Hello stitchers! Today we finish our Brindille & Twig Layette Sew-Along! This is a three-piece sew-along, sized preemie to 6T!
brindille & twig layette sew-along: hooded raglan
Hello stitchers! Today we get started on the Brindille & Twig Layette Sew-Along! This is a three-piece sew-along, sized preemie to 6T!
brindille & twig layette sew-along: snug ear-flap beanie
As announced, today we get started on the Brindille & Twig Layette Sew-Along! This is a three-piece sew-along, sized preemie to 6T!
two sew-alongs: save the date(s)!
Welp.
Please don’t think I’m some dorky try-hard sew-along weirdie. I’m not.* It’s just that the next two sew-alongs involve a wee bit of planning – particularly February’s. So I’m offering up two sew-alongs, both with three pieces, in order that you have plenty of time to commit and plan.
January’s focus on a babywear layette, and February’s on an ensemble from Bootstrap! Our size choices for babywear are preemie to 6T; Bootstrap’s size range is from a 17″ to 67″ chest / 18″ to 68″ hip. I like my sew-alongs to have as large a size range as possible!
(I am also looking for ideas for my final sew-along in my year-long series. If you have any, please do comment here, email me, or share on Facebook!)
a baby shower gift: Larvae-Monster
I’d conceptualized this garment a while back – probably after listening to A Princess of Mars on tape. Not that this particular babycreep is inspired by any particular bit of Burroughs’ descriptive prose, but more like an idea that banged around in the ol’ braincase for a bit.
I had this wonderful 50/50 heavy duty knit in a heathered plum… and of course a high-quality poison-green faux fur. Perfect!
Believe it or not, faux fur – a good quality one – is a great fabric for baby and child use. It is rugged and withstands washing well, is warm, and most people enjoy the way it feels. It is also surprisingly unfussy to sew with – once you know a few tricks.
I had to include some star-shaped ear-tabs because this is a Space Baby, of course. These were a wee bit tricky to get just right, but I know my knits. Interface first for best results!
And of course: all wrapped up for the family, with a homemade card and some chocolate just for mama:
“I will re-calculate. Your deaths will be indescribable.”
So why it’s taken me so long to sew up Ro-Man from 1953’s B-movie Robot Monster, I do not know. Clearly a failing on my part. A failing I remedied this week.
You can basically see that this 6-month sized piece is identical to the monster in the film. Maybe it’s even a bit scarier.
Below you see that Ro-Man the Robot Monster, aka baby V., was pretty much over cute bearded dad. I mean she was into him. She’d hold his hand. She’d let him carry her around all day. But she wasn’t gonna pretend she liked it!
OK, but seriously – it was fun trying to make a “helmet” that was smart for a small baby. No globe-and-bucket (which is perfect for an adult version!) here.
HUGE BRAWNY MONSTER ARMS. Tiny little baby hands! By the way, a good quality faux fur is machine-washable, very warm, and you can clean baby puke out of it pretty easy. I’m just sayin’.
Of course, we need a powerful ape chest. And our pacifier:
Baby V. might look like a hungover owl in this photo below but I like it anyway – because Ralph is so sweet – and hirsute!
“I may be a hideous monster but I have adorable, delicious feet.”
And of course: a secret little monster underlap at the back, where the ensemble fastens:
Of course, you can read more about how I made the piece, and the troubles and successes I had, via the Flickr tagset. And of course, if you’re digging this exact monster, I’ve listed it on Etsy!
baby angler fish
And I have loved thee, ocean! And my joy
Of youthful sports was on thy breast to be
Borne, like thy bubbles, onward: from a boy
I wanton’d with thy breakers-they to me.
Here’s the thing. I knew I wanted to make a baby angler fish bunting quite a while back. You can easily see why. This little piece is up for sale on Etsy.
This little critter is made from an uber-soft velveteen and lined in one of my favorite formal lining fabrics: a slipper satin, deep purple for this application.
And oh yeah. That is a real glowing lure. I mean COME ON, of course!
Fins are constructed of a waxed cotton – which makes for a leathery feel and a translucence by light.
I knit a little cozy for the lure bulb, which is lit with a battery:
Fully-lined pockets. Because you know how babies need pockets:
Teeth: a 10% wool. I needed some ferocity but everything needs to be really safe and soft!
Happy fishing!
a li’l something
A wee baby ensemble for a local auction – size 15 lb. baby!
A bunting (100% cotton shell, same color fleece lining, stenciled glitter-star front, and snaps with underlap), reversible hat with tied ears, and a baby sleeping bag with snap front. The front:
Flannel shell on sleeping bag; large red snaps. Love it!
But … my favorite i sthe hat. I am a huge baby hat fan. I wish I had a baby to model this one. ONLY too adorable!
So yeah – as mentioned, I’ve been asked more and more for donations or contributions – either garment construction, or writing.* In between clients, getting the kids to school, and running last night’s benefit, I managed to put this together. The pieces made up a simple, pleasing project. Putting together the color palette – and the design – is one of the best parts of design.
I also just adore the idea of a baby sleeping bag. Why have I not thought of, or seen one before?
These pieces go off to a local auction. Always happy to help!
* Let’s make a deal: you know it’s totally okay to ask, ever (promise) – because you know I feel okay saying Yes or No. I’ll let you know if things change.
babies babies moar babies
Still drowning in sewing. Thank you for asking! A quick post, though:
First – a gift sent to a friend, who is expecting her second baby. I hope she likes the style of the garment, and I hope to see adorable pictures of her Alberta, CA baby wearing the piece!
Second: two more listings on Etsy – Silk Lagoon and Tiny Creeper. Lots of fins and gills and other such ridiculousness.
keep on, baby don’t stop!
I’m working my tail off sewing. It’s actually keeping us in groceries a bit. For this I am grateful! Now, this particular piece did not end up fitting into the theme of my other work for the upcoming Fiber Arts show. So, I’m hoping it finds a home through Etsy.