Cute (& Easy) Baby Burp Cloths

I've been itching to make something since work has pretty much taken over my life the last few weeks, but knowing I didn't have much time to commit to sewing, I opted for a super easy project... burp cloths!

This was an easy lunch break project... that's the kind I like! It's also a great way to use scraps since it takes very little fabric.

I bought some prefold cloth diapers on Amazon based on a recommendation from here. They said to get the Chinese prefold 2x5x2. I ordered the Infant size versus Regular. After I washed them (you HAVE to PRE-WASH) they shrunk quite a bit, so next time I may order the bigger ones just to have some of both. Maybe I can make sets with one large and one smaller. Yes, the first one I made I didn't wash first. MISTAKE.




Here's the step-by-step:

Wash first. I went ahead an used hot water so hopefully they shrink as much as they are going to now. See how they look out of the dryer...


Iron and be sure you have the good part on top. This is a picture of the bottom. The seams down the middle are much more visible. It probably wouldn't really matter though. Oh, and when I washed them after I added my fabric, they weren't near as wrinkly. I wouldn't bother ironing again... it's just going to have spit up on it, right!?!


Cut your fabric so that you have ~1/2" (or a little more extra) on all sides. I think my piece was about 15" x 5", but measure on your own and don't take my word for it!


Iron that 1/2" under so that pinning & sewing will be easier.


Pin in place around all four sides.




Use a short (my dial was on about 1.5), straight stitch on the short sides (the ends). Shown below. I used a zig zag down the long side. I used the 2nd widest setting and still had my length dial at about 1.5.


Go around all four sides. I just switched my dials at each corner versus doing both ends first and then the long sides. It doesn't matter, whatever you prefer. (And yes, I am still wearing Christmas PJ's!).


Done!


I made these bloomers/diaper cover a while back for a co-worker and forgot to send, so I decided to add a matching burp cloth.




I'd love to make some with ribbon or rick rack trim, I just didn't really have much of a selection at home. You could also add the decorative fabric long the bottom edge versus down the center. There were just natural seams going down the center where the more absorbant part of the cloth diaper is.

There you have it! Super easy and make great gifts!

"Sew" Easy - Diaper Covers!

I FINALLY got my Brother 1034D serger out of the box. I've had it for several months now but was a little intimidated. I knew I didn't want to mess with it unless I had several hours to scour over the manual and do a bunch of test sewing. Using it really was pretty easy. Threading is a bit more challenging, but getting easier. I have a LOT to learn.

Anyways, to put my new serger to work, I thought I'd give a new, and SUPER EASY pattern a try. I did have to use my sewing machine too to make the elastic casings, but used the serger to sew up the sides and bottom. I think I'm in LOVE. I LOVE that it looks professional!

Source: dana-made-it.com via Emily on Pinterest

Check it out! These are the ones I made for Carson...



She has several patterns available, up to 12-24 months. These were the 12-24 month size, but I probably could have added a little to it. I think I also messed up with the new serger. The pattern didn't stay if I was supposed to serge at just the edges or serge using the normal 5/8" seam allowance, so I might have taken more off than I was supposed to. Next time I make, I'm going to make them a little bigger all the way around and maybe add an inch so they fully cover his diaper at the top. Carson is definitely pushing the 24-month size clothes.

Yes, these are a little snug... but look at that sweet booty!


These are perfect in the summer and for little girls to wear under their dresses, they are like bloomers. I think I will be making a lot more of these in the future in all kinds of fun prints!

While the Hubby is Away...

...Mommy will SEW and CRAFT and MAKE ALL KINDS OF THINGS!!!

Yes, I was "safe" and waited until he was home to post this... don't need to let the crazies out there know I was home alone with just the little man and the goofy dog.

I totally had a babysitter come over for 4 hours on Saturday morning just so I could "do stuff"... BEST.DECISION.EVER.

Finished some Christmas presents for some special littles! I only have ONE more project to {hopefully} finish this week.





Made a Christmas table runner (but not so Christmas that it can't be used throughout winter)




Made an upholstered headboard with plywood and painters canvas (SO EASY!). I still need to add the nailheads because I'm going to have to order some. The big ones are hard to find in bulk. That detail will totally make the headboard. It already looks good, just needs a little something extra. Separate post to come on this one...





Started an owl fabric art project for Baby B... SOOOO excited about this one... but it's a secret! I'll only post a "preview"... I want Mommy G to be surprised!!


I learned to knit over Thanksgiving, so I've got two projects going there as well. I'll post a pic when there's something more exciting than 4 inches worth of knitting to look at.

I also got all our Angel Tree gifts for church and got our house as organized as it ever gets. I was supposed to work over the weekend, but that didn't happen. I was having WAY too much fun out in my new Sewing Hideout... I was out there until midnight two nights in a row and didn't even realize it. Probably why I left the keys in the door overnight...I was a little sleep deprived from all that I was getting accomplished...and LOVING every second of it! I SO wish I could have that kind of block of time on a regular basis... AMAZING what you can get done with no interruptions!!! I did have lots of quality time with my little man too. We had a great weekend being silly and running around town!

More Completed Projects!!!

This Mommy has been busy!!!
















And I have my 1st "commissioned" project... woo hoo!!! Max will soon have a reindeer shirt too!!!

Drumroll, Please...

And the Husband of the Year award goes to...

ANDREW PETERS!!!!

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Andrew surprised me with my birthday present a little early this year....
To some this may not be a big deal, but to me, it was the MOST thoughtful gift he could have given me right now.

That's right... he did some serious reorg in the Man Cave, HIS Man Cave, and created my own little "Sewing Hideout." He bought a desk, light, and chair, and cleared out a bunch of shelf space so that I no longer have to sew at my work desk or in the living room. All of you crafty people know you HAVE to have space to spread out and to be able to leave a project until you can work on it again. I didn't have this. Thus, my office was a constant disaster of piles of fabric and 1/2 completed projects... on top of all my work stuff...this made for a not very organized work space and lots of distractions.


Women kind of get screwed here... we don't get "Women Caves." The lucky ones do have a craft room of some sort, but not many. I cannot tell you how excited I am that I finally have a little space of my own, not to mention, I was able to empty about 1/2 the stuff out of the closet in my office and move it out there.




Our JOINT set-up (he's got a little desk/work bench in the back left corner that you can't see)...


The room has AC and will also stay warm very easily with a floor heater. It has a fridge, radio, and TV (no cable though).

So, in case you can't tell... I'm PUMPED!!!

More pics to come once I get all moved in!

Thank you, ANDREW!!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!

Sneak Peak!

Two girly shirts!

Believe it or not, one is for Thanksgiving and one is for Christmas! YAY for fun fabrics!

More Creations...

A couple more recent applique creations....

Baby Owl for a Baby Girl (Chi Omega shout out!)






A little Dallas Cowboys (in navy houndstooth) for my cousin's baby...






The FUN part...FINALLY sending everything!!!


I bought a ton if fun fabrics on clearance at Fabric.com, so I am SO excited to try some new things. Up next {hopefully}, a turkey!!!