Sew Happy

I got my sewing machine back from the dead about a week ago.  Please take a moment of silence and appreciate this with me.  It's been at least a year.  A year!  Who was I kidding, life is sew much better with my precious!

Whilst alternating between Project Runway and Fear Factor I sewed a baby grow. It was quite hard as I'm not used to sewing with thin flimsy jersey fabric.  I will in future use a sturdier fabric, however despite the inaccuracies it will most probably work....I have no baby yet to test it out on. Again having the TV on whilst I sew is a mom thing...

I didn't use regular ribbing, just stretchy fabric, so it might make getting the arms and head through a little difficult, unless it's a slim baby!  However, despite all of the things I can see as obstacles, it turned out pretty good and I am happy with my baby grow made from a recycled t-shirt hand me down.  "Oh so green and sustainable!" they cry.


I decided to make some little baby boots also, these I made out of felt and blanket stitched around the edges, and added a small piece of elastic at the front end, a very easy but cute project.  It'll be fun to make them in different colors and now I've made these once they can only get better for trying!

What else has been created since my precious got back..well, some handkerchiefs, a small rice bag warmer and I have some fabric ready to make a crib quilt. 

 I'm really excited about this, it'll be my second sewn quilt, the first a square patchwork I made many years ago and with very little knowledge about quilting, sewing or fabrics appropriate for babies and toddlers.  I'm so much more prepared to make a beautiful, simple and baby safe quilt now!

I'm definitely not the most confident person when it comes to my abilities, so I'm nervous to start cutting into the fabric I've been saving and saving for...I don't want to make a mistake.  However today's sewing project really built up my confidence with what I can achieve in a short space of time and with what I have to hand.  

The baby grow is very San Fran Giants baseball worthy...maybe it'll be worn to an SF game by our baby one day?! 

All in all a very productive and creative day...no writing today,  I'm stewing, there is a lot to be said about building up confidence and then applying it to other areas of creativity and expression.  I needed today's boost, to make something quickly and easily that is usable and practical, not vague and 2 dimensional locked within the confines of the English language.

I love that feeling of achievement, that I've conquered something new, a new idea, a new sewing skill...I'm stumped when it comes to crocheting and complex knitting patterns, so if you crochet or knit well...I'm in awe! One day we'll hang out and you can teach me!!  Seriously I want to make my own socks!