Kids book bag

Toddler boys santa sack with photo window pockets

 If you are ever tempted to sew with vinyl, my advice ... forget it! It was really difficult as my sewing machine kept gripping the vinyl making it bunch (with a terrible cotton mess underneath). After googling for help, watching multiple utube videos of others who were successful give tips, and becoming best friends with my quick-unpick I finally secured the pockets. Unfortunately I had to be satisfied with the sewing on the vinyl not being ideal. However ... I loved how the rest of the Santa truck turned out!

I went to Spotlight and bought gift bags which had the felt Santa Head & Owls on them. Pulled them off the bag and saved myself oodles of time. Plus I would never have been able to make them so cute. For the truck I googled pictures of trucks, found one I liked, printed it off, enlarged it to the size I wanted, traced it onto the relevant coloured felt, hot glued them in place then sewed around the outside of each coloured felt piece to make sure they would last for years. This was a custom order which is why I had to perservere with the specifically requested photo pockets (front & back no less)!! Never again!!!

Toddler apron & chef hat #2 (Boys & Girls aged 2-4ish)

Kids / Toddler Apron & Chef Hat - Sewing

This turned out so adorably cute. It's easier than it looks by following a really great online tutorial ... link here ...http://creatingbycami.blogspot.com.au/2011/03/childs-apron-tutorial.html. I made this for the Kris Kringle gift my son is giving his toddler friend from Mums Group. My son is only 21 months old but tall and this fitted him perfectly length & width. The pattern says it would also fit a 4 year old but I'd adjust the pattern slightly to make it bigger for that age. Give it a try!!!

Baby Girls first birthday gift with matching fabric card - 1st birthday

Baby bibs for boys and girls

Kindle Reader Fabric Cover

 As we already had Kindle covers with the light which my other half takes to work to read in the breaks, he requested a fabric cover to keep the dust out. Again there are heaps of tutorials on the internet but I made this up as I went along.

 As seen by the photo above, I also included a velcro flap and a little pocket to keep the charger or a notebook etc.

Christmas presents - Girls Ruffled Layered Skirt

It's been a little drought since my last post due to giving birth to our precious son and enjoying all that comes with having a first child. Awesome just doesn't explain it properly.

Anyhow, I made these skirts and appliqued t-shirts for my nieces for Christmas but as I wanted them to be a surprise, didn't post them when they were made. There are heaps of tutorials on these types of skirts on the internet but I sort of made it up as I went along. They fit perfectly and look lovely on my nieces.

Cross Stitch face washer - Little Puppies

Baby Nursing/Feeding Cover - Unisexed

This is a nursing/feeding cover I whipped up this afternoon. Took just over an hour so very quick and easy. I followed the instructions on this online tutorial http://madebythemamamonster.blogspot.com.au/2008/04/nursing-cover-tutorial.html

I had seen a few tutorials but I liked this one as it was not only easy to follow, but it has boning in the front section so when feeding, I'll be able to keep an eye on bubba without the world being exposed to anything unnecessary!

The only difference I did from the tutorial was I used 2 fabrics. I'd read some feedback that some nursing mums found the double layer better as it prevented puffs of wind blowing the cover up. My only concern is that it may be a little stuffy for bubba on the real hot days, but I will probably make another one using one layer so I have the option of both (weather dependent!!) :)

 

Newborn nappy cover and going home outfit

This is little bubba's outfit it will come home in from the hospital. Less than 10 weeks to go! I bought the romper and socks, but made the matching nappy cover. I also plan on crocheting a little white jacket for cooler evenings out. I'll post that in coming weeks. And possibly matching booties and mittens. I'll see how I go.

However the next priority is getting a start on this years Christmas cards.

Baby Polar Fleece No-Sew Throw Rug

This really is the easiest cheats 'no-sew' rug ever. I saw it in Textile Traders and loved it. Plus there is no sewing involved. The fiddliest part was cutting 2 co-ordinating fabric squares of polar fleece at exactly 1.5m square. I cut a 10cm square from each corner, then marked 3cm wide strips cutting in 10cm. Then just went along and tied the top and bottom strips together.

Would make a great baby or christmas present.  Below is the underside of the rug:

Christmas present - Owl skirt and top set

I've been busy sewing again, attempting to get organised for Christmas. I'd made this skirt for a niece earlier this year and made another spare to put away for another niece for Christmas. I got busy today and appliqued the matching top. One Christmas pressie completed.







 Above picture: this is a close up of the applique. I used a small bowl to trace an exact circle of the visoflex, roughly cut around outside this border, positioned the visoflex on the pattern fabric, ironed, cut accurately around the circle, peeled off the backing, positioned the fabric on the top, ironed again. I finished off this time sewing a zig zag stitch around the outside of the fabric piece to hold secure.

Above picture: This is a close up of the pleated hem of the skirt. Makes a plain skirt that little bit more fancy.



Baby - Newborn Nappy Covers #2

More pressies for bubba.  I used the same nappy cover pattern as per the link posted in the previous post. I cut out a fabric piece capturing a single owl with a generous border, ironed the fabric piece onto visoflex, cut out the single owl with an approx 2mm border, removed the visoflex backing and ironed onto the singlet. I then sewed around the outside of the entire single owl coming in approx 1mm. Normal applique uses a tight zigzag stitch but I just used a normal straight stitch. I'm soooo happy with how they turned out. Can't wait to do some more applique.

Baby - Unisex Newborn Nappy Cover

I've just started making some of these nappy covers in mainly 0-3month size as when bubba decides to enter the world, the weather will be quite hot still. I'm going to applique a matching singlet/tshirt but just working out the design ... so watch this space.

The pattern & tutorial for the nappy cover was discovered at the website link below, really easy to follow ... http://www.danamadeit.com/2008/07/tutorial-the-perfect-diaper-cover.html

Baby Cot Teething Guard

I've had my Aunts 2nd hand cot in storage for a while so decided to set it up and see what else was required. I'd bought the rag quilt from the MadeIt website as I just loved the colours which have ended up being the theme for my nursery.

I've only got 1 guard made so far but plan to cover the tops of all 4 sides to protect the cot which is in immaculate condition considering it's age. Instructions are below:

Materials:

• Fabric (I chose 3 different colours from my stash of fabrics - lime green, aqua blue and white).
• Quilted fabric (for the backing.

Steps:

1. Measure length of crib. Add 2 inches to the length for the seam.
2. Repeat for the width by wrapping the tape measure around the rail tightly, then add 2 inches.  NOTE: If you use multiple fabrics like I did, make sure you add extra for the seams.
3. Cut quilted fabric the exact length and width of the project (eg: don't allow for seams).
4. If applicable, join your decorative fabric pieces together to make one long fabric strip.
5. Turn edges over 1cm and iron. NOTE: do the long sides first, then the short ends.
6. Place decorative fabric and quilted fabric together and right sides facing out.
7. Fold back the decorative fabric 1cm over the quilted faric to form a hem. Iron and pin in place.
8. Prior to sewing anything, make and attach the fabric ties which secure the guard to the cot. NOTE: I used ties not buttons for safety reasons but velcro might be another good alternative.
9. I used 5 ties per side, in the following sizes: 4 x (30cm x 5cm) & 6 x (20cm x 5cm).
10. Space the ties evenly ensuring you have 1 at each end per side. NOTE: to ensure your ties are pinned in places which fit between the railing of your cot, lay the unsewn guard in place and mark with pins where the best spots for the ties are.
11. Pin the ties in place tucking underneathe the hem so the tie length hangs towards the middle of the guard.
12. Top stitch around the entire guard hem at the inner edge of the folded seam (edge closest to the quilted fabric). Backstitch over each tie to provide more strength to the stitching.
13. Fold ties back on themselves so the length then hangs towards the outside of the guard. Top stitch around outer edge.
14. Repeat steps for cot short ends - just adjust the length/width as necessary.

Unisex Baby Burp Cloths

I made the pink baby burp cloths for a friend who has just had a little girl, and made the purple ones for me as I loved the pattern and was the closest to being unisexed colours. Here's how I made them...

Products used:  terry towelling backing, flannel patterned fabric. Note: can also use ribbed chenille as backing.

Steps:

1. Cut fabric (front and backing) 24cm x 47.5cm.
2. Place fabric right sides together and pin.
3. Sew using a 1 cm seam allowance.
4. Leave a gap at one end (to turn inside out).
5. Trim corners to cut off corner (eg: cut triangle off)
6. Turn inside out and push out corners with a pencil or chopstick.
7. Iron to flatten the edges.
8. Sew topstitch x 2 around all edges. This not only secures the opening used the turn the burp cloth inside out, but also provides a professional finish. I sewed 2 x topstitches at approx 0.5 and 1cm from edge.

Such a cute, very useful and cost effective gift for a new mummy & bub.

Note: Half a metre of fabric will make 4 x burp cloths.

Idea 1: If using chenille, you can sew together with right sides facing out and cut little slots into the fabric up to the seam line (DON'T cut the seam line!!) to create a ruffled edge. Looks really cute.

Idea 2: If you have an environmentally conscious awareness, or simply don't have any terry towelling for backing, use an old t-shirt before it hits the rag bin or Op Shop bag.

Idea 3: If you want to get a little fancy, rather than sewing a straight side hem, use a large plate or bowl to cut out a section in the middle of the long edge which will taper around your neckline.

Christmas Santa Sack

This is the first 'gift' I've made for our growing little baby nugget (now 21 weeks). As we don't want to know the sex, everything I'm making will have to be unisexed. I found the Christmas Owl fabric in the local Spotlight store last week and just had to have it.

Sewing - Hanging Hand Towel

I've been wanting to make these hanging hand towels for a while now (since I spotted them on this website ... http://kleiosbelly.wordpress.com/2010/01/04/christmas-prezzies-6-1-for-you/) and happened to spot these cute tea towels in Spotlight the other day. The intention was to make a couple for Mothers Day, however I hung this one up in my kitchen to take a photo, now I just can't bear to take it down. Think I'll have to make some more and pop them away in the present cupboard for Christmas!

 

The possibilities really are endless as I also saw some plain coloured towels (with no pattern/design) which had a matching strip of fabric along the bottom. This added that extra splash of colour which was needed to give another point of interest. What a great gift for someone who is hard to buy for!!

Sewing - Girls ruffle skirt with matching bag

This is an outfit and matching bag that I made for my niece who just turned 5 years old. NOTE: I DIDN'T DO THE APPLIQUE. I purchased that lovely appliqued t-shirt off a wonderful Australian handmade website where crafty people sell their wares ... site is called MadeIt (http://www.madeit.com.au/). \

So ... the t-shirt got me all inspired to sew. Whilst searching the internet for a ruffle skirt tutorial I also stumbled across the bag tutorial which I knew I just HAD to make too. After all, what's an outfit without a handbag?? I'm planning on making a few more of the bags in various sizes (probably without the drawstring insert section for storage bags in my craft room. No doubt I'll post these at a later date so you can see my new sewing obsession creations!