Sewing for special needs & spot lights

Before I could take Maaike home from the hospital I had to take a five day training course and then proficiently preform all of Maaike's care for 24 hours without nurses assistance. Each class was 4 hours long, 2 hours in the classroom and 2 hours at Maaike's bedside putting my new knowledge into practice. Day one was practically dedicated to the lifestyle changes we would need to make. I was questioned as follows:

"Does anyone in the house smoke?"

"No."

"Do you have any pets?"

"No."

"Are you a stay at home mom?"

"Yes."

"Do you have any family support in the area?"

"Yes."

"Well, you were meant to be a trach mom."

I wasn't so sure about that, but I was willing to humor her. On day four it was brought to my attend that some adjustments would need to be made in her wardrobe. It is suggested that trach kids wear V-neck tops to allow for airflow around the trach and decrease the likelihood of trach occlusion. Well, it just so happens I sew. On day five I was trained to give CPR with a trach and how to rescue breath via ambu bag. Though practicing on my own child was horrifying I found that my glory days as a lifeguard came back to aid me. At this point I was starting to believe I was meant for this.
I scour the local consignment shops for V-neck baby attire. Sometimes I hit big and sometimes I walkout empty handed, but that's okay, because I sew. When Katie contacted me about sharing our story on film I had no idea what I would wear, but there was no question that Maaike would be wearing something I made. One of my favorite patterns for Miss Maaike is this kimono pattern by Amy at Habitual. It's easy, it's quick, and it's oh so cute. I like to make it out of a knit material because it's softer and instead of having the inside tie together with a bow, like the outside, I like to use a simple snap to reduce the bulk a little. It's the perfect pattern for a last minute baby shower gift or a trach baby just home from the hospital gift. The first one I made took about an hour, but now I can whip one out in about 20 minutes. They are great for pairing with bright leggings, like Maaike's from Target.Miss Maaike is 10 months old today! I can't believe how fast she is growing! 10 months down and 2 to go until we party hardy!

What special needs sewing projects have you done? I'd love to share them with our reads.

Tutorial : DIY Nautical Headband

How to make a Nautical Headband

Materials:
-4 yds of rope or ribbon cut into 4 equal strands
-1/2 yd 1 inch twill
-hair band
-sewing needle
-thread
The following pictures show you step by step how to make the sailor's knot with your first two strands of rope. Pay careful attention to which strand is on top or under the other. For more help click here.


Now take your third and fourth strands of rope and snake them side by side into the knot by the first two strands.

Slowly pull the knot tighter, keeping it even and the knot flat.

Here is a closeup of how the knot should look now.
Take your needle and thread and about 1 inch from the knot sew together the four strands of rope to keep them flat on the back..
Repeat on the other side.
Here is the front.
Trim your ropes so that all of the ends are even and the whole thing is about 19 inches long with the knot at about 7 1/2 inches (so that it is on the side of your head).
Cut two pieces of twill at about 3 inches.
Using your sewing machine or your needle and thread sew both of your ends flat.
On the shorter side of the headband (closer to the knot) and on the front of the headband, line the edge of the twill with the end of the rope and sew with your sewing machine at 1 inch from the edge.
Fold the twill down over the stitch line and flip the headband over so you are seeing the back. Place the hair holder inside of the twill tape as shown.
Fold at about 1/4 inch.
Now fold up so that the folded twill tape covers the stitch line.
Sew this edge down as well.
Try on the headband to see if you need to take any length off. If you do then trim off a little rope before continuing. Now repeat the previous steps on the other end of your headband (the longer side). In the end it should look like this.

Here it is on.
Isn't it great? I want to try something similar for a belt as well. I will show you when I do. Enjoy making your own now.

Confession and a Promise

So first for the confession. Remember the Mad Men dress that I started forever ago? Well, I just can't finish it. I have tried and tried and the truth is that it is just the ugliest thing I have ever made. My fabric choice was a disaster and I just can't bring myself to finish a garment that I know I will never wear. I hope you will forgive me. I plan on chopping the bottom off and making a skirt and I will show you once I do.

Now to make it up to you I have an awesome tutorial to show you tomorrow. I made this nautical headband over the weekend and I can't wait to show you how easy it is. Check in tomorrow morning for the full tutorial.

I Could Make That : Cascade Dress

When I saw this dress at Gap I instantly associated it with the following pattern and thought . . . I could make that.

Dress : Cascade Trim Dress from Gap $69.95



To make this use . . .

Pattern : Simplicity 2360 View A

Using this fabric from Denver Fabrics . . .

Navy Blue Cotton Voile - $4.95/yd


Here are a few of my favorite versions of this pattern on the web:
(I think this is one of those patterns that could easily be transformed from wedding attire to beach coverup depending on your choice of fabrics.)

Hannah from Sew Tessuti
Wendibirdie
Farah Makes Stuff
Boo Dogg and Me

Taking a bath

Do you remember my Christmas giveaway addiction? The red garland wasn't my only take home. I also won a Puj Tub! If you haven't heard of them before I can honestly tell you they are awesome! I randomly clicked on a link for a giveaway that brought me to, the inventor and founder, Katie's blog. Winning the Puj Tub wasn't just a nice win for us it was a revelation...a miracle.

If I am starting to sound over dramatic you must realize that I have a daughter with a plastic tube sticking out of her neck that provides direct access to her lungs. The thought of her slipping or rolling over in a bathtub is terrifying, so we stuck to simple sponge baths at the sink. Enter Puj.

Puj has been all over the place lately, like Ellen and Rachel Ray for starters. It's amazing to me I had never heard of it before...until I won one. I was so pleased with the product I emailed the above photo to Katie with a little thank you note. Then, about a month ago Katie contacted me, asking me if we would be interested in participating in a short documentary about us. I agreed and 3 weeks ago we had a living room filled with lights and cords and a camera. It took about 4 hours start to finish and that will be boiled down to about 5 minutes. It is currently under production and should be ready in a week or two. Crazy huh.

I don't really know what will become of it, but I hope it can serve as a spring board to connect and uplift mothers. I'll let you know when its done. And soon I will post Maaike's outfit I made for the shoot, after all, I sew.

Rian's Wool Jenny Skirt & Sewing Salvation

I know it's been a while, over a month to be exact. Kelli and I have the constant pondering of getting sponsors or not, updating our blog look or not. We have really enjoyed the process of building this blog and would love to fully commit to it, but then there are months like this past one where we fall off the wagon and are glad that we have no one but ourselves to answer to. I have actually been doing quite a bit of sewing lately and have taken pictures of all of it, but the time it takes to type it up and fuss with the photos has evaded me...us. But the fact is that I do love this blog and what it has brought to me. Not only have Kelli and I grown closer and I have had an excuse to push myself with my sewing, but in the wake of last years trials and learning to be a mom to a special needs child this blog has brought me immense comfort.

Being a mom to young kids can be isolating. Just getting out the door can be hard. And as of late I have found that to be especially true with Maaike. Being home bound for 6 months of the year doesn't help you make friends in a new town, but through this blog I have found the friends I needed. So many of you have opened up your lives and struggles to me and I thank you. Who knew sewing could provide emotional salvation?

I shouldn't be amazed anymore when things end up working out for the best, they always seem to, but I am still constantly amazed. One such miracle has been Somer. Somer reads this blog from Texas. Her daughter Maisy used to have a trach. Really, what are the odds? Our friendship has grown over the last few months of my constant questions and her sage advice of experience. There have been several days when I didn't know where else to turn. It means so much to talk to someone who truly knows what you are going through. Who knew sewing could be so powerful. Thank you Somer.

So it is for Somer and me and the rest of you who read this blog that we will keep going at it. I will not be an everyday blogger. And my activity will wax and wain with the stress of my life, but thanks okay, after all no one is paying me to do this and you will understand.

Here is one of my last projects: The Jenny Skirt. I used a herringbone wool that my mother gave me years ago. I've just been waiting for the right project to use it on. I am thrilled with the results and it was pretty simple. Kelli was in town and was able to help me fit it.

Since the skirt is out of wool I opted to line the entire skirt. I went for the bright purple lining. It makes me happy to know its hiding in there just for me.