Self Binding Minky Baby Blanket

*UPDATE:  Limited number of Behold Him full wood kits available in my Etsy shop.  Going on maternity leave soon.  Sold out!  That was fast.  Thank you for your support!

I can officially check off making a blanket for the baby!  I actually added this project. I was going to make a carseat canopy but found the perfect corally pink minky that was begging to be a soft blanket. I thought I'd try my hand at self binding. It took me a while, but I do like how it turned out.

instagram photo

I learned that this is a pretty fun technique for a cute result. It's not very hard to put together but I think that this technique would be much easier on flannel.

A few things that I learned along the way....

• I did customize the size since I wanted it to last longer. I made a rectangle, but feel it would be better both visually and when sewing, as a square.
• I found this tutorial helpful for measurements, watched this video  that was the best for me and this video to get an idea on how to sew it with minky.
• Since I didn't have the ruler to measure the angle of the corners, I folded them over to make the angle using these instructions. But be sure to check that it's the right way before you cut! I folded two right and two wrong. Nothing a little un-picking will fix if you haven't cut off the extra fabric.
• You can never pin enough with Minky.  I placed pins no more than an inch apart.  Pin, pin, pin away! 
• I bought too much minky.  Minky is usually 56"-60" wide.  I bought 1 1/4 yards to fit my 1 yard of fabric.    I easily fit the yard onto the blanket with the extra ten inches needed for the self binding leaving 1/2 yard of minky left over looking to be another project.  Minky is expensive!  I bought it on the spur of the moment because I fell in love with it.  My cost was roughly $14ish using a coupon. 
• And finally, don't start your project just before dinner.  If you're like me, you will become obsessed with finishing it making your family wait for a quick dinner of boxed mac n' cheese a couple of hours after dinnertime.  Good thing they are forgiving! 

My Baby Bucket List is looking better already.  Good thing, since I'm now 39 weeks! 

 

 Baby Bucket List

Home Organization: 

• find an arrangement for the girls room/nursery to accommodate the crib and extra baby things Done!
• decorate the girls room on a budget of "making what I have work for us"- making good progress!
• wash, sort and figure out storage for baby clothing   Done!
• paint girls closet
• organize girls closet - Done but would like to eventually add a closet organizer to closet
• re-arrange our bedroom to accommodate co-sleeper  Sort of done.  It's good enough for now.
• pack hospital bag
• clean house from head to toe (never endingly tricky to do)
• purge like I've never purged before!  I have been doing this like crazy.   It will never stop so I'm checking it off the list for now and keeping up the purging habit.

Sewing:

• sew a car seat canopy (where did I put that fabric?)
• sew a baby blanket
• sew burp cloths

Buy:

• nursing necessities - Done!
• postpartum necessities - Done!
• fresh, white onsies - Done!
• baby wash cloths - Done!
• stock up on diapers and wipes
• stock the freezer and pantry
• a coming home outfit for baby

To Primp:

• haircuts for the boys - Done!
• get a haircut myself
• treat myself to a pedicure - Done!
• wash all my comfy clothes to wear postpartum - Done!  It was easy since I've been wearing them all pregnancy anyway.  :)

To Do:

• send thank you notes
• finish kits for October - Done!
• list kits on Etsy - Done! Limited number of kits now available on Etsy!

Sneak Peaks - White Butterfly Chandelier Kits and New Curtains

This week, I've been busy, busy, busy!  Sewing, crafting and painting.  It feels great and I love getting things done that I've been wanting to do for so long. 

Here's a little sneak peak of two of things that I've done this week. 

The original butterfly chandelier that I had listed in my Etsy shop is no longer available, but I get e-mails on it often.  I decided to make a white version to list in the shop. 

Annnnd, I made curtains for my daughter's room that make us happy!  Her room is my favorite in the house.  Seriously.  I find myself sitting in her cheery room quite often.  Currently deciding on what trim I would like on it.  Large pom-poms, medium poms or chenille pom-poms with pretty fauceted beads?  Lace trims and ribbons?  Pretty fringes?  So many possibilities!

Oh, and one more thing that I finally did.  I made a new header after I had forgotten that I left the blank one up there so long ago.  It's nothing special, but will due for now.

Wide Striped Drapes

I've been kindof obsessed with big, bold wide striped curtains since I first saw it on Little Green Notebook. 

via LGN

And then the Nester did her version of it and I liked it too.

Well looky-loo what I found today!  Big, bold striped curtains no-sew DIY style!  Check out how simple it would be.

via Yellow Cape Cod

Problem is, I can't figure out how to get them into my house.  My front room is not right with the sofa right against both windows.  Wrong for the boys room.  Too bold for my small, overly stuffed bedroom.  But, never fear!  I've decided to live vicariously through my niece Kaylin's home because these curtains would be so over the top fabulous in her house!  Whadoyasay Kay-bug?  Let's make an afternoon of it! 

Sewing Inspiriations

I'm having the strong urge to sew again.  Sew Mama Sew is having a Make It and Wear It thingy and I was looking through the photos loving what I saw. 

Like this sweet tunic.  Love it with jeans and would look cute with leggings.  I can't wear leggings, but I really want to.  I just get to be jealous of all the cuties who can. 

Love this tunic.  Clever, clever girls.

And this dress.  I love the chevron look to it.  How could I make it more modest on top?  I'm so tired of layering a tee under everything. 

And I think that this dress is beautiful and I want it.  Of course, I would need to layer.    However, the fabric is sold out of the color I want.   Only yellow left.  As much as I love yellow, it does not look good on me.  So sad for me!

Last night, I had to make a bright and fun 4th of July banner.  Of course, the fabric I had was not right so at  8:30pm, I packed the kids and I in the car and raced to JoAnn's.  They were closed due to a power outage.  Boo!  So I raced to Hancock Fabric.  They closed early.  Double Boo!  Only choice left, Wally World.  The fabric I got rocks my daughter's peace loving world.  Quickest banner that I have ever made.  Pictures to come soon!

An apron makeover

My work is doing a little contest.  We were all given an inexpensive apron to embellish to wear at work.   Of course, I called Jackie, master of all things fabric and as usual, she helped me out.  She's great!  Our conversation went something like this. 

Me:  "Jackie dearest, I have to embellish an apron to wear for work.  I was thinking black and white houndstooth.  What do you think, oh master fabric fanicifier?"

Jackie-dearest:  "Yes, love houndstooth!  And you should get this great bright green and pink floral fabric from Hobby Lobby.  And I will serge you ruffles and cut waistbands and make you extra long ties."

The fabric was fantastic, because she is so very clever.  And she very generously serged ruffles and made ties with no effort at all. 

I have no before pictures of the apron of course.  Just imagine a very cheaply made, oddly narrow on top and too long full apron made of polyester goodness.  We cut the apron in half, sewed a waistband with extra long ties that can tie in front or back, added the houndstooth and pink ruffle.  Today I made a pocket and sewed it together.  I think it's cute!    

I had a mini photoshoot with my favorite 10 year old photographer because that's what us dorkey bloggers do.  He kept telling me "Work it! Work it! Yess! That's great! Show off that apron!  Woo-ooo!!" (He says, YOUR WELCOME MOM!)   Here I show off the back tie option and how to akwardly use a pocket.

And the front tie version.  (Maybe I should of changed out my favorite baggy lounge pants?  Nah, too comfy!)

Yes, that pocket really needs something.  A blingy button?  Ruffles?  Flowers?  Any ideas? 

All in all,  this little cheap apron is 100% better!!  Thank you Jackie!  Do you think it could win?  I hope so!

Show and Tell - Part 2 - Weekender Tote and Free Pattern

Wow! I didn't mean to leave the blog for that long.  Right after I posted the giveaway (quick, hurry! only one more day to enter!), a got to go on a little trip to North Carolina to visit my sister.  I must say it was fabulous, rejuvenating and I miss her like crazy!!  Good thing she's coming to Utah in two weeks for a wedding.

So back to this picture where I showed two things I made.  First the dress (how-to details to come soon!) and second this weekender tote. 

I love this tote!  I had such a great time picking out fabrics.  I wanted something springy and bright and when I found the floral fabric, I knew it was the one.  Inspired by Jackie, yet again (Jackie, I dubbed thee Color Queen.), to be more adventurous with my colors, I added the bright turquoise, heather gray and grounded it all with a small white polka dot on black fabric.

It's quite roomy too.  I know this because I did a wee bit of shopping while on my trip and my sister; her husband and I packed it to the brim to come home.  PACKED!  As in 8 plates, pretty pedestal bowl thingy, dainty tea cup, cigar box, jewelry box, 5 pairs of earrings, necklace, flower pendant, belt, 3 magazines, a jacket, a sweatshirt, pj's, and a dress and jacket for my daughter.  All in that bag and yes, it was extremely heavy!  I was pleased that the sewing held up.  No ripped seams or torn handles to report. 

I bought the magazine, Sew Spoiled, which this pattern was featured in.  I struggled a bit with some parts but was able to get some help.  Even though I really had to think about some of the steps, it wasn't very hard.  Overall, I am pleased with the tote.  However, I don't like the way the straps pull the fabric up when you are carrying the bag.  Something I am sure a more experienced sewer could fix.

After it was done, the magazine came out with a FREE full pattern because of the difficulty of the shortened pattern.  Found here.  And double lucky you, because they are starting a sew along right now!  Details found here and flickr group here.  I just posted my finished tote and I am really tempted to make another.   If you join in on the fun, come back and tell me!  I would really love to see your finished tote!

Two projects - 1st show and tell

Here's a picture of two things I made, not cooperating being photographed.

A springy dress and a new bag.  I love them both and wanted a fantastic picture of each.  Alas, it was not happening, so just regular old pictures will have to do.

First up, a simple springy dress for my daughter.   This was her wearing it right after I made it for her a few weeks ago.  She was so thrilled about it!  We felt like it was springy so we went outside to take pictures but didn't really look to see that the yard was still hibernating.  And needs a lot of work.  BUT, we are looking at the cute girl in the cute dress. 

There is nothing better than making something for your child and having them love it!  She told me that the dress was perfect for jumping and proceeded to jump all over the place.  Love that little silly one! 

I'll be sharing more about how I made it soon!

Ruffle Bumsies How-To

Ruffle Bumsies How To

If you aren't making your babies bums ruffly by now, here's how I made mine.  Now you have no excuses to not ruffle that darling round baby rump.

Here's what you will need:

• Onesies of your choice.  I simply used a package of white onesies, but there are some colored  $3 onesies at Wal-Mart.  I found that out after I made mine.
• Several different fat quarters to choose from.
• Scissors and/or cutting mat and rotary cutter.
• Sewing machine

And here's how I did mine:

1.  First I begged my cute friend Jackie to let me come over and serge my strips of fabric.  If you don't have a serger, don't worry about it because this can still be done!  You can do one of two things.  Either cut your strips of fabric with pinking shears to the size you want.  When it's washed, it creates a little raggy edges that are really cute on that baby bum.   Or, cut your fabric twice the width of the finished ruffle you want and simple place right sides together and sew down the long edge.  Turn right side out and then continue on with step 3 of the tutorial.  (Make sense?  Feel free to ask questions.  I won't bite!)

2.  Using fat quarters is the simplest way for me.  Since your fat quarter is already 18x24, the width is just right to make quick ruffles.  Cut several 1.5" strips along the 24" length.  Now serge these strips.  (Or cut with your pinking shears or making your tubes of fabric.)

3.  Next, turn your sewing machine's tension up and the length of your stitches as long as you can.  Leaving a long tail of thread, sew down the center of your strip.  The fabric will ruffle as it is sewn.  Be sure to leave a long tail of thread at the end too.  I always test on a piece of scrap fabric to make sure it is working right.  I don't like unpicking if I don't have too.  Now your strips will look something like this. 

4.  Work your strips to the width of your onesie.  Now would be a good idea to mark your onesie with straight lines with a fabric marker.  This will help you keep your lines straight as you pin on the ruffles.  I was feeling adventurous and didn't mark these lines.  It has nothing to do with the fact that I didn't want to go and find said marker.  Nothing. 

5.  Starting with your center ruffle, pin onto the onesie.  Folding the raw edge down, sew down the center of the ruffle.  Darling already! 

6.  Add your next ruffle above the first.  I tried to make them as close as possible since when the onesie is on that cute round baby, the ruffles spread out and you can see the white peeking out in between the ruffles.  Lifting the edge of the ruffle that was sewn down, pin the next ruffle in and sew down the center.

7.  Repeat for the third ruffle and then TA-DA!  You just made a darling ruffle bumsie!

*There are so many variations on this.  You can use all the same fabric or multiple fabrics.  You can make your widths of your ruffles smaller or bigger.  You can have more than three ruffles.  I think that this would be cute with five 1" ruffles smashed close together with the pinked edges.  This would make one fluffy and ruffley bum!

I felt that the front of the onesie need a little more so I twisted and sewed an extra strip of fabric into a little flower with a scrap of fabric for some free handed leaves.   This fabric will fray a bit in the wash but I like that unstructured look, but if you want to minimize this, just finish your ends anyway you like.

And remember the cutest hedgehog onesie ever?  I twisted Jackie's arm and made her promise me that she post a tutorial.  And guess what?  She's going to do it on my blog!  Lucky me!

Sneak Peak

I've been on a bit of a sewing kick lately.   Here's a sneaky peaky:

Project one and two are done.   Adorable!
Project three and four finished (hopefully) soon. 

Hedgehogs, Burp Cloths and Ruffle Bumsies

With a rush of babies being born,  I needed to come up with a few baby gifts, especially for this baby girl.  With the help of Ms. Mama Monster mad serging skillz and fabric combining, we made several different embellished onsies.

First, this little hedgehog could of not been any easier.  Especially since Jackie already had it cut out and then ironed it on for me.  Two quick french knots and he was done.   Look how cute they are on a wrap shirt.  Don't worry, she promises that she will do the tutorial.

Then for the baby girls (three of them mind you!), a little ruffled bumsie from this tutorial.  BTW, I think calling it a ruffle bumsie is much cuter than ruffle butt onsie.  You can call me crazy, but try saying "bumsie".   Fun, isn't it?

Since the front was looking a little plain, a simple flower corsage was done ala Mama Monster style.

While making these onsies, I may have been known to spontaniously shout out how darling they were.   One last look.  Yep, still darling!

Burp cloths were up next on the list.  Simple, yet useful, I love the way they turned out.  Thanks to the Mama Monsters mad fabric hording skillz, I scored the use of some super cute flannel.   Owls for the boy and the apples for the girls.  Hmm....I could of ironed them.

So there you have it.  Sweet little baby gifts that just require a little time and a little fabric and you'll have a one of a kind gift for that special little baby. 

************************

*Be sure to enter my giveaway for the wood Spring letters!   Contest ends March 21st.

******************************

I've linked up with the fabulous linky parties:

 

Creative Jewish Mom Craft Schooling Sunday