that was higher, so I couldn't draw a straight line to follow for my top-stitching as Joanna recommended. Instead, I turned them wrong side out and stitched close to the edge of the casing, used my tailor's chalk to trace a line right along the stitching, then ripped those stitches out, turned the pants right side out, and top-stitched on the chalk line. I still have one place where I didn't catch the casing. Oh well, not going to worry about that.
Just going to sit back and enjoy my new, one of a kind pants :) Although, there are a lovey for H and that kimono I've mentioned just waiting for me to fire up the Bernie Mac.

Thank you to Joanna for doing the pants-along. I hope to make more. These are twill, but I bought some chino to try. If you've ever sewn chino, let me know if you think it will work. It seems a bit slick... Anyway, this has given me great practice and great pants, hooray pants-along!

Put Your Hand in My Pocket - Pants-along

Ha! but don't pull out a rocket, or do any pulling on these pockets, please!


What can I say? Toot, toot! That's me tooting my own horn. I laa-uvvv them. Go ahead, click on the picture, see them up close and in detail (C's photography, not mine). When I started to work on them, I got so involved. I didn't eat supper. I left the boys' yogurt container out for a couple of hours (it was still cool, so no loss). I just got in a sewing groove. Ah, and it was a good groove that really worked well, much better (read: easier) than I would have expected. I didn't have any directions other than my own idea of what I wanted, and it turned out just as I had pictured. I've already gotten the casing in, but I still have to top stitch it in place and hem. Then it will be time for the big reveal :)

Pants-along: First Try On (It's all about the top-stitching)

This weekend I tried on my pants for the first time. I am pretty pleased with how they are turning out. The legs are a bit baggy, but if I think they are too baggy, I may make them capri-length. After trying them on, I though the front seam (along the rise) looked a bit too plain (as seen in the above picture). After reviewing Joann's instructions, I realized I was supposed to top-stitch that seam. So, I've done that, and they look much, much better. It's amazing what a little contrasting thread can accomplish. I finished up the butt-darts yesterday, so now it is on to back pockets (hopefully today).

I am so glad I decided to try to make these. The process is really helping me gain some confidence in my sewing. I still have much to learn, but now I know "anything can happen, child. Anything can be."

Moving Along

I'm headed to a sewing night with Mel and this talented woman. Luckily, this has lit a fire under my behind to get going on my pants for the pants along. I've got the fronts and backs cut. I'm hoping to get some bobbins wound and ready to go.

I'll be honest, I'm letting a knitting project take over any time I have that isn't taken up by reading (Beach Music by Pat Conroy for local library book club) which isn't much as most of my time is spent worrying over or taking care of the boys. Apparently, we've all gotten a cold. Mine and C's have turned into sinus infections. The boys have both coughed until they threw up. H was up at 5:18 AM coughing, coughing, and coughing. I took them to the doctor today. It has been a long day. C started back to school today. No English classes this time! Hooray!

Pants-along

I am going to try to keep up with Joanna over at Stardust Shoes in the Pants-along. I got some chocolate twill. Still picking the casing for the waist and the top-stitching thread color. Here are some pics.


Think I'm leaning toward the orange, but (oh ye of little faith) I'm so worried these won't turn out (not because of Joanna's instruction or inspiration just my novice-ness). I hate to waste cute fabric. If these pictures are all wonky once I post, I am sorry. I am not good at getting pictures side by side or anything besides one per post for that matter. This picture ---->
is more indicative of the chocolate color.

I've got some kind of sinus problem going, but I'm taking medicine as the little guy's birthday is drawing near. Mommy can't be sick!

Giving New Meaning to the Phrase Cutie Pie

I have been waiting for the okay to link to this hat, because I am just blown away at what people can think of and create. Then, when I checked Blue Bird Studio today, the latest posts are a baby bowl and a baby cocoon with the directions for knitting both. Go take a look, all three of these are so adorable.

Also, While They Sleep is having a giveaway for a handmade pod swaddler or the pattern to make your own. Such a cute and useful idea (my oldest HAD to be swaddled in order to sleep as an infant).

Lots of baby stuff out there, and since the two friends I had showers for back in June just recently had their girls a week and a day apart, it's been baby-visiting time around here. When I see newborns, it's hard for me to believe my boys were ever that small. It goes so very fast and is so very precious, rejoice in it.

The Yellow Bird Fabric: A Serendipitous Tale

When I saw this picture in the May issue of Cookie magazine, I wasn't paying attention to the room (the article was about decor). I was mesmerized by the little girl's dress. That beautiful fabric.

Alas, looking in the magazine and on Cookie mag's website gave me no information about the dress (I was looking for a Where to Buy). So, a couple of weeks went by, and I was on Mel's blog and clicked on her link to Alewives Girl. Imagine my surprise to see a picture of a little girl wearing a top made out of this fabric. (Thanks, Mel!)

I quickly commented, asking Rhea (the owner of the fantastic Alewives Girl) if she could tell me about the fabric. She commented back that it was an Alexander Henry fabric available in her web store. With bated breath did I click on the link to the web store, then to the Alexander Henry fabrics, and then...

what light through yonder iPhone screen did break? It was the fabric with birds golden as the sun. The next day, my fingers quickly did the ordering, and in a very few days (thanks, Rhea), this arrived
Isn't that so beautifully wrapped? And, it contained a hand-written note from Rhea. So nice. So here it is

No, I don't exactly know what I am going to do with it, but I know I love it!

I've Been Busy (featuring Lucy's Kimono)

Busy turning this

into this

And these

Into this

And, finally, into this

Yes, I've been very busy. Today was my second straight weekend of helping host baby showers! These two items were for a baby girl who is expected at the end of July. The kimono is from Heather Ross's Weekend Sewing, it's the Lucy's Kimono pattern (hence the title). I am worn out after several late nights of sewing. I am ready to go to bed early tonight and maybe watch some Cars :) Hope you're having a good weekend.

Fabric Find & Free Knitting Pattern

I went to a local secondhand shop that is run by the local Junior League on Friday and found what might be an old curtain.

I'm not sure what I will do with it (if anything), but I was sort of thinking an apron. Check out the little points on the edge.

Wouldn't those be cute for the bottom of an apron? The fabric is definitely heavy (like a curtain) and also a bit worn, but I like some aged things. Plus, it was $1.00. The first picture is a better representation of the color, by the way. I wouldn't say the colors or designs are my style, but old and cheap seemed to speak to me.

I discovered a great, free summer scarf pattern at StardustShoes blog. It's called Morning Snack Scarf. Don't you love it? And the name?

Photo credit: http://www.stardustshoes.blogspot.com/

Click this link for the pattern http://stardustshoes.blogspot.com/2009/03/morning-snack-scarf.html

Sew Mama Sew has been sponsoring May Giveaway Day (http://www.sewmamasew.com/), so my fingers have been typing at a lot of new blogs. So, I've discovered some neat, free stuff!

This is a pattern for a baby dress that can become a tunic as baby grows.

http://madebypetchy.blogspot.com/2008/06/free-pattern-baby-dresstunic.html

More to say, but C and H are putting our double stroller together as I type! Must go check it out!