Wanted: More Arms, More Minutes

1. Shopping Spree
2. Wash it all and Iron most
3. Cut and Cut some More
4. Sprout four more hands
5. Sew one thing
6. Beg God for more minutes in the day.
7. Thank God for letting me sew at least one thing.

Crafting for Baby

Bringing home a baby from the hospital in the winter brings on new challenges for me, as our other four were all born in the summer. So I've gladly been making some additions to my baby collection…

The Car Seat Canopy
  - You may remember or have the traditional, elastic cover with the peek-a-boo window that was always in baby's face. Then recently, someone upped that with a liner that also went behind the baby for extra warmth. Snowsuits are no longer safe for car seat travel, so warmth and wind cover is essential.
OLD:


NEW:

-Now this is more like it! Warmth, room for a blanket, and nothing on baby's face. No bulky snowsuits. Also easy access to baby without zippers, elastic, etc. Plus, lots of style options!

Pattern by FLEECE FUN: Baby Car Seat Canopy / Tent / Cover

- I can make one for you too! Until my Etsy Shop opens, you can contact me by email: 4modestmommies@gmail.com

Cozy Nursing Covers
  - What started me on this blog was the excitement I had for making nursing covers. Throwing a blanket or long shirt over baby is not easy when you need your hands available for other wiggly kids. I researched, tried and created my own version of a nursing cover which includes a overall hook/button, adjustable strap, and fleece lining.
  - My newest cover includes a wide, fleece lined neck strap, logo strap for rolling up securely for the diaper bag, and fabric and lace I've been holding onto for a long time for a special project.

  - My original wrapped up "Dairy Go" design:


  - I can make one for you too! Until my Etsy Shop opens, you can contact me by email: 4modestmommies@gmail.com or Read more at my blog HERE.

Crocheting for Baby
  - There are so many free patterns online for crochet projects to make for babies. These are a few I've recently made, including a Cuddly Bear Hat and Cocoon, a Teddy for Eddie, and more hats.


I didn't want to pay $40 plus for the hat/cocoon set from an online store, since I figured it wouldn't be too hard to learn crochet and make one myself. [That's the way I think!] So I learned by watching youtube.com crochet lessons, read up similar patterns, and got to work. Cost me about $5 and a few nights work. So worth it!


Lion Brand's Bear in a Jif wasn't as quick as it sounds, but it turned out cute enough.


This is a single crochet stitch hat with tassels and pompom top. It is just adorable on him, and fits snug but comfortably so. I am not sure what pattern I used to get it this size, but there are many free ones online.

Baby Blankets


Using 6x6 fabric squares picked out by our family and friends, we created a scrap quilt for Eddie to claim his space on our family room floor. Since many of the fabric pieces had not been prewashed, I decided to stitch the seams to the prewashed back piece, hoping that when it gets washed, they won't lose their shape.



Blankets I made for our other babies:
 
A Bassinet Quilt and Playpen Comforter with Pillow Case.

HOW TO SEW A GIFT BAG

These are simple directions to sewing a gift bag which costs less than a craft store tote and more durable than a paper gift bag. Taking credit for this design myself. Please use freely for your crafty gatherings!

These bags were used as "diaper bag" gift bags at a Sibling Shower. A real hit with the kids.


1. Cut 12” Grosgrain Ribbon for Handle.



2. Cut fabric on fold 8” by 10” (opens to 8”x20”). Sew together two sides, leaving one 10 inch opening on top.




3. Sew two bottom corners by first folding into triangles with bottom seam in middle. Sew about 1.5” from tip. Cut off tip. This will create a flat, rectangular bottom of the bag.




4. Pin Ribbon Handle to center on each side of bag, into folded top seam (about ½ in - width of sewing machine foot).


5. Stitch seam down middle.


I chose to first cut all fabric and ribbon. Then sewed step #2 for all. Finally I completed each bag individually. It went rather quickly, sewing 22 bags in about 2 hours. No fussing with closures or liners.

For my sister

Hopefully she won’t look at this just yet, but I wanted to share what I made for her upcoming bridal shower. I will always remember the plaque she made for me when I was a bride-to-be, and how much it touched me to tears. My sister and I are close, but sometimes as with any siblings we can feel miles apart in thought. I wanted to make her some things, since I’m a crafty person, that she knew I put my heart into just for her.

 

The first item on my list was the invitation to the bridal shower our aunt was hosting. Here are a few side that don’t show private info. I used my favorite Creative Memories program Storybook Creator.

 

Then of course she needed a custom made sundress featuring material of her favorite flower, the cherry blossom – to wear to the shower.

 

A modified version of Simplicity pattern #2886, completely lined with taffeta for a softer, semi-formal feel for the special occasion. Only took 3 sittings and one fitting to complete, with moderate experience in dressmaking.

The pleating wasn’t too hard to accomplish, just tedious. In the pocket is a special something to say “I put my heart into this.”

I am so proud of my invisible zipper, that I hesitated for days to complete.

I am certain she’ll look stunning in it, as she does in just about anything!

 

For her hair, I found this Conair barrette in red (at Cub Foods of all places):

I spent around 10 or so hours on embroidery, because I wanted something to give her at the shower that she’ll have for many years (at least the first 10 from my experience.) My favorite homemade gift from my wedding was dishtowels with embroidery. Here are some of hers (which she hasn’t seen yet, shhh.)

These were so fun to design and create. I made them while in our van and in the quietness just before bedtime. It’s quite therapeutic mentally, but harder on the hands than I expected.

 

Found this fun link on another blog, for wedding reception guest books. Fun for weddings or any other big celebration such as family reunions, birthday parties, etc!

 

Happy crafting!