Making Fitted Diapers

I have tried making covers, but those didn't go so well as I have no PUL to ensure that they are waterproof.  What I can sew very easily are fitteds as I have all the material on hand. 

This is my first attempt at a fitted that didn't involve modifying a previous diaper. 

I followed this template http://www.diapersewing.com/fitted_with_velcro.htm

Attempt #1- Followed original pattern

Attempt #1  - Too big

Fits fine in waist, Large gaps at legs

Attempt #2- Shortened middle length by 2 inches

Too short of a rise

Attempt number 3 will involve shortening middle by 1 inch

Suck pads for the Ergo with Pictures

Have I mentioned that I am cheap?  I hate to pay a lot of money for something that I can make myself.  I think this comes from the fact that my mom used to do stuff like this.  Mind you if I can't make it, I am willing to pay for it, but if it is simple enough to make, I will do it myself.

This is one of those things that I decided to make myself.  I really like my Ergo, but my little buddy boy is starting to suck on the sides.  So following the directions from this lovely blog Lu Bird Baby, I sewed myself up a pair of suck pads rather than buy some.  My sewing skills are not amazing, but if it is a straight-line, I can do that.

I made a matching pacifier hold.  

This is a set I made with flannel back and cotton front

Three sets I made for friends

Cotton knit front, Fleece back

I made a minor modification as I used fleece for the backing instead of the terry cloth as I didn't have any on hand.  Since this will go in his mouth I do want to make a set made out of all cotton.  Well I did make a set, but I screwed up my sewing on that one as they turned out two different sizes so it went into the reject pile.

I realize that my colours of blues are a little off so next time I am at a fabric store, I will try to find a colour that blends with my Ergo better.

Car Seat Cover Tutorial

I like seeing all the extras that are out there for babies.  Often times I like them, but honestly don't have the money to purchase them.  Being on mat leave is a blessing as I get to stay home with my son, but doesn't leave much extra money to go around.

The car seat cover is very basic.  Often when I make something, I will copy it off the original, but I didn't have one to copy so I used my handy dandy tape measure and measured my car seat.  The final number was 42 inches long by 30 inches.  This was the dimensions of my Graco Snugride carseat.  I imagine it will work for most others, but it doesn't hurt to measure it.

The car seat covers I have seen online often have flannel or satin backing.  I didn't want it to be too heavy so instead I used cotton knit.

So what do yo need to make this

Basic sewing skills
1 yard of cotton
1 yard of cotton knit ( or flannel if you prefer)
thread
Hook and Loop

The fabric I was working with had  a width of 44 inches, so I just measured the length (30 inches).  I cut one cotton and one cotton knit at that size and sewed the right sides together.

I got most of the way around before I left a small gap so I could turn them right side out.  I then went around and sewed an additional hem around the outside.

The next step was making the handles to attach it to the car seat.  The first ones I made were far too long.  Cut a 2 inch by 16 inch strip of fabric. Then double it so it is 8 inches.  Sew the right sides together and then flip.  At the 4 inch mark, cut it in half.  Now sew the ends closed and stich all the way around.

See they are very long

I need to short these on mine.

At hook and loop at the ends so that it is easy to remove the car seat cover.



The next step is a little tricky, but at  4 inches in pin the first strap, then 3 inches and pin the second strap.

I suggest pinning the straps on and if possible trying it out on your car seat to make sure that it works well for you.  If it does, sew on the straps.  As easy as that you are done and have a car seat cover that cost a fraction of what it costs to buy one.  I think this sewing project took me about an hour to complete.

Homemade Nursing Pads

I had blogged about this before, but it was posted with other stuff as well.  I thought it should have its own post. I already made some homemade nursing pads using two layers of flannel and one layer of fleece.  They work quite well and stay in place better than the commercial ones a friend bought me.

Here is how I made them.

 I folded a piece of flannel in half.  I happened to find this piece at a second hand store and I washed it up.  I traced circles on it that were 4.5 inches wide.

I traced the circles using this trusty flower pot and a pen.  Not the best way, but I didn't have a fabric pen.

Here is the pile of circles after I cut them out.  You will need two flannel circles and 1 fleece circle for each nursing pad.  I also cut out circles from fleece.  The flannel is absorbent  and the fleece is water proof.   The fleece I used was from a blanket at the dollar store.

Here is the final product.  I sewed together the two flannel pieces with a fleece piece and trimmed the excess off.  I used polyester thread as it helps to make sure that no liquid is carried via thread to the clothing I am wearing.  I find that these stay in place better than the commercial ones someone bought for me.

I have been sewing up a storm

Due to Benjy having a growth spurt and sleeping lots, I have had a chance to play with my sewing machine.  In the last few days, I have made lots of things.  Some good, some bad.  I have made two covers for one of my nursing pillows.  The first one was too tight, the second one, way too loose.  Maybe the third time will be the charm.

I have also made two diaper covers out of fleece.  I will post pictures amd how tos of that one later. I just need some hook and loop to finish them off.  The only stuff I have around the house has a sticky backing and it goops up my sewing machine needle.( I had to change the needle tonight :P)

My living room currently looks like my sewing room which is rather messy, so I will need to find a way to store my stuff neatly here.

Nursing Cover

I finally got a chance to sew it.  I love the fabric.  I modeled it off of my Ud.der Co.ver.  I really like my nursing cover as I have big boobs and it is hard to be discreet in public otherwise.  I used it to nurse while walking through Walmart the other day.

Nice bright spingy/ summery fabric 

Here you can see the straps, and the boning.  

 It was pretty easy to make.

1 metre of fabric - $6 ( I already had it,but I think that is what I paid)
1 set of 1 inch D-rings  .90 cents
12 inches of boning $2
thread $1
so for about $ 10 you have a homemade cover

I pretty much followed these steps http://blisstree.com/live/free-pattern-to-sew-your-own-nursing-cover/  if you are interested in making your own.  I didn't measure.

Some time for crafting

Benjy loves to be held so I don't have free hands.  Even this post is being written with one hand.  I did have a free moment the other day so I made a little shirt for him with iron on transfer letters.

 I also cut out the materials for more breast pads but I will have to ask my MIL to sew them up for me.  My other project is to make another nursing cover ( like an udder cover).  I think my MIL might have to do a lot of the sewing on that one too, although I am doing some of the work with iron fusing.

Mat Leave is around the corner

So my due date is 4.5 weeks away.  Mat leave is 2 weeks away.

Here is my latest belly pic.

35 weeks 2 days

The baby's room is totally done.  The clothes are cleaned.  We bought a diaper genie. I was just planning on using the diaper pail I bought, but my husband decided a diaper genie was a good idea.

It wasn't the easiest thing to put together, but here it is.  ( The nursery is looking awfully crowded right now)


The only thing I have left to do is sewing.

I have made (and still have some to sew up) some burp cloths using receiving blankets and towels.  I bought some colourful receiving blankets and cut them in half.  I also bought some towels on sale- two bath towels for $6.98.  I cut the towels in half and then in half again.  I sewed the two right sides together on three sides.  I then flipped them over and sewed the other end.  I wanted something that would be pretty, but still absorbent.
So out of 1 towel, I got 4 pieces of terry cloth.  I used 3 receiving blankets, and some of that duck fabric you see later on in this post.

 I already made some homemade nursing pads using two layers of flannel and one layer of fleece.  They work quite well and stay in place better than the commercial ones a friend bought me.

Here is how I made them.

Step 1: I folded a piece of flannel in half.  I happened to find this piece at a second hand store and I washed it up.  I traced circles on it that were 4.5 inches wide.

I traced the circles using this trusty flower pot and a pen.  Not the best way, but I didn't have a fabric pen.

Here is the pile of circles after I cut them out.  You will need two flannel circles and 1 fleece circle for each nursing pad.  I also cut out circles from fleece.  The flannel is absorbent  and the fleece is water proof.   The fleece I used was from a blanket at the dollar store.

Here is the final product.  I sewed together the two flannel pieces with a fleece piece and trimmed the excess off.  I used polyester thread as it helps to make sure that no liquid is carried via thread to the clothing I am wearing.  I find that these stay in place better than the commercial ones someone bought for me.

I also got my my ring sling and my udder cover in the mail this week.

Here is the ring sling.  It is cute comfy to wear.  Just needs to be washed and ironed as it is very wrinkly.

Here is the ring sling in action.  My cat was a good test subject. Don't mind my tank top... it can't cover my belly any more.

Here is the udder cover.  It seems pretty nice.  I will have to see how it works with the baby.

Another thing I want to share is what a friend of mine gave me today.

A Winnie the Pooh Quilt

It will look quite nice in the baby's crib.  The colours of it are awesome.  It is a cheater quilt, but still pretty cool.

My final news is that I am going to be an Aunt again.  My sister is expecting baby number 5

This is her bump at only 8 weeks.  They are checking for twins at her next ultrasound.

Sewing again

So the sewing bug hit me again.  Looking at some of the blogs I follow made me think I should try making a simple gathered skirt.  So I made two of them.  Here are the pictures which are bad as I should have gotten the Chief to take the pics, but I did it myself with my full length mirror in the kitchen.

And the Rush is over

The craziness of the last few weeks is done. I got all my marking done, got through 2 different grad ceremonies and am not on vacation.  Well, full vacation for a week, but then I am teaching 3 weeks of summer school which is 3 - 1/2 days a week, so not too bad, and then I am back on vacation till September.  Here is a picture of me at the lake enjoying the sunshine and the first night of summer break.  I am sporting my new glasses which are Tra.nsi.tions.  So glad that I got them.

In other news, I am onto another cycle.  I have a Dr's apt on July 14 and the doctor will be giving my Clomid.  So in the meantime ( as the July 14th will be in the middle of my cycle) we have one last cycle to try naturally.  Either way, fingers crossed that by the end of the summer I will have a BFP.


Here is the picture of the cake I made.  Not the most amazing thing, but I think I did a pretty good job.  It is supposed to be a grad hat.  The lid is a piece of cardboard wrapped in foil and then iced.  

Painting

As I have said I get into moods to create different things at different times and really to keep my mind off of TTC.  So last year I started painting a bit.  I am not great at it, but I try.  Here are some of the things I painted yesterday.

I am planning on putting the 3 up together on my wall in my living room for a burst of colour.  ( Don't mind the colour of my couch, it is 70's chic)

A few more items.

I did another burp cloth ( the one with the bumble bees on it) and made a large blanket to go with the matching burp cloth and change pad. I thought it would come in handy when traveling. Having a blanket to lay a baby down in would be good when visiting others houses.

Although I am not PG yet, this is my way of giving myself hope. I am thinking of this as time that I am gaining so I can make little things for my future child. When I get into a crocheting mood again, I plan on making a blanket.