Who Doesn't Love Baby Clothes?

I was in Target the other day and just happened to notice some super cute baby clothes. I almost bought something. But I didn't. My mother is a shopaholic, and she's called me with weekly updates about all the baby boy things she's been buying. Just like his sister, this baby will not have a shortage of clothes.

So I resisted buying baby clothes. Until I saw these baby kimono tops. I mean, look at this cute set by bookchiq, it's so dang cute! Can't you see a juicy little baby in one of these sets? (Check out this flickr group of them)

My sister gifted Sophia with a set when she returned from Japan a few years ago. Alas, she has completely outgrown it. But thanks to the tutorial by Habitual, I can make one for Sophia and her little brother! Sophia loves it so much, she actually still tries to squeeze into it. LOL.

I like the kimono tops better than a onesie. You don't have to pull the dang thing over the baby's head, and I hate those frigging crotch snaps on onesies.

The tutorial is printed, some boy fabric is on its way to me. Now to dig out a pants pattern so I can make an entire set.

Does this mean, I've hit the nesting phase of pregnancy already? If it's going to be this cute, I don't mind at all.

Don't forget that Friday is the last day to enter my book giveaway!

Five Minute Headband Tutorial

Sophia has great hair. Sometimes it's a bit unruly. Headbands are the easiest way to keep it out of her face. I bought some ribbon & elastic headbands at the dollar store, but of course, the pink one is missing. The world is not right in Sophialand if everything isn't pink.

Luckily, I scored some pink grosgrain ribbon at a Joann's that was closing. (As well as some corset and underwear patterns! Woohoo). I just used the dollar store headband as a model to make the new ones. It's super easy. I recommend making one straight through and then you can just make the rest assembly line.

You'll need:

• ribbon long enough to go around your head- I recommend grosgrain as it's stronger. But you can use anything. Just don't use anything slippery as it'll slide out of your hair.
• thin elastic- I used elastic 1/4" but you can go up to 1/2" without being to obtrusive. It doesn't even have to match the ribbon. I used white because that's what I had. Black would've blended in with Sophia's hair better
• thread
• a sewing machine isn't necessary to make these. You can hand sew them but it might take longer than 5 minutes

First, measure your head (or whoever you're making the headband for) just like how you're going to wear it. Measure all the way around your head. Subtract 2" from that number. Cut your elastic 4" long. Whatever measurement is left, cut the ribbon at that length.

Line up your elastic to one end of your ribbon. Place the elastic on the right side of the ribbon (if there is one). Fold the sides of the ribbon over the elastic and pin. Like this:


Do the same to the other end, making sure the elastic isn't twisted.


Place your pinned ribbon and elastic under your presser foot, with the pin still in. Once I lower the presser foot, then I'll pull the pin out. When it's folded, it's too small for me to put it under the foot the way I want it. I don't recommend sewing over the pin in this case. Since my elastic isn't very wide, I put my machine on a smaller stitch setting.


Stitch over the folded ribbon and elastic. Back stitch and go over back and forth a 3-5 times. Sometimes, my vintage sewing machine doesn't like elastic, so the back of my stitching looks like a bad hair day.


All you do is take your trusty snips and trim it all off. Like a haircut. Go ahead. No one has to know. Besides it'll take way too long to take the stitches out. Then it won't take 5 minutes to make right? I know, it's not pretty, but no one will see it when you're done.

Go ahead and stitch the other end the same way. Hopefully your stitches will come out better this time around. Mine did. Thank goodness. After it's all stitched, grab the elastic and pull so that it turns inside out. The ribbon might need a bit of help to turn inside out. Do the same to the other side.


This is what it'll look like after you turn your seam inside out. The folded part of the ribbon hides your stitching.


Voila, now you have a ribbon headband! Or in my case, a lot of headbands! (Don't you love my new ironing board cover?)


You can also embellish your ribbon with buttons, fabric or silk flowers, beads, whatever your want! Pull out the hot glue gun or needle and thread. Go to town! If Sophia wasn't at my side pulling on the headbands, I might have done that.

So for about 15 minutes of my time (including Sophia's help cutting down the ribbon), I now have 8 new headbands! Thankfully she didn't mind that I sneaked in a lavender one.

Let me if you make one! I'd love to see some pictures.

Hoooo's there? And a tutorial

I've been itching to craft something but everything I want to work on seems to take too much time and setup. Or I'm just being lazy. Sophia was rummaging through my catch-all box of sewing supplies and found this cute owl I bought from the thrift store ages ago. It was in a bag of random seiwng supplies. (It's a bit washed out from the camera's flash.)

As she ran around the house with it, yelling "Owl! Owl!" inspiration hit me. My daughter, my muse. Instead of complaining of how I can't find cute, non-grandma-looking plus sized clothes, I could applique this guy to a t-shirt! It took me not even 10 minute including taking pics as I went along.

I'll show you how I appliqued this cutie on my shirt. Now I have another excuse to go thrifting. Especially since my muse wants one!

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You'll need a t-shirt (or whatever you want to embellish), applique, scissors, thread (color can match, complement or highlight your applique), hand sewing needle, straight pins (or safety pins work too), and an embroidery hoop (optional but very helpful). I also recommend that you wash your t-shirt before you begin. That will take the sizing out of it and help it finish shrinking. That way, there won't be any surprises later.

Next position where the applique onto your t-shirt. Pin it to your shirt after you've decided where you want it. The next step is very important. If you pin the applique over your lady lumps area, try the shirt on before moving on to the next step! (Don't ask me how I know to do this). You don't want the applique to, ah, accentuate your nipples or anything like that! Be careful of the pins! Keep the pins in until you're done stitching.

I put my shirt in an embroidery hoop. This part is optional, but if you're using stretchy material, I highly recommend it. Just make sure you're not stretching the shirt when you put it in. Just make sure the fabric is taut. Thread your needle. Here I opted to go with the light blue thread--not a match at all but I thought it worked.

Decide what stitch you want to use. I used a blanket stitch because it's pretty secure. This stitch is visible so make sure you're happy with your thread color. Neatness won't matter as much since everyone will be blinded by the sequins. The split stitch is also a good one. Handsewing tip: Don't cut your thread too long. It will tangle and make you say *(&$%^#, especially when you're almost finished with your work. To use the right length of thread, , hold the end of the thread in your sewing hand between your thumb and forefingers and unwind it until it reaches your elbow. If you're doubling your thread over, do it again. There, wasn't that easy. Repeat after me: I will not thread my needle with thread longer than I am tall. Even if you're not tall, like me.

Pick a place to start and stitch! Here's me trying to take an action shot by myself. Let's just say these lady lumps come in quite handy. You might have to undo your hoop and reposition the t-shirt so the fabric stays taut. If you notice your hoop is leaving impressions in your shirt (only be scared if it's a Mary or Jesus impression--or you can just stop where you are and put it on eBay).

Once your stitching is complete, take the hoop out. You'll notice that the hoop might have left impressions in your shirt. Mine left several as I moved the hoop a few times. I forgot to take a picture of it. With a warm (not hot!) iron, carefully, I do mean carefully, iron around your applique. If your applique is looking a bit funny, put a presscloth (or in my case, hubby's clean t-shirt was the first thing I saw) over it and quickly iron it. Here's what my stitching looked like in the back. Usually I'm a bit anal retentive with my hand stitching but I just wanted to get it done so I could wear it today. If you are usiing something heavy, I would recommend interfacing your shirt so it doesn't sag.




Then you can proudly show it off! This picture I got hubby to take. Thank goodness you can't see the cat hairs! Okay, there's ONE! Just one. Ignore it.


I hope you decide to give this a try. It's a good way to embellish some fun clothes that's all you! Heck once you get good, you can make your own applique instead of thrifting it!