One Pattern Seven Ways - #2

For my second version of this pattern I decided to go a little retro with the sweatheart neckline. I first fell in love with this look through Collette pattern's Macaron dress and since then have seen it in several other designer looks.



To make this adjustment I simply drew the line that I wanted for the sweatheart. Then I added 5/8" to the bottom of the yoke pattern piece (white fabric) and then 5/8" to the top of the main pattern piece (floral fabric) for seam allowance. Otherwise I sewed the pattern up like normal. I did double the white fabric to prevent any see-throughness which also allowed me to omit the facings. Here are a couple of pics of the cutting process.

DIY arm restraints - The "Snug Hug"

Seriously, who wants to thing about wrapping your kid in arm restraints?  For what ever reason.  But the fact is, for her own safety and my own piece of mind, at least once a day Miss Maaike is strapped down so I can take care of her trach needs.  Welcome "snug hug."

I graduated college in linguistics so I am a firm believer in "a rose by any other name" would not smell so sweet.  I think that what we call and the way describe things makes a big difference in the way we perceive things. Every parent of a special needs child knows this love hate relationship.  You need the "label" or diagnosis to get help for your child, but you don't want those who help you to see your child as the diagnosis and not look pass the label.  In the same, but obviously lesser light, I don't want to think about binding my child down in arm restraints day after day to manage her care, but I can accept the thought of hugging her snuggly with beautiful fabric to give her the love and care that I need to.

This is a quick and easy project, suitable for beginner sewers. The Snug Hug could also be used to swaddle newborns underneath beautiful blankets or anything else you might dream up.  Let's get started.

The Snug Hug

Materials
1/2 yard of medium to heavy weight fabric
21 inches of sew-able Velcro
thread
scissors

Step 1
Measure the circumference of your child where you want the Snug Hug to fit.  Make sure your are measuring them as they would fit in it with their arms down at their side.  Add 8 inches to that measurement, this allows for future growth.

Step 2
Cut your fabric, folded lengthwise in half, with the measurement from Step 1 by 8 inches down (folded) or 16 inches open. Maaike's fabric was 32 inches by 8 inches (folded)

Step 3
With right sides together sew your long rectangle  around the 3 open sides with a half inch seem allowance, leaving a 3 inch opening at one end. Clip off the seam allowance at the corners.

Step 4
Pulling your fabric through the 3 inch opening, turn you fabric right side out and iron it.

Step 5
Top stitch the 4 sides of your fabric at 1/4 inch seam allowance, this will close up your 3 inch opening.

Step 6
 Cut a 6 inch strip of the fuzzy side of the velcro and sew it to one end of your fabric so that it lays vertically on your rectangle.  I used the "blind hem stitch" but you could use a straight stitch or zigzag or almost any stitch.

Step 7
Flip your fabric over so that you cannot see the velcro you just sewed and lay two 10 inch strips of the tacky side of the velcro on the opposite side and end as the fuzzy velcro.  These two strips will lay horizontally on the rectangle.  Now sew them in place

Step 8
Roll up your Snug Hug how you wish to store it to test where you will place your last 2 inches of tacky-sided velcro to maintain closure and sew it in place.

Ready for hugging.

One Pattern Seven Ways - #1

As previously mentioned (and in celebration with Rae's Spring Top Sewalong) I will be using one pattern - Simplicity 2599 - to make 7 different tops. When I first saw this pattern I knew that it was one of those patterns that is a perfect staple to a collection. Take away the ruffles and roses and it is a simple top that can be transformed in so many ways. I love it when I have tried a pattern and get it exactly how I want it. Once it is there it becomes a great launching point for altering and embellishing to your hearts desire.

So for my first top I made the pattern just as recommended. You could call this my wearable muslin. I made view A without the roses. I used the cheapest fabric I could find - a polyester blend that was $1.29/yd. I wouldn't say that I love the fabric, but I do love the fit. I think that if I style it in the right way it could be pretty cute. I really didn't have to make any alterations - although I would say that I went down a full size according to my measurements. After reading other reviews of this pattern I new that it ran big and I agree.

Here it is - version 1 - my straight forward muslin:

I'm a Spring Top Judge!

Once again I will be helping out with Rae's Spring Top Sewalong and I couldn't be happier to help. I love the idea of spring tops. There is nothing I would rather wear in this warm weather than lightweight, flowy tops over skinny jeans and ballet flats.

Because I am a judge I will not be entering any of my tops, but I will be sewing along. Over the next two weeks I will be making - 7 tops one pattern. I am pretty excited about this. I love mastering one pattern and altering it in various ways to make many workable tops.

If you would like to enter Rae's Spring Top Sewalong over at Made by Rae, click here for the details.

Happy sewing!

Heather Bailey apron

May I start with my apologies.  I cannot figure out how to get these pictures to rotate.  They are saved on my computer up right, but every time I upload them, no matter what I do, they are back sideways.  Help!

But, I did finally finish the Heather Bailey apron I was making for my sister-in-law for Christmas. When I showed it to my husband and told what it was for he seemed quite impressed, followed by a, "Wow you are really ahead of the game this year."  That's when I had to break it to him that this was her gift for last year and I am actually really behind the game.  As far as the pattern goes I think it turned out well and is really cute, but I don't like how the halter and waist ties are added in.  The ruffle flounce at the bottom was added on and not part of the pattern because I ran into some fabric issues as my sister-in-law bought the fabric before I found a pattern.  I also top stitched everything because I think it looks more professional, but it is not called for in the pattern.  Overall it gets a B+ in my books.  Now if you could just tilt your head to the right you will see what I am talking about.

A few more wraps

I just can't help myself.  She looks so precious in them.  They only take about 30 minutes to make. They are perfect for her trach and so easy to get on and off.  I just picked up fabric to make two more.  Thank you Amy!

 The below photos show the slight change I made to Amy's instructions.  Instead of having a second tie inside the kimono I add a snap closure.

 Either way it works.  I just like having a little less bulk under the arms and it is always fun to bring out the hammer when you are sewing.

Trach ties

Today I am launching a new blog.  New is really a relative term here.  The blog is Trach ties, a blog totally devoted to life with a trach, but as of yet there is no new content.  If you read this blog or my family blog you will have already read everything on it.  For now it is a massive copy and paste job, but eventually I will write original content specifically for it.  It wont be an every day thing, but hopefully an every week kind of a thing.  As I have had the opportunity to connect with a few other trach moms and mothers with kids of special needs  I have wanted a place to direct them.  I love our family blog, but then you have to shift through the rest of our family stuff.  I love Presserfoot, but this is a sewing blog.  I have resisted putting this blog together for a long time because I simply don't have the time, but the other day I realized that between our family and Presserfoot I did have a lot of content and all I needed to do was bring it together.  I was thrilled when I saw that "trach ties" was available on blogger.  After all, I was a linguistics major and I love a little play on words. If you look closely at our family silhouette you will see that baby Maaike has her trach and trach ties.  And as for the metaphorical trach ties, second only to the joy of having Miss Maaike in our family, the bonds that we have formed with other families with special needs children has been the greatest and most unexpected blessing of this experience.  If you or anyone you know is looking for that kind of a connection I hope you will join us for the ride!