Baby K's carseat cover tutorial :)

For this cover I picked out 4 coordinating fabrics, my favorite one I made the big square I cut out 8 of them measuring 8 each then, I cut 4 measuring 4x8 the 3 remaining pieces I cut 8 that measured 4 square then 3 that measured 4  by 8. so out of fabric one you need 16 inches, the other 3 you just need 8 inches. I then pieced them together in groups how I thought they looked best :) once I had it all laid out on my floor I began sewing. I sewed with an 1/8 inch seam allowance, once I got the 3 piece sewn together I realized my big square was to big so I trimmed mine down, however my cover is slightly smaller than I would like so I would recommend cutting the smaller squares with an added 1/4 inch then trim as you sew, very important for the 3 squares to be the same as the big square other wise it throws the pattern off :) once I got each line done I ironed them and added each line together. I then ironed again to flatten the whole piece, trimmed the edges so they were all the same length. put aside lay down your backing, I used minky since I am having a winter baby, cut your backing to the same size as your front. With right sides together pin your 2 pieces together and sew 1/4 seam, leaving about 4 inches to turn your cover right side out, pop out corners using a pencil or scissors, iron the seams flat turn in the opening, top stitch all the way around the cover to close the opening, I chose to sew around mine twice just for added looks so I sewed an 1/8 inch and a 1/4 inch, you could get away with just a 1/8 inch if you wanted. next I used some remaining fabric cut 2 straps measuring 4x16 fold in half right sides together, sew down the long sides turn inside out iron closing the opening top stitch same as cover, add velcro, and a button for looks :) now you need to get your carseat out and lay your cover on it and measure where you want the straps to hook too the handle. sew them on and enjoy :)

My finished product ended up measuring 29x36

Aubs Baseball Ruffle Shirt

It's hard to take pictures of a little toddler man she does not stop moving.

Step 1: Measure your little sweetheart you will need her bust (right under her armpits) length (armpits to where you want the shirt to end) and arm strap length (take a tank top or swimming suit measure those straps)

Step 2: Cut out a rectangle with the measurements from her bust and length adding 2 inches to bust for hemming and wiggle room, hint I made mine go out at the bottom so it looks more like a trapezoid. Aubs measurements were 21x12.

Step 3: take a straight ruler and a piece of chalk draw straight lines horizontally across the bodice piece every 2 inches. This will make your ruffles straight.

Step 4: now cutting out the ruffles I cut my ruffles 3 inches by WOF I would recommend 3 1/2 to make sure your ruffles cover eachother enough. I have 7 ruffles on Aubs shirt.

Step 5: making the ruffles, I serged all the way around each ruffle then hemmed the 2 short sides and one long side, the other long side I did a gathering stitch 1/4 seam, (Biggest stitch with the tension between 0 and 1). leave enough thread to be able to pull.

Step 6: Pin Pin Pin take the first ruffle pin to the very bottom of the trapezoid on each side then pulling the bobbin thread gathering the remaining fabric pin it in several places. Top stitch onto bodice with 1/2 seam. Repeat with remaining ruffles.


Step 7: Now take the bodice piece putting right sides together serge up the back 3/4 of the way leaving a 1/4 open to fold over top stitch down add a button and some elastic to get over their head.

Step 8: Using the bust measurement again cut a strip of fabric 3 inches by bust measurement. fold in half hotdog iron unfold fold each side into the middle iron fold in half once again reiron. pin along top this will cover the top ruffle rough edges. Top stitch as close to edge as possible.

Step 9: Using the arm strap measurements cut 2 straps 3 by arm strap measurement. follow the ironing steps above. Now instead of pinning down sew a 1/4 and 1/8 on both sides of the straps making 4 lines down each of the straps. Measure the tank or suit to where the straps should be and zig zag them down.

Step 10: Try it on your little sweetie and take lots of pictures.

I got the idea from http://sewingin-nomansland.blogspot.com/2011/05/color-my-summer-baby-in-red.html

 I had problems with the measurements from her tutorial so I created my own.

I used a little less than a yard of fabric for this project.

Diaper Bag

I love this bag!! It is called Petunia and it is from izzy & ivy designs, I bought my pattern at Ace but they do have a blog the address is www.izzynivydesigns@blogspot.com.

This bag is fairly simple just very time consuming. I made these 2 over the course of 1 1/2 days, taking into account my beautiful daughter who loves to help me sew, and her feeding times! All in all it was totally worth it.

The camo one is for my cousin who has a sweet little boy that I babysit on occasion, the other one is for me!! My first attempt has been washed a couple of times and is beginning to wear, you can also tell that it was my first attempt in that I skipped steps to make the process faster in the end it hurt the bag :(

Enjoy! If you live close to me your more than welcome to borrow the pattern feel free to ask :)

Peanut Butter Bars

1/2 c margarine
1/2 c sugar
1/2 c brown sugar
1/3 c creamy pb
1 egg
1 t vanilla
1/4 t salt
1/2 t baking soda
Blend together add:
1 c flour
1 c quick oats
Spread in a 9x13 sprayed pan bake at 350 for 15 mins or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Let cool

 Spread a thin layer of pb over the cooled bars.

 Then spread chocolate frosting.

 To make the "professional swirls" take a butter knife and from one corner to the other spread the chocolate (see above)

 Then take the back of the knife and going from opposite corner drag the knife in a line (see above)

TaDa professional looking PB Bars :)

Note: the pictures are of a double batch spread onto a cookie sheet.

Simple Pillow case dress

So have you ever tried to get a 20 month old to hold still?? It's impossible :) Anywho this shot is not as bad as I thought it would be.

I got the pattern from http://littlebiggirlstudio.blogspot.com/2009/02/pillowcase-dress-tutorial-dress-girl.html which I found on pinterest I also took some ideas from a few others but this is the one with the printable pattern :)

After I printed the pattern and taped it together I grabbed one of Aubs other dresses and measured that so it would fit a little tighter and not like a huge thing drapped over her. I took 2 inches off the straight side all the way down. :)

The pattern calls for 3/4 yd for the body and a 1/2 yd for the ribbon. I could probably make at least 1 1/2 more if not 2 full ones. so I would say for this size you will probably cut that in half :)

I did not use bias tape on this dress 1 because I couldn't find the right color and 2 I hate sewing with it. I just serged around the armpit whole and then folded it over and sewed it flat. I also just used the ribbon to bunch up the top instead of elastic. I don't remember my ribbon measurements exactly I think it was 4 in wide and the same length as the band at the bottom of the dress. :)

Good Luck!

Baby Girl Bow Holder

Fun Simple and Easy Bow Holder.

I made this out of an old picture frame fabric scraps and hot glue :)

I shredded my fabric into long skinny strips and tied them together then simple wrapped them around the frame. I then hot glued the strips into the center and hot glued a picture hanger onto the back. Love the way it turned out :)

Baby Blanket (Boyish)

Here is the more boy version of the baby blanket :) I think I might like this one a little more. I might be a little excited though my sister's baby is a BOY and  we are all so excited there are 6 granddaughters and no grandsons this will be the first :)