sewing the days away

Lately, I have spent a lot of time with my sewing machine during naptime. There have been plenty of bibs for Baby Vardo (and more on the to-sew pile), but also some gifts for friends.

I made this sweet little boy's layette for a friend from church.

The pants are made from the sleeves of an Italian merino wool sweater. The fabric is incredibly soft. I didn't get a picture of the backside, but they have a big butt panel sewn in to accomodate Patrick's cloth diapered bottom. I didn't have a pattern, instead just making it up as I went along.

This was my first attempt (technically, the 2nd since I gave up the 1st one midway through, realizing that I needed to adjust my technique...those slippery knits) at Meg's Sweet Pea Pilot Cap. It will be a lot cuter on a chubby baby than it is here, flat on my table. At least I hope so. I recently bought a walking foot, hoping to make sewing with knits a little easier. It's been good sometimes. Other times it seems more trouble than it's worth. But the more I sew this tricky fabric, the better I get at it (and the more I want a serger...).

 From Meg's Growing Up Sew Liberated, I finished this "Heartwarming Reversible Baby Sweatshirt" with upcycled t-shirts and a bit more of that sweater. I love that it's reversible.

I also made a little gift for Crystal: A cute gift bag I made up as I went along. It has Ikea fabric on the outside, chocolate brown dupioni silk on the inside, a vintage yellow zipper, and an embroidery-thread-turned-tassel.

And this is my pathetic attempt at a picture of the drapey cardigan tucked inside the gift bag above. Liam was screaming at me, River was crying, and we needed to get to the post office so it could go on its way to St Louis. Anyhow, the sweater turned out awesome even if my picture didn't. Crystal, you'll just have to send me a picture of you wearing it instead. She said it made her feel like a winter swan.

I traced one of my favorite sweaters, and recreated it with this awesome white knit I scored at the thrift store. Apparently, I am on a sewing-with-knits-kick. And there's more coming. But first, I have to get that next stack of bibs done...