Though I had intended this apron to be a Christmas present, I’ll be keeping it for myself. I love it too much to let it go.
Full details can be viewed on my Elly-Made blog.
Category: Sewing
Elly’s New Pants
Elly is sporting the pants I just finished sewing for her. They are flannel, so their life expectancy isn’t long, but then none of her clothes have lasted longer than one season.
Complete details can be viewed on my Elly-Made blog.
Fabric for an Apron
Nancy’s post last week about aprons reminded me that I wanted to feature the fabric I brought back from Mexico in a half apron.
It will be an unusual apron, but that is the whole point. The hard part will come after the apron is complete and I have to decide whether or not I should keep it for myself. My original intention was to give it away at Christmas, but I’m already regretting that decision. Am I being terribly selfish? Oh, how I wish I had bought more than 1 square of the Madonna fabric. Then, the decision would be ridiculously easy. I would just make 2 aprons: one to give and one to keep. If wishes were horses…
Cloth Diapers Become a Reality
They arrived.
Despite loving the convenience of an AIO (all-in-1 diaper) or a pocket diaper, I chose neither. My decision was based on Elly’s size. The AIO and pocket diapers I found either only went up to 35 pounds (keep in mind that Elly is already 30 pounds and not slowing down) or had reviews stating that they were snug fitting on chunky babies. I didn’t want to spend a bunch of money only to find myself with the same problem a few months later: Elly outgrowing her diapers.
So I went with the old-fashioned method: prefold cloths.
There is room for growth. However, the large diaper covers are already snug on her, so I am taking Katia and Throws-Like-a-Girl’s advice.
I will knit Elly a drawer full of wool soakers. Finally, I found a project to use the gorgeous handspun wool that my MIL gifted to me. It’s so soft, perfect for touching Elly’s bare skin.
Thankfully, the pants I recently made for Elly fit over her puffy cloth diapers.
Full review of the pattern used to make the pants can be found on my sister blog.
Another Christmas present
If you are keeping count with me, it’s 2 down and 3 to go. If time allows, I’d love to squeeze in a 4th for my best girl.
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| From Elizabeth “Elly” |
This time I finished a bathmat.
It’s a quick and easy xmas gift, if you’re in search of such a project. Details and stats can be found on my new sewing-only blog: Elly-Made’s Gallery.
Christmas Shoppping Has Begun
I love Christmas.
The Christmas season can’t begin soon enough for my taste.
I start my shopping in September with the hopes of completing the bulk of it by Halloween. Toys along with presents for those impossible people to buy for are purchased no later than Dec 1st. The month of December is dedicated to wrapping, decorating and most importantly, baking.
Every year I am irritated by retail stores that wait until after Halloween to put out their Christmas merchandise. Surely, I can’t be the only one in town who likes to shop early.
Not all Christmas gifts are store-bought. Some are handmade.
Stats:
Pattern: You don’t need one. A napkin is nothing more than a large square with the edges finished.
Fabric: cotton butterfly fabric on top and cotton white fabric on back (Note that you don’t have to use 2 fabrics. I just don’t like seeing the wrong side of a fabric.)
It is my intention to pass my border line obsession with Christmas to Elly. Already Elly loves to receive packages in the mail, especially when she can climb in afterwards.
Dresses Complete
For those who didn’t see my Facebook post, I finished the Mommy version of this dress last week!
Originally, I had sworn off making any clothes for myself since I hadn’t lost all the baby weight and since my figure wouldn’t remain an hourglass once I weaned Elly in a few months. I’ll be returning to my beloved pear shape.
It’s funny. When I was younger, I desperately wanted to be more endowed. Now that I have larger – ahem – assets thanks to Elly’s need for breastmilk, I find I’m terribly self-conscious about them. The first time I tried this dress on, I was shocked at how much cleavage shown. There was no way I could wear it. Dan’s reaction changed my mind; he thought I looked beautiful. I can’t tell you how amazing it feels to wear it, especially after wearing only nursing tops and frumpy pants for the last 8 months.
Besides making me feel great, this dress has another feature: it’s nursing-friendly. Just untie one of the straps and the bodice falls forward providing Elly easy access. Unfortunately, it’s a bit too easy to gain access. It’s so easy that a baby can do it. It would have been nice to figure that out in the comfort of our own home, but oh no.
Stats:
Pattern: McCalls 5094
Fabrics: 3 different fabrics were used. All 100% cotton.
Alterations:None. Although I did meld version A with version F to get just the look I wanted.
With the dresses finally finished, I’ve started on Christmas presents. 1 down. 5 more to go.
Finally, a Dress
I ended up using the very green fabric I was certain last week looked awful with the striped and flower fabric from India.
I’m so glad I did. I just love how it turned out. It took a formal fabric and made it fun enough that a little girl can go romping about in it.
Stats:
Pattern: same as the shorts – Simplicity 4203
Size: 2T
Fabrics: 3 different fabrics were used. All 100% cotton.
Alterations: A lot. You’ll understand why in about a month when I finish the Mommy size version of the dress. For the record, I decided to forgo the following design features:
all trim
gathered skirt
ruffles
Then, I added a midriff section in a 2nd color. The skirt was redrawn to have an A-line silhouette. Lastly, the entire dress was lined with white fabric mainly because the India fabric is see-through.
It was my 1st attempt at altering a pattern. Almost every pattern piece had to be changed in some way. Boy, was I relieved to have the dress fit Elly.
With the dress reaching the floor, there is lots of room for growth length-wise. The A-line style even allows Elly to pack on more pounds on her belly and thighs without the dress becoming snug, a feature I have a feeling she’ll take advantage of.
Doubting the Dress Fabric
I am having buyer’s remorse over the fabric I bought at my local quilt shop.
The fabric is fun. Who doesn’t love polka dots?
The colors are perfect.
So, what’s wrong with it?
See for yourself.
It conflicts with the India fabric rather than complementing it. Of course, the green fabric won’t go to waste. Fabric never does in this house. Even Dan’s retired dress shirts get a 2nd life in some small project or another. I’m thinking the green fabric might look better as a jumper.
With the green fabric set aside, other colors were auditioned. Using white as both the lining and the accent color has the opposite problem.
It’s too plain and dreadfully boring.
Adding in a border of flowers might solve my problem, but it’s a bit fiddly and might be too grown-up looking.
What do you think?
Should I have eliminated the green fabric in the first place?
Gosh, I can’t wait until Elly can help me choose colors and fabrics.
Right now she loves everything.
Again Not a Dress
It’s a good thing that Elly isn’t old enough to understand my promise of making her a dress next. Once again, I got side-tracked.
However, I am getting closer. These are the shorts that Elly will wear underneath the dress I am making for her.
Do you see how her belly folds over her shorts? Giggle.
Her Daddy and I are so proud of her chubbiness.
Pattern: Simplicity 4203
Alterations: none outside of adding a tag – something my new machine did with great ease
Size: 2T
Fabric: cotton purchased from Quilt Generations in Pottstown. Thanks to their huge selection, I had no trouble matching colors to the fabric my best friend brought back from India. I feel so spoiled here in Pottstown having such a great selection of sewing/quilting stores.
The Life, Designs & Crafts of Marie Haigh 