A Blanket for Roan

A few months ago I made a knit and minky blanket for my nephew/godson, Roan.  My sister-in-law loved it, and asked if I would be willing to make another blanket for Roan, one that would hold up to more frequent washing than a knitted blanket.  Challenge accepted!  Besides, it's fun to make snugly things for babies.

I am going to call this a one-nap project, because it really should have only taken me one nap to make. 

I had some orange minky on hand, and I picked up some bright blue flannel to go with it.  I started by washing, drying, and, in the case of the flannel, ironing my fabric.

After that, I cut out two large squares from both fabrics.  This took me a ridiculous amount of time, and I can't explain why.  This may have been easier if I had a larger workspace for laying out my fabric.  I don't know.  Anyway, after far too much waffling, I ended up with two squares of fabric measuring 42 inches on each side.

I pinned the fabric, right sides together, and sewed around the edges.  I ran into some trouble here, and lost some time.  Minky stretches, flannel doesn't.  Finally, with the help of lots of pins and a walking foot, I had success.

I left a four-inch gap in the stitching along one edge, clipped the corners, and turned the blanket right-side out.  I pressed the edges, then top stitched about a quarter inch from the edge.

Done!  Next time I'll be able to save time with the cutting and stitching.  I am really happy with how this rather simple project turned out, and I was a little bummed to give it away.  Luckily I picked up some super cute dinosaur-print flannel to make another blanket for Julian!

2013

'Tis the season for resolutions, though any day can be a new start if you choose to make it so.  My biggest goal for 2013 is a continuation of a goal I set for myself when my son was born.  I will strive to be the sort of person my son can be proud of, and I will lead by example and be the sort of person I wish my son to be.  I will be patient, kind, creative, fun, compassionate, faithful, and generous.  No problem, right?

It's a big goal, but I have someone around all the time to hold me accountable:

He's got his eye on me.

I have a few smaller goals for 2013, as well. 

I want to learn to sew my own clothing.  And I will not give up on myself when it's not perfect the first try.

I will grow a larger quantity and greater variety of produce in my garden this summer.  I will stay on top of harvesting and preserving it, and if I don't have time for preservation, I will at least bring my produce to the local food shelf so it does not go to waste.

The garden, summer 2011.

When I get stressed, or anxious, or angry, I will remember what actually matters and chill out. 

(This matters.)

Happy New Year, everyone.

Preach it, Jean-Luc!

Shirt FUBAR

Ah.  A few days ago, I decided I wanted to try and sew a shirt for myself.  Something elegant, and just a little dressy to wear to my nephew's baptism on Saturday.  I found this tutorial for drafting a pattern and constructing a shirt.  Nice, right?  I even had some pretty dark red fabric to use, perfect for Christmas.  So, how's it going?  HOW'S IT GOING?!?

This sums it up pretty well.

At least in my case, I'm the only one who ends up disappointed!

And really, it's okay.  The fabric was free, and I am learning from the adventure, if nothing else.

Baby Legwarmers

Carpe nap time!

All of my sewing gets done while Julian sleeps, and most projects take multiple days' worth of naps to complete.  Every now and again, however, I have a project that I can both start and finish during a single nap.  The viking hat I made for Julian was one of those projects.

Today I decided to make legwarmers for Julian.

Damian gave me these socks a few years ago.  I love them.  They are cozy, and cushy, and I wore them so much that I wore holes in the heels and toes.  I didn't want to toss them, though, partly because I am a sentimental fool, and partly because the leg parts of the socks are still in good shape.  These seem to be good candidates for legwarmers.

I cut off the holey feet.

Then I got to work.  My mother in law just gave me a new (to me) sewing machine.  It's super nice, and I am just learning how to work it.  I don't know what this foot is called, but it has a groovy adjustable guide.  I set it up so that my double interlock stitch would line up perfectly along the edge.

A close up of the edge when I finished.

Then I folded the edge under, pinned it, and stitched it in place with a zigzag stitch on its longest setting.  Were the double interlock and zigzag stitch the right choices?  I don't know; I was making this up as I went.

They look okay, though.  Next I had to wait for Julian to wake up so he could model them for me.

He was thrilled.  Or he's teething and wants lunch.

On the move!  I think the flames on his diaper make him go faster. 

This is the best shot I managed to get, and he's backlit.  Oh well.  He stood still for a second.

Anyway, I'm pretty happy with these.  Not a bad use of an hour and a pair of socks that needed to be tossed out.

A Viking Hat for Julian

I live within walking distance of a fabric store.  Sometimes this is good, like when I am in the middle of a project and I realize I forgot to buy something.  Sometimes, this is not so good, and it is more of a temptation.

Today, while I was taking a shower, I realized that Julian HAD to have a viking hat.  Today.  And then I went shopping.

I don't really know how to sew.  I usually just decide that I can do something, and then it either works, or I fall flat on my face.  Today I did pretty well.  I even managed to do this entire project during Julian's afternoon nap.  He took an abnormally long nap today, but still.

I used this tutorial for the hat, as well as that author's tutorials for ear flaps and ears (for the horns).  The links are at the bottom of her tutorial.

Here I'm getting set up.  I have cut out the pattern pieces, and I am modifying them to fit Julian's head.  I have my iPad set up with the tutorials on screen.

I'm getting started on the sewing!  I drew the horns free-hand.  Yes, I use a lot of pins.  I'm not very good at this, remember?

Hey, it's just about done!  Yeah, I neglected to take more process photos.  I was in a bit of a hurry to finish while Julian slept.  From here, I cut the long "ear flaps" into three strips to braid.

Someone just woke up, and doesn't know why he's wearing a hat.

Here's a better shot.  It's not perfect, but I must say I'm pretty proud of myself.  Now we're all ready for the football game tomorrow!  Go Vikings!