Something fishy around here...

I promised Austy these goldfish PJ's ages ago, and only just got around to making them. All of his summer PJ's were too small so we bought one pair to get us through until I could stitch some up for him. I decided on a slim fit tee from one of my Ottobre magazines as it was less likely to ride up, and DH loves the slim fit Peter Alexander one Austy got him for Father's Day with some PJ pants in 2007 for that very reason. I was getting sick of the bought ones shrinking up and stretching out wide, and Austy was having to pull his top down every night as he rolled over to settle into sleep. The shorts were a pattern I drafted myself, I wanted a mock fly and elastic waist with a loose leg and couldn't find all the features I wanted in any of the patterns in my pattern box. Excuse the dodgy photo - it was a little rushed in the morning before Austy ran into the shower. They are all crumpled from a good night's sleep!



The tee was really quick to make and the shorts would have been too if I didn't have to draft my own pattern for them first. So I went out and bought some red ribbing to make another pair when I get a chance.




And just in time for my birthday, this pretty little Pay It Forward gift arrived in the mail from Emma. So now I really had better get my act together and think some more about the three gifts I need to make and send out for three lucky blog readers. This is a little wall quilt, that I'm trying to convince DH to let me put on the wall in my sewing corner (which is in the lounge room). Until then it's sitting in the centre of our table. I do want to do a quilt wall one day, but I think it may have to wait until I get my own sewing room again...





And finally another nappy rolled off the sewing desk, a pink minky dot all-in-one. I lined it with super soft bamboo velour, so the bottom pic shows you a little bit of that lushness.

As much as I looooove my very baby fitteds that I made as they are great for containing those explosions that Madelyn seems to be so good at, there is something wonderful about patting a little minky bum under a pretty dress. So much so that I succumbed to a few nappy purchases lately, a couple of itti-bitty d'lish and a couple more magicalls. Devine.

I know I should be making them as I'm perfectly capeable but I just don't have the speed at the moment with limited sewing opportunities, and I just have a few disposables left in newborn size to get me through until I have enough nappies not to get caught with them all on the line. I don't want to have to buy the next size up, as the disposables are hopeless at holding in that yellow mess, and I'd rather show off my cloth nappies.

OMG! I just counted my completed 2008 list. Amidst working full time and studying part time I still managed to complete a project for every week of the year (although some of them were small projects and some weeks I did nothing). I think I have a bit to live up to this year! I need to finish some WIPs and stop buying fabric for things I plan to make and never get to...

New nephew arrival day

My new nephew is about to make his entrance any minute now, (my sister is in the throws of labour as I type) so here's another little set I whipped up for him to go into a basket full of goodies. I think I need to make Austy a PJ set similar to these little baby sets (but with t-shirt and shorts instead of course).

And a couple of baby bibs for the gift basket:

Lastly, something for my baby... due any day now! I have been terrified of fold-over-elastic but when my purchased PUL nappy covers (Tots Bots size 1) arrived looking rather large for a tiny new baby, I decided I should give it a shot. I wasn't sure how much elastic to buy so unfortunately what I have left won't make another. So I have an excuse to go shopping again... The next ones will be coloured or printed - a little more exciting.

While the elastic on the legs (over the leg gussets) was a little challenging, I'm happy with how the cover turned out. A much better size too! Although by the size of my bump, if this little one hangs out in there too much longer, it may be a whopper!! Another size update tomorrow after my ob appointment. Last check it was measuring a week ahead, and starting to engage. I'm hoping for next week to give me a little more time to finish the curtains and some more nappy sewing. Austy's Dad is hoping for the 14th... or even the induction date on the 19th. Hmmm... no thanks - going by last time induction does NOT always mean a quick labour - just excrutiating and painful!!

Festive butt!

Here's the little Christmas nappy I whipped up after embroidering the reindeer the other week. I had to wait for the red velour to arrive for the inner before I could sew it up, and found a little scrap of red star fabric for the tabs in my scrap bag - perfect! Can't wait to see it on the baby now. I followed this tutorial to help roll in the legs this time and it worked out so much better than the last one. I think I'm quite happy with my pattern now.

And then there is this little dress I made this week for friends who are the proud new parents of little Inca, however I think I like it too much to give it away... just in case we have a little girl too. I might have to make another one and then decide which one to give. I want to make a matching sun hat or pair of baby shoes too before we go and visit for a cuddle.

The pattern was from Ottobre 3/2007 and quite simple except for the sleeve easing - I think I might need to get some practise at that if we do have a little girl bundle - because of course it would mean I'd be making tonnes more little dresses!

The washing machine is calling me now, filled to the brim with little white onsies, singlets, socks etc. waiting to be hung on the line and put neatly in the drawers to await bub's arrival. Three days left of work and then I can hopefully get those curtains finished and get some rest before the big event - less than a month to go now!!