Finished Items: Baby Bibs and Burp Cloths

My family is done. Complete. Finito. We're a blended unit with 5 kids total, 14, 13, 12, 12, & 7. "Mine" are 14 and 13. As I like to remind friends, I'll be 39 with the 13 year old turns 18. Yessssss! ;-)

However, at 33, many, many, MANY in my circle are having babies left and right. Plus, I'm getting old enough that "little" cousins and such are having babies. Oy!

When I saw Joyatee's post featuring these adorable bibs and burp cloths, I was sold. My tendinitis makes me unable to crochet as much as I used to and I think a blanket would be out of the question, unless I started it months in advance and could work on it over time. So I've been looking for alternatives for cute baby gift items. These fit the bill.

CUTENESS!!!!!!!!!!

Shown with velcro closure on bib.

Bibs courtesy of Purl Bee (Free pattern download!)

Burp Cloths courtesy of Cloud 9 (Free pattern download!)

What makes these so awesome:

1) They're functional AND adorable!

2) They need like next to no fabric! You can get a set from one Fat Quarter. Seriously!

3) They are FAST to make

I scored little fat rolls from Hancock yesterday for $.99. My daughter picked the fabrics out. I got a yard of white flannel for $2.50 so I made 4 sets for a total of $6.50. I had the Velcro on hand but even with that, you can make a set of 4 for under $10. Another option (which I'll be doing for a friend) is making a stack of burp cloths. Half yard of fabric (from the bolt) or 2 fat quarters will make 4. That's perfect!

With the first one, I took such great care to cut out the fabric around the template. My daughter and I were heading to the movies and I must have been in deep contemplation because she asked what I was thinking about. I was thinking - duh! - why not just trace it! So I put right sides together and traced the pattern onto the flannel (white) and cut it out. YES! The rest were cut and ready to sew in short order. Sure there are some rounded edges so sewing isn't completely a breeze...but using nice slow and steady sewing works. I also left the smallest opening ever to turn them out. I'm such a glutton for punishment :)

Can't wait to send these off to the moms-to-be!

Next up: Adorable baby booties, using my serger (!!!), and M6572!

Crocheting...

I decided a few years ago that I needed to learn to knit and/or crochet. So, I taught myself to crochet. I fell in love with the craft and that was that. My crocheting lead the to the start of BabyModo, my Etsy shop. I focus on baby goods for several reasons - it's cuter and faster and takes much less yarn. The cowboy set is BY FAR my most popular item. I shipped a few out this week, with three more orders to fulfill in the next week or so.

From a satisfied and amazing customer! (thank you for sharing!!)

Hat and Booties (patterns courtesy of Elizabeth Alan)

Full sets with diaper covers to match. Newborn on the left, 0-3 months on the right

If you look at the booties on the 0-3 month set, the top portion is thicker. I think I'll do it this way from now on. I really like the effect. 

I love to crochet. I love to make stuff and see a ball of yarn become something cool (like fabric --> garments??). But I have tendinitis and carpal tunnel. And they've been kicking my butt lately. I have a cyst on my right wrist that has returned after being dormant for almost 8 years. Sigh! I've had to close my shop periodically for weeks at a time because I can't crochet for more than 20-30 minutes. That would be fine if I were just making things for me...but that doesn't work for my customers.

Right now I'm closed while I get these last few orders out and may stay closed for awhile...I don't know. I have knitting lessons April 7 and 14 and know I'll want to get some practice in, but know that I may also be obligated to get orders completed. My husband thinks I should let the shop go (Nooooooooo!!!!!!). I get where he's coming from but I enjoy it! And it provides fun -aka- sewing money!!! ;-)