Bibs

After I had sewn several burp cloths, I felt confident that I could handle a bib; so, I started searching the internet for patterns and ideas.
I fell in love with the look of this Martha Stewart Baby Bib. On her site, you'll find a list of materials needed, with the baby bib template and step-by-step directions. Using just her pattern, I decided to do a much simpler bib...
Martha recommends printing out the bib pattern at 150%, which requires extra large printer paper, or taping the two pages together after printing on normal size paper. After printing at that size, I thought the bib looked more the size that my boyfriend's 18 month old nephew would wear. So, I printed another pattern to fit on one 8.5"x11" page - that was more 'baby' sized.
Naturally, most newborns are not going to need a bib, but the littleness of a tiny baby bib is just completely adorable! My sister was able to use the tiny bibs, but they didn't cover a lot of the baby's clothing. Unless you're expecting a very drool-y baby (my boyfriend's nephew was and still is at almost 3!), you will probably want to make a more practical bib for when he/she starts eating baby food. I recommend enlarging the pattern to at least 125%.

For this tutorial, I'm showing the pattern printed at 150% - about 15" x 10" - which sews down about an inch, as you can see in the photos.

For most of the bibs that I made, I used flannel on one side and terry cloth on the other. I thought that this would not only make them soft and absorbent, but also after the baby is done eating, Mom could wet the towel side to wash baby's face and hands.

   

Once you have your two pieces cut out, pin them together inside-out and stitch along the edge. Be sure to leave an open spot to turn the bib right-side-out again.
For this bib, I used binding around the collar and extra to tie; so, I stitched all the way around the bib, except for the neck area.

   

   

Then I turned it right-side-out and pinned on the binding. (That's the trickiest part! Pinning the binding and then sewing an even stitch around the neck.)
Choose whether you want the bib to tie or Velcro to fasten the back; I did some of each. Martha Stewart uses metal snaps, but I did not want to try my patience with those!
If you are following my pictorial, you'll want to make sure to also sew along the binding string for the tie, to prevent fraying.

       And the bib is complete!

Aren't they just so fun and cute?

Here are a couple other bibs that I added a few extra things to:

                 Make a tie to sew on the bib.                      Or create appliqués using iron-on transfer paper.

   

   

After sewing several bibs using the binding like this, I made one a bit differently - and it's a little easier if you don't want to deal with binding...

For the bib above, once I had the two pieces cut, I took two pieces of ribbon and pinned the ends to each side of the collar. You want to make sure the ribbon is between the two pieces of fabric, then start pinning the pieces together like I show for the other bib (still, with the fabric inside out).
This  time, instead of sewing around the edge and leaving the neck open, leave about two inches of the bottom of the bib open. Once sewn, turn the bib right-side-out and the ribbon should be sewn into the bib for the tie.

For the  other side of this bib, I used a hand towel that I bought on clearance after Valentine's Day. Isn't it too cute?!
Now I like to iron the bib, folding the unsewn section fabrics into the bib. Then place a couple pins through the unsewn section on the bottom, and finish the bib by sewing along the entire edge. (This is very much the same process as my burp cloths.)

Unfortunately, I didn't  think to take pictures during this bib. However, if you'd like more pictures to show these steps, please let me know and I will take more pictures with the next bib I make;  just leave me a comment!

As you can see, there are so many different ways to make this baby bib! Are you ready to make one?

Stuffed Octopus

I made this adorable octopus for my nephew!

In June of 2013, I became an Aunt for the first time. When my sister first gave me the news I was a thrilled; I couldn't wait to spoil my nephew with anything he could want or need!

The more craft ideas I found or thought of, the more excited I got and the bigger my sister's baby shower gift became. Luckily for me, she had two showers that I could split all my gifts between.
For the second shower, all of my gifts were "under the sea" themed, to match the nursery set she had picked out. You can find other things I made throughout my blog pages, but this stuffed octopus was the one I was most excited about!
Once she had picked out her theme and showed me pictures of it, I got the idea in my head to make a stuffed octopus. I wasn't exactly sure how I would make it, but I had extra flannel with blue circles on it that I thought

would be perfect for the underside of the tentacles.           

I did a lot of visualizing in my head and attempting to draw it out; and searched the internet for ideas. Ultimately, I drew my own pattern and it worked out really well!
The length of the tentacle, as you can see in the photo, is about 7-8 inches; and a little over an inch wide. I made three differnt types of tentacles and alternated them on the body, but there are a lot of other designs with all the same style tentacle that look great too.
Finding a corresponding 'top' fabric was something of a miracle - I literally looked at every bolt of fabric at JoAnn's to match the color. I found this velvet-like, deep blue material, burried in the clearance shelves, and it was exactly what I wanted!
To create the tentacles, I layed the two fabrics down (backsides together) pinned the drawn out tentacle on top, and cut out both fabrics at the same time. Then I re-pinned the pieces (right-sides together) and very slowly sewed them together. Turning them right-side out took a bit of patience, but a pencil was the perfect tool! -And again to push the stuffing in.

  

   

After each tentacle was stuffed, I pinned it to the circle I had cut out for the underside of the octopus. I waited to sew them on all at once so that they would be evenly spaced.

Then I used a zig-zag stitch to re-inforce them. (I thought they'd probably get a lot of tugging.)

For the head/body, I cut out two arches and sewed them together to make a dome shape. This part took a little re-doing to get it to match the circumference of the tentacle circle and to be proportional.

   

And we can't forget to add some eyes, before sewing him shut! I used iron-on transfer paper and this tutorial for the whites of the eyes. For the inside of the eye, I used some extra black felt I had, since that won't fray.
   
Now I had to try to stuff all but one tentacle inside the head and sew the pieces together inside out; leaving just a couple inches to pull the tentacles back through.
     
Once I had the octopus right side out, he was ready to be stuffed and sewed shut.
I did my best at hand-sewing a blind stitch, so that the octopus would look uniform all the way around. And I have to say, I can't see the stitches!

And here he is all finished!

I definitely impressed myself with how well this turned out and I think my nephew likes it too! :)