another baby's gifts

And still they keep coming... babies, that is!

Another friend recently gave birth to her first child and, of course, I had to sew for her and her new son.    I thought this friend would appreciate something a little different/quirky so I went online to my Special Place (a.k.a Spoonflower.com) and did a little shopping....

And this is what I made

How are you meant to style a onesie and make it look good?!?

A Dr Who onesie! This is the style of outfit worn by the 11th Dr Who and comes as a cut-and-sew pattern by Spacefem on Spoonflower.





This sewed up quickly and it was straightforward working out the order of the sewing.  Spacefem has downloadable instructions - referenced on the fabric! - if anyone needs them.  I used my coverstitch machine to sew the bands and hems.

and used some matching snaps 

I liked the way this looked so I bought more of Spacefem's fabric

Star Trek onesies

I am in the process of making these up for twin boys.  The blue one is nearly finished (just needs some snaps and the sleeves hemmed)

Being a twin myself, I really can't stand don't like twins being dressed the same so I feel a little torn about giving the parents two of the same item (but they are different colours!).  However, this is Star Trek so hopefully I will be forgiven.



But back to the sewing for the first baby.

I made a second onesie but this time I used the Jalie baby bodysuit pattern and some Vikings cotton-elastane fabric from Ottobre

This pattern is describes as having a boatneck and there is very little difference between the back and front.  In fact, I unpicked all of the stitching because the pieces just didn't seem to be sitting correctly.  After I had rechecked all of the markings I re-sewed the onesie.  I'm still not convinced that I like the neckline.  Fortunately the snaps at the crotch make it obvious which way this goes.

I think the fabric and the orange ribbing are a great combination.  And who wouldn't love these ginger Vikings?  Luckily I had matching snaps to complete the garment!

Coverstitch machine used for the ribbed bands

I placed both of the onesies into a Christmas stocking that I also made for the new baby

 The body of the stockings were made from crazy patchwork panels that I made using the many Christmas fabrics I have stashed.  Then I topstitched the pieces in gold metallic thread using the decorative stitches on my sewing machine

  

I fused each of the completed panels to some pellon and cut out the stocking pieces and stitched them together.  Finally, I embroidered the baby's name onto the stocking cuff and sewed a bell onto the end of the stocking.

I realise that it isn't Christmas, but I thought this might be a gift that a child would keep for a long time and not grow out of or discard after a short period of time.   My husband has a small collection of Christmas decorations that were given to his mother shortly after he was born and they get trotted out every year.  And another friend has a Christmas stocking that was given to him as a youngster and he still hangs it every Christmas by the chimney in the hope that it will be full of goodies on Christmas morning.  

So, I hope that the goodies I placed in the stocking are useful in the short-term but that the stocking is something the child grows up with.

Dresses for new babies and little girls

September and October are busy months for new babies.  As such, there are always things to sew at this time of the year.

My husband asked if I could sew something for one of his colleagues.  In fact, he asked if I could sew two somethings:  one with a traditional/classic fabric and the other a little more modern.  I decided to use a couple of Oliver + S patterns (now there's a surprise?!)

For the first dress I used an "oldie-but-a-goody" - the music box jumper pattern - and used a fabric that is also an "oldie" i.e. an unnamed Japanese lawn that has been in my stash for about 10 years.  I made the 6-12 month size.

I found some perfectly-matched pink mother of Pearl buttons in my button box.

back view

For the second dress I used the Oliver + S croquet dress pattern.  I have always been a little ho-hum about this pattern because it seemed more suited to "Downton Abbey" than 2013.   But I have never used this pattern before and it was sitting in my filing cabinet waiting to be put together....

I used a red floral Riley Blake fabric called sweetcakes.

Size 6-12 months

 flower button with crystal centre

close up of the bow

I was really pleased with how this turned out.  So, with this little success under my belt, I decided to tackle another pattern that I have owned for some time but was also indifferent about... the Oliver + S tea party sundress

This time, I made a size 3, lengthened to size 4, for another friend's very tall 2+ year old.  The fabric is a quilting cotton named Razzmatazz, and for some reason I had 3 yards of it...   I had to fussy cut the bodice and panels although it became very obvious that with such a busy print I couldn't be too fussy!

I used a mustard coloured fabric for the flat binding and cut the binding to 1 1/4  inches, making it a little thinner than suggested.

Close up of bodice.  I like the effect of the fabric around the neckline!

back view

Of the three dresses, I think this is my favourite and I particularly like the colours (Yes, MORE purple!!). Initially, I wasn't really sure about the flared skirt but now I like the way the skirt falls and I'm sure it will have a bit of the twirl factor that seems to be so popular/necessary in little girl's clothes.  

I also recently sewed up the new Oliver + S library dress for Rosa.  My sister said it looked like a school uniform so I added a Clarice Bean badge to the lapel.  After all, a great literary work seemed entirely appropriate for a library dress

size 4

I cut the front band and the cuffs on the bias

So, another Oliver + S pattern crossed off my list of things to sew.

That is enough for one post but there is still more sewing for babies to show!