Thursday, June 17, 2010

Felt Happy

The following felt projects all sprang from this Sew, Mama, Sew! feature. The little ring bearer pillow was a perfect inspiration for my brother's upcoming wedding this fall. His soon-to-be step-son will carry it down the aisle.

Ring Bearer pillow

Since I was buying felt anyway, there were a backlog of items on my list to make...

I'll be making more of these Rose Barretts from The Purl Bee. This one was for a gift.

Rose clip

These Bitty Booties based on Heather Bailey's pattern turned out so cute. I still need to add a little elastic to help them stay on.

Bitty Booties

Little Bird Finger Puppets and a sweet Bunny. Baby thinks they are pretty funny!

Finger puppets

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Simple Sundress

Simple Sundress

I just love this Simple Sundress. The style, the ease of sewing, and the blue fabric. Habitual's pattern (which I downloaded long ago, you have to request it by email now) goes up to 8 years, and I see many more of these in our future. The only thing I added was a lining, but in hindsight, it was not necessary. This dress will double as a top in a year or two, when she can no longer wear it as a dress -- love that too!

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

French Press Felted Slippers

Thinking ahead to the holiday season? Here's a great handmade knit for mom, sister, friend. Quick, affordable and relatively easy. I made them just before going into the hospital to have the baby last fall. I've worn them around the house all year and love how well they've held up!

French Press Felted Slippers

Pattern: French Press Felted Slippers by Melynda Bernardi, $7
Yarn: Paton's Classic Wool, Currant, 1.25 skeins
Needle: US 15

Slippers before Felting

I knitted these in one afternoon, seamed them together and felted the next morning. Two days later after a good air dry, my feet were cozy and warm. I hope to make some in grey for the fall.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Handmade for Baby recap

I thought it might be useful to recap the good and the bad of all the things I made before the baby was born. Perhaps you need a gift or are thinking of making something for your family.

baby booties

Sewing

The most-used item I made was simply a 45" square flannel blanket, edged in bias binding, like the ones in Last Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts. My mother made me 2 double-layer 42" square blankets (one in flannel, the favorite in quilitng cotton). She sewed a pretty machine stitch around the edges. I used these swaddle blankets constantly for 4 months. Wonderful gift!

My favorite item is the bird mobile. Baby loves it too, and the book of colors. Bibs and baby legwarmers have been nice to have and will be used for months to come.

On the downside...I sewed 2 simple kimono wraps and they have been worn all of 2 times. Very cute, but they require ironing after washing, and you can pretty much assume why that doesn't work for me. While adorable, the kimono shoes never stayed on baby's feet.



Knitting

The hats and booties have been in constant use. I wish I had made more booties...I get so many compliments on them. Great gift!

Seamless Kimono and Autumn Leaves sweaters were gorgeous, but unfortunately too big. I'm hoping she will be able to wear them next fall. Had more success with the ribbed baby jacket, which was worn daily for the first 3 months.

Back in the saddle again...

or rather, back in the sewing chair. After 6 months of (mostly) baby bliss, I'm back at it. I've been knitting and sewing some small projects here and there. There are a few last-minute, before the baby was born projects to post, too. Bear with me...I don't expect to post as frequently as before, but I would like to keep up this space as a refuge for my creative side.

Monday, January 11, 2010

In Hibernation...

As you might have guessed, this blog is in hibernation. You see, someone important is keeping us pretty busy around here.


Sewing, quilting and knitting have fallen off the priorities at present, but don't worry, before too long I hope to make space for a little creativity. Until then, I'll be reading what's going on in the rest of the blogging world, and enjoying my baby girl.


Happy crafting to you in 2010!

Friday, November 6, 2009

Seamless Kimono Sweater II

Another version of the Seamless Kimono Sweater, this time in pale pink and brown without ties. I want one of these in my size now.

Seamless Kimono Sweater
Free pattern: Seamless Kimono Sweater by Jacki Kelly
Size: 6 mo
Yarn: Ella Rae Classic Wool (heather pink), leftover Patons Classic Wool (chestnut brown)
Needles: US7 circulars
Modifications: Substituted seed stitch on cuffs and bottom (instead of garter stitch), and inserted 6 rows seed stitch at the empire waist (instead of tie).

Seamless Kimono Sweater