Last month I found out that our third baby due in January is a boy!  We are so excited to have another boy!  Since finding out, I have been looking for some sewing projects to do for my little bundle and have realized that there are infinitely more sewing patterns for girls than for boys!  I did manage to find a few cute little outfit patterns and have made one so far.  But when I was looking online for some inspiration, (I always start on www.etsy.comto look for special fabric) I came across some adorable, soft, minky fabric to make my own patchwork (or rag)  baby quilt.  This particular kit came with 20 six-inch squares of minky fabric, already cut perfectly to size, and directions on how to sew them together and add the backing.  It was incredibly easy to do and came out so adorable.  The finished product is 21 x 26 inches… the perfect size little blanket for the car seat or stroller.  If you want to make it larger, simply buy more squares or add a border. 

I ordered and extra yard of the plain light blue minky fabric for the back of the blanket.  And because of the heavier weight of the fabric, I did not use any interfacing or quilt batting.  You will fall in love with the look and feel of this fabric!  One tip about working with minky fabric:  It is pretty slippery when sewing it right sides together (like in the rag quilt) so use plenty of extra pins to try to hold it straight.  Other than that, it was fairly easy to work with!  These little blankets make great gifts that can be handed down or kept as keepsakes!  I just can’t wait to see my little guy all snuggled up in his! ) 

Another cute idea I just came up with:  Buy a pack of coordinating, flannel  receiving blankets and cut them into squares for an adorable flannel rag quilt.  The possibilities are endless!

The lucky winner of the cute fall bag is…..
Debbie D. in Orlando, Florida! Congratulations!
A big thank you to everyone who took their time to fill out the survey!
I am going over all the helpful suggestions now and will be writing some very helpful posts very soon! My kiddos and I are on our way to visit our family in Florida for the week and my hubby is going to fly down and join us for part of the time! I hope to get some blogging done while I am there, so stay tuned!

In the mean time…
I just completed a very easy sundress for two very special toddlers… My daughter Ella and her cousin Charlotte! I made them matching dresses to wear while we are together next week. I figured that I better make them the cute matching things while they are still too young to complain! The pattern is #6796 by New Look .  Sizing for toddler sewing patterns can sometimes be tricky but here is a quick guideline.  This pattern has sizes 1/2, 1,2,3 included.  What is a 1/2 size you ask?  To the best of my knowledge, 1/2 is equivilent to 18 months, 1 is 24 months, 2 is 2T, etc.  I hope this helps.  When in doubt, look at the measurement guidelines on the back of the pattern for the different sizes and try to have your toddler hold still enough to measure them! Easier said than done! )

Wow!  The summer went by so fast!  I had so many blog post ideas and the time just got away from me!  So to make it up to you, I am launching another give-away!  To enter to win this adorable purse in perfect-for-Fall colors, just complete this *easy* survey about sewing.  It will take you less than a minute but will help me find out what people want me to blog about!  Make sure to take the survey by Thursday, August 20 , and if you are not on my e-mail list, leave your e-mail address by your name on the survey.  I want to make sure I can contact you when you win!! )

Click Here to take survey

A little about the bag…  This is my new favorite purse pattern, the Buttercup Bag!  MadeByRae invented this pattern and gives it away for *free* on her blog.  It is a very simple, easy to follow pattern.  I made this bag in one afternoon while my kids were napping!  And it takes such little fabric that you can usually make one with remnants you have stashed away!  The Buttercup Bag I am giving away is made from an enlarged pattern: the bag measures 14″ wide, 9″ tall and has a strap drop of 10″.  It has one interior pocket for your cell phone and has a magnetic snap closure.  Perfect little Fall purse!

I do hope you take a minute to fill out the survey by clicking on the link above.  And I hope you are the lucky winner of the bag! Thanks!

Arin

I discovered the trend of the nursing cover when I was pregnant with my second baby and I wish I had one with my first! Ever have to try to nurse a wiggly baby in public/semi-public while trying to keep a blanket balanced on your shoulder?  Not an easy task!  I looked online at the popular “Hooter Hiders” and “Bebe Au Lait” versions and came up with my own affordable yet very cute (and incredibly easy!) rendition of a nursing cover made with a receiving blanket from Target! I bought a 4-pack of flannel receiving blankets for $7.99 and a package of “D-Rings” for 99 cents and started experimenting! I have since made  20+ of these for friends and family and friends of family… I hope you enjoy this free pattern and idea.  They make great gifts for the new nursing Mom and she will greatly appreciate it! 

 By the way, the nursing cover I made for this post is for my sweet sister-in-law who is expecting her second little girl in December!  She is always the first to enter one of my-give aways and has not won yet!  So you’re a winner this time, Brittany!  ) I hope you enjoy it! 

Here are the directions:
Materials Needed: 1 receiving blanket (30″ X 30″), 2 D rings, matching thread.

Start by laying the blanket on a table.  Cut off 5 inches from the top edge (usually the edge with the tag).

From the 5 inch strip, cut 1 and 1/2 inches off the top.  The remaining 3 and 1/2 inches will be the strap.

Fold and press under 1/4 inch on each side of the strap and then fold in half and press. 

Sew down both sides of the strap, close to folded edge.

Measure 8 inches down the sewn strap and do a tight zig zag stitch from one side to the other.  Cut just below the zig zag (8 inches) and this is now the small strap that will hold the D-rings.

Fold small strap in half and place D-rings on. 

Do the same zig zag stitch on the long strap’s end(s) to finish it off nicely. Trim off excess.

Set straps aside.

Turn under 1/4 inch at the top (cut edge) of the blanket and press under.  Fold under another inch and press.  This forms a casing that we will just sew shut to reinforce the top of the nursing cover. 

Sew close to fold across top of blanket.

Now place small strap (with D-rings) and large strap 8 inches from the side (leaving at least 11 inches in the middle for the neck hole).

Pin in place.

Sew them onto the nursing cover. I sew a box shape for stability. 

If you have a cute tag, sew it on where you would like.  I ordered my custom tags from an Etsy store and they are very affordable!

Please take a moment to check out the new page at the top – “Readers Pictures” ! If you have  pictures of some of your sewing projects that you would like to submit, send them to arin@easysewingtips.com and I will add them to the gallery!  Why not have your pictures featured on my blog?  Thank you to those of you who have already sent in some pictures!  I’m sure there will be many more!  Maybe we’ll have to have a contest soon!

Speaking of sewing projects, do you need some extra inspiration?  I’ve been doing some sewing blog surfing and came across a couple sites with free project guides to share with you!  I chose some with incredibly easy to follow instructions.  Check out the follwing links and let me know what you think!

Little Boxy Pouch

Tote Bag

Pillowcase Dress

By the time you are reading this you will be able to notice that I am changing the look and feel of Easy Sewing Tips!  I think this new format will be a lot easier to use and I will be able to add some cool new features!  So please bear with me for the next few days as I will be “tweaking” things here and there.  Wish me luck! 

By the way, I am also working on a great new give-away so stay tuned!!  The posts I have coming up are pretty exciting, too.  In the mean time, if you have a sewing story or some pictures of projects you’ve completed, feel free to e-mail them to me at arin@easysewingtips.com!  I would love to create a page on my site just for readers like you who send in their stories and pics!    If you haven’t signed up for my blog alert e-mails and would like to receive an e-mail when I post something new, just fill out the form on the right.  Then you won’t miss a thing!  Let’s get sewing!

Last week while I was in Maine I had the chance to visit with my Aunt Becky.  She learned to hand smock while she lived in Ecuador back in the 70’s and 80’s and made some adorable dresses.  I shared with her that while I could sew dresses, I did not know where to start with smocking!  It was then that she called out “De-ah” (That would be “Dear” to us who do not have a Maine accent ) “Please get the smocking machine out of the hall closet”.  I said, “Wait a minute! There is a smocking machine??”  As you can tell, I really had no idea about smocking.  My Uncle Dave then produced a small box which yielded a mechanism with 3 notched brass wheels, a hand crank,  and a line of sewing needles just waiting to be threaded.  Interesting!  Becky told me that you just feed the material through the brass wheels, which has a hand crank and it pleats the material for you!  We didn’t have much more time than that, (Aunt is in very bad health…) but it peaked my interest to do some more research about smocking.  I love little girls smocked dresses but would rather not spend $100 on one.  So maybe I will be able to hand smock one soon!  Here is the info I have found via Google… You can get smocking machines that are electric, much like a sewing machine (but then how is that hand smocking?) or you can go with the hand model that my Aunt has that is made by the Read company.  It pleats the material perfectly so you can add your hand smocking design on top.  They run about $200 and I saw one with 48 needles to make a wider pattern.  Curious as to what it looks like?  I thought you would be, so here is a picture.   I have also found a great tutorial on Southern Stitches website.  Please let  me know if you have ever attempted to hand smock and share your pics or stories!  Hopefully I will have some pics and stories of my own soon! 

I am in Maine visiting my sister and her family this week and it is so beautiful here! Between the two of us we have 7 kids under 10 years old and two more on the way, so it has been a lively week!  She lives on Mt. Desert Island, just on the outskirts of the Acadia National Park. The landscape is breathtaking!  Unfortunately it has rained most of our visit which has forced us to do more inside things.  One of my favorite inside things to do here is look in some of the little craft stores featuring creations of local artists. I have seen some cute quilting stores and some beautiful hand knit sweaters. (Maybe I will try knitting soon!) But it made me think of a fabric designer that I have recently come across that has just gorgeous fabric. When you get a minute do a search (conveniently located on the right hand column) for Amy Butler fabrics. The color combinations are beautiful and the designs are refreshing. She even has an inspiration section that shows the fabrics used in some adorable projects. I just ordered a few yards of material and made a couple Buttercup Bags (see the photo gallery). So check out Amy Butler’s website for some great sewing inspiration!  I’ll be back in Atlanta on Friday and ready to blog like crazy, so get ready for some great new posts!

I have  had requests to do some posts about a few basic sewing techniques.  The first technique that will greatly widen your sewing repertoire is the simple button hole.  I was reluctant to learn this step in the sewing process so I would just stick to patterns that didn’t require buttons.  But when I realized how fast and easy it is to sew a button hole, I couldn’t believe I put it off for so long!  And with the modern sewing machine, a button hole is a breeze!  I have prepared a short 2 and a 1/2 minute video to show you how to sew a button hole with a simple sewing machine.  You probably have a different kind of sewing machine, but that’s OK.   Most button hole functions are very similar.  If something doesn’t look right, consult you very handy sewing machine manual.  The only other tool you will need to complete your button hole is a seam ripper.  I have a very simple one that cost  $ .99 at the fabric store.  Watch the video to see how to use your seam ripper to cut the middle of the button hole (which is what actually makes it a hole )!   The only other piece of advice I have about button holes is to measure your buttons first!  Most button packaging will say “5/8 inch” or “1/2inch”  and tell you exactly how long to make your button hole.  Pretty simple!  And if you are using a pattern, it will have a button hole guide that you transfer to your fabric with a fabric marker or pencil, telling you just where to put the button holes.  If you are doing multiple button holes (on a shirt for instance) do the first one and then make sure the button goes through well.  Adjust as needed.  So just measure, mark and sew!  Let me know how your button holes go!

Here is the link to the video…  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWq2X3rhgbk

Sometimes finding a good pattern can be overwhelming!  Finding a good pattern is the first step to actually finishing a good project!  The easier the pattern, the more likely you are to actually finish it!  I have compiled a list of some of my favorite patterns that produced a great finished product.  I have included the pattern company and the stock number so you can do a search for it if you’d like to buy one for yourself.  I naturally have a lot of baby items listed… but even if you don’t have little ones, keep these in mind for great gifts!  Every mom loves hand made gifts for baby! ) Hope you find this helpful!

Baby Clothes:

Simplicity 5813 – Christening Gown – Very easy!  This was one of the first dresses I made for my Daughter for her baptism.

New Look 6576 – Jumper Dress -  Only requires two buttons – Very easy and fast.  Turns out adorable and wears well. Great beginner pattern! See Spring Dress on my photo page.

Simplicity 4243 – Dress and Romper – Easy, Fast, and only requires a zipper for closure.  Ella wears last years dress size as a tunic top this year. This is also the dress that I made in a morning! Click here for the full story.

New Look 6794 – Another adorable dress and romper pattern.  Easy to understand directions.  Fast to make and adorable on! Only requires two buttons – no zippers! (See pink dress on my pictures page)

New Look 6636 – Fleece Sleeper.  Pretty simple, although the first time I made it I sewed it together completely wrong! It was easy to fix and turned out adorable!  Great two piece pajama pattern included.

McCall’s 2213 – Very Easy baby sundress – 9 different versions in one easy pattern.  Some require 2 buttons, others require none!  No zippers either.  Great beginner pattern!

Toddler Clothes

McCall’s 4814 – Adorable Sundress or tiered sundress.  Very Easy!  No buttons or zippers!! 

New Look 6880 – Buttoned shirt, pants, and shorts or skirt.  Very cute and pretty easy.  The shirts have collars and collars take some figuring out… but you can do it! ) I made Anson a shirt and shorts out of this pattern.  It has boy’s and girl’s styles in the same pattern – great value!

New Look 6577 – Little Girl’s sleeveless dresses – 6 styles.  Very cute “church dress”.  Simple zipper closure and easy to embellish!  Ella has received many compliments on her dress!

New Look 6746 – Easy Toddler Pajamas – Has a collar which can sometimes be tricky but this one was easy!  Great pattern for flannel pajamas!  Has a girl’s and boy’s style in same pattern! See Anson’s jammies I made out of vintage fabric here.

Baby Accessories

Butterick 4533 – Baby Bibs – Very easy and so adorable!  These would make great gifts! 

Simplicity  4636 – This is a one-stop pattern for cool baby accessories!  Includes a shopping cart cover, umbrella stroller cover (to make those cheap little strollers a little more comfy!), a quilted car seat cover (that you can throw in the washer!), a Moses basket insert, and a glider rocker cushion cover.  So far I have made the car seat cover and it was easy! 

McCall’s 5678 – Baby/toddler sling.  I am very excited about making this one!  I just bought it when I found out I am pregnant again!  Yes, #3 is on the way!  And with a 4 year old boy and a 2 year old girl, I think this sling will be pretty helpful!  Two versions  in one pattern: One that ties on and one that just slip over your head/sholder.   I’ll let you know how simple it is when I complete mine but it looks very easy.

Bags and Purses

I love making Bags!  The first bag I made was from Simplicity 9779, View A.   It is a quilted tote bag – Vera Bradley style.  After making a few bags with this pattern, I no longer needed to use a pattern and started designing my own bags!  Very soon I will have my own tote bag  and weekend bag patterns available to y0u!  They are both very easy and require only stitching straight lines! 

Butterick 4147 – Small backpack.  I just made one of these for my nephew James. The arm straps called for adjusters that I couldn’t find so I just used simple “D rings”.  They worked just fine! 

Butterick 5197 – Full Size Hipster  – View A (See photo gallery) – Very easy quilted bag and a great style! I carry mine every where.  It even holds a sippy cup and a couple diapers plus all of my stuff!  No zippers or buttons!

And for my favorite bag pattern… the Buttercup Bag by made.by.Rae !  You can pick up this pattern FREE on her blog!  I just made my first one and it is as adorable as it is easy!  Once you make a buttercup bag, if you decide you want to sell them, all you have to do is buy her pattern in her Etsy Store!  Pretty great deal!  If you just want to make them for yourself or for gifts, you can just use the free pattern!

Men’s Patterns

McCall’s 2149 – Hawaiian style shirt – Very easy pattern!  My first try was a complete success! I made a beautiful linen shirt for my husband which he receives compliments on all the time.  See the complete story of this shirt pattern here.

McCall’s 8524 – Bathrobe, sleep shorts, and pajamas.  Very easy pattern!  No buttons or zippers!  Just elastic for the waists!

Ladies Patterns

Simplicity 2892 – Cute sleeveless top – I am in the process of making this one now.  It is very simple!  No buttons or zippers!  A cute, current style!

Simplicity 3799 – Sleeveless top, dress, and gaucho style pants and Capri’s.  Also in the process of making this top.  I’ll let you know how it turns out, but it is pretty easy so far!

I am working on my own patterns for the above mentioned tote bags and weekend bag  and will let you know as soon as they are available!  I can guarantee they will be easy, fast, and affordable to make!