Now this was a FANTASTIC idea!
These gowns are made from pillowcases. We created them from THIS tutorial.
I can’t even tell you how easy this tutorial was– the exception being the closure on the back. We had to improvise on the closure, but that was easy enough. We just made a button/loop closure at the top.
Just think of all those antique pillowcases sitting in thrift stores across America. You could have some really sweet gowns for your little one!
Mama came for a visit.
She always has something exciting planned for the kiddos.
This week, she had found a Barbie futon at her local thrift store. She worked with the little girls to make a custom cover. She had Emma cut out the pattern and tie little bows. She was so patient as they worked along her side. I know they enjoyed every minute.
With Grandmommy keeping the little girls busy, Courtney and I were able to sew up four pair of p.j. bottoms for the boys.
Of course, the weather turned much cooler early this week. We were really excited to have those warm, new jammies!
It was a terrific Saturday.
Thank you, Mom, for blessing our family this last weekend!!
This child has become affectionately known as “Darby-licious”. 
She has been a precious addition to our home.
I can’t remember if I posted pics of this dress, or not.
I made it a month or so back…it’s a pattern from “You Can Make This”.
It was really easy and turned out so cute….and of course, the model is pretty cute, too!!
I actually have a little time this morning. (This is VERY UNUSUAL! I think the children know I’m struggling a bit with morning sickness and giving me some time. They are always very considerate of these things.)
Most of the children are cleaning up breakfast dishes and preparing for the day. I hear some out feeding the dog and chickens, and I can hear Jacob practicing “Ode to Joy” on his violin- this is his latest song. His teacher introduced it during his last lesson. I’m amazed he already has it figured out enough to play from beginning to end. He and Courtney are trying to plan a piano/violin duo with this song. Music is a wonderful way to start a day. 
A quick baby update this morning.
I had a great visit with my OB this week. Everything seems “picture perfect” and right on schedule.
I do think this has been BY FAR, my easiest pregnancy. I’ve not really done anything a whole lot different from my others, though I have been very faithfully taking my prenatal vitamins, and drinking Red Raspberry Leaf tea. I keep a pitcher in the fridge and alternate between it and water during the day.
I’m thankful for having felt so good (even with the recent extreme heat we’ve had). The Lord has been good to me!
Dear Timothy was born during this week of my pregnancy, 10 years ago. He was my earliest baby. I had no sign that anything was happening. My water ruptured, and I STILL had to be induced. *sigh*
Even so, this has been a good reminder to get my act together.
SOOOO, this week, we have the cradle down (I still need to work on baby’s bedding).
I have p.j.’s and socks for the hospital…that means that my bag is only a few items from being completely packed!
I’ve finished some sewing projects for my new baby boy:
I still need to:
finish the baby bedding (mentioned before)
I’m sure there are lots of other things, but that is all I can think of at this moment.
Please continue to keep our family, and especially this little one, in your prayers! It’s probably the heat, but I’m contracting quite a bit this morning. Such is life right now.
With love,
A baby gift for a sweet little guy ….
Shhh…. don’t tell! I’m posting pics of the projects I’m working on for our children this Christmas.
We’ve started a few, but this is the one I’ve worked on most:
This is a pillow dollhouse for Meredith.
I sewed pockets into the back to store the little dolls I’ll be making.
I’ve included little trims and gathers, ruffles and buttons to add some dimension to the house.
I’m setting a goal for Nov. 5 to finish this project.
I’ll share a few more of our gifts-in-progress a little later this week.
What projects are you working on for your friends and family?
I would love to hear.
The weather is turning cooler.
We’ve been unpacking jackets and preparing for the winter.
I realized last week we needed to buy stockings for our little girls. These cold days can be harsh on a little girl wearing dresses to church.
I have seen several tutorials around the internet for making “baby legs”…basically, leg-warmers for littles.
I thought this would be nice for our little girls. so I stopped by Target to look for some cute, patterned socks.
I did find some and started working. I was so pleased with our results, I thought I would share the tutorial with all of you!
(I’m sorry if this is missing a few pictures. I didn’t really think about making this a tutorial when I started. If you have any questions, just email. I’ll be happy to help however I can.)
As you can tell, these aren’t baby leg-warmers, they are actually tights. After looking at the socks, we realized we would rather (and had enough sock), to make them into actual tights instead. I liked that idea much better for the baby.
So, here goes:
(We used a serger for our seams, but I’m sure you could use a sewing machine. I would, however, double stitch everything!)
1. Holding the sock to your little one’s foot with the heel of the sock even with the baby’s heel, measure the distance from the heel to end of toe.
*Remember that socks stretch. It’s O.K. if it’s not exactly perfect.
2. Cut off this end (this was hard to do…I mean, these are some really cute socks. Dare I risk ruining them??).
If you are making leggings instead of tights, cut off the sock just above the heel.
(I do have to figure out an idea to use the little toes from these socks. I hate to throw them out…they are really cute!)
3. With the sock inside-out, stitch across this new toe. We rounded our socks just a bit to give them a more natural toe.
If you are making leggings, you can just pull the end of the sock while you zig-zag around the edge. The knit fabric will naturally ruffle as you stitch to look like this:
4. Cut the sock about 4″ down from the top. I didn’t measure our cut. Just hold it up to your little one and guess on the length.
5. This step is much easier is you slide it onto your hand.
Placing one sock (right side out) onto your hand, pull the other sock, right side in, onto your hand. Remember to match the cut line and the heels.
6. Stitch from one edge of the cut line to the other. This should look a little like a big “c”. This is where you will really want to go back over the seam, if you are using a regular sewing machine.
The tighter end of the sock makes a great waistband.
Can you believe it, you are done!
Target has these socks for $2.50/pair! That is less expensive than most tights and soooo much nicer!
This was a weekend project for a very special young man with an upcoming birthday:
I’m still re-posting articles from the old site.
This morning, I ran across the tutorial for the matching blanket/burp cloth sets I’ve been making recently.
These are an easy and inexpensive gift, but are great since they can not only be used for an expected baby, but will stand up well to wear– meaning they can also be used for future brothers and sisters. –Speaking for myself here, that’s always a HUGE blessing…a gift that keeps on giving!
