I've started sewing the kids summer wardrobe, and I've liked Kwik Sew patterns for a few years, but I gained a new appreciation for them over the past few days. This outfit for B took one afternoon to make, even with J waking up to eat, and a few other interruptions. It is KS 2596 and is sized from 1-4T. 
This probably wouldn't have been my first choice in prints, but it was on clearance, and it is still a nice print, and the lavender matches the flowers. It was my first time using twin needles, and I was surprised at how easy it was. I really like how professional it makes the hems look. I used to use a stretch stitch on knits, but I think I like the twin needle method better! And here is B modeling her new outfit (excuse the hair she just got up from her quiet time/nap!).
Here are J's ducky feet, just because! 
With a gift card that we had from Christmas, I bought Kwik Sew's Sewing for Baby and Sewing for Toddlers. The pictures look pretty dates, but the styles are really classic and are so easy to update. Here are the short overalls in 3-6 on J. I'll be making the rest of his 6-9 for the summer! He's a super chunk, but we think he's cute! 
And because he doesn't have any clothes to model yet but was so cute when painting this morning, here is A. 
I've been busy sewing again! I've been knitting a bit too, but I've been sewing more, since I know that I can knit more easily once the baby arrives.
One of the things that I finished recently was this diaper bag. I like it because it has 6 pockets on the inside, two on the outside, and a matching changing pad. It is also messenger-style, which is easy to carry, and it doesn't look like a diaper bag! The inner is quilter's cotton, and the outer is printed suedecloth. 
I started sewing for the baby yesterday too. Here is a kimono top made from some penguin flannel. I made the smallest size, knowing that the pattern runs large, but this is even bigger than I thought! What 7lb baby has a 20" chest?!? But I'm sure it will fit at some point! 
This is one of my favorites so far. The green top is So Soft, which is like minkee, and the footie pants are chocolate brown velour. I made up the pants pattern myself when I couldn't find one that I liked locally. The top has a bear applique on it as well. 
Here is B in her new nightgown. We both loved the turtle flannel! 
And A in his car jammies. 
I made both of them coats as well. I found a great deal on double-sided fabric, and as you can see, they both liked their coats. A's is a Kwik Sew pattern (KS 2545). 
B picked out her fabric. Her coat is from a Butterick pattern (4648). I had enough fabric left over from both jackets to make one each for the baby, this way we're set either way! 
B needed some more clothes, so I made this outfit too (another Butterick pattern 3316). I made a red sparkle velour dress from this pattern as well. Like all the Big 3 patterns, these have run large, but I've learned to compensate. 
B loves Thomas the Train, so when she asked for something with Thomas on it, I came up with this dress. It was one of my first projects on my new serger. I love the rolled hem and lettuce edging! The top was one of my husband's old polo shirts that had a stain on it, but it was perfect for the dress. It will be one of her Christmas gifts. 
I found the reindeer fleece in the remnant bin at Joann's and there was enough for two raglan pullovers, once for A and B. the red is leftover from a pullover I made for myself. 
Here are more fleece raglans. They are great because they fit well, are warm, easy care, and all came from leftover fleece from making pullovers for my in-laws two years ago. Although it helps that I made 9 pullovers that year! 
Lastly, my husband needs a new pair of flannel pants, and this was super thick and cozy flannel. I had some waffle knit to make him a shirt to go with it. And there was plenty of fabric left (have you noticed a trend here?), so much that I made matching outfits for both B and A. B's has the scottie, and A's has the whale. They should keep them all warm during our Christmas travels! 
Off to feed my munchkins, cut more fabric, and back to the sewing machine!
Well, I've been busy, even if I haven't been posting! Mostly I've spent my free time cutting, sewing, knitting, and spinning. I'm working on spinning up enough yarn to make sweaters for each of the munchkins this winter. I have some for the baby done already, and I'm halfway done with A's. B has hers picked out. Now to find enough hours in the day!
One of my many projects has been new diapers for A and the baby. Here is a cover for A, with an inner layer of leftover fleece and an outer layer of Joann's fake Minkee from the remnant bin. It works wonderfully over his fitted diapers, even at night! I used Rita's RRC pattern.
I have quite a few diapers cut out, but have only sewn a few. I know that it is easier to cut now than it will be in a few weeks when my belly gets bigger! I can hardly believe that we'll soon have a baby small enough to fit in these diapers! The orange one is cotton velour and the other three are sherpa, a soft brushed terry. I serged them on my new serger, an early Christmas present from my parents. It is wonderful, and while I lived for years without one, it is a great new toy! 
I've also been making the munchkins new jammies. They always love the things I make. It is so nice to have an appreciative audience. Here is A in his first pair. They are quite large, even though I made a size smaller than I thought he'd need. I'm almost finished with a second pair from this pattern (McCall's 5222) and I took out an inch and a half from the front and back, as well as 4 inches from the leg cuffs, and they are still on the big side, but at least the neck fits! I made the bunny blankets (modified this pattern) while pregnant with A. His is green, and B's is purple. He frequently steals his sister's since it is softer. His has seen lots of love and frequent washings! The yarn is a furry chenille type (Paton's Be Mine, which I think is discontinued). Well worth the effort! 
Here is B in her jammies. They are a size 2! Everything fits, but they are a bit short. I'll lengthen them a bit if I make it again, since the body fits fairly well. The pattern is New Look 6638. I was going to get a Kwik Sew pattern, but these were on sale. I really should know better, since I've only rarely hat fit issues with KS, but almost always do with the other big names! Oh well, live and learn, and learn, and learn. . . . . .
I haven't neglected my fiber crafts either. I spun a bit of wool from one of Cary's/Alex's yearlings Coryn, and crocheted this little lamb. The kids loved it so much I think that they'll each get one for Christmas. I hope she's happy in her new home!
This is an old project, a corn bunting that I knit for a neighbor's baby a few years ago. It was a pain to knit, so I just borrowed this one for the new one to wear this winter. It is really cute though! I am never happy unless I modify a pattern, and I used intarsia in this to have fewer seams to sew! 
With cooler weather coming (although only here for a few days!) I've been knitting longies for A to wear over his diapers. The one with the brown top and the green/blue/yellow ones are his. The other two I knit for several swaps.
I also made a ton of play food for another swap. The munchkins will be getting some of these things for Christmas too. I used a pattern for the strawberries, but made up the rest as I want along. The banana even comes out of the peel, which A loved! I have I more ideas for food, but ran out of time on this one. There is an orange, watermelon, zucchini, cherries, ice cream cone, eggplant, banana, grapes, produce bag, potato, peach, strawberry, apple, lettuce, and pear, in a mix of knitting and crochet. 
Lastly, for a play food swap, I made 4 felted tea sets. Each set has two tea cups, a tea pot and lid. Because I was making so many, I kept the sets small. B loved them and will get one for Christmas (do you see a trend here!). I have plans for a creamer and sugar bowl too, as well as a more rounded/traditional tea pot, and I've done some coasters. I designed these on the fly, and am really pleased with how they turned out.
That's most of what I've been up too, but I still have a ton on my plate before the baby is due to arrive. Off to find my sewing shears, pins, and fabric! (And get ready to watch the Red Sox in the World Series!)
The past week and a half has been all about sewing and socks. I took a few days last week during the kids' afternoon nap to work on the Roman shades that I've been wanting to make for a few months. Our bedroom had no blinds or shades of any kind when we moved in, so we had an old sheet tacked over the windows for privacy. It was less than attractive! So I found a great deal on some silk dupioni fabric in a nice grey that matches part of our comforter. It took less than 10 hours, so I don't know why I waited so long! And they are self-locking, so no nasty cleat in the wall either! Sorry for the picture quality, it was the best I could do. There are two shades, one for each window. 
I wanted to make a little bag for my Sockapalooza pal, but knew that I didn't have time to knit or crochet one, so I found some nice fabric, and sewed up this little drawstring bag. It is a lot like a brown paper bag in shape, with a ribbon tie. I used some decorative stitching for the ribbon casing, but forgot to take a picture of that. I have a few more bags planned, so I'll take pictures then. 
Here are the socks that I knit for my pal. I was not thrilled with the pooling/striping, but I tried several patterns, and they all had some striping. This is the second pattern that I came up with. I ripped the first sock just before the toe because I was afraid that it would be too snug. It is my first time trying a short-row toe, and it has a short-row heel too, which is my preferred heel style. I like this pattern, so will need to try it in a more solid yarn to show off the stitch pattern better. I used some Knitpicks Memories in Yukon, and it was easy to knit with, and stood up to my frogging well, especially for being merino.
And this is one of my pair of socks from my Sockapalooza pal Rachel, knit in Cherry Tree Hill Supersock in Jewel. They fit great, and I love the shorter cuff! I've never used this yarn before, so that was a really nice treat! She modified the Cabled Sweatsocks from the Interweave Socks book.
I also had a picture of the American Goldfinches that were visiting my basil plants yesterday, but I can't get it to crop properly. It was one of those times that I really wished that I had a better camera with a higher zoom. Oh well! I'll try to get it resized again later. Now I can get back to all of the other knitting and spinning that I have planned!
This is a dress that I made for Miss B when she was a year old. She'll be three in a few weeks, and it still looks cute. It has shoulder buttons and a cross-over back. I just love this style for little girls! I made the hat too, but it is too small now. The pattern is McCall's Easy Stitch and Save M5353. It was huge when I made it and the bloomers were about 4 inches too wide, but they are perfect now! She loves wearing the things that I make for her. It does a mamma's heart good! (Of course the glasses have to match!)
Since I don't have any pictures of A in his new sweater yet, I thought I'd put up this cute one of him running around outside. Both the kids love to be outdoors, and the love to walk up and down the sidewalk in front of our house.
Melissa requested a picture of the watermelon dress modeled, so here it it. This dress (and purse) garners numerous compliments every time that B wears it! It helps that she is so cute too. Time well spent!
This is the second sock of a pair that I've been working on off and on (mostly off) for a few years. It has gotten packed away during several moves. It resurfaced during our latest move, and I finished it on our trip to CT a few weeks ago. They fit well, and the cuff isn't too long. The yarn and pattern are from the Opal SOTM club that was sponsored by PT Yarn from 2001-2002. It is good to finish a pair of socks for myself, since I only have one other pair. I'm working on th second sock of a pair for hubby, then the sock yarn that I spun here will be next! 
We are headed to Nashville for a few days tonight, and I wanted to sew a few things for the trip. So I got out the sewing machine yesterday and churned out a skirt and two dresses. This skirt is Simplicity 5956, and is cut on the bias. I have made a skirt or two from this pattern before, and I like the way if fits. The fabric is some that I found at Joann's on sale last year. 
This is some more Joann fabric. The flowers are actually more green than blue. The dresses were hard to photograph well. The pattern is Simplicity 5049, and it is an empire waisted, short-sleeved dress. I meant to make the V-neck higher, but it was late when I was cutting the pieces out, and I just forgot. 
I have realized that I really like Kwik Sew patterns. They almost never go on sale, but they fit better (on me) than many of the other brands. This is another short-sleeved, empire waisted, v-neck dress (do you see a theme here?), Kwik Sew 3253. They are all knee length, and very comfortable. I don't like to wear shorts much during the summer, I'd much rather wear skirts and dresses since I think that they are more comfortable. 
These are a few blossoms from the flowering almond tree in our front yard. This is one of my favorite ornamental trees, so imagine my delight when it started blooming in the middle of April. Our yard is now covered with pink petals, but the tree was gorgeous in full bloom!
I'm still knitting my never-ending shawl. It should be done in another week or two. Plenty of time to get packed up and mailed off to the nice people at MDSW. I'm also knitting a top-secret surprise project too. I really want to finish the Maple Garland shawl because I have aome sumer knitting that I want to get done for the kids.
But I did sew a bit last week. I made another sheet for A, and I made this apron from Simplicity 4282, View E
The apron was actually really easy, and the only finishing was the binding around the edges. I am not the neatest cook, and I decided that I'd rather wear an apron than change my clothes to cook, or ruin them. I though the daisies were fun. I think I'll make a few more over the course of the summer.
Well, I haven't been knitting much lately, but I've been spinning and sewing. I did finish knitting the afghan, but sent it off before I got a picture. But is is loved and being used.
I finished up my second skein of yarn for the Interweave skein swap for Julie. It is a mixed fiber batt and I spun it thick/thin. I hope that she likes it! The color is called Godzilla. The snow in background is some left over from our storm this weekend.
After struggling for several years with crib sheets that don't fit after a few washings and rip at the corner seams, I decided to sew a few of my own. I bought the flannel on sale at Joann's and used the pattern at Bundles of Love as a rough guide. Here is B's sheet, which has pink guitars, to match her pink guitar (she's a girly girl!). My mom made the blanket and pillow out of patchwork flannel and chenille. It was her first project on her new sewing machine. B carries the pillow downstairs with her in the morning, and back upstairs for bed at night.
I made A's sheet out of a cute train print. The little blanket bunny is a modified version of the one at the Lionbrand website, but I rewrote it for a different yarn and gauge. A loves it and plays with it before he goes to sleep and after he wakes up.
Since we moved here just over a month ago, we have had some snow every week. The last one froze into a 3 inch sheet of ice. But on Sunday we hat 6 or so inches of wet snow. My husband was shoveling, and B wanted to join him. She made snow angels and played, and he helped her make her first snowman when he was done.
A spent some time outside too. He was my intrepid little explorer, trying to dig out the rocks and pick at everything. He didn't like his mittens too much, but he did like to try to see what the snow tasted like!
This probably wouldn't have been my first choice in prints, but it was on clearance, and it is still a nice print, and the lavender matches the flowers. It was my first time using twin needles, and I was surprised at how easy it was. I really like how professional it makes the hems look. I used to use a stretch stitch on knits, but I think I like the twin needle method better! And here is B modeling her new outfit (excuse the hair she just got up from her quiet time/nap!).
Here are J's ducky feet, just because! 
With a gift card that we had from Christmas, I bought Kwik Sew's Sewing for Baby and Sewing for Toddlers. The pictures look pretty dates, but the styles are really classic and are so easy to update. Here are the short overalls in 3-6 on J. I'll be making the rest of his 6-9 for the summer! He's a super chunk, but we think he's cute! 
And because he doesn't have any clothes to model yet but was so cute when painting this morning, here is A. 
