WTW is This!?

I’m participating in a baby clothes sew-a-long on Pattern Review. My first item(s) were the bibs and now I tried, for the first time, doing a one-piece romper with the feet. It is my muslin and will still be used because I did not waste my time on this thing! It will be used for sleep purposes only!

McCall’s 6103 is the pattern in reference.

It’s essentially an infant and preemie layette. There’s the romper, onesie, bootie, drawstring gown, pull-over t-shirt, diaper cover, cap, and a dress. I think I covered them all.

This pattern comes in sizes Preemie to Large which are measured by height and weight. I traced the Medium for later but used the Newborn for now.

It does look like the photo/drawing on the envelope. I didn’t finish it because I was not going to put the snaps on. I would much rather put those on the item that I am content with. So other than that…yes, it looks like.

The instructions were good until I got to the leg closure part. That’s another reason why there are no snaps. I do not understand how they are to actually look with these pieces on there.

I like the fact that this pattern had every piece a layette consists of. I do not like the fact that it seems to take the basic way out. There are no RTW features… like the neck bindings are just a turn and stitch function instead of actually attaching a pretty little binding.

I used a waffle-like knit fabric that I believe is a cotton poly blend. It might be like a thermal type? I’m not 100% sure; it’s been in the stash for maybe over a year.

There were no alterations because this is my first time doing such a pattern and I wanted to get the feel of what I was doing. I did add on a flower embroider. I used a dryer sheet for the stabilizer; which have actually worked…until now.

Oh, there is cloud on the left side because I was playing with embroidery and made the flower too close. I took out most of the other one but what’s left was just a head ache. Another reason why this is just a muslin.

Now, things I would do differently are:

1. Add an actual binding to the neck. Oh! The directions did include a decorative elastic version, so I may try that one, too.

2. Sew the arm hems BEFORE I sew the sleeves. They are really small and did not fit over my free arm. They were a job and a half to sew with the whole thing on top, too.

3. Next time, I will use an iron-on stabilizer if I embroider on this kind or similar fabric.

Yes, I am going to sew it again with hopes getting it right this time and using those previous changes. So far I recommend if you can get the closure part right.

The only conclusion I can give right now is that it has potential.

Until I get it right, Scheryka.

Every Baby NEEDS Baby Bibs

What is a need?

A need is something that one can not do without. For a baby that would include diapers, milk (of some kind), blankets, etc…, and bibs. Bibs are for dribs. And every baby dribble and slob, and spit up. It sometimes get to projectile shooting. That’s when you throw all the bibs out the window and just grab a garbage bag. Just kidding.

I was browsing the net and found some really cute bib patterns. I refuse to buy a pattern since I have some that were not given away or donated. I could use those as templates and make my own design. Right? Right. That’s called frugality. My definition? The reality of being frugal.

I happened upon more than a few sites that had some really cute (and some not so cute) bib ideas. Here are some of the bibs that caught my eye.

From Nested

From the PaperSeed

How cute are these? Very cute. I love Paisley and Butterflies! Taken from Creativekismet by Regina Lord.

Taken from Goingsewcrazy.

Looking through these websites and others, I remembered I have TONS of scraps from previous projects. But, in particular, the blocked bib three photos up (the one with the strawberries and dot), made me remember about some fabric I had bought a WHILE back from a store on Etsy. I said fabric but when I got them, I saw scraps! They are actually leftover saree fabrics. And when I say left over, I mean the sewist made a saree, used the leftover for a sleeve cuff or two, then made some fabric necklaces, wiped his (I say ‘his’ because it was a man that I’d them bought them from.) behind, and then sold me what was left! Or I bought what was left…

Don’t misunderstand me, the fabric (read: scraps) are beautiful pieces. I just wish there were more (much more) to them. But, I figured I could sew the scraps together and make a blocked bib or two. Here are the fabric scraps.

front

                               back

I don’t know how many I will be able to get out of them. Probably one front and back or 2 if I make the back out of terry or something.

In the mean time, here are some that I had made while procrastinating on the scrap-blocked bib(s).

I used a bib that I had saved for one of older girls as a template.

I traced it onto the fabric at first

because I wasn’t thinking to just tape two sheets of paper together to get a bigger size. Duh.

But once I came to my senses and done so, I cut a few different fabrics that was in the stash.

I played around with bias.

After I got a little feel of what I was doing, I finished each one just a bit different. The main difference is either the bias trim or sew and turn. Here are the finished bibs.

Just a little closer:

and

Until the next project before my mojo get up and go without me.

~~Scheryka.

…But Your Will Be Done

     (long blog)

     Life has its way of changing the course of things. Your will just may not be the will of the Lord. And we have to live with that or suffer the fact that some serious damage will occur.

      I’d sewn myself a pair of knit pants that were too big for me. So, I gave the pattern and the pants to my Sis. They were trial and error, so she can actually use them as house pants. Using a different material and actually changing up a few steps, one could yield a good pair of knit pants. The pattern just didn’t marry to me as well as I would have wanted them to and I wasn’t all too thrilled on giving them another try. So, whenever she makes them, I would love to see her version and I pray hers come out 100% better than mine! The pattern is M6514, view C or D. The blue and/or orange pair.

     I’d done some alterations to a formal dress for an associate. I say associate because I am one whom I call very few people a friend. This keeps a lot of drama out of my life. Life simplified! Easy. But anyways, I couldn’t take any photos because I have a replacement phone that doesn’t have  a camera until I get mine in the mail. And my digital camera was MIA. Ironic, though, how I found it soon after the dress was redone. I had to shorten and reshape the hem. It was a mermaid type dress (read: Dreamgirl version). I chopped off a whopping 8 inches and gave it a hi-lo effect. There was a bow at the waist that had the flaps. Long flaps. I had to remove those and leave just a simple bow. Too easy. So, it was suggested to make a shawl and matching bag. The dress was for a 14 year old and the suggestion came from her Grandmother. The kid kindly took into consideration of Granny’s suggestion and simultaneously declined the shawl; but the clutch was a go. I do have photos of the clutch. It came out very cute. I think I may make a couple for myself for special Sundays and events. I also like them for better than a basic makeup bag.

FrontBack Magnetic snap.

Little pinch out.

 

                                   Little clutch, done. Cute, huh?

     I made my daughter a purple princess dress that she had been asking for for a while now. She loves it and now she wants a pink, blue, and yellow one! Another day another dress, I guess. But I will make them because she’ll need them in this upcoming South Carolina summer heat!

(Hard to photo my 3 year old. Maybe later?)

     Lastly, I made a baby blanket and two matching burpies for another a lady’s daughter who is about to be first time Mommy. I was supposed to go to her baby shower but had pre-priorities and couldn’t make it. So it sits nicely folded, tied with a lace ribbon, placed in a gift bag with gift paper. I love it!

It measures 3.5 X 3 Ft.

Bottom (back) I wanted a contrasting color but didn’t want to use the traditional pink. It makes me cringe in disgust!

Matching burpies. If they were smaller they’d look like sani pads. :/

     So, now it comes to my change in life. I will be sewing for the baby bump that is prominent and this was the first item I had sewn for it. It is a lace knit version of McCall’s 6204. It was another sew along with my Sis during the Spring break. It’s made out of cotton knit lace with some metallic going through it.

Here’s my version.

I just can’t seem to get a picture done. So, when I do, I’ll post it.

     Cute, huh? I would like to make tons of camis to go under this in every color imaginable. But the smart side of my mind said, “Girl, please! Do a black, white, and a color and be done.” So, I think that’s what’ll it be for now.

This is the second item I made.

     I have a list of items I would like to get around to but I am pretty sure that I won’t happen because I always have a list of things I WANT to sew but only get around to ONE and 1/2 of them. Other things just happen to take priority. But I had a few items that could easily be used for maternity and I bought a few more. I’ll strike them out as I go along.

     Here is what I already had:

B4807 I made these before my blog days and loved them.

M6204 I love this top and it can easily double as maternity. I wear the two I’ve already made and they are comfortable.

B4201 was made for a lady at church (pants only). We are about the same size and they came out huge. Even for a 7-8 month pregnant belly! So if I end up making this one I will NEED to go down a size maybe two.

 

M6111 was bought especially for this summer. So why not keep in the list? Seems to be belly room. Besides, I love the back.

B5497 Love this top! Hands down. Add a little to the length and viola!

V8581 Great choice!

M5931 Would be great and I love the drawstring effect. It would be great for breastfeeding, too.

M6031 Love it. I would love to do version E and F as a knee length dress.

M6119 In style! I would be one sexy mommy.

M6241 Nice choice.

M6118 I would do this top in a knit this time and add a removable strap for the bare shoulder side so that it would be at the least church appropriate.

V2064 Trendy top for mommy’s to be.

V1185 I love a cute romper.

V1101Tunic length and possibly in a stable knit.

V1250 Still on the fence but I think I just might break down and make this number… I want it in white since it would show the bump very good. I also have a light turquoisish/baby bluish knit.

     I bought :

M6567 and have already made it. It runs big so be careful if you are looking for a little more fitted-ness.

NL6804 Cute silhouette.

M6461 This was supposed to be a sew along with my Sis but I couldn’t get around to it. I want to do version D. Red one.

M6569 I need a bathing suit and this one is too cute. The bottom reminded me of the one Bey wore on the beach while she was pregnant. It was really cute. Views G and A. I will need straps on the top!

 

NL6077short sleeve versions only! Lol

NL6939 I’m in love with A and B.

KS3659 Love the all black version.

KS3762

KS3802

NL6034 Very cute and seems to be very figure flattering for a pregnant chic.

B5736 Just to play with. Nothing fancy shmancy.

M6555 I only bought this for my lazy I-don’t-want-any-company-and-the-baby-is-acting-a-nut-and-I-have-to-clean-house-so-leave-me-alone-dress.

M6553 Fashion star and fashion me! Lurve it.

M6552 Fashion star I’m-feeling-sexy-but-still-don’t-to-be-tightly-bound-in-figure-hugging-clothes-because-I-still-have-much-needed-to-loose-baby-fat-hanging-around.

     So, there’s my list. What do you think? In the mean time, while you submit your suggestions and comments, I am gong to start on NL6804 (done) in this pretty kaleidoscope fabric from Hancocks last Spot the Bolt sale. Score $1.95 a yard, I believe.

     It is almost sheer to the point of maybe/maybe not having to line it. I hope it doesn’t have to be though because I am so not a fan of slips unless absolutely necessary and I don’t have a stash lining accept for a clingy black that I do NOT want next to my skin in the heat. I am going to make my own straps from the fabric not ribbon. I may do A straps on C dress. I’ll see which way the wind blows.

Until later, Everyone. Be blessed and never stressed, Scheryka.