Babies Everywhere

The school where I work has a higher than normal rate of baby production. Our staff is large and at that age and stage. If I know the new parent well enough, and like them, I usually make something for the baby.

This set is for a baby boy that is due in October. The shower is mid Sept (and I'm invited) and I got a head start on what I wanted to make for this baby. I'm very fond of these parents.

3 pairs of crib shoes (different sizes), a knit hat cuz he's a winter baby, and 3 bibs

This gift is for a baby girl born in August. I know the dad, but not the mom.

A knit hat and 2 bibs

And finally, my naturopath, who I'm very fond of and who really likes my handmade items, had a baby girl in July.

2 pairs of crib shoes (different sizes) and 2 bibs

I like making things for new babies - it feels like an especially warm welcome into the world. The parents always love what I've made (and if they don't, they don't tell me).

Small, Easy Finishes

It's finally summer weather here in my part of Ontario and it's hot - not humid though. I don't like humidity and I tolerate the heat - my ideal temp is the mid 20s and cooling off at night. This weather, around 30, is okay as long as it doesn't last for too many days. My a/c is working great and the house is cool so I'm coping well.

I've been cleaning up and de-cluttering my house for a while now and I'm into the sewing room. I decided that a good way to help would be to finish up the small projects I find while de-cluttering. It makes the cleaning go slower, but I feel like I've accomplished something.

This weekend I've been working on quick and easy finishes - to finish up UFOs and feel like I've got a sense of accomplishment.

I finished up this knitting needle case with fabric I bought last fall. This makes the straight needle case - I've already finished the circular and double pointed case.

I'm only putting the bamboo ones in here. I thought I had a lot more, but I guess not (unless I find them while cleaning).

All 3 cases

I really like this fabric and I'm very happy with how they turned out. When I look in the knitting basket I feel like it's better organized and I can find my needles when I need them.

I used this pattern and found it relatively easy to follow. I switched around a few steps and didn't make the handles. It calls for bias binding, which is a lot more fabric to buy - I used my regular binding.

I did have fairly large pieces of some fabrics left over so I'd double check yardage needed before buying. I think it's because of the sizes of the needle cases, not wanton wastage.

I made up these pillowcases for my nieces for Xmas presents. They liked last years ones so I made more. Xmas is a long way off, but I'm often very busy and very tired leading up to the Season. Now I can pack these away (hoping I don't forget about them) and cross one item off my Xmas list.

I sort of used a tutorial I found on line. The body is the reindeer and the argyle is the trim.

While cleaning I came across a pile of PUL fabric - it's a knit that is waterproofed and used for making your own diapers. I made up a bib instead. I've asked a few friends with children for feedback on whether the waterproof bibs are useful - does everything just slide off? Are absorbent ones better? Any suggestions? This fabric is super cute (I have a total of 4 different prints) and soft and easy to work with. Once I get feedback then I'll either make up more bibs for baby gifts or figure something else out.