Space Girl

My mama made this amazing little frock for Jo. It's the universe...on a top. Jo loves it. So does Grandma Jackie.

Please ignore the water bottle and cords in the background. Thankyouverymuch.

Sunday afternoon project

I just got some felt from Etsy and have been meaning to make little slippers for Jo. Since she doesn't really wear shoes, slippers are a great alternative especially when we go for walks. Plus she needs something to match the Easter outfit I have yet to make.

I love this pattern from Martha Stewart. The template is here. I made a bunch of these slippers for my friends a few years ago and added little hearts in contrasting colors.Once you get the sizing down, it doesn't take long at all. I whipped up a little pair for Jo in about 20 minutes.

Here's what I did:

1. Enlarge the template to fit the slipper-wearer. I upped it 175% for Jo's feet. I also picked out a pretty teal and yellow from my felt stash. Yes, my scissors have my name on them.

2. Cut out your felt pieces. I like to use a contrasting color (yellow in this case) for the 1st layer of the sole and the decorative heart.

3. So you end up with four sole pieces, four upper pieces, and two little hearts.

4. Stitch the upper pieces together. Then add the heart or any other little shape you want. Really, you can add anything and put it wherever. Use your imagination.

5. Sew the upper pieces together at the heel.

6. Pin the two sole pieces together (one in each color -- contrasting color on the bottom) and then pin the upper to the sole. They will look like this. Kind of like little felt slipper bugs.

7. Stitch the upper to the sole in two steps. Start on one side of the center front seam and stitch to the center back. Do the same for the other half. I found this works easier than doing one seam around the entire slipper. Voila!

Conclusions (I sound like a scientist, right?):

• I used a very thin felt, but since these are baby slippers I think it's ok. My baby isn't walking yet. When I made slippers for adults I used a 3mm felt. You need the extra thickness for people who are up on their feet.
• My seams were too big. I sewed a 3/8" seam instead of 3/16" which is what Martha recommends. I think this is why the slippers were a little hard to get on Jo's feet. I mean she has big chubby feet, but these slippers should have fit. So, next time I'll make my seams smaller or I'll adjust the pattern.

 Jo loves them. She kept trying to put them in her mouth. Oh wait...that's what she does with everything.

Maybe I'll try these patterns next?
Stephanie's sewn felt slippers
More slippers from Martha

I've gotten felt from FilzFelt before and it's lovely! I've also had my eye on this felt from purl soho.

Something new

I thought this kimono that I made for Baby Jo might be a bit big. I was wrong.

It seems as though she really likes it, right?

It's a wrap...

I went to a baby shower this weekend for my lovely friend, Laura. Of course I procrastinated and didn't have a chance to get wrapping paper for her gift (nor do I keep any around the house). So, I just whipped up this little bag from wizard fabric I have in my stash. It look 2 minutes. Really. And it's so cute. And Laura can use it again if she wants to. And I'm not wasting paper that's just going to get thrown away.

Want instructions?

1. Cut fabric into two squares or rectangles making sure they are the same size.
2. Serge or sew the bottom together. A zig-zag stitch works just fine if you don't have a serger. You can also sew the layers with the right sides together if you want the seam on the inside.
3. Serge or sew the sides together.
4. Serge or sew the top of the bag (just to finish -- don't sew the two pieces together or you will have a flat pillow instead of a little bag). 
5. Stuff bag with something delightful.
6. Tie a string around the top of the bag to close it.
7. Give it to someone!

This picture shows the stitching a little better. 

Merry Christmas to Me!!

I bought a serger today! I've never owned a serger and I am so excited! This means I can sew all sorts of pretty things. Now I just need to find the time.

Ta-da!