Reversible Nursing Cover

A friend saw me using a nursing cover I'd made, and she asked me to make a nursing cover for her daughter.  She's done a lot of favors for us, so I was happy to make it for her.  I had her come over and choose the fabric she wanted from my stash and she chose this.  (Her daughter is having twins...a boy and a girl!) 

In case you haven't seen one of these before, they're great for modestly nursing in public.  Mom can peak through the top at baby, while the fabric is tucked in around baby.  I LOVE mine.  These make great shower gifts if you know the mom is planning on nursing.

To make one, you need about a yard of fabric, 12'' of boning (available at sewing stores), 2 D-rings, and all the typical sewing stuff.  If you want yours to be reversible, then you will want about a yard each of two different fabrics.

As I made it, I started out taking pictures for a tutorial...

...but then I made several mistakes and there are already a lot of tutorials out there for making these types of nursing covers.  Instead of a full tutorial, I'll just mention a few things that I've learned making two of these.

• First, I like mine bigger than most people make them.  I use the full 45'' width of fabric where several tutorials I saw just called for 36''x22.5'', so you could get 2 covers out of 1 yard of fabric.  I get 1 cover out of a little less than a yard of fabric.
• This one is reversible, so it's double layer.  The one I made for myself is single layer.  There are advantages and disadvanges to both.  It's cute and reversible this way...it's also heavier and baby could get hotter underneath it, so those are things to think about.
• Don't skimp on the straps.  I didn't make the straps well on my original one.  They are way to thin and weasle out of the D-rings.  The straps on this one is much better, so I thought I'd give some quick instructions on those

 Cut two strips of fabric.  The width is going to depend on the size of your D rings.  You want it the width of the flat part of the D ring, plus 1/2 inch for seam allowance.  To give the strap added stability, I added some "interfacing."  This is actually the guts of an old tie that took apart for another project.  I trimmed it to be wide enough to go inside the strap, but not be sewn into the side seams.  I sewed one line down the middle to hold it in place.  You could remove this stitching when you're finished, but I didn't bother.

Then layer your interfacing and two fabrics, so that the fabrics are wrong sides together.

Then stitch with a 1/4 inch seam allowance, without catching the interfacing.  Stitch along both sides

Trim extra seam allowance.

Turn right side out.  Iron flat and stitch again for decoration and to help it lay straight.

Fold under twice to attach D rings. 

Sew into the edges of your nursing cover. and it should look like this.

I'm linking to:

Sea Turtle Applique with Printable Pattern

With Hubby graduating and our family moving out-of-state right before Christmas, we kind of flaked on Christmas gifts for a lot of people...like pretty much everyone we love except our own kiddos.  I'm trying to make up for that now that things have calmed down.  I know all these people love us and understood why we flaked out, but none the less, we're trying to do little things for people one at a time. 

So when my nephew had his first birthday, I decided to make him a little outfit.  His parents are pretty cool, trendy people, so I wanted a design that would be a good fit for their family.  I don't know if other people think it's cool and trendy, but I thought a sea turtle would be cute with summer almost here.

The shirt is one I got on sale back around Christmas time and never got around to using for the intended purpose.  The shorts were some extra ones that we had around.  I'm thinking maybe I should have done something to make the turtle on the shorts pop out a bit more...but I was working on a deadline.

For the design, I started with some free clipart I found on the internet here and modified it to look more like a sea turtle.

All of the applique is done with Heat'n Bond Lite and T-shirt scraps from other projects.

Designing an Applique to Match a Print

I thought I'd share a little about how I come up with some of my applique designs.  I love to use prints when I can because they tend to hide stains better than solid colors.  When I saw this onesie in the size Sweet Pea's is growing into, I couldn't resist. You've probably noticed how store bought outfits will often use a print and then have embroidery or applique that is a larger version of the print's pattern. 

I decided I wanted to do the same thing.  I tried drawing the flowers for the pattern free hand, with no luck.  They just didn't look right.  Then I decided to try using the scanner.  I felt pretty brilliant.  I scanned it at a fairly high resolution, so I could enlarge it on my screen. 

Then I traced the flowers right off my screen (just be careful to only push very lightly, so you don't damage your screen.) 

Then I traced my flowers onto the papery side of Heat'n Bond Lite. 

Then I cut them out, sewed around the edges, and was done.  For more a tutorial about how to use Heat'n Bond Lite to applique knits click here.  As you can see my final design is a bit different from the ones on the onesie.  To simplify things, I have the red and blue flowers on the same plant, but the shapes of them are similar.  I used denim flowers, because I'm planning on making another one of these recycled denim skirts for Sweet Pea as part of her outfit.  (If you decide to applique denim, be sure to use some Fray Check!)

For a tutorial for making the thin stems using applique, click here or scroll down.  I didn't make a printable of this pattern since I made it to match a specific shirt, but if anyone is interested in one, let me know and I can make one.

I'm linking to:

Flower Stem Applique - Hand-Me-Down REHAB

I hope you're not getting tired of applique posts.  I've just been having so much fun with them lately.  They're so fast and easy (compared to most other sewing projects) that they can give me that quick craft fix when I'm having a craving without a big time commitment.

I'm working on a little outfit for Sweet Pea.  I started with a cute onesie that I picked up for half price at Goodwill a month or so ago.  I wanted to do something on the leggings to match to bring the outfit together, and was a bit stumped about how to applique thin flower stems onto them.  I can't guarantee it's the best way, but I it works great, so I thought I'd share.

She's a thinker...

Firecracker is great at planning ahead, especially if it involves getting toys or snacks ready for outings...actually any kind of packing.

Anyway, a couple days ago, Firecracker was getting ready to go for a walk with Hubby and Sweet Pea to the library, about 5 minutes away walking.  (Boy was down for a nap.)  She wanted to make sure they weren't going to be hungry for their walk, so she got some strawberries, pre-rinsed them, and put them in a ziploc baggie.  There they are...all ready to eat.

Quadruple Heart Applique Giveaway WINNER!

Congratulations!  The Random Number Generator chose comment #4 left by Miss Muffin from Muffins and More as the WINNER of the Quadruple Heart Applique giveaway.  Pretty appropriate since she won by leaving this comment this comment:

Well, I would love the applique! And you taking about it not being perfect makes me feel really ... well ... you should see my first applique


http://muffinsnmore.blogspot.com/2010/04/neckerchief.html

I am really happy with the heart but the "K" ... oh well ... it makes me want to write "first applique ever" all over it so people will no and think "Oh well, it was her first time ..."

So please take a minute and head over to her blog to let Miss Muffin know what an awesome job she did with her own first ever heart applique project.

Low-Fat Mandarin Orange Cake

Does this looks yummy?

Check out my Frugal Food Friday post on The Skinny today for the recipe.  It's only 140 calories a serving!

Easy Girly T-Shirt Resize

I've always stayed away from resizing shirts because adjusting the sleeves is usually a pain.  A while ago, I bought a stack of T-shirts at Goodwill for 1/2 off a while back.  I wanted to use some of the purple from one of the T-shirts for this applique, but of course I wanted to take it from the shirt in such a way that I could maximize the project potential for it.  Firecracker LOVES purple and with the Girly logo on the shirt, I thought it would be a shame to just cut it up.  I decided I'd try to redesign it with cap sleeves and see how it went.

Dino Knee Patches Tutorial - Hand-Me-Down REHAB

I can't think of a more typical hand-me-down rehab than patching kids' jeans, so it's about time to share some examples.  I'd hoped to get this up last week, but I'm sure you all know how life gets in the way of crafts and blogging. :)

Anyway, before making these, I did an internet search for how to patch jeans.  I came up with several sites and none of them seemed to be what I wanted.  There are a lot of different ways to patch jeans out there, so I don't pretend that this is the "right" way...just one of many to consider when you're doing your own patches.

I had two main considerations when I started this project.

1.  I wanted to patch it well enough that the hole would continue to grow out from under the patch.  That meant the patch had to be big enough to cover the thinner, weaker fabric that is usually next to the hole itself.

2. I wanted it to look cute without getting too bulky.

So here's what I did:

We have a winner...

...for the dinosaur applique and patches giveaway.

The random number generator gave me:
#17 Jessica from Muthering Heights left this comment:
"They are darling! I just love your appliques!"

Jessica's blog is definitely worth checking out.  It's very classy and full of uplifting and inspiring thoughts about mothering.


For those of you who didn't win the dinos, I've still got a giveaway open for a quadruple heart applique.  I've also got some other applique projects planned and plan to giveaway some more duplicates.

**And Hannah P. your comment got me thinking of an idea.  Could you email me at polly.helping.little.hands (at) gmail (dot) com?  Your comment wasn't linked to a profile or email, so I don't have a way to contact you.

A weird kind of fun...

I took my WEST-E Math test today.  This is the test that I have to pass to be certified to teach high school math in the state of Washington.  I don't plan on returning to teaching any time soon, but I'm taking the tests now.  If I decide to return to teaching down the road, it will only be harder to remember the info to pass the test.  Hubby was taking the chemistry and physics versions of the same test because he is hoping to begin teaching soon. 

Anyway...I think I did pretty well...at least well enough to pass.

And now you're going to think I'm really weird...it was actually kind of fun to take the test.  I don't get nervous taking test, so I don't have a lot of anxiety to worry about. I wasn't quite as prepared as I probably should have been.  (I did well in calculus...11 years ago...but I haven't used it much since and I only reviewed a little.)  There were quite a few problems that I came to, and I wasn't sure exactly how to do them.  now this is where the fun comes in...  It's kind of fun taking a problem I don't know how to do and sitting down, and figuring it out.  At least I think I figured most of them out.  It's good mental exercise and reminds me of why I majored in chemistry and math in the first place. 

I suppose it's something like the mental exercise I get when I sit down with an old pair of pants and figure out how to turn them into cute skirts for my girls, while wasting as little fabric as possible, so I still have denim left for other projects.  (Here's something else so you'll think I'm weird...Hubby and I actually used the Law of Cosines once while figuring out angles for a quilt.  That's good metal exercise too.)

So I enjoyed my test.  I'll find out in two weeks if I passed.  If I didn't pass, I'll have to go back and review my calculus more...which wouldn't be so bad because I like doing math.  The biggest problem would be that would reduce my craft time...and as much as I enjoyed taking the test, I don't want to pay another $120 for the privilege of retaking it.

Now that you think I'm thoroughly weird...I hope you'll come back for more crafty posts next week.  I've got some fun ones planned.

Matching Up Mis-Matches: Guest Blogging at Dollar Store Crafts

When I heard about Stash Bust at Dollar Store Crafts a couple weeks ago, I knew it was for me, since so much of this blog is stashbusting and reusing old things...especially clothes lately.  Check out my tutorial over there on turning mis-matched hand-me-downs and thrift store finds into coordinating outfits.  You'll also find the tutorial and printable pattern for this cute shirt applique.

And if you'd rather win this applique than make it yourself...I have an extra one I'm giving away to one lucky reader! 
Note: In an effort for full disclosure...the one I'm giving away is not perfect.  There are a couple tiny puckers in it.  I tried leaving the Heat'n Bond off one of the layers all together to keep it from being too stiff...and the verdict is that it doesn't work quite as well.  I totally would have been willing to have my own kid wear the imperfect one...but since I was doing the tutorial as a guest post, I wanted to put my best food forward. 

Anyway, if you're interested in this imperfect beauty that you will need to sew (by hand or by machine will work) onto a shirt of your own, leave a comment.  If you want an extra entry, become a follower and leave a second comment (or leave a second comment telling me you're already a follower.)

...and I may not be posting for a couple days.  I'm now scoring a zillion (okay just hundreds) of essays written by Virginia 8th graders, and I'm taking a test on Saturday to certify me to teach math in the state of Washington.  Even though I taught math, it's been over 10 years since I actually used my calculus, and I need to study!  (I'm not really planning on going back to full time teaching any time soon...but it's always smart to be certified in the state you live in...just in case.)  Never fear, though, I've got some awesome projects to share once things calm down next week, so check back.

In good news on the teaching front though...Hubby has a job interview next Friday (as in a week from Friday)!!!!  YEAH!!!  Of all the openings we've seen, this is the one we want the most.  Say an extra prayer and keep your fingers crossed for us!

Double Dino Applique Tutorial - Basic Knit Applique

I'd been planning to do some applique with dinosaurs for Boy for a while.  I'd even gone so far as to trace one off the computer onto some Heat'n Bond, but then never got farther in my project.  Then I saw a dinosaur applique on Little Lizard King and fell in love with the dino shape she used.  I emailed her and asked if it would be okay to copy her design, and she graciously said we could.  Since this was originally her dino shape, we've made the printable for this available on her blog. (Update as of Nov. 2011...Scribd is now requiring you to pay to download material, so for the free link to the double dinosaur applique pattern, please click here.)

Double Dino Applique and Knee Patches

Here's the new outfit I finished for Boy in between scoring a million AZ 10th grade writing essays.

If the cars get driven on it, you know it's got his stamp of approval.

What do you think?

You want one? 

Or how about two?

I wish I had one of these to give to each of my 100+ awesome followers...but alas...I just have one extra set...as in 1 shirt applique and 2 knee patches to be given away together to one lucky reader.  (Note:  You will have to sew these appliques onto your own shirt and pair of pants...this giveaway is JUST for the applique and knee patches!)

If you're more interested in girly designs, be sure to check back.  There'll be another girly giveaway soon to celebrate making it to 100 followers!

Ways you can enter:

• 
  
  Leave me a nice comment about this post or telling me about another project on my blog you really like.  (Any other intro...where you're from...how you found my blog...etc is always nice.)
• 
  
  Become a follower and leave me a second comment telling me you're a follower.  (Or a second comment telling me that you already were a follower.)
• 
  
  If you've ever left a comment on my blog BEFORE this post, then leave me a third comment telling me that you've left comments before.

I promise a tutorial is coming, though, for those of you who don't win...but alas...more essays are calling my name this week, so I'll have to see when I can squeeze it in.

And this isn't for an extra entry, but this is a great cause, and there's a seperate giveaway for it on my mom's blog.  My mom is doing a half-marathon next weekend and is asking people to sponsor her by donating money to help drill wells in developing countries to provide people with clean drinking water.  100% of donations go straight to the water projects.  I'd love it if you check out her blog post by clicking on the button below and consider donating, even if it's just a small amount.

I'm linking up to the following: