Archive for February, 2012

Baby Bunting

February 10, 2012
Aqua, Green, Grey Bunting

Aqua, Green, Grey Bunting

A friend of mine is about to have a baby boy. I’m sure she’s completely sick of me asking her if she’s had it yet and if she would hurry up. People made those jokes a lot when I was pregnant and I wondered why they never tired of them. Now I’m on the other side (being painful and making lame jokes) I think its the non-pregnant persons way of saying ‘oh yay I’m just so totally excited you are about to have a baby’!

Anyway as a gift I’m making her some bassinet bedding, because its hard to buy bedding for a bassinet and its a fun way to add decoration to a baby room. She had her baby shower on the weekend and I’m not quite done with the bedding. (Maybe I should stop wishing the baby was out until I’m done!)

As a little shower gift, a teaser of what’s to come, a way to add some extra decor to the party (and later baby’s room) I made some bunting.

Bunting in the window

Bunting in the window

These are pictures of it hanging in our kitchen window. I was having so much fun at the party I totally forgot to take a picture of it with all the other fun decor. I did however make her a matching bunting card.

aqua bunting card

aqua bunting card

Hopefully I’ll be posting the bedding soon too! Before baby comes!

Loving the fabric she chose to use its, Backyard Baby by Patty Sloniger, I got it from Sew Mama Sew.

Kindy Bag

February 9, 2012
Kindergarten Bag

Kindy Bag!

So last week my oldest started kindergarten. The school requested we make them a two handled, open, shoulder bag. A little curious, I thought, as I was all set to make her a cute back pack like this one by Made-by-Rae. Still I went along with it. A friend of mine suggested it might be easier for them to get their stuff in and out of. Plus, she had all these gigantic school supplies that would never fit in that cute little pack.

Kindy Bags

Her bag, next to her best-friends bag, cute!!

I ordered some cute fabric online but it was slow in coming and I still might make her one, so I kind of wanted to keep it for its original purpose! Instead, I set my self a challenge, only use fabric I already had. It was a great idea! Sometimes I find putting boundaries on your creativity is a good thing.

Babushka Doll for the Center Panel

Babushka Doll for the Center Panel

A big rectangular bag can be a bit dull. So I thought a bit of fabric piecing would add interest as well give me a way to include some of her favourite fabrics and colours. She’s pretty keen on Babushka Dolls at the moment. So I thought using that idea as a motif would be fun. I also thought I could make a collection of bags one day (when I find the time) in various sizes. School bag, lunch bag, pencil case… see where I’m going?

Babushka Bag

Babushka Bag

I used a ‘cheats turned-applique’ technique I just sort of invented in my brain but I’m sure I’m not the first. Its where you sew together two pieces of fabric the shape of what you want, right sides together. Carefully cut into one layer and turn right side out. After you’ve ironed it you’ll have a fray-less object to applique! I used the same technique for her name.

Non Fraying Name Applique

Non Fraying Name Applique

Finally, I stitched the front panel onto a yellow backing to make the rest of the bag and then lined it. Making sure I included some box pockets for lunch and pencils.

Box Pleat Pockets

Box Pleat Pockets

She looked super cute with her bag getting ready for Kindy, and there was lots of playing with it before she actually started school. I do think I’ll end up carrying it most of the time! Isn’t it always the way!

Kindergarten Bag

Kindy Bag