Rainbow hearts Chloe dresses

 Well I don't know what I've been doing, but I completely forgot to write a blog post last week. I mean can I blame that we have a "threenager" and we are exhausted... and so is she since she will not sleep!

I have been crocheting again, but that's all work in progress blankets which will probably never be finished. And when I asked Ray what on earth I've been doing he said a lot of gardening - which is thanks to the Autumn weather finally cooling this place down. There has also been a lot of chasing a toddler who recently decided she needs to run down the hill whenever you're not looking!

Over a month ago we had a first birthday to go to so I sewed a dress for the birthday girl, along with a matching one for Lily. Although she thinks I'm terrible because I didn't add pockets!

This is the free Chloe dress baby and Chloe dress from Vintage Little Lady. The fabric is Rainbow Hearts for the skirt, with a purple homespun for the top. I thought about doing all rainbow hearts but I really liked the solid top I did on the first Chloe dress I made.

So that's this week sorted, and I'd best get to work on something to share with you next week!

Lovely muslin blankets

 I loved these thick (3 layer) muslin blankets I made while I was pregnant, so much so that I luckily got the last three metres of the rainbow gingham from Frankie Bear Fabric so I could make two more!

Now I will admit at 1.5m wide, they are rather large for a newborn, but they are perfect for my toddler. She loves these blankets almost as much as the fluffy one on her bed! It is the perfect size for travelling so I like keeping one in the car and the pram.

I must say though, sewing with a toddler is difficult enough, let alone when they love a fabric so much that they've decided it's theirs! Trying to get it cut is impossible when you have to chase said toddler to get the fabric back every time you walk way from the cutting table. I'm so glad she can't reach the scissors yet...

Trolley Liner

 It took me forever to finally sew up this trolley liner - and I had it cut out, ready and waiting for so long. I guess cute little outfits were more appealing to sew.

I can tell you that I did not enjoy sewing it, and probably won't ever sew another one. Perhaps it would have been easier with an industrial machine rather than just a domestic one.

At some point I would like to add some flaps or something at the sides - they seem to be the focus for little hands, which instantly go in little mouths of course.

But it's done, it's great, and now I can do a full shop at Aldi since they don't have click and collect. I normally just took the pram but that doesn't leave much room in the car for said groceries.

The pattern I used was from Muffy Duck Designs, the instructions were great as usual, it's just big and bulky which makes it awkward to sew. Like the pram liner, I made it out to be much harder than it actually was!

Christmas Dress

 I'm cutting it close with Christmas this year, I finally finished my daughter's Christmas dress, once it is washed we can get her Christmas photos done!

This pattern is Simplicity 7017, it was my grandma's pattern and it looks like she has made a few versions! 

This is the first one I made which is a size 1/2, although its more like size 1. Now that she is so tall it is a top! The Christmas one I made size 1, again seems more like size 2, but I used the length of the size 3, next year it might still fit as a top!

I was a bit lazy and opted to gather them rather than do the pleats - I tried for the Christmas one but couldn't work out the instructions. I also added a second set of buttons/snaps so they would fit her sooner.

Isabella Romper and Skirt

 I've been going through my photos and found a little romper and skirt that I made using the Isabella Mini fabric from Frankie Bear.

This little romper was one of the first ones I made and it is the Daphne from Bebekins. In the blur of caring for a newborn I don't really remember making this pattern other than having a tough time wrapping my head around how to do the straps! I also made a matching bib for this one but unfortunately didn't take a photo before packing it all away.

This skirt is another one from Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom - I've shared the Sunflower and the Galaxy skirts I've made in the past. The only change for this one was that I made it a bit shorter since it was a gift for a toddler and I feel the other ones I've made are quite long.

Minu Pram Liner

 We really like our big pram but it takes up our whole boot so we got a little stroller for the car. New pram means we need a new pram liner!

The pattern is from Muffy Duck Designs which is the same company I got the pattern for my other pram from.

This one I made double sided using blue gingham and my special panda fabric from Frankie Bear. I also added velcro to the strap covers so they don't fall off all the time.

It was even easier the second time - mostly because I knew it wasn't anywhere near as difficult as I originally thought it would be.

Red and Black Amsterdam Romper

 In this post I mentioned that it was the second time I had made an Amsterdam Baby for my daughter. This one is my first version, but a romper with an extra fancy lace overskirt.

Since it was my first time sewing with lace I had to figure out how to finish the seams and the hem. I opted to do a bias binding hem and did a small, close zig zag over the side seams, then trimmed.

This romper was made for our wedding anniversary, we decided to head back to the Japanese gardens where we got married and got an updated photo since we're a family of three now! For our wedding I wore a red and black dress so decided that our daughter could wear something similar and I'm really happy with how it turned out and as an added bonus, bold colours really suit her.

As for the snaps on the bottom of the romper I got a whole kit from Amazon, I never have to make button holes anymore!

Busy board in progress

 I decided to make a busy board for my daughter, only I really don't feel like going shopping so I've used the 3D printer to get started!

I'm glad I'm doing it this way because I can choose the colours - I'm printing another part for it at the moment using glow in the dark filament, I'm rather excited to see how well it glows tonight.

Some wonderful people have uploaded things like the gears that are meant for busy boards but there a plenty of hinges and latches (and the percussion frog in the top left) that are great as well.

I've got a Busy Board Collection if you want to 3D print your own busy board.

Baby Art Card

 I was just going to let my daughter scribble all over a blank card for my husbands birthday but then I found this cute giraffe cut out from a previous project and this was the end result...

It turned out pretty cute and most importantly the baby had loads of fun playing with crayons and markers!

Purple Fox Lovey

 I've been wanting to make a lovey for my daughter for ages but have only just got around to it. I had the idea that if she loved it I would make extras in case she ever lost it but I really did not enjoy sewing with minky!!

It turned out cute, despite all my mistakes and my daughter likes it. I don't think she'll be too upset if she loses it, so thankfully I don't need to sew any more of them.

So while I'm not too proud of my sewing skills on this project, I am proud that I finished it. The minky is lovely and soft so I can understand the appeal but I'll be taking a break from that fabric for awhile!

The pattern is from Pink Pug Designs, the instructions are great and she is an Australian designer so it's nice to support a fellow Aussie. I couldn't find wool felt for the nose so I just used black minky in the same way as the eye and tail patches. I did add a ribbon tag so I can strap it to the pram so it's doesn't get dropped and lost - we've had a bike rider catch up to us with a toy we dropped once!

Jellyfish Bonnets

 I made these winter bonnets for my nieces and nephews for Christmas in July. It was fun making something warm for them to wear, none of them are winter babies.

This pattern is the Blizzard Bonnet, a lovely free pattern from Wholecloth Patterns. It's was a quick and easy project, would be great for a beginner!

I used the Medusa fabric that I used for my daughter's matching jellyfish romper and booties. Because it is a directional fabric I cut two pieces with an added 1/2" to the the top instead of cutting on the fold. Then stitched together with a 1/2" seam allowance, pressed and followed the pattern instructions.

Jellyfish Romper and Booties

 We're celebrating Christmas this weekend with my side of the family, it should be much nicer than having it in the summer heat! I finished my nieces and nephews presents and since I had fabric leftover I decided to make our daughter a matching outfit.

This Overall Playsuit seems to be my go to pattern, mostly because it's quick and she can crawl and walk in it easier than dresses.  To see what changes I make to this pattern, see this post.

And of course it's cold so I made her another pair of Maggie's Stay On Booties, only this time I lined them with fleece.

Hopefully the kids all like this cool jellyfish fabric from Frankie Bear Fabric!

Boho romper & booties

 For some reason I decided that it would be a great idea to make our daughter a romper with matching booties. Each piece is great on their own, but unfortunately it's just too much together! I think I'll make a pair of solid white booties next time.

I used a lovely Victoria woven cotton from Frankie Bear Fabric. The pattern is Maggie's Stay on Booties again with the non slip fabric for the soles.

This is the second time I've made the Boho Romper from Elemeno. First time I made it was when our daughter was just 3 months old, and she quickly outgrew it! Now that she is older I thought she would love the optional pockets. The only thing that I would change is to figure out how to add snaps for quicker nappy changes.

Baby clothes rack

 When setting up the nursery for our baby we chose cabinets from Ikea - the Platsa range meant we could add a wardrobe and some glass door cabinets to display books, handmade blankets and of course all my old pandas! But I wanted to have all those cute baby clothes out on display so I made a simple clothes rail that uses the existing holes and therefore be removed without any damage!

The hardest part was drilling the holes in the correct place! These cabinets are designed with threaded holes in the base so they can be stacked and attached using a supplied screw. I simply cut pieces of pine then drilled holes to line up with those threaded holes, and used the supplied screws since my timber was the same thickness.

Them simply screw on the brackets and thread the rod through. The clothes rail and brackets were from Bunnings, normally used for shower curtains.

Links if you're having trouble finding them - bracket end, bracket centre and rod - they come in white and chrome as well as 19mm or 25mm!

Now I just need to painte the pine white and align the door hinges!!

Bellevue Baby Rompers

 I love the Bellevue Baby Romper pattern from Little Lizard King, well the first time I made it I didn't, I found it difficult and it took me forever. These days I don't have so much trouble, I assume it's because I was a new mum running on very little sleep! 

Both times I made it were using poplin from Spotlight and I can't decide which one is my favourite!

Galaxy booties & bonnet

 I love this galaxy fabric from Frankie Bear Fabric, she's almost outgrown her romper so I'll have to make her a new galaxy outfit.

These are Maggie's Stay on Booties, I bought the whole set so eventually I'll make some for myself! I made a few pairs with cotton lining instead of fleece since it doesn't get cold here in Autumn, now that we're in winter I put socks on with them, eventually I'll make the next size up with fleece lining.

I will say I put off sewing these for awhile as it just seemed like it would be difficult but they're actually easy to sew, and quite quick! 

I used non slip fabric for the soles since my daughter has started walking.

I made her a matching bonnet using the free winter bonnet pattern, also with cotton lining. Now that it's winter I'll make her a fleece lined one.

Pram Liner

  We were given the Uppababy Vista V2 pram when we were pregnant which came with a bassinet for newborns. I used a bassinet sheet in that but we ordered a custom pram liner for the seat since I knew I wouldn't have time to make one before she outgrew the bassinet. 

She is 10 months old now and I finally made my own for her pram!

I used this pattern from Muffy Duck Designs and it turned out great and really didn't take that long! Since I'm running out of room to store new fabric I decided to make use of this fabric I bought at Ikea many years ago. If I had used quilting cotton it would have been much easier to sew but I got there in the end. I was rather nervous about making all the button holes from scratch but they all turned out fine and no slips with the seam ripper. I actually really like this fabric as a pram liner!

We just got the Uppababy Minu stroller since our pram takes up our whole boot so I'll make a liner for it too, in the meantime the Vista liner works.

1st Birthday Panda Dress

 Last week I shared photos of the practice dresses I made using the baby Siena pattern from Little Lizard King. Well here is the final dress I made for our baby's first birthday!

I got the fabric printed by Frankie Bear Fabric because I couldn't find any panda fabric that I liked. Our daughter looked so cute in it, bold colours really suit her so I'm glad I chose that purple for the extra skirt, sash and flutters. I also wanted to add the second flutters in lace, and meant to add lace to the bottom but I had already hemmed it. Super happy with how it turned out, hopefully it fits her for awhile after all that work!

Siena Dresses

 I wanted to go a little over the top for our baby's first birthday dress. I chose the Siena baby dress pattern from Little Lizard King. I decided to make the simple versions in 12m and 18m sizes just to make sure I had the right size before starting her party dress.

I love this heart fabric from Spotlight, I'm tempted to buy more so I can make something for myself.

And of course I can't go past the May Gibbs range also from Spotlight, I'll admit I've got a few of them in my stash now.

Winter Bonnet

 It doesn't get too cold in winter here so the only time we might need our hoods is when we're outside. Our baby needed a warm winter hat for her first winter last year and I wanted one that covered her ears. I found this free winter bonnet pattern from Purl Soho.

I used poplin for the outer and fleece for the inside. I also decided to topstitch all the way around just so it sat nicely. 

We're heading into winter soon so I've started on a bigger one. Since she runs hot I'm using cotton for both the outer and the lining, if it actually gets cold this year I'll make her another one with a fleece lining.