Smocks

I found this pattern from other charity ideas.  I used this pattern for Rebecca.  She was a preemie and it looks like the pattern was a bit small.  The booties worked out ok.  The smock was a bit snug.  I made a few more and sent them to Inova Alexandria Hospital.

Hooded Towel

I have been making these for years.  The first time I saw this was on a cable sewing show called Sewing with Nancy (https://www.pbs.org/show/sewing-nancy/).  Over the years, I made some adjustments to my pattern, but they turn out to be the perfect gifts.  I still hear from my friends that the kids use their towels all the way to 11 years old before they retire it.   It warns my heart that my gift is used and come in handy for so long.

New Charity Group: Teeny Tears Diapers

This is a new organization that found online.  I ran into them one day.  Their website is https://www.teenytears.org/.  This is the overview from their site: 

Teeny Tears is a service organization that provides tiny flannel diapers, mini blankets, and no-sew stockinette hats at no charge to hospitals, funeral homes, and bereavement support organizations for families that have suffered the loss of a preemie or micro preemie child through stillbirth or NICU loss.  Serving the bereavement community since November of 2011, we currently provide clothing to more than 2,500 hospitals worldwide.

 

Warming up the babies: Blankets and Quilt

I made a full-size quilt for Daniel.  I used the modified log cabin pattern.  The hardest part was keeping all the pieces from puckering up when I did the quilting.   I’m just not going to make blankets this big again.  It’s so stressful when the layers shift or starts to be uneven.

The car seat baby blanket was new idea.  I tried my hand at building this blanket.  I looked online for ideas as to the size and when to add the holes for the car seat straps.  I donated this blanket to INVOA Alexandria Hospital in memory of Alex Mayo.

I did some more round blankets. Whew, I find these to be hard since the ends tend to curve or lift up.  It’s not very even but I guess I should have blocked them with steam to see if the ends would lay flat.

Playing Catch Up: Miscellaneous Projects

Since I’m playing catch up on my postings, I have a mix of 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 project photos.  I made my own Valentines for Daniel to give to his class mates.   The super pops turned out pretty good.

The pink scarf and hat was for Ashley’s adopted daughter who is the same age as Daniel.  It turned out cute.

Next, I tried my hand at body butter.  I got a basic recipe from Denise Foster from work.  She makes a lot of her beauty products at home.  It was an easy project and I made some extra to give out for the holidays.

Paulie Suite and Jumper

This pattern I made in memory of Paul Alexander Mayo, Jr.  I donated the pattern to Heavenly Angels In Need but it is a cute mini suit with pants and jacket.  The jumper is a one piece with a vest front.  It is sized to fit a 25-28 weeks old baby which is what baby Paulie was when he first came into the world.  The pattern for this will not upload to the blog but it is on the HAIN website at http://www.heavenlyangelsinneed.com 

Here's the suit with no tie or bow.

These are some jumpers.

Snuggle Basket

When I was a volunteer with Heavenly Angels in Need, I tried my hand at making patterns.  I had a talent with making sewn items ever since I was a little girl.  I remember sitting with my best friend Liz at her dining room table and made Barbie clothes from the fabric scraps from her mom.  Liz’s mom was a seamstress and she always had extra fabric around.  I made this basket that is a cross between a cradle and Mosses Basket.  I used the fluffy fabric that was so soft, but it is so hard to work with since it SHEDS when you cut it. 

Snuggle Basket Instructions

Created for HAIN

Materials: main fabric, bottom fabric, and thread

Directions:  These are directions recapping how I built the prototype.  This pattern is suitable for all types of fabric.  If you plan to use lighter weight fabric, you may need to use a stabilizer or batting in order for the sides or wall to be slightly firm.

Step 1:  The pattern is just an oval and a rectangle.  You will cut one piece of the oval from the main fabric and one from the bottom fabric.  In this example, I used fuzzy fleece for the main fabric and stretch cotton for the bottom.  You will cut one rectangular piece (7 inches x 39 inches) from the main fabric.  Note:  If you choose to make this basket using the fuzzy fleece, please be aware that the fabric sheds – a lot so don’t be surprised that there is fuzzy fleece all over the place.

Step 2:  Place the oval pieces with wrong sides together.  In my example, I used the fuzzy fleece to be the inside the stretched cotton for the outside bottom.  Set this aside for just a moment. 

Step 3:  Take the rectangular piece (this is for the basket side) and fold it in half with the right side facing.  The piece will measure 3 ½ inches by 39 inches.  On the side of fold, come in about ¼ inch and sew a straight line down the piece.  This will make a small edge for the basket side.

  

Step 4:  Pin the cut edge of the rectangular piece to the oval pieces.  Tip: In order to sew the ends together in a straight line, I left about 1 ½ inches free at the beginning and ending on the rectangle so I can match the beginning piece with the end piece so I can sew a straight line to form the basket side/wall.  After pinning the pieces together, you are ready to sew them together to from the basket.

  

Step 5:  Now take the two pieces and sew a straight line to join the ends.  Trim off any excess.

End Note:  I had to sew one more time around the bottom in a zig zag stitch in help reduce the fuzzy fleece from shedding on the inside. 

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