Busy busy and a sewing first.

We've been busy busy around here. In a good way but man has the housework been neglected. For the next couple days I will be in catch-up mode. We took I don't know how many pictures so I have lots of blog posts lined up, which is great for busy days, or days when I can't come up with anything to write about.

Guess what I did(not much of a guess with pictures down below I guess ;) I made clothes. Oh yes I did! I haven't sewn clothes since high school, well anything I finished or want to lay claim to anyways. And I'd never before sewn kids clothes.

It was for my beautiful little baby niece who turned 1 in September. I thought I would break out of my box and try something new for her. I've been wanting to sew for my girls but hit a block I guess. I do that, it's a fear of the unknown, fear of change, fear of failure thing. But no more!

I had set backs of course, but nothing I didn't figure out eventually. It took me longer than it should have, but I'm sure I'll get quicker with experience.

I'm not sure you can see in the pictures but it's made from some really nice soft lightweight cord. And the cherries? I LOVE the cherries. I was really hoping they would be appreciated and they seemed to be, so YAY!

They were both patterns from Ottobre, Spring 1/2008. I made the pants a little longer because I was afraid they would be to capri'ish for the winter. I also added belt loops and the belt. I followed directions and sewed the elastic right to the waistband, then regretted it as Sophia is really really tiny and I was afraid the pants would slide right off her. So I just added the belt loops to help her keep them up. I think they ended up being pretty cute.

Can you see the gather detail below that first line of navy? I love little details like that. It was also fun to learn how to put in those detail stripes. I think little details like that make all the difference in the world. My only reservation was that I don't have a serger, I really feel things don't look as nice(on the inside) without it. So I double folded hems wherever possible to make it looked more finished, but I wish I had a serger. I doubt I will make to many outfits to give away until I do. Of course, that is the perfectionist in me coming out. Sigh. But it really was fun and I have a list a mile long of things I want to make for Christmas gifts and this has given me confidence to go for it! But first, I have to finish Pay's Halloween costume!

So this blanket should have been received by it's recipient by now so I'm going to share it with you. I really love this fabric, when I bought it I had no idea what I was going to use it for(I also bought some cowgirls in flannel for the girls, maybe jammies?). But when a friend of mine moved to Alberta, I teased her about becoming a cowgirl. Then when she had a baby boy I knew where this fabric was headed!

Because there is so much going on in the fabric and just love it the way it is I decided to keep it really simple. Added really soft dotted minky to the back and top stitched in red to finish and ta-da! A cute little cowpoke blankie for a very cute little man!

Is everyone enjoying fall? It's by far my favorite time of year. From Oct through Dec. The gorgeous chill in the air, the tree's putting on their party clothes, being able to wear sweaters(I love sweaters), fuzzy socks, pumpkin patch visits, and so much more. I'm feeling an urge to knit this fall which is really strange since I don't knit, or crochet. It's on my want to learn list but I have so much else to do for now that it will have to wait. I'm thinking after Christmas I'll give it a go. I'll probably be posting for help with that! I guess in the meantime I'll have to settle for some fall/Christmas sewing, of which I have a lot! Oh, I guess I should think about Halloween costumes first!

Is't this little guy with the lasso cute? I think he's my favorite!

The results

Now that I have finally given the blanket to it's recipient I can share it with you(I have another one to share but can't put it up yet.) I absolutly loved working on this blanket and was happy with how it turned out. I didn't want to give it away! This blanket it made from wool sweaters that have be felted(or fulled) in the wash. This binds up the wool and makes it thick, dense, and strong, but leaves the wool a nice texture. I used this book as a guide, Warm Fuzzies 30 Sweet Felted Projects
It was made from 4 sweaters, and I still have some pieces left for other projects. I just noticed that the green sweater pieces look brown here. They are actually a moss green.

Here is the full thing laid out. I didn't think to measure it, but it's bigger than a baby blanket but smaller than crib size I think. I made it longer than the book suggested. It will be able to be used for quite awhile.

I added a B to the pocket, that was the babies first initial, but I guess it could also stand for Baby. It's far from centered, I think next time I'll sketch the design that I want on first then felt on top of that instead of free handing.

I dry felted the B directly onto the wool using wool roving(carded but unspun wool). You use a special needle to poke at it until it blends with the wool backing and becomes firm. It was great fun, I see more dry felting in my future!

Close up of the leaf and little x embellishment I put on. I just sewed a simple x with embroidery thread. The backing is flannel which I found in my stash. I totally lucked out with that because I was so excited to get going all of a sudden I realized I didn't know what I was putting on the back and it was the night before the shower! I don't have much for flannel, or boy suitable fabric in general. I do think the pattern of the flannel works with this blanket though because it's all wintery, I think that suites a wool blanket perfectly!

On the weekend is my Niece's 1st birthday party, so today I am busy scheming up something I can make for her! And I am also starting on the girls Halloween costumes, an advent calendar, and various Christmas gifts! It's going to be a busy 3 months! OIY! ONLY 3 MONTHS! Smile! I love it!

Because I'm crazy

I decided sometime last week to make a blanket for a baby shower on Sun. Then I decided I would do it out of recycled wool sweaters, from Warm Fuzzies 30 Sweet Felted Projects Nothing like a last minute project that you've never tried before. So last night I decided which sweaters to use(didn't get before pictures, Darn!) and felted them up in the washer. So far today the pieces are cut and ready to sew. Now I need to feed my kids and get them in bed so I can sew. What do you think? Am I getting any sleep tonight? I'm not sure. Lol!

That's one cute baby

Here is one of the things I was working on. A blanket for a new little one. I have to admit that I have to dig for boy suitable fabric in my stash. I have lots of girly prints, not so much for the boyish prints. I wonder why that would be lol!

I kept it really simple, I didn't have much time. It's just 2 layers, the 3 prints(4 stripes) on one side, and the fuzzy super soft dotted blue on the other. I want to give quilting a try, machine quilting not hand, but I want a walking foot for my machine before I attempt that. I'm thinking it won't be until after Christmas as I have so many other things on my list before that.

I just love the texture of the bumps. Little hands just love it.

And of course a couple pics of the blanket it action.

Isn't he a cutie?

Guess what I've been doing?

Oh yes! I finally feel organized enough to spend some of my "free time" sewing. YAY! I've been just itching to create. I'll post more pics when I'm finished. I have so many projects on the to-do list! I hope to make most of my Christmas gifts this year so I'd better get cracking! Anyone else starting to get ready for Christmas?(no, this isn't a Christmas gift, it's for a new little one.)