Sneak peek - and an embarrassing revelation about my sewing machine

 This is the front of my faux chenille blanket

 And the cotton flannel side.

I had these fabulous baby blankets my Mother in law gave me when J was born.  But they are too small for cot sheets, or for a wrap (especially for my 9lb newborns!).  So I decided to sew them into a blanket.  I'm about three quarters of the way there.

And now for the embarrassing part.  I went to use my sewing machine the other day to make C's merino top.  I found that the presser foot was not on the machine, thanks no doubt to J, who likes them to get together and go places, or play families etc.  I'd also just read a topic on Sew Mama Sew which described a walking foot.  I thought, what the heck I'll see if any of my feet match that description - and lo and behold one of them does.  I used it for both the pullover top, and the faux chenille blanket and it was fabulous.

So where does the embarrassment fit in? Well I've owned my machine for over 10 years, and I'd always assumed that it didn't have a walking foot because it was old, and walking feet seem to be 'extras', so I'd never really looked properly at my presser feet.  In that time, I have made a rather large number of things that would have benefited from it, including piles of nappies, and all those knitted fabric garments.  Oh well, at least I know what it is now right?

UFO week

No, I'm not searching the sky (although we've had so much rain lately that I wouldn't see much anyway).  I'm  trying once again to tame my unruly pile of unfinished objects.

 I need to complete a top for C's birthday

A faux chenille blanket

And *cough* an advent calendar.

More on the one I've already completed in another post.

Baby's bonnet

One of my Christmas presents this year was a bonnet for my sister in law's daughter.  It was a simple (and I think awesome) gift.  I used another bonnet I already had as the pattern (although I may create a pdf pattern and tutorial, because I really like them).  You can see from the above picture the shape of the bonnet.  I cut out two pieces of material, and overlocked them together, with the straps sandwiched between them.  Leave a gap and turn the bonnet right side out, and then topstitch around it.

Place buttons on the bottom corners (the bottom part of the wonky t shape), and button holes on the curved edge.  Then simply button the sides together, and bonnet!

 Modelled by the accommodating Kiki.  The one I made fits about 3-6 mo up.

The bits of wool around Kiki's legs are 'undies'.

AWOL

So I've been a bit missing in December, but in my defence, it is December, and things are crazy busy.  However, I will blog about all the things we've been making and doing in January.

Some things to look forward to:

 More undies

 Felt food round up

Summer quenchers

Baby bonnet


Pipitea Shrug pattern
Bleach Tee top tutorial

Merry Christmas to all, and I'll see you again in the new year.

On the subject of cloth nappies

I've talked about cloth nappies before, and here, and how wonderful I think they are, but there are a few myths about cloth nappies that always seem to pop up.

Cloth nappies are more work.
I won't lie, there is more washing involved with cloth nappies, but its not really very much extra.  And once you get into the routine of washing them, its really easy to do.  I can feel your scepticism from here, but it really is easy.  I'm onto my 3rd full time cloth baby (none of whom have been particularly easy babies), and its just about being organised - you'll wonder why you ever put it off once you start using them.

The mess factor
This is mostly a concern for first time Mums.  I'll let you in on a little secret - babies are messy.  Disposable nappies are not significantly less messy than cloth, you'll still be wiping baby's bottom.  And just think of the smell from all those disposables in the rubbish when you're weighing up using cloth and the mess.

They're not really better for the environment
Several years ago, there was a UK report that looked at the environmental impact of cloth nappies versus disposables.  It found that the environmental impact of cloth was roughly equivalent to that disposable nappies.  However, this report had several flaws.  Firstly it was based in the UK, where the weather is wet.  It also assumed that you would be using a dryer to dry nappies (I don't own one so that isn't an issue for me), and it also assumed you would be IRONING your nappies! Why, I don't know.  These factors skew the reports findings regarding electricity use and environmental impact.  A further report was completed using 2006 data with more accurate findings.  "For example, washing the nappies in fuller loads or line drying them outdoors all the time reduces the global warming impact by 16 per cent.  If these nappies are also used on a second child, the original figure drops by 40 per cent, or some 200kg carbon dioxide equivalents over the two and a half years – an impact equal to driving about 1,000 km."  You can find the full report here.

They leak
This is a really significant factor for people giving up on cloth nappies.  Often people start out with cloth, and then find that they leak, and give up on them.  Did you know that disposables leak too? No system is foolproof all the time, and there are some really simple ways to reduce the leaking.  The first is to look at absorbency.  Most nappies are sold with one or two inserts, people usually assume that the inserts are all that they need inside the nappy, and then wonder why they leak.  An old school flat nappy is a great insert, and much less likely to leak.  The first thing to check if your nappies are leaking is to add more absorbency.

The second way to reduce leaking is to change baby more often.  Cloth nappies do need to be changed more frequently than disposables.  You should be looking to change 5 or 6 times a day.

There are some other issues - generally around fit.  Sometimes a particular style or brand of nappy just doesn't fit your baby as well as others, its worth experimenting with a few different kinds if you're having fit issues.

This post ended up longer than I thought, but hopefully I've demystified cloth nappies a little bit.  Seriously, they are really easy, and you can feel great for the environment, and your pocket when you're changing baby.  There is some more really fabulous information here

Lack of nappies

Okay, so my project last week was to make some more nappies for winter baby.  However, it would be a good idea to check that I had the notions I needed to actually make them.  I think this baby is sabotaging him or herself from inside the womb.

So a lack of elastic means I actually didn't make any nappies last week.

Nappies

That's my project this week.  Although I have been the recipient of so much generosity with nappies, that my fitteds and covers are practically bursting out of my change table already.

Merino gowns

  

I managed to snap out of my sewing funk and made some little gowns for winter baby.  The first gown is made from a grey woollen jersey that I cut down. 

I used the kwik sew 2027 pattern in small, which is about 0-3months.  Because baby will be born in the middle of winter, I wanted a couple of warm woollen gowns that I could throw over them to keep them nice and warm in those cold nights.  The pattern calls for some facings for the slit opening in the top, and a ribbing neckband.  It seemed like far too much mucking around for me, so I bound the neckline and slit opening instead.  I had a plan to create a tutorial to do this, but then I forgot, so I'm afraid it will have to wait for another time.  Needless to say, it was quick and easy and I really like the finish.

I guess it is like a faux placket?

The pattern has buttonholes in the bottom, and I thought I would do all the details in a cool orange thread (like the stuff at the neckline).  Unfortunately, the orange thread proved too weak to actually make buttonholes, and as a result I had to rip back one of the buttonholes.  Also unfortunately, woollen fabric is not easy to rip back without making holes in it.  The end result is that I had to hand bind the buttonhole to try and cover the big holes that were now in the bottom of my gown, so one of the buttonholes is decidedly ragged.  Usually this kind of thing would really bother me, but I'm still really really pleased with how my gown came out.  It helps that I have a very co operative recipient.

Its extremely rare that I make something, and then turn around and make another one.  But that's exactly what I did.  This one is in brown merino.

The only other modification I made to this gown was to put the buttonholes on the side, rather than at the front.  Partly to cover my possibly dodgy buttonholes, but mostly because I think it works better to pull the ribbon from the side of the baby rather than the front.

Of course these buttonholes came out really well (yes I know my hem runs over the top of the buttonhole, but you can't everything).  I'm always pleasantly surprised by how easy it is to buttonhole with my sewing machine, given that my machine is older than I am.

Oh, and total cost (for both gowns) $1.  Oh yeah, I love upcycling.

Also hooking up with Creative Friday at Natural Suburbia.

Baby sewing

That was supposed to be my project this week, and I was so excited by it.  And then P got sick on Monday, and I got an awful 24 hour bug yesterday, and now we are going away for the weekend.  I think you can see where this is going.

I'm so gutted that I don't have the time or energy this week, because I was really looking forward to making some things for the baby.  But watch this space, because it will definitely be happening.  And I have a couple of baby hats up my sleeve already.

One Project a week 2012

My projects for this year, one week at a time

9/01   - Gardening
16/01 - P's birthday presents
23/01 - Selfish/Maternity sewing
30/01 - Knitting
6/02   - Photos
13/02 - Baby sewing
20/02 - No project yet
27/02 - P's birthday presents
5/03   - Nappies
12/03 - No project yet
19/03 - P's birthday presents
26/03 - Nappies
2/04   - UFO's
9/04   - No project yet
16/04 - birthday prep
23/04 - Winter sewing/sorting
30/04 - Nappies

You will notice that they only go to the end of April.  That's when I'll be 30 weeks pregnant, and I know from past experience that things will get much harder at that point.  So after that I will be knitting, and stocking up the freezer, but not much else.  DH thinks I will be working until I'm 38 weeks, but we'll see about that.

So that's the plan.  Anyone keen to join me? I promise I'll do a button.

Some big news

I had intentions of writing an eloquent post about Christmas and New Years, with a witty explanation as to my blogging absence of late.  But eloquence has definitely left the building around here.  And I'm blaming it all on the baby.

Yes, that's right, we are expecting another little one in July 2012.  Up until this point I've been feeling too nauseous and exhausted to devote much time to blogging (or in fact anything other than 'living'), but I'm hoping that I will get some more energy soon.  So look out for a modified one project a week this year, and a new feature '12 in 2012'.  Oh, and lots of baby craftiness of course.

And the winner is...

JollyM! Congratulations, you've won the maroon merino baby hat.

Thanks to everyone who entered, and who enjoyed reading my blog.

May Giveaway

This giveaway is now closed.  Thanks to everyone who entered.

I'm participating in Sew Mama Sew's giveaway day, and I'm so excited.  Its a great opportunity to have a look around heaps of blogs, and maybe even win something!

I'm really excited to be giving away one of these little baby hats, in either red, maroon or brown. They're made of upcycled woollen jerseys.  The red and brown are heavier wool, and the maroon is a lighter weight merino.  They fit approximately newborn up, although that is really only a guess, since I don't have a tiny baby to try them on.  They definitely don't fit an 18month old though - much to J's disappointment.

To enter, simply leave a comment telling me which hat you'd prefer.  If you're a follower, leave a second comment telling me so for a further chance to enter.*  I'll decide a winner by scrolling up and down the list of comments with my eyes closed.  I'm happy to ship internationally, and the giveaway is open until 25th May. Please feel free to look around my blog, and don't forget to check out the other blogs taking part in the giveaway day.

*Make sure that I have some way to contact you if you win.  If you are a fellow blogger, check to make sure that you're not a 'no reply' blogger.  Otherwise, leave an email address using the format xyz(at)gmail(dot)com.  It confuses spammers that way.

Welcome baby L

I have just finished this little layette for my sister in law, and not a moment too soon, because she welcomed her son, baby L last week.  We are going to see him soon, and I can't wait to meet my first nephew, and the girls first cousin.

It consists of a Kauri Vest, a little hat and a pair of booties.  The hat and booties are also my own pattern.

The booties are mostly garter stitch with some k2 p1 rib along the leg part, to match the vest.

The hat is also garter stitch, with a band of k2, p1 rib at the bottom.

 The wool is TWC in blue (I think?).  Hopefully my sister in law gets plenty of wear out of them for her wonderful winter baby boy.

Woollen baby hats

So I am finally posting about my winter sewing.  The first thing I made was some baby hats.  I found this tutorial and thought it would be great in wool.

And they were so easy and quick to make.

Now is also a good time to mention that I will be taking part in Sew Mama Sew's May giveaway day, so stay tuned for that, especially if you like the look of the hats I've made.

Winter sewing update

I've been having a few issues with my blog.  I couldn't post yesterday.  But don't worry, my week of winter sewing was really successful, and there are plenty of photos to come about all the sewing I managed.  But you'll have to wait a few days to see it.  I'll be away for a couple of days (see my next post) with the family.  However I promise photos on my return.

Winter sewing

My project this week is to do some winter sewing.  I have to extend some of P's pants, so I'll be making some cuffs for them.  And then I thought I should do something with my rather extensive collection of woollen jerseys.

Every time I go to the Hospice Shop I buy the woollen jerseys that they have.  I just can't pass up 100% merino for 50c each.  If they don't fit me, they go into the pile to be made into things for the girls.  (The picture above is just the ones that don't fit me.)  

I have some plans to felt a couple of them, and maybe some baby hats and singlets.  We'll see how much of that I can actually achieve this week, since I think that I may have bitten off more than I can chew.

Trip to Wellington

This weekend just gone, we went for a trip to the Capital.  It was a gorgeous weekend, and as the saying goes, you can't beat Wellington on a good day.  Wellington showed its lovely weather side, and it made me want to move back there.  However, Wellington has another side, and that side is cold, wet and above all else, windy.  If you're wondering if Wellington is as windy as everyone claims, the answer is yes.  Still, even having lived with that terrible weather, when we drove down Ngauranga Gorge and saw the city glittering above the harbour it still pulled at my heart strings.

Anyway, enough about my love/hate relationship with Wellington.  We were there to visit my friend who is due with her first baby next month.

I gave her this nappy, but I am sadly still working on the singlets for her.  We also took the opportunity to visit our other friends who live down there, including my sister.

 But the highlight of the trip for P was a ride on the train.  Wellington has (for New Zealand) a fantastic suburban train network, and P and I caught the train from Linden to Wellington.  She was so excited, and spent the whole trip chattering about what she could see and hear and feel.

It was a good, but hard weekend, because neither of the girls travel well in the car.  As a consequence I got pretty much nothing done last week, and this week doesn't look all that good either with all the packing and unpacking.

Baby Knitting success!

This week I managed to complete one little baby garment, and start a second.  I had forgotten how quickly newborn garments knit up.

This is a lovely garter stitch thing (I love garter stitch, its so much easier than stocking stitch) for one of the women I know who may be having a boy.

The green stripe at the top is an "I've run out of the custom dyed wool and need to finish this" stripe.  I really should have ripped it back and incorporated the green in a bit further down but I was on a mission to complete as many things as I could - and besides, when do I ever go back and do something again if I don't have to?

This is a little garment for my friend whose baby shower is this month.  The green is much more minty than it appears in this picture.  I wanted to dye some wool myself, but DH pointed out that I didn't really have the time (and he was right), so I bought this from Knitworld instead.  Its 4ply merino, and it feels lovely and soft.

The pattern is my own, which I will be putting up here once I have finished it.

Baby knitting

My project for this week is to knit some little baby things for the women I know who are having babies (and there sure are alot of them).  Don't get me started on what that's doing to my biological clock.

I gave myself one week in my list of weekly projects, but now that I am looking at the amount of knitting I have to do, I realised there is no way I'm going to complete it all this week.  However it is a good opportunity to get a bit of knitting mojo back (which has been a bit lacking lately).  So thats the plan.

Because some of the women I'm knitting for read this blog, expect plenty of interesting close up photos next week so that I don't spoil the surprise.