Sandi Henderson Quilt

This is my hourglass quilt (every other block is hourglass).  It's 7 blocks by 11 blocks.  Finished size is 45"x60".  The binding is satin blanket binding.  I've finally decided that even though it is a "kids" blanket, it is so soft in flannel that I'm going to keep it for myself.  I used invisible thread along the inner rectangle, but the blocks are all tied.

Nursing Apron #1

I looked up a pattern online and then made my own, but I would say this was very poor.  The only good thing is that the color is pretty discreet.   Stay tuned for a post when I make a new (cute) nursing apron and I'll tell you the right way to make it.

Baby Boy Bibs

My favorite two were He Did It! -> and <- He Did It! for a set of twin boys, but I forgot to snap a picture before giving them away.  Here are other bibs that I have made.  I sort of made up the pattern myself.  I used a store-bought bib for a rough idea, as the first bib I made (a couple of years ago) was too big for an adult.  Sometimes we don't have a feel for how small kids really are.

Gifts From Clara Freidman

Thank you Claire for the beautiful handmade and tied blankets and crocheted booties.  They are fantastic!

Crocheted Blankets

The first picture is a blanket crocheted by my sister-in-law Michelle.  The picture doesn't do it justice because it really shines.  And it's really warm.  And it's quite a bit bigger than the second blanket.  The edging is fantastic so I had to take a close-up picture of that.  I'm hoping this turns into one of those blankets that the baby can drag around until he's too old for it ;)

The second picture is the blanket I crocheted for her youngest boy when he was born almost 5 years ago.  It's in excellent condition.  I wish I'd used shinier softer yarn for all the work that goes into making these.

Swaddlers

I have learned how absolutely essential this baby item is.  I always wanted to make one just like the one my sister-in-law Kristy made for me!  Actually, I hadn't thought of using something so cuddly and soft for the lining.

Big Booties, Little Booties.

This gift I received took both  a lot of ambition and a lot of talent.  Sewing booties is no easy task, although there is a good deal of easing the fabric through.  The first two pieces of art are by Kristy and the simple kimono bootie is by me.

Kitchen Kritters Hot Pads

I made these exactly out of the fabrics on the pattern cover.  I really love Riley Blake prints and it gave me an excuse to spend $9/yd as I sent them to my mom for Quilt Market related use (it is her pattern).

Two Topsy Turvey Quilts

I picked these fabrics up because I wanted to try a "quilt in a hurry" to match the brown and turquoise PackNPlay that I bought. Turns out they are never done quickly if you quilt them yourself.

 

Baby Quilts

I was surprised to receive these two pieced quilts because they came from out-of-town: one from my junior-year roommate Lisa and one from my sister-in-law Sandy.  I want to especially feature the different bindings on these quilts.

On the first, the binding was sewn onto the front and then turned to the back, where a decorative stitch was used to tack it down.  The width helps to fix the problem that your stitch will never line up just perfectly if it's in the ditch on one side with the edge on the other side.  The other feature of this binding was a "secret embroidery" of the baby's name into the binding.  Stay back!  This blanket belongs to this kid and only this kid.


The second binding technique is featured by this quilt from my sister-in-law Sandy.  You just make the back enough bigger that you turn it to the front and stitch it down.  Since it is not pieced on, it doesn't matter where the stitch lands on the back.  This is very clever and easy. 

Both quilts use a great technique to make quilts easier - you sew several strips together and then cut them into blocks.  Now it is as if you individually sewed on those blocks together.  Fancy....I'd never actually thought about trying this before.  I learn so much from my friends!

Rock Climbing Chalk Bags

His and Hers Chalk Bags

I made it up so here you go:

Materials:
Black stretchy fabric 6"x9" (9" is because I bought quarter yards of everything).
Outer fabric that is 9"x9" and some stiff interfacing ironed onto it.
Inner fleece that is 7"x9"
Drawstring
String Pull
Eyelet
1"x9-10" VERY stiff interfacing

So the shortest ends together for all three peices of fabric to make 3 tubes. So the bottom closed on the outer fabric and fleece, making them pockets. Pinch the two bottom corners flat and so a seam across the corner to turn the pockets into gift bags. Fold the black stretchy tube into itself so both inside and outside of tube are the "right side." Sew the black strechy into the fleece as you would a sleeve on a shirt. Sew an extra line about 1/4" above where the fleece and black stretchy meet. This provides casing for the drawstring. In fact, string the drawstring through right now, put an eyelet in your outer fabric. Now for the final stretch.

Place the fleece "gift bag" right-side-in inside the outer "gift bag" which is right-side-out. Align your eyelet with where your drawstring comes out of the black stretchy and pull it through. You should not see any of your seam allowances and you should have one cut edge (the top edge of the bag made of the outer fabric) and one folded edge (the top edge of the black stretchy). Now I take my 1" wide interfacing - didn't even sew it down - and fold it in as I fold down the top edge of the outer fabric. This part is kind of like rolling a sleeve. It took me about 2 folds before I reached the black stretchy. Then I topstiched this down, and the bag was complete!....5 minutes later...oops, it needs a loop or two so it hangs from the caribeaner. Use 2"x9" outer fabric and sew into a tube. Turn, iron flat, and attach to the chalk bag.

Note: The guy at the rock climbing store told me to make sure the fleece is thick enough that the chalk doesn't slip through. I'm happy to report that the walmart $4 fleece works just fine. So does the $8 fleece, which is much softer.

Baby Changing Pads and Pouches

My own invention is how the changing pad folds and velcros onto itself, so you can fold it up with one hand.  I made two so that one can be in the wash at a time.  The green is by Joel Dewberry (just like the diaper bag).  I couldn't figure out what else I could do with the green.
















The blue is a scrap from Sentimental Sorbet and it is my first quilted item.  I'm very happy with how it turned out.

Receiving Blankets

I now have a collection of receiving blankets and burp cloths, in part thanks to my sister-in-law Michelle (the fishes with red crocheted edge) and mother-in-law Elaine (the dot with turquoise crocheted edge).  I'm highlighting the crocheted edges below.  The blankets I made are a sew-around-the-edge and then turned inside out and I put a decorative edge along the outside (the green monkeys and the red-and-beige dino ones). 

Thank You!

I have some amazing and talented family who really showered me with gifts for our baby.  I want to highlight some of their crafts which have much better craftsmanship than mine.  So I will be posting several times with pictures of these as I have the chance.  It might be a little slow due to the fussy child who refuses to nap properly.

Soft Book Baby Gift

This soft book was made from a fabric panel for a friend when she had her first baby girl.   Congratulations on your second girl Heidi!

Wedding Cards

I made about 20 of these and gave them to my mother and mother-in-law for mother's day along with a set of birthday cards, baby cards, and all-occasion cards.

Mother's Day Gift: Handprint Apron

I was only able to get most of the grandkids to paint their hands and put a print on the apron for their grandma (my mother-in-law).  A couple of them were afraid to get their hands dirty ;)  The apron is the Vanilla House "Absolutely Apron" and it says "We Love Grandma."

April Showers Bring May Flower Clips

I used to make these flower hair clips with my neighbor, until she moved away. Since then, I don't have four cute little girls to make them for!   Here were the results of one day's work:

Here are some of the flower clips that were made from the kits I put together to do with ladies from church.