More handmade baby shower gifts- crib organiser

This year, two of my closest friends (who are also close friends)  both had  baby girls on the same day! It was lovely to welcome Vittoria Simona and Scarlett Rose into the families of two of my favourite ladies.

In preparation for the arrival, both of my friends had showers, of course. Neither knew the sex of their baby so I decided to make a couple of things in the traditional greens and yellows. For something different, I made fabric crib organisers to hang on the cribs and fill with toys and small items. I found two different (but equally lovely) fabrics and set to work.

Here are the results:

 crib organiser

 put cute things in the pockets as gifts!

 crib organiser, cute vintage style fabric

 bias binding on pockets

top pocket

The girls really loved their presents and they were fun to make. I looked at a couple of different tutorials but I ended up making my own version. There's a nice version here from Jess from Craftiness is not optional if you'd like to get the basic idea.

I also made some more of my baby bouquets for the mums to be. This time I experimented with putting the flowers in a box instead of wrapping them like flowers as it seemed to look better and hold together better too.

baby bouquet

baby bouquet

These bouquets are pretty easy to make- you just roll up little socks, washcloths, singlets and bibs and tie with wire. You can arrange them in a box with some plastic leaves and tissue paper to make a unique little present. My friends often tell me they'd like to keep it as it makes a nice decoration but then they can't help but pull it apart to see what's in there!

Welcome babies! 

My first guest post

A few weeks ago I was contacted by the lovely Nikki from Nature's Heirloom. She asked me if I would like to do a guest post for her to fill some space while she had her baby. I was so excited!

Nikki asked if I would share my tutorial for making a travel wipes and diaper bag to stay in with the baby theme. I sent it to her using the wonders of html and email (she explained it well for my novice blogger brain!) and she has now posted it on her blog. She also said some lovely things about my blog which was so nice. :) Nikki's blog is full of inspiring tutorials and links to projects for all kinds of thngs. I recommend stopping by and checking it out.

Check out my first guest post here if you like! It made my day. :)


I'd really love someone to do a crafty/sewing related guest post on my blog. Please feel free to get in touch if you're interested!

xx

baby shower decorations- baby bunting

One of my oldest and dearest friends is having her first baby next month and we're getting pretty excited! I've been helping to organise a crafty baby shower and have been planning lots of decorations for the party.

I decided to make some bunting for the occasion and found this fabric bunting pattern on the chickabug blog. Since we know she's having a little boy we decided to use blues and yellows for the theme of the shower. I found some cute animal printed fabrics and some coordinating spots and stripes in lovely blues and yellows.

Here's a picture of the final result:

I figured making bunting would be pretty straight forward so I worked it out as I went along, but here are some instructions anyway in case you'd like to have a go too. 

 Materials:

• 6" (15cm) base triangle pattern from this bunting pattern 

(I transferred my paper pattern onto cardboard to make it easier to cut around with a rotary cutter)

• small amount of fabric,  6 different patterns/colours
• bias binding
• machine

Step one: cut out your flags
For bunting with 12 flags, you will need 2 of each different fabric you have.
place two 7" (17.5cm) wide strips of fabric right sides together on your cutting mat.
Cut out two triangles using your bunting pattern.
Repeat for all of your different fabrics

Step two: pin and stitch
Give each set of triangles (still right sides together) a little press and pin around the two long sides, leaving the base of the triangle open.
Sew around the two long sides of the triangle. Clip the corners and press the seams to shrink and set stitches.
Turn all your triangles right side out and poke out the point of the triangle using a chopstick. Press nicely.

Step three: attach to bias binding

Determine the order you would like your flags to go in and line them up.
Cut your piece of bias binding to this length PLUS about 14" (35cm) on each end to allow for tying up. (This may be longer or shorter depending on your preference)
Pin the flags inside the fold of the bias binding starting in the middle so you have an even length of binding on each end for tying.

Step four: Sew closed
Using a matching coloured thread, stitch the bias binding closed close to the seam all the way along the bunting.
knot the ends and give the whole thing a press.

Admire your work and hang it up somewhere to enjoy.

I think fabric bunting looks so sweet and the style options are endless. This decoration doubles as a sneaky present too as my friend could hang it up in the baby's room if she likes.

Happy bunting making!

making gifts for a mum-to-be: travel wipes pouch tutorial

After sewing these cute bibs for a friend of mine who is a new mum-to-be I thought it would be nice to make a coordinating travel wipes and diaper pouch. Since I don't have a baby myself it's hard to work out what would be a practical present (that's also cute and gender neutral!), but I figured making a little pouch with enough room for a set of travel baby wipes, some powder or lotion and a few diapers would probably come in handy.

Here's a picture of the final result:

It matches this bib I made and I'm giving it to my friend as a little set as part of her gifts for her baby shower.

I don't have a detailed tutorial for this one, but here are some instructions and a few pics to help you on your way if you'd like to have a go too.


Materials:

• fabric for outside, flap and strap (focus fabric)
• fabric for lining and flap
• interfacing
• hook and loop tape

Here is a picture of all the parts you will be cutting and sewing: outside body, lining, flap, strap and pocket.

Step One: Cut out your fabric pieces

Cut out two rectangles about 11 inches x 14 inches (27.5cm x 35cm) for the body of the pouch in the focus fabric, lining and interfacing.

Fuse the interfacing to the main fabric pieces to give it some body.

I made a little pocket for the lining piece by folding a rectangle about 8" x 5" (20cm x 12cm) in half wrong sides together. Stitch around all 3 sides leaving a gap to turn it the right way. Press and stitch onto the right side of the lining piece near the top.



make a pocket and stitch to lining piece



For the flap, I just used the same width (11 inches) and added the height based on what I thought would look ok (about 6inches/15cm) Next time, I'll make the width slightly narrower (maybe 10 inches) as the flap piece was a little wide in the end and bunched up a bit while sewing. (The trial and error nature in which I operate has its pitfalls sometimes!)

Cut a focus fabric piece, interfacing and lining piece of the flap. I curved one edge tracing around a jar and fused the interfacing to the focus fabric piece.

Step two: Stitch the flap and make a strap

On the right side of the lining piece of the flap, stitch a strip of hook and loop tape 1.5 inches from the curved bottom in the middle. (stitch the rough side of the hook and loop tape to this piece)

With right sides facing, stitch the focus fabric piece and lining piece together around the curved edge leaving the top open.

After turning it the right way and pressing, top stitch around the curved edge for some extra detail.



flap front





flap back



At this point I thought it would be a good idea to include a strap for easy carrying.

To make a strap, cut a piece of focus fabric 2.5 (about 6.5 cms) inches wide x 12 inches (30cm).

Fold the strip in half with the long edges together. Press.

Un-fold the strip and fold each long edge to meet in the middle (on the line you have just pressed) Press again.

Fold the strip in half long ways again and press. You can now top stitch along each long end to secure your strap. Done! (Use this technique on purses to turn them into wristlets)



make a strap



Step three: Sew your body and lining pieces together

Place one focus fabric piece right side up on the table in front of you. Fold your strap piece in half and pin to one side of your fabric about an inch and a half (3.5cm) from the top.



pin strap to focus fabric piece



Place the other focus fabric right side down on top of the first piece. Pin around two long edges and one short edge and sew, trapping the strap in between. (You can see it poking out of the left side on the picture below)



pin focus fabric pieces right sides together and sew around three edges



Turn right side out and press.





Put your lining pieces right sides together and pin around two long sides and one short side, leaving a gap in the middle of the short piece to turn the whole thing out the right way. Sew around all three sides leaving the gap you created. turn and press nicely. (no pic for this step)

Step four: Assemble and stitch together!

Work out which side of the focus fabric will be the front and back.

Take your flap piece and pin it to the top of the back of your focus fabric piece, right sides together. (keep your pins low so they don't get in the way of you sewing the top.
At this point you might like to stitch the flap in place, however you don't need to as it will be sewn in place when you attach the bag to the lining.



pin flap to back of focus piece, right sides together


Here is the interesting part.

Turn your lining piece inside out.

Place the focus fabric piece (right side out) inside the lining piece. make sure you match up the back of the focus fabric piece with the lining piece with the pocket on it, so the pocket ends up sitting at the back of the pouch.



put the focus piece inside the lining piece which is inside out



Line up the seams and the top edge. Pin around the top of the pouch. (but don't pin it together or you will seal the bag!)

 

Stitch around the top of the pouch carefully. You will trap the flap piece between the lining and outside piece in this step too. I sewed around the top twice to make it stronger.

Using the gap in the lining you created, pull the focus fabric piece through the gap until you have turned it the right side out.

Remove the pins, slip stitch the gap closed and give the whole thing a nice press.

fold your flap down and mark the place for the other piece of hook and loop tape. Stitch the tape into place to close.

Done!



finished, huzzah!



To illustrate its usefulness, you could fill the pouch with a set of travel wipes, diapers and some powder or lotion and give it to your special mum-to-be as a gift at a baby shower. 

I hope you found these instructions ok for making your own travel wipes and diaper pouch.

Suggestions always welcome!

Linking at these fabulous parties.

Linking up here at today's creative blog link party, get your craft on!

making gifts for a mum-to-be: bibs

I have sooooo many friends expecting their first baby at the moment. It's so exciting! In preparation for the arrival of all these new babies the baby showers have begun, and I have decided to handmake something for all of these new mums. I'm glad I can use my hobby to make something different and a little special for my beautiful friends!

Since most of my friends don't know the gender of their baby I thought it would be a good idea to stick to gender-neutral colours like greens and yellows and to make things both boys and girls can wear. Naturally, bibs seemed like a practical gift that can be fun and decorative too!

Here are my first three bibs:

I bought the fabrics from my favourite quilting shop in Sydney, The Remnant Warehouse. They have a huge range of beautiful fabrics for any kind of project along with patterns and haberdashery. Check them out if you're in the neighbourhood!

I think these fabrics would be ok for both a little boy or a girl. I love the apples and the patchwork one with pigs in tractors or on a ferris wheel. Hee hee, so cute.

Here's a closer look at each bib:

To make the bibs I first made myself a pattern. There are quite a lot of different bib patterns online, but in the end I made my own based on two different styles.

I used the pattern to cut out the focus fabric, interfacing to give it some body and some brushed cotton for the reverse side. You also need some hook and loop tape to hold it together.

Making bibs is pretty straight forward, you just sew around the perimeter leaving a gap for turning which you can slip stitch closed later. I would recommend using a walking foot to keep the layers moving evenly if you have one. I would have used mine but it is lost in the house somewhere. :( Instead, I just used lots of pins to avoid little ripples.

Next, I think I'll make a travel wipes case to match one of the bibs and maybe make some appliqued onesies. Cute! 

Send me links to your cute baby stuff, I'd love some more inspiration!

Baby headband tutorial

I am now at that age when my friends are starting to have babies, which is great for me because I can visit, ooh and ahh at their cuteness and hand them back when the crying starts. :)

It is also a great opportunity for me to use some of the adorable fabric i have picked up, and with the help of some online tutorials, I have learned to make bibs, burp cloths and baby headbands. I'll put some links to the bibs and burp cloths later (I recently gave away all my new cute bibs without photographing first... smart). In the meantime, here is my first tutorial for how to make a baby headband.

Here it is, modelled on the ever so sweet Audrey.

 Instructions

You will need:

- 30cm (12 Inches) of stretchy lace (for 2-4 month old baby, approx, measure the head if you can, adjust if necessary)
- yo yo flower fabric, (circle diameter twice the intended diameter of your yo yo)  Here, my circle is about 14cm (6 inches approx) in diameter.
- button for centre of flower
- sewing machine (optional)

Step one: make head band

- put the ends of the lace right sides together. use a machine basting stitch or hand sew the ends together with a 0.5cm (1/5th inch) seam, leaving long tails of thread at each end.
- Pull the bottom thread to gather the seam a bit and tie the ends into knots to hold. Cut thread close to the knot. Set aside

Step two: make fabric yo yo

NB: for this step, I used a yo yo maker, but if you don't have one, they're easy to make without one. Follow a tutorial from Heather Bailey here
- After making your yo yo, sew a button to the centre. Here I used a vintage flower button.

Step three: attach yo yo to head band

- stitch the yo yo to the head band over the gathered seam. If you want it to look extra neat, you could cut a circle of felt and sandwich the headband in between the felt and the yo yo, stitching them together around the edge of the felt circle. (I guess you could hot glue gun it or fabric glue it if you trust it to stick!)

Step four: admire your work and the cute baby.
Done!! A super easy hand made gift you can give to new mothers and customise any way you like.

This is my first tutorial, so feel free to make comments if it needs improving!