The Need To Sew

 I moved my sewing machine to my kitchen table from the She Shed. I don't have enough power in the shed to run a heater and still have lights and power for my machine. I still haven't found my box of thread. It must be hiding with the cutlery from my kitchen. By the time I was packing up the last items I used whatever box had room left.

So, why would I eliminate the space to eat a meal with my sewing machine? Well, I needed to sew. My nephew, son of my sister, is about to be a dad again. Twin boys will be here soon! 

I began hunting fabric. You might recall that I sold over 500 yards of fabric from my stash. So, not expecting to have a need for baby fabric it is all gone. Went fabric shopping and was shocked at how much pricing has gone up. Even my favorite online sites were expensive. 

I went looking and finally found some that would do for little boys and choked on the amount! I could have just puchased some blankets, but I wanted to make them. Hand made is much more personal, though my daughters would disagree. They would beg for "store bought" clothes when they were young. 

I got my fabric home and then just stood there looking at it. I have thread, just plain white thread, but I kept feeling like something was missing. What was I forgetting? Trim? Yes. My blankets are bigger than receiving blankets. They are 30" by 30". Mine are 45" by 45". They are big enough to use until the babies are toddlers. 45" is a yard and a quarter, so I got two and a half yards of each print of the 4 prints. Front and contrasting back of each blanket. This left a 1/4 yard piece of each piece of fabric. 9" isn't much, but big enough for burp cloths.

But ..... what if I just used one print for burping? that would leave a piece of contrast to play with. Since they were cut together I had 1/2 yard of contrast from both blankets. So I cut 2" bias strips, sewed them together and created my own bias tape to trim the blankets with. 

Great idea. The 1/2 yard made enought trim for the blankets and the burp cloths. Each blanket took 5 yards and it made 14 yards! I was impressed, since I was afraid I might run short. Then I realized that the ironing board was still in my shed. Where would I set it up anyway? But I needed the assistance of the iron, since I had no straight pins to work with. Fortunatey, the iron was in the closet. Good thing, since I was not up to trekking up the driveway in 8 degrees.

My table is a table for two, but I managed to set up half for ironing and half for sewing. Normally I would apply the trim to one side, then put the back and front face to face and sew together, leaving a place open to turn it out. But that would be a three step process and then I would have to close the opening. I decided to put the face sides out and apply the trim, then iron the trim in half and turn down the raw side and use a hem stitch. That was just a two step process and no opening to close.

Did you get all that? If you have any knowledge of sewing, then I know you got it. I love the flannel elephants. I carried that bolt around as I hunted for a contrast. I have just about given up when I went to get the other pieces cut, I found the yellow dots in the bin waiting to be put back in stock. I was so happy. The Patient was with me and had a glazed look in his eyes. He agreed that I had made a spectacular find, but he wasn't even looking at it.

The other prints are just quilting cotton, but will be great for warm weather naps when you need just a light weight cover. I used some terry cloth for the business side of the burp cloths. They need to be thick and thirsty!

Carters had a sale! And there were elephants!! Two onesies and pants and how cute is that? The babies will be here soon and I can't wait to hold a baby. Almost as good as a puppie! This because I would take a puppy home, but am far too old to want to care for a baby full time! Not to mention that puppies turn into happy dogs in a relatively short amount of time and become more obedient. Not so with babies who eventually become teenagers. Need I say more?