Simple Boys Romper

Tried a simple boys romper this week without all the ruffly goodness. This was the Goldfish Romper from Ottobre 3/2012. What better fabric to cut it out in, but Fish In Bags by Heather Ross. One of my favorite prints ever! I have been hoarding just a bit in my stash! 

I added snaps this time to see how I liked them. And I do! I still lengthened the crotch so that I could include snaps and lined the full bib too instead of just the top. I think this style would work for boys or girls. I know there are lots of girl mamas who can do without all the frills. 

I just finished cutting out another one this afternoon in a bigger size. I think I may be addicted! Trying it this time in just knit fabrics. Will have to blog about it later, hoping it sews up just as easy!

Ruffled Butt Romper!

Ruffled Butt Romper

I have been studying all of the ruffly rompers out there. Looking for that perfect pattern to add to my collection. Decided to look through my Ottobre collection and found a simple boys romper that I thought could be modified to work. So I decided to give it a go! 

I sew with knits on a daily basis. Woven fabrics not much at all. But that doesn't stop me from hoarding wovens. So I dove into my shelving to see what I had to work with! It was a hard decision. I had forgotten how many woven prints that I had. Settle on a few coordinates from a Denyse Schmidt line that were available at Joann's a couple of years ago. Paired it with 1 or 2 other prints and I was on my way! 

 

The pattern is from the 3/2012 issue of Ottobre. The 1st one in the issue, the Little Goldfish romper. I ended up cutting my straps 2.5" longer than the pattern pieces. I thought a knot would be cuter than just a snap. Next I made my lining on the bib part, exactly the same as the main bib. That way I could conceal all the raw edges and it would be comfier for baby. I cut 3 - 1.5" x 24" long ruffles, actually I cut them at 3" because I folded and made tubes for my ruffles. That way if they flip up or down,you don't see the wrong side of the print. The last adjustment I made was to add about 1" to the ends of the crotch on both the front and back. I prefer snaps for diaper changes and thought it might be easier for a little baby. 

All the pieces cut out. 

This took way too much sewing time. I think the next go around will be easier now that I know what I would like to change and in what order to sew everything. I probably will make my ruffles a little longer the next time by and inch or two, so they ruffle more. 

Front of romper

And the back ruffly part! Love this bum! 

Now off to make a simpler one without the ruffles! 

Love My Cricut! 

I am so sorry that I didn't discover Cricut until now. So much fun! 

BEFORE I found out that my daughter was having a girl, I put together a little set for a boy. A fun little graphic on the front of it and you have a set that looks professional and cool too! Just make your graphic, cut it out from heat transfer vinyl and iron away.

I used the ottobre lap tee, 1/2003. And the Hipster Harem pants from Max and Meena. Super easy pattern. You can add pockets or omit them. I tried one of each and love them both! Added a little hat to top it off. I did not save the pattern, but you can find several basic ones if you google.

Here is a set of Harem pants and a knotted beanie, cut out before assembly. So super simple and the baby sizes take hardly any fabric.  

Here they are all sewn up. Just need to make a tee to finish it off. Thinking Small but Mighty. Can't wait to sew some up for our baby girl! 

My First Layette Set for Baby Girl!!

My daughter is having a girl! I am so beyond excited about this. My last 2 babies were boys and I am ready to sew for a baby girl. She is due the 1st of December. All of my babies were Spring and Summer babies, so I haven't sewn for a winter baby yet. 

I have been hoarding so many floral knits. It was hard to choose one to start with. I settled on a beautiful cotton lycra and some coordinates. Now what to sew??

I decided on a pattern that I had not tried from ottobre 1/2012, The Little Houses pants. Let's just say my daughter is not a fan. Maybe because I put some green on the bum and she doesn't like green. I added a simple lap tee from ottobre 1/2003. 

Next up, some simpler baby pants. I hadn't tried max and meena's footie pattern, so I went with that one. Very cute and easy, but the newborn size looks pretty tiny. Hopefully the baby can wear them a couple of times before she outgrows them. I think next time, I will go with the 0/3 m sizing.

I added some vinyl lettering on a baby onesie that I had that was premade. And then decided to make my own. Needed one with a Nana graphic to match. Used ottbore again from 5/2006 for the long sleeved onesie. All of the graphics were made using my new cricut. I love it! Not sure how I went so long without one. 

Found a cute beanie that was super simple. Just 2 fabrics and sews up quick and easy! You could make it reversible too. I used the beanie in ottobre 4/2004 and omitted tracing the ears. Seriously this one takes 5 minutes from cutting out to end. Love easy patterns!

A picture of everything together! 

The blanket was super easy, no pattern needed. I cut out a rectangle about 26" long be 32" wide, one from the floral print and then the solid knit. I pinned it together all around, wrong sides together and serged them together.

Next, I cut binding for the edges. I ended up with about 115", giving me some room to wrap it to the back at the end. I cut the binding 2" wide, and just folded and pressed it before putting it on my cover stitch machine to bind. I like double fold binding so no raw edges are left to show. 

Pin and go slow, stretching the binding slightly while sewing. You could use a double needle on a sewing machine if you don't have a coverstitch machine. When it comes to the end I just overlap a bit and pull the binding to the back. Cut off the excess. Easy peasy! This shows you how nice a coverstitch machine stitching turns out.

All done! A blanket that takes less than 30 minutes. And now she will match! 

I feel the need to make some baby layette gowns next. Stay tuned!