2017 Sewing Goals

I need to have someplace where I make note of things I need to sew and finish this year. This seemed like a good place, so here goes.

1. A gray skirt that fits well. I've made a pretty decent brown tweed-like skirt, so I plan on using the same pattern with a few minor adjustments. I have some other fabric I'd like also sew into similar skirts.

2. A casserole carrier. This is potluck year, so I'll probably enjoy having one to haul stuff to church and back.

3. A couple of these little things. I'm already of this gloves and hats hanging around on the kitchen floor forever. Maybe Russell and Meghan can be convinced to put their gloves in there.

4. Another one or two of these bags. I know I am going to make at least one for my friend's birthday.

5. More burp cloths. There are several people in the ward having babies (some with their first). I feel like a burp cloth expert since I have used so many, and I feel like the ones Sarah made me are the best in the world. So, I'll probably make some for them.

6. Also, I have found a charity in town that gives a baby bundle to new moms in need. They accept a wide range of things, so I might make some bibs, burp cloths and receiving blankets. Maybe if I feel really up to it, I can also sew some baby cloths, but they are so small and I don't like sewing small things.

7. A car seat poncho for Meghan since I failed miserably at the first attempt.

8. Some sweatshirts. For me, and the kids. Maybe even Ben. Then he would have something warm that actually does fit him long enough in the body and the arms. I feel pretty good about the hooded sweatshirt I made earlier in the fall, so I think making a non hooded one might be pretty easy.

9. Some pajama eaters. They are little monsters with a zippered pocket to put pajamas in. I've had the pattern for years.

10. Also, something that I might be able to sell at craft shows. I still have some swaddles, and maybe I'll stick with them. Hats for our etsy shop?

My Recent Sewing

 This was Meghan's Christmas dress. I didn't get a picture of her in it. It is made from a stretch velvet knit fabric that I got from the remnant bin at Hancock thinking it was just red jersey knit. It sew really nicely and easily, so I was happy about that. The only problem was that I only had just enough to make the dress. I just used one of Meghan's shirts to draft a quick pattern for the top, and then I made a circle skirt for the bottom.I added the trim and was done!

Meghan loves it. The couple times I had her try it on, she didn't want to take it off. Then when I told her she can wear it to church after Christmas, she said it was only for Christmas. Whatever.


This is a purse that I sewed up to replace my other purse that was starting to rip where the handles attached to the purse. I loved that purse. It was roomy, but still wasn't huge. I could fit enough baby stuff in that when I didn't need to be hauling extra outfits and bottles/cups and endless snacks, I could get away with just my purse and an almost empty pack of wipes, a diaper or two, and a little bag of snacks if needed. It was awesome.

 Anyway, I went to Jo-Ann because they were having a good sale on flannel and fleece, plus I had a 20% off total purchase coupon I could use on my purchases. This gray floral fabric is prequilted. It gives the right amount of structure without being super stiff. I did add a lining even though it already had fabric on both sides. I didn't want to see any unfinished seams. I used this tutorial. I still need to attach a snap. I have it. I just need to stick it in. I made sure to make the pockets with one big enough to hold my phone, plus three more generous sized pockets. The only thing that would make it better is a zipper pocket, but I'll worry about that when I make another one.

Christmas presents and a car seat poncho

I've tried to make a presents for the kids each year. This year I decided to do pillows. 

For Camille I tried to make a cupcake. I should have used a pattern. It ended up lumpy and wonky, but I think I at least rescued it enough to make it recognizable as a cupcake. 

For Owen I made a basketball pillow. I first used a pattern that I enlarged to make it real ball size, but it was a total failure. Then I just traced the pieces of a basketball and remade the whole pillow, and that worked much better. It still isn't a perfect sphere, but close enough for a pillow.

For Meghan and Russell I sewed bathrobes. I didn't take a picture of Russell's. It was not my best sewing work. Stupid minky. This is Meghan's. It is from a fleece blanket I took from Brian's grandma's house when they (and we a little bit) cleaned it out. It came out much better, and it was free. I used a Burda pattern I got from Hancock when it was going out. The sizing is very generous. These will probably fit those kids for a few years.

Not pictured but definitely not forgotten: Dad's cross stitch thing. I guess I don't need a picture because the image is pretty much seared in my memory after working on it for a year and a half.

Non-Christmas gift

I made Owen a car seat poncho. He doesn't fit in his car seat with his puffy coat on, and he isn't supposed to wear his puffy coat in the car seat anyway. Having an attached garage makes it not so bad to get kids to the car, but we no longer have an attached garage. 

I used another blanket from Brian's grandma for the outer buffalo plaid. It is weird fabric--brushed acrylic, with big fibers, almost like yarn. The fleece lining is a remnant Owen picked. I was going to go for a gender-neutral solid, but he really liked the Mickey Mouse fabric. I gave in hoping he would like the poncho better. It cost twice as much though. :(

I used a pattern from Free Fleece Fun (I think?). It's kind of pointy and I was unsure about one with a split in the front, but I'm glad it has that opening. It's easier to open up to do the buckles in the car and Owen uses the opening to stick his hands out.