Baby Boy Bedding

It's getting closer, and the items on my to-do list are slowly getting marked off! Wahoo! This was taken earlier this week. That's right, I had my birthday! And I'm getting so big...

I was able to finish the baby bedding set! I started with the bed skirt and when it was done, I set up the crib so I wouldn't have to fold the skirt, then iron it later before putting it on. Yes, it seemed easier to me to haul the stored crib from the basement, up two flights of stairs, and assemble it all by myself rather than have to iron the skirt again!

The fabrics look so good together and having it all set up is making me feel like I'm almost ready.

Hero was so excited when I told him the baby's bed was in his room! One funny comment he made: when he asked what the orange circles were for, I told him I was going to make a skirt for the baby's bed. He said, "But boys don't like skirts on their beds. Skirts are for girls." I really couldn't argue with him... HA!

The spare sheet is folded in the corner, so you can see how it will look with the bumpers. I have enough extra of each fabric to make a quilt to match! While it's not technically on my list, I've cut it out and I can't wait to finish it!

Pretty has started asking me "Baby tummy out?" She's going to be a helpful big sister... or a jealous nightmare... or both...

I'm doing good! 6 more weeks and only 3 more things on my list (I've finished a few more projects, just need to take pictures and blog about it).

Pattern links: Amy Butler's Little Stitches for Little Ones book for the bumpers and the crib skirt, (anna from noodlehead used it here), but I left out the pockets in the bumpers. For the sheets I used MADE's tutorial.

Bright Robots for a Baby

A good friend of mine just had her 3rd baby, a sweet little boy. I wanted to make her something useful, but cute. Because this is baby #3 and boy #2, I knew it didn't have to be super baby-ish. I went to the store and when I found these robots, I had to get them! 

I used the yard of flannel to make one Straight-Jacket Swaddler, and three burp cloths. It would have been two, but I found some orange flannel floating around in my stash!

The swaddler sews up so fast, it really is an easy gift to make.

And it's so useful. My friend's husband loves it, and without knowing I called this already, dubbed it the straight jacket! Great minds think alike, right?!

The burp cloths are simple, I copied my sister who made me 20, (yes 20!), when I had Pretty. Just cut the rectangles 20 in x 8 in, sew right sides together, flip, and top stitch around the outside. She also sews a line down the center, going the short way, so the fabric doesn't shift with washes.

 I love how bright it all is!! Who says baby things need to be muted or pastel?

Congrats, Heather, on your adorable baby!!

A New Baby.

No. Not for me.

I think, aside from holding your own new little one, holding the brand new baby of someone you love is the best. In this case, it is my sister Audrey's newest baby boy.

Pretty checkin' out the boy taking her "baby-of-the-family" title.

About a week before he was born, my sister was up to her elbows in her Before-the-Baby-Comes To-Do list. I offered to help with whatever she wanted, but all she wanted was a crocheted hat to take the then-gender-unknown child home from the hospital in. I made one boy and one girl hat. The girl hat was my own design (I'll get a picture and pattern together for you soon). But it was this little newsie hat that was needed when baby boy Graham appeared.

*taken by his Mommy. Doesn't he look like a doll?

*taken by his Mommy

Audrey put the hat on him for the ride home, and for these pictures, but told me that the hat is just bit snug. So while the pattern says for newborn, average sized Graham found it a bit small. Maybe it's premie/newborn sized. Because this hat is so adorable, Audrey (and her hubby) requested a slightly larger size to wear now through the crazy "Utah Spring" weather (which is not to be confused with actual Spring). I increased the hat by 5 stitches in the 4th row to make it just over an inch bigger around. Everything else is the same.

Well, except for the contrasting strap. I could say I did it to make it easier for them to tell the two hats apart. Or to match the blanket. But really, I ran out of the dark green yarn! (and I just realized that I didn't do the bottom border either...oops... would that look weird in the light green?)

The blanket is from this pattern here. It's a bit bigger than I would normally make crochet blankets, being crib sized instead of car seat friendly small. But this pattern was so pretty, I fell in love! 

Check out this border detail. An easy and great pattern.

 I love to crochet, and I'm always happy when I'm making gift for sweet little babies! Welcome to the world, Graham. We are happy to have you!

*taken by his Mommy

Rockin' Boy Slippers Tutorial

These slippers were supposed to be part of Hero's Christmas. But then my machine decided to die. . . so I didn't get to them before the holiday. (I was also going to make a matching set for Jake, but that might never happen. What's cute as matching Christmas gifts isn't as much on every other day. . .).

Anyway, ready to make these adorable slippers?!

Supplies:

• Pair of kid's shoes
• Hero is a size 8, but you can adjust for different sizes
• 1/2 yard each of 2 coordinating flannel fabrics. 
• (I bought a yard each and it was way too much, and I think 1/2 yd will give you plenty!)
• 1/2 yard of Fusible Fleece
• 1" thick High-Density Foam
• Jiffy Grip
• 1/2" wide elastic
• matching thread
• other basic sewing supplies

-------------Make Pattern---------

The first step is to make your pattern. These are Hero's every day tennis shoes.

Start with tracing one shoe's sole onto paper.

To make the toe part of the pattern, measure across the top of the shoe starting and stopping just above the rubber sole (1). Mine was 5". Then measure from the center tip of the toe to how far back you want it to come (2). Mine was 3". From these measurements, make the toe pattern. Add 1" to each number for seam allowance.

 The last piece doesn't really need a pattern since will be a rectangle. Measure from the sole to the top of the shoe in the back center (I got 2"). Lastly, measure around the back of the shoe from side to side on the rubber sole part. You will want to over lap with the toe portion by at least an inch (I got 11"). Add an inch each way for seam allowance and I end up with 3" x 12".

Using a ruler, add 1/2" seam allowance all around the sole pattern.

------------Cut Out Pieces-------------


Cut out your pattern pieces. Cut the 2 soles out of the lining fabric and the jiffy grip.

Cut off the 1/2" seam allowance. Lay sole onto foam and trace. Flip pattern over and trace a second time. Cut out the traced soles.

Make a mark on the back center of the cut out sole and use the mark to measure around the sole. I got 17". Add one inch and cut a long rectangle 2" wide by your length. Mine is 2" x 18", cut 2.

Cut out 2 each of both fabrics and fusible fleece for toe pattern piece and back rectangle. You should now have all these pieces:

* this picture shows the shape of the first draft back piece. I ended up scrapping this shape and using the rectangle described in the pattern making section above.


I suggest separating the sole pieces into two piles for right and left to make sure you don't mix them up later. the lining and jiffy grip will sandwich around the foam soles with wrong sides on the foam.



-----------Assemble Slippers--------------


Iron the fusible fleece to the linings of the toe and back pieces.

Pin and sew the toe lining to the outer fabric with right sides facing along the straight edge. Use a 1/2" seam.

Turn and press. Baste along raw curved edge on 1/4" seam.

Pin and sew lining and outer fabric with right sides facing on two short sides and one long side of back pieces. Use 1/2" seam.

Trim corners. Turn and Press. Baste along raw edge on 1/4" seam.

Cut 2 lengths of elastic 3" long each.

Lay the back piece down with lining fabric up. Find the center of the back piece and place a pin.

Measure 5" and place a pin at each end. Make sure it is centered over the center pin. Pin the elastic to one end about 1/2 in down from sewn edge. Use a zig-zag stitch to sew elastic down. Stretch elastic to reach the last pin.

It will look like this afterward.

Take one sole lining and back piece. Pin together with linings facing each other. Try to match the back centers as best you can.

Sew on 1/2" seam.

Pin toe piece onto the lining over top of the back piece with linings facing. Do your best to match centers. The toe will over lap by about 1 inch on each side.

Sew on 1/2 in seam, back stitch at start and stop.

Fold long rectangle in half with right sides facing. Sew 1/2" seam on short side.

Press seam open.

 Pin onto the jiffy grip with the seam at the back center. Sew on 1/2" seam.

Here's what you should have now.

Pin the assembled slipper top to the bottom/side piece you just made. Leave an opening of about 4" for turning.

Sew on a 1/2" seam, backstitch at start and stop.

Turn right side out. Use the opening to insert the foam sole piece. Take your time to move the foam in the proper place, and have the seams run along the side of the foam piece.

Pin the opening closed and hand stitch closed.

The last step is to pin and hand stitch the toe piece to the back piece along the top edge of the toe piece.

DONE! (well, except for the second one...)

Put it on your kid and enjoy the warm toes!

At first, I was worried that the toe portion didn't come up high enough on his foot. But they stay on great and with the bigger opening, Hero can put them on by himself!

 Obviously, these could be made for a girl. Just switch the colors, maybe add a cute flower or ribbon. There are a lot of options!