Day 5 Getting Ready for Emmy

By now you would think I'd be finished, but I still have a couple more projects to complete and then I will ship these off to my son and daughter-in-law, Gabe and Peddy.  I have been posting these on facebook and having them guess what some of the items are.  It's fun to see that they really don't know a whole lot about baby items that are boutique items.  So, I'm opening their eyes to beautiful baby items that would be costly if they purchased locally.

Today, I knew I wanted to do the coordinating bib.  I got my fabrics together and started looking for my pattern that I've used in the past.  It could not be found. (my daughter came over and cleaned and reorganized my sewing room.)  With that being said,  I found a great free pattern that was similar to what I have and was able to print it out and am very pleased with the outcome.  The website is called Chickpea Studio. This link is to the bib pattern.  I hope you give it a try.

Below are three shots of the adorable bib that I just finished (12:30 a.m.)  I love how it turned out.  At first I was going to add the pretty satin ruffle around the neck; but with a newborn, I knew that wasn't the smartest thing to do.  I will, however, make a few like that when she gets a little bit of age on her.  As you can see from the photo's, I added lace where the middle seam is. Nothing is cuter than a bow, so I included that where the Velcro fastener is, I like snaps also, but again wasn't able to find them. And lastly is the best part... It's reversible! Since I used both 100% quality cotton, for absorbency I included Warm and Natural batting between the fabric. 

The Front of the Bib.

Added a cute bow in the back

Reversible and just as cute

Day 3 Getting ready for baby Emmy...

Today I will share a tutorial (somewhat) on how to make a burp cloth which might be a little different than others.  I can't really say, b/c I don't go to different "how to" sights. Not to say I don't PIN a lot of them, but I can pretty much look at a picture and figure my own way of doing the same thing.  Being left handed has it's advantages and disadvantages.  The disadvantages is that most people do things the opposite of what I think and do.  The advantage is... I can turn it around and make it my own, instead of copying them.  Anyway.... Back to the blog.... So the first thing is to get your materials together for the project.  For this, that would be a diaper, fabric, and trims for embellishing the burp cloth.

  

I measure what the thickest part of the diaper is( the middle from seam to seam), which is usually 4" -5" in width.  Then I double that and add 1".  So if your width is 4.25 you will cut fabric 9.50" wide. Then your length. Once you have your fabric cut to your specifications, then you will fold that fabric in 1/2 lengthwise and iron.  

Ironing has two purposes: 1. makes it neat looking and 2. keeps it from shifting.

So, now that you have ironed, you are going to take the cut edge and lay it up to the outer seam in the middle so the folded part is facing the outer portion of the diaper.  If you will look in the first photo, you can see where I folded the end over about 1" at the top.  Pin that fold down.  Like the photos... 

You do not have to fold the bottom part because that will be covered up when you embellish.

Now you are ready to take it to the machine and stitch 1/4" seam.  I use the diaper seam as a guide, but it isn't necessary to match it.  Diapers have a tendency to lose their shape.  

Now you are ready to sew the other side. Just bring the folded fabric to the other side. Stitch from the bottom and go around to the other side and ending at the bottom.  When finished stitching it will look like this.

  

It's time to embellish.  This is the fun part because the sky is the the limit.... For this one I found some pre-gathered satin trim. I pin it to the bottom and added a pink polka dot grosgrain ribbon on top.  Pin and stitch, and there you have it!  Fast and easy burp pad. 

I hope you will give this a try and made beautiful burp pads.  

Be sure to leave comments or ask questions...

Day 2 of Preparing for Baby Emmy

Today, I worked on a taggy blanket for Emmy.  I've made them before, but when I received an email from  my favorite BlogSpot, Sew Can She, I knew that was the next thing I would make. It took me to another great website. Andsewwecraft....  Getting on with the taggy..... I cut approximately a 10x10 scrap of minky and cute elephant fabric my daughter gave me for Christmas.  I went to Hobby Lobby, my go to store, and found a cute elephant ribbon; pink and gray BTW.   I began by cutting the ribbon approximately 5" long.  I used the elephant, a greek key design and added a pretty pink RickRack approx. 2.5" long.  I laid the fabric pretty to pretty together. Remember that your ribbon will be tucked between the fabric when you place them where you want.  There is really no set way of placing the ribbons.  I started in the center of the fabrics and pinned the rickrack.  Then I eyeballed where I wanted the other ribbons to be. Fold the ribbon in half and place it between the fabric, pin in place.  I would say mine was approximately 2.5' to 3" apart. Once you have the ribbons pinned into place take your taggy to the machine and stitch all the way around, removing pins when necessary.  When you get to the last side of the blanket,  leave enough room to pull the taggys through.  Once I did this, I went over it with a chopstick to make sure my corners are out.  Last, I topstitched all the way around to close it up.  And that is all there is to it.  This is really an great project for beginners to advanced.   I hope you give it a try for your next baby shower or little one in your life.  You can add things like wrinkle plastic, squeeky toys etc, into the taggy to make it more interesting if you would like. 

 Cute isn't it?