The Fickle Hobbyist

Archive for April, 2010

I apologize for being a bit MIA.  I expect I will be for a couple days.  Our family has been going through a tough time right now as my grandfather is in the last stages of his battle with cancer.  It’s been a long, tough road for him, and he’s fought a good fight, but at this point we’re just playing the waiting game and hoping that the doctors can keep him comfortable.

I haven’t had much desire to craft, nor have I had the time.  Any free time I’ve had has been dedicated to preparing a memorial video of my grandpa’s life.  I’m sure you all understand.

If you are someone who prays, I know my family would appreciate your prayers for comfort, not only for my grandpa, but also for my grandma as she deals with all of this.

-Autumn

I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it here or not, but I have a TON of friends who are having babies or have just had babies. It’s always fun for me to make something for the new additions.

My friend not too long ago had two beautiful twin girls. They are absolutely precious. I’d been wanting to make one of those ruffle butt onesies for them for a long time, but I had had so many other projects in the works. I finally got a chance to get them together so I can share them with you. I LOVE how they turned out. Almost makes me want to have another baby just so she can wear it, but the I quickly come to my senses and realize that’s a really dumb idea.

I used the tutorial that is found at U Create. I mean, it’s not rocket science, but it IS nice to have a guideline, right? Right.

I didn’t take pictures of the process, because it is all laid out on the other blog, but I’ll briefly give you a rundown of what I did.

I used my rotary cutting tool and mat, and cut one inch wide strips that were a little over 2x the length of the onesie where they would be applied.  I used the serger on a 3-thread rolled hem stitch to hem the sides of each ruffle.  Then I used a loose basting stitch to run down the middle of each strip.  I pinned the ends of the ruffle down (unruffled) into place on the onesie and pulled the basting thread (underside thread) to ruffle the strip and stitched them into place.

(I used the same process on the burp cloths)

As you can see, I also added a monogram applique. I started by using the directions from this post but then I took it a step further to give it a more finished look.

I took some iron on stabilizer on the back and just did a simple zig-zag stitch to go around each letter.  You can tell if you look closely enough, I really need to work on my curvy letters…

But I’m pretty good when it comes to straight lines!

I have to say, I think these are really fun to put together and I think they are seriously cute!  Chances are, if you are one of my pregnant friends and you’re having a girl, you’re getting one of these.  haha  Does that take the fun out of it now that you know?  I hope not.

-Autumn

That title just popped into my head.  The girls always say this little rhyme: 

Apple, peaches, pears and plums, (repeat)

Tell me when your birthday comes. (repeat)

They claim Joci made it up, but I don’t know, the cadence is just too good.  I think someone is pulling my leg.

Anyway… I just wanted to come and post this little dress I made for Abber-doodle.  I love this fabric!  It’s too fun.  We first chose the fabric, and then went to go look for a pattern, and lo and behold, the fabric on the pattern was SO close to the one we had chosen.  It was fate.  (if you believe in that sort of thing.)

The pattern is a McCall pattern number M5613 as seen here:

Pattern Found Here

I made Joci the dress on the right, but really should have measured her.  It’s a bit too long in the straps and wide in the chest.  She’s like a little string bean, tall and skinny.  Instead of altering it, we’ll just wait a little bit.  She grows so fast anyway, it won’t be long before she’s wearing it. 

For Abby I made the one on the left, and I have to say, it turned out great!  I’m not usually very good at reading and following patterns.  I get kind of confused (which is why I don’t crochet, because I can’t follow the directions!)  However, this one just clicked for me, and I’m really proud of the way it turned out!

I love the pleats in the front.  I considered doing them on Joci’s dress too, but didn’t want them to look basically the same.  I mean, they’re close enough as it is.  I’m still toying with the idea of the pockets.  They certainly add something.  I might just add them still.

What I love is that Abby also loves the dress!  That’s always a big thing.  I can make a bunch of things, but if she won’t wear them, then there’s really no point, huh?

Her favorite part?  The red buttons. 

-Autumn