Showing posts with label sewing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sewing. Show all posts

27 January 2009

diaper case

I have had a few requests for my pattern for a diaper case. I tried a few tutorials but didn't love the end results. So I just made this one up. It works for me. And it is super easy to make. I really should be more stingy with this pattern - it is always what I make to give as a baby shower gift. Now all of you will be giving them as gifts too. I got dibs if we are going to the same baby shower!

Sorry I don't have pictures of each step right now, next time I make one I will add them in.
Here is a picture of one already made. (This one is pieced together, usually I do a solid piece)

The front is 11 x 8 inches. The back is 15 x 8 inches.
I do it those sizes because then I can use up scraps or fat quarters.
But if you have a long piece of material you can do 25 or 26 inches for length x 8 inches. You then would have no seam on the bottom of the case like you do when you use the smaller pieces.

You need a front and back piece for both the outside and the lining (or a long piece for each)
You could easily make the top from one fat quarter. I use muslin for the inside usually, but another fat quarter would work for the lining.

If you are using the short pieces sew the front together at the bottom (right sides together), and the lining together at the bottom (right sides together).
Press the seams.
Line up these seams of the lining and front piece, right sides together, and pin.
Sew all the way around with 1/4 inch seam allowance. Leave a spot for turning on the end of the shorter piece (the one that started out 11 inches). If you want a ribbon loop for a handle put it in while you are sewing it up here. I like to put it in by the end that is being left open for turning. Maybe 1/2 or 1 inch down from the end.
This is the yellow polka dot section on the above picture.
Clip corners, turn and press.
Top stitch across the side that you left open for turning. (1/8 seam allowance) This will be the top of the pouch part - the yellow polka dot section by the ribbon on my picture.
Now fold it on the bottom seam and press. Top stitch starting in one bottom corner, all the way around the top, and ending in the other bottom corner. (1/8 seam allowance) This will top stitch and close the pouch at the same time. The corners are a little thick here so just go slow.
You can sew on velcro to close it. I hate sewing velcro, so I use the little circle sticky back velcro. They usually stay stuck on, but not always. If you look closely at the pictures one of them is missing! I have recently started using snaps, which I love and will probably to all the time now.

Make sense?
Any questions?

I like this case because:
A: I don't have cheerios or goldfish crackers smashed in the diaper when I go to open it.
B: I also always have a diaper in my bag because whenever I leave the house I just check the case to make sure it is full and chuck it in my purse.
C: When I am changing a kid I use it as a pillow for their head.
D: The huggies wipes containers fit right in the case too. It will hold three size 5 diapers and a case and 4 size 3 diapers and case.

15 January 2009

links galore

Well here it is Jill. The mother of all tutorial lists. I finally sat down to organize what I have been bookmarking for the past year. You probably have many of the same, but if not then here are lots to add. This should keep the sewing group going awhile!
Most are sewing related. A few are just crafty. I am positive I still have lost floating around on my computer. Maybe one day I will get to them all... big maybe.

O Baby
Bird mobile
Blanket with rick rack trim
Crib sheets
Hooded bath towel
Fifties bib
Toddler Bib
Basic bib
Baby bib
Diaper case
Nursing cover
Nursing cover
Boppy cover
Car seat strap covers
Stroller liner cushion
Fabric beach balls
Tag blanket
Tag blanket #2
Teething toy
Baby leg warmers
Cute patterns - but in French
Baby shoes
Felt baby shoes
Baby booties
Applique onsies
Mai Tai carrier
Baby sling
Scandi carrier

Kiddy Clothes
Kimono
Hooded towel
Hooded towel #2
Frog hood towel
Towel robe
Smocket
Itty bitty baby dress
Button shirt to toddler dress
Button shirt to toddler pants and dress
Sun dress
Shirred dress
Halter dress/shirt
Tie top tank
Peasant blouse
Sleeveless top
Smock/tank shirt
Ruffled skirt
Ruffled skirt #2
Lazy days skirt
Peasant skirt
Charm pack squares skirt
Twirly skirt
Drop waist twirly skirt
Simple baby pants
Easy kids pants
Easy kids pants
Shirt shorts
Japanese patterns click on the green button
Felt barrette covers
Headband
Heather Bailey headband

Softies

Black apple doll
Scotty dog
Mouse
Mouse
Jingle mouse
Wee wonderfuls bunny
Rabbit
Piggy bank
Lucky duck
Elephant
Itty bitty oddity
Rocket
Sock monster
Sock monkey
Sock elephant
Tag monster

Play With Me Stuff
Crown
Cape #1
Cape #2
Cape #3
Tepee
Pinwheel (paper)
Pinwheel (fabric)
Fabric dollhouse
Doll diaper
Color pencil and drawing pad holder
Memory game
Stuffed art
Quiet book
Paper dolls
Cardboard doll house
Glitter playdough
Fog bean bag

Yummy Felt Food
Cake
Cherries
Cupcake
Cupcake #2
Cupcake #3
Doughnut
Doughnut #2
Fortune cookies
Fortune cookies #2
Egg and orange slices
Whip cream dollop
Loaf of bread
Strawberry scroll
Sugar cookies
Fruit slices and ice cream treat
Little cake
Carrot
Pear
Strawberry
Apple

Aprons and Stuff

Stripe half apron
Dishtowel apron
Smock type apron
Tea towel apron
Easy half apron
Sweet treats apron
Ruffle half apron
Gathering apron
Oven mitt (adult and child)
Pot holders
Oven mitts
Dishtowel potholder
Apron patterns

Storage/Organize
Kidlet
Storage cubes
Storage basket
Bagsket
Wall organizer
Fabric bucket
Fabric basket
Crate cover
Cork board wall pocket
Car organizer
Car organizer
Organizer
Cereal box organizer
Sweet greetings portfolio
Binder cover
Note book cover
Etch a sketch laptop case
Fabric calendar
Passport sleeve
Yoga bag
Yoga mat wrap
Tote-able towel
Water bottle carrier
Oil cloth lunch sack
Lanyard
Catch all for jewelery and hair stuff

Bags Bags and more Bags
Hobo bag
Reversible shoulder bag
Angel bag
Pillow case bag
Reversible purse
A line bag
A line jordy bag
Boxy bag
Messenger bag
Little boxy pouch
Bias tape purse with zipper
Cosmetic bag
Box bag
Japanese coin purse
Pinch frame pouch
Wallet
Wallet with coin pocket
Kids beach bag
String backpack
Grip handle for bags
U handbag tutorials

Pillow-ish stuff

Button up shirt pillow
Pillow case
Portable cushions
Monogrammed pillow
General pillow
Bean bag chair

Decorative Type Stuff
3D fabric butterfly frame
Mercury glass candle holders
Embroidery hoop cork board
Fabric dots for walls
Leaf garland
Fall berry wreath
Ribbon wreath
Paper globes
Custom silhouettes
Fabric fridge frame

Sewing and Crafty Craft Related

Ironing board cover
Square pincushion
Pin cushion
Flower pincushion
Sewing bag
Sewing machine cover
Button top brads
Fabric flower

Randomness

Owl pennant
Eraser stamps
Growth chart
Bath mat
Fabric bead necklace
Fabric napkins
Julie cuff (crochet)
Covered hanger
Essential oil wheat sacks
Essential oil rice bag
Doorknob smelly sachet

Happy Holidays
Fabric pumpkins
Poseable skeleton
Stacking fabric Christmas trees
Snowflake ornaments
Bird advent calendar
How to for gift wrapping bows
Ginger bread house gift box
Felt stockings
More stockings
Quilled snowflakes
How to make a snowstorm
Snow globe soap

Quilts

My circle quilt
Scrappy Cabin
Flock of triangles quilt
Cathedral window quilt
Pinwheel quilt
Wonky log cabin quilt
Amy Butler quilts
Disappearing 9 patch

Sewing Tricks and Tips

Quilt binding
French seam
How to make a yo yo
Zipper pocket
Zipper pocket and slip pocket
Applique instructions
Cording
Piping
Installing a zipper

Not Your Grandma's Embroidery
French knots
Embroidery tutorial
Embroidery lesson
Embroidery organizer
Bear and bunny pattern
Free patterns

And if these aren't enough for you,
the big list of sewing blogs
and J Caroline Creative tutorials

Wow. I think about does it for now. Anyone got any good ones I missed?

05 January 2009

good thing val took pictures...

Val sent me pictures of the quilt I made them for Christmas and the girlie sock monkeys. Aren't the cute!

02 January 2009

sewing and snowing

We have had a crazy amount of snow this past month and with it some crazy cold weather. So why not stay inside and sew! I did a lot of sewing for Christmas this year. And then I did a lot of not taking pictures of what I made. Could be due to the fact that I was sewing right up to the last minute.
So here's the rundown on the handmade gifts this year.
A quilt for my b and s in law. They went to Hawaii earlier this year and brought me back a pack of quilting squares in Hawaiian prints. We had their name so I thought it the perfect opportunity to as Brad said "Indian gift" the fabric back to them. I think it turned out cute and I hope they like it. No picture. Also no picture of the sock monkeys I made for their 2 girls. This is the kicker. Of all the gifts I made I wish I had a picture of them. Val if you are reading do you have a picture you could send me of the little monkey girls? I made brown monkeys. Then sewed little skirts complete with a hole for the tail to come through. A bow in their hair and pink embroidered lips finished them off. Pretty stinking cute if I do say so myself.
Roman got a new cape. And monkey got a matching one. It was high time for a cape, Finn's blankets just weren't cutting it anymore. Here they are taking a break from being super.
My moms present was back ordered and wouldn't come until after Christmas, so I made her this little Scottie dog. And of course he needed a cape to keep him warm. My mom has always loved Scottie dogs so I just about died when I saw this pattern. Easy breezy to make. Try one.
I made an Emmeline apron for my mother in law and for my friend Jill. Of course no pictures.
I made a Christmas apron like the one I had a picture of a few posts back for my friends Stephanie and Crystal. But no pics of them either.
I made a cute little pen roll (like the crayon roll) for my sis to keep colored pens in and two little cases for note cards for studying. No pictures.

And I made crayon rolls. Oh did I make crayon rolls. I lost count. But I think it was at least 20. Yep you read that right 20 crayon rolls in the month of December. They are so easy. And so much fun to give.
Everyone bakes at Christmas. So I decided to give out crayon rolls with a few Christmas treats
instead of tons and tons of baked treats. Easy stocking stuffer. I hate thinking of things for stocking stuffers. And this is how we handed out our little goodies this year. Empty paint cans. Brad thought I was being very weird. Oh well. My friends like it! They are super useful for keeping toys or whatever in. Roman squashed the cute tin buckets I had for toys, but the paint cans are still going strong.
So there you have it. 1 quilt, 2 sock monkeys, 2 capes, 4 aprons, 1 Scottie dog, 1 study kit, and 20 crayon rolls.

And Christmas was great. Lots of fun, lots of food, lots of games, lots of friends and family. Roman played with everything he got at some point during the day. He loved it but I think he was a bit overwhelmed. He left 2 presents unopened and came back to them a few hours later! I guess that is a hint to me that next year I can do a little less right!

29 November 2008

crafty christmas

Whipped this up the other day.
Just kinda made up the pattern based on how much material I had.
Found the pattern for the little tied pocket here.
Now I am all ready to start the Christmas goodies!

And because I think I have a cute little guy, here is a picture of Finn all dressed up for church last week. Just try to tell me he isn't adorable!

05 November 2008

I'm too tired to think of a title. That is why I am blogging instead of cleaning my house.

Make sure you check out the link on my sidebar, for Stephanie's quilt give away. And check back soon, I am working on my quilt for a give away.

In the meantime, here are some pictures of a few things I made recently.
I actually made this black apple doll before Finn was born, but never got around to taking a picture of it. Silly I know, two boys and I am making a doll. She is all for me. Get the pattern here. I added shoes, pigtails, sleeves, and a collar. My mom did the face for me. If I made another one I would make the limbs a bit bigger. The seam allowance is so tiny. I am afraid the limbs would fall apart if a little girl played with it much. I think I would try tracing the pattern onto my fabric, sewing on the line I traced, and then cutting out so I could leave a big seam allowance. Make sense?

I had the pieces for this pillow cut way before Finn was born, but couldn't finish it until we named him. Brad was kind enough to take him for a bit a few days after we came home from the hospital so I could finish it. It was silly, but it was nagging at me, I just had to finish it and couldn't wait any longer!
The front.
The back.
Got the pattern and idea here. Just drew my own letter cause the ones they had were much to frilly and girly for little Finn.

I am dying to attempt this cute Molly Monkey pattern. Sadly it will have to wait until after Christmas at least. Too many thing on the list to sew for Christmas.

01 September 2008

still waiting...

No baby yet. I had strong contractions all day on Thursday, but nothing came of it. I can think of 6 people who have had babies before their due date this summer, 3 of them due after me! What can I say, I guess I like my babies overcooked. But I'm actually feeling pretty good, considering my due date is Thursday. And I am now hoping he will not make an appearance until Wednesday at the earliest. My parents are moving my little sis to Edmonton today and tomorrow, and they are the best choice to watch Roman while we are at the hospital. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow, and I think he will set an induction date in case I go over. So we will wait and see, not much else to do right.
So can you guess what I have been doing while not having a baby? In my defense, Brad has been working days and going back to work after Roman is in bed every evening for the past week and a half. So I need to keep myself entertained somehow. I considered not posting pictures, because after Lindsay's last comment I think I may give her a heart attack. But here is what I have been sewing.
Tote bags for my mom. She wanted something to use at church. Tons of patterns and tutorials floating around I am sure, but I just kinda made up the size as I went along.
Crayon rolls. Have been wanting to make one of these forever but just never got around to it. I am still on the enrichment committee at church and we are planning for a Super Saturday. This is one idea I had that we might make, so I needed samples. They were so easy! Would this interest anyone for a Super Saturday project? Started with this tutorial, and added length on one of them to fit more crayons.

And last but not least, some new friends for the baby's room.
I got the book Sock and Glove awhile ago with a Chapters gift card I had. I feel in love with the elephant pattern. I am even more in love with him now that I made one. Then I just kinda made up the giraffe and the lion. Not so sure about the lion, but Roman seems to like him. Roman says I need to make baby a monkey now so baby won't take his monkey. So I guess I'll get right on that!

21 August 2008

done done done

Last night I finished painting the crib and today I moved it inside and it is all ready to go! I found this crib (and crib mattress, not a normal size at all) at a garage sale a few years ago. Kept it out in the back shed until a few weeks ago. Stripped it, sanded it, stained it, sanded some more, and painted it. Made the bumper pads awhile ago. Got the idea from Brittany, her mother in law made her bumper pads like this when Lucy was born. Used one of those quilted cotton blankets/bedspreads. Just cut it up and made a case for some old pads I had. $20 at TJ Maxx and enough left over to make a little crib quilt too. Love how it all turned out. Had fun doing it all. And a huge weight off my shoulders that it is finally done!


Have to sand the other drawer down a bit, paint made it fit too tight. Tight fit in our bedroom, had to move my wardrobe to Roman's room. So his room is a little full of furniture right now. But we will get going on his new room downstairs soon enough, and then all the furniture can get back to normal.

I also did one more quilt last Sunday and finally got the binding sewn on. I know I know, as if I don't have enough blankets and quilts already. But I have had this material for years and have been waiting for an idea to strike me for it. So when the idea came I had to do it. Actually went pretty fast because none of it is pieced, all the squares are just sewn on top. Looks better in real life, it is really wrinkled so it looks like an older quilt.


Well, that's all for now. We'll see who's quicker - me making more stuff or the baby coming! I do have a bobby pillow that needs a cover...

15 August 2008

sewing - yet again!

I think I am slowly moving away from sewing. Not sure if there is anything left out there for me to sew! Instead I have moved on to stripping, sanding, and staining a little crib. (Romans is still in his, not gunna kick him out of the cage if I don't have to) Now I just need to paint the rest of the crib that isn't stained. Hoping to do that tomorrow. Then I need to sand and paint a little dresser I am using for a changing table. I know, I too am wondering why I didn't do those things earlier. My doctor actaully asked me on Wednedsay (37 weeks) if I wanted him to strip my membranes. NOOOOOO!!!!! I am in panic mode. Not panic because of a labor or a new baby, panic because I need more time to finish stuff and get ready! And panic because my 2 1/2 year old is in full swing terrible twos. Serious huge kicking and hitting and crying fits about EVERYTHING! Wow I love being a mom!
Anyway, here are some pictures of the things I have made since the last sewing post.

Car seat cover. Minky inside, and soft kinda like velor outside. Quilt batting in the middle so it is nice and warm. Is the zebra a bit much? Had it sitting around so I just used it.

Car seat blanket. Someone made me one like it for Roman. I pretty much wore it out. Has 4 rounded over flaps and cut outs for the seatbelt/buckle. Then you flip up the bottom, flip over both sides, and you can cover their head with the top flap. Seatbelt still fits nice and tight, baby is totally covered, and blanket doesn't fall off. I know it looks silly, but I love love love it.
Just a few of the burp clothes and diaper/wipes cases I have been making. I know WAY too many people having babies, and this is what they are all getting. Plus a few for me of course. Made up my own patterns, but I am sure there are lots floating around in blog land. Roman modeling his new apron. A bit big still. Not the best picture, looks cute in real life I promise. Used this tutorial but changed how the neck strap is. I used velcro on one side, because if any kid was to get tangled up in the strap it would be this kid. Romes loves it to death. Now he can "cook like mama".
Roman chillaxing in his hooded bath towel. Uses it at the pool and spray park too. It gets washed A LOT. Think I need to make one or two more. Very very easy project. Used this tutorial, but didn't bother cutting off the point of the hood. Word of advice, buy two bath towels and one hand towel, then you will have 2 hooded towels. Didn't realize when I bought the towels that one hand towel gives you 2 hoods. And of course I bought the towels at Target when we were in the states so I can't get another one to match.

Hemmed new curtains. But I have a double curtain rod in the room so I needed something else. So I made a valence with the left over fabric from the crib bumper pads I made. First valence I have ever made or used. Opinions please. Am I allowed to use a valence? I am a little afraid the 80's might call and say they want their valence back!
Bird mobile. Bad picture I know, hard to get those birdies to hold still! Got the mobile while garage saleing with Steph. Three dollars. Immediately cut off the ugly bears that were on it. I hate baby stuff with bears. Sorry to offend bear lovers everywhere. Got the bird idea and pattern here. Another very easy and quick project completed in one naptime.
A few more blankets. Orange cotton and brown/cream flannel. Simple pillow case style, quilted with circles so it won't shift when washed. Found double sided minky on sale in Kalispell this summer, used Amy Butler polka dots in green, yellow, and blue for binding it.

I must thank my awesome husband for this chair. I love the armchair rockers at Pottery Barn and Land of Nod, but there is no way I am paying over $800 dollars plus shipping for one. So I bought this chair at Ikea. Got an old swivel rocker from my grandma. Convinced Brad it would be so much fun to take the swivel rocker thing off one chair and put it on the other. And oh what fun it is! But I might not be saying that at 4:00 in the morning 3 weeks from now...
And last but not least... my baby quilt is done! Random is harder than you would think. It is also hard to find solid blue fabric. I had to use shirting material for the blue. I laugh every time I look at it because it perfectly matches a church shirt both Brad and Roman have! Totally copied the idea from this blog. Copied the colors, used her tutorial as a starting place, and even copied one or two of her blocks. It's a little crazy to look at, but I love how it turned out and it was fun to make.
Wow that was a lot of stuff. I must admit I will miss nap time and bedtime sewing once the baby comes. But I can't wait to use all the stuff I have made!

26 June 2008

my sewing machine has been busy

I actually need to take my machine in to get serviced, a little day at the sewing machine spa for my little friend. I think I will have Brad drop it off when I am out of town, that way I won't miss it too much. So much to sew you know!
So this is just a bit of what my friend and I have been up to lately...

Frog bean bags. Got the pattern here. Made from scraps just sitting around. And my big jar of buttons. I love buttons. Roman loves to throw the frogs and hear the splat the beans make. One day when Brad has finished the millions of things I already have asked him to do he will make a little board with holes in it. I can paint it like a pond with lily pads to toss the froggies through.
Baby blanket. Love the orange stripes. And the fish material is the softest cotton I have ever felt. Used a layer of flannel in the middle instead of quilt batting so it is nice and light.
Each fish has a name. Notice the goldfish in the lower corner. Baby slings. One is single and the other is double layer. So easy. It seriously took longer to cut out the material than it did to sew it. The black one is a little long, tried it out on a friend's kiddo. It was my practice one, I shortened the blue/yellow one a bit. Saved myself about $40 by making it myself, and I got to continue my love affair with Amy Butler fabric!
Nursing covers. One of the easiest projects ever. Can't believe how much they charge for them in the store! More Amy Butler fabric and less than an hour per cover.
Soother clips. I loose soothers as it is, need the clips or I would need to buy soothers in bulk. Got a little carried away - but I had the ribbon and the clips, so why not make a whole bunch. Easy peasy. Recovered the pillow on my rocking chair. Changing baby things from brown and red to brown and blue.
Made new covers for the bumper pads. Cut up the old pads and make 4 separate ones instead of one continuous one. Such a pain to wash the whole thing when only one little part gets puke on it. Does that say I am lazy or smart? Baby shoes for a few friends who are pregnant. Really not that complicated, found the pattern with step by step instructions and pictures here. My sis in law is making some too. Hopefully she will put up pictures on her blog when she is done. Guess I shouldn`t have showed them to her, I was going to make a pair for her when baby Steed comes! My new apron, from the Emmeline apron pattern. Looks way cuter on and in person I promise. The tree isn`t the best model and I am too impatient to wait for Brad to get home from work to take a picture of me in it. Maybe now I will stay a tiny bit cleaner in the kitchen!



















Still have a few projects and a quilt I want to get done before the baby comes. And a few friends having babies that I want to make gifts for. Guess my craving for crafting is still going strong. But I have decided to file it under nesting instead of just plain crazy.

07 April 2008

what we are up to

I have been on a major sewing kick. Feeling so much better with way more motivation and energy in my second trimester. So glad, because I was so much sicker with this pregnancy. I finally bought the Amy Butler Nappy Bag pattern. I tired it out with scrap material I had sitting around. Made a few changes, and will make a few more when I buy some Amy Butler fabric to make another one. Gunna use this bag for a church bad in the meantime.
Had to make the cell phone pocket on the outside way bigger for my fat flip phone. I also changed the position of the bottle pocket, put it on top of another pocket so I could have two for the price of one. I love lots of pockets! I also added a pocket for my stuff - keys, chapstick, whatever. And I put snaps and buttons on lots of the pockets instead of leaving them all open. Here is the inside.

Roman is sleeping better now. The time change was a lifesaver! He usually sleeps to 7:45 or 8:00 now. So much better than the 6 or 6:30 we had going for a few months! (Love Brad so much for getting up with him every morning when he did that, major nausea and sleepiness part of pregnancy!) Anyway, he moves around so much when he sleeps so I don't like leaving toys in the crib for him to play with when he wakes up. He is pretty good about staying in the crib for a little while before he calls us to get him out. So I made these little toy bags that velcro to his crib. Now I can go in before I go to bed and add toys and books for him to find when he wakes up, and I get and extra 15-20 minutes of sleep! Got the idea here, but changed them a bit. Made them oval shaped instead of round - fits the books better.
Roman wanted in on the pictures.
While I have been on a sewing kick Romes has been on a building kick. Just getting in on all the house renos going on around here I guess. Wears the tool belt around all day. Pounds on everything with his hammer. Sticks his screwdriver in every hole he can find. And cuts everything with his saws. I love little boys! And yes, we stay in our pajamas as long as we possibly can everyday!
And finally, here is parenting at it's best! Portable DVD player and headphones. I wish I could say it was for something important like General Conference - which was great by the way! But no, it was for some stupid tv show - that I can't even remember - that Brad and I wanted to watch. In our defense he was crazy full of energy and mad we had the tv on for us and not him, and we were both sooo tiered from long crazy busy days at work. Oh well. We went to the park this weekend as a family if that makes up for it!