Florida Gator Bibs and Burp Cloths

This week I made these adorable bibs and burp cloths for a friend at church. She will have a new grandson soon, and natually wanted him to have some "Gator Gear."

I know everyone who reads this isn't a UF fan, but I can sew on other team's fabrics/colors. Just don't tell my husband! ;)

I forgot to take pictures of these and shot a few with my phone in the grass before church today. Sorry the quality isn't as good as usual.


I make my burp cloths with flannel on both sides, and batting in the middle. I usually embellish at least one side or corner of the cloth. I made this pattern when I was pregnant with my second child and wanted something large, absorbent, and pretty.

I make bibs similar to burp cloths, but without batting in the middle. I use a tericloth towel for the backing- it makes cleaning up drool or spit up so easy!

Bibs and Burp Cloths

 

I recently made a set of bibs and burp cloths for my friend Steph, to give to some new mommies she knew.  This is the vintage bib that I featured here, with the fabric flower from here.

 

This fabric was from a vintage tablecloth.... I just love the bright colors.  I backed the bib with a tericloth towel for easy cleanup and maximum absorbency.

 

 The burp cloth is primarily yellow flannel, but then has a diagonal swatch of the vintage fabric on the bottom.

 

I love this pink fabric from Michael Miller too!  Stephanie picked it out when she was pregnant with her daughter, and I made a sling for her.

Patriots Baby Gift

This week I made a baby gift for a friend who already had all of my "usual" gifts.  My friend Nicole gave me about two yards of Patriots fabric and simply said, "Make whatever you want."  I started brainstorming and my wheels started spinning.... I got all excited to try some new things!

She is soon to have her second boy, and I was excited to branch out of my usual repertoire of nursing covers, car seat canopies and slings.  While I love making these things, it's always nice to try new skills and break out of the norm.  Many families in our church are expecting little ones this year, so I've been doing quite bit of sewing for baby.

So what did I make?

Matching Patriots Tie Onesie and Tee

Soft ball to toss around during games (for the older brother, of course).  I used the fabric ball pattern found at Grand Revival Design.

Bibs and Burp Cloths.  I use this free pattern for newborn bibs, and I made my own pattern for burp cloths, and obviously forgot to get a photo of them!  Oops.

A flannel blanket.  Well, one side is flannel.  It's still warm here in Florida, so blankets are lightweight and airy.  I added a fun zig-zag stitch to the edges of this blanket.

I wrapped the gifts in solid red paper and added navy and white ribbons.  The smaller box contained the fabric ball for big brother, and the shirt box was for mommy.

Such a fun gift to make.... Go Patriots!  

Baby Shower Gift- Car Seat Canopy, Sling, and Burp Cloths

This weekend I've been working on a gift for a family member who will be attending a baby shower soon.  The mother-to-be is having a baby girl, and using pink and brown as her nursery colors.  So, I made a nice collection of pink items that will be useful to this new mommy.

A car seat canopy. ....

 (I got a new camera and I'm still playing with the settings.  Hence why the photos are yellow-ish.)
 

.... a set of burp cloths, ...

... and a baby sling should make for a nice shower gift.

Baby Boy Gift Set

I used up some scraps I had left to make this gift set for a baby boy.  It is now for sale in my etsy shop if you know of anyone anticipating a newborn boy soon.  I love this gift because it's all-in-one.  No need to buy anything else.  You can even give the gift in the mini diaper bag, and not use a gift bag or box- a great way to be green!

This mini diaper bag was made from a dollar tree placemat!  I added the ribbon handles, but it was so easy to do!

As you can see, this bag contains all kinds of goodies- two burp cloths, two bibs, and a diaper changing pad.

 Burp Cloths- two layers of flannel, one side embellished, and batting in the middle.  Super absorbent and so cute, too!

Bibs, backed with tericloth towel.  So practical for wiping up messes!

Click here for more details!

Cereal Box Pattern Templates

Quick!  Run to your recycling bins and pull out your cereal boxes, pasta boxes and frozen pizza boxes.

These boxes make outstanding patterns and templates for your most frequently sewn items.  I have cereal box templates for bibs, burp cloths, eye masks, dishtowels, and fabric boxes.

If I am cutting three or more of one design, I will raid our recycle bin for the thin cardboard that can be found on food boxes.  It's easier to cut than cardboard from boxes, sturdy enough for tracing over and over again, and basically free (well not really free, but you've already paid for and eaten the food, so why not use the box too?).

This is just one way to extend the life of your patterns and make sure you are tracing your image accurately onto your fabric.  You can also use the cardboard back to make notes such as elastic length (as in this photo for my vintage eye masks).

Anyone else have a favorite craft tip to share?

Gift for a Christmas Baby Girl

My husband has a life-long friend who became a father over Christmas weekend.  I didn't think the baby girl wasn't due until mid-January, so I had postponed making her gift until after Christmas.  I ran to the sewing room when hubby got the text that Christmas Baby Girl was on her way!  Since this family lives up north (when you live in Florida, almost everything is north!), I sent some things that may help with the frigid temperatures!

 A Rice Warmer for Mommy, Burp Cloths, Leg Warmers, and a Car Seat Canopy. I also added a bib at the last minute (after I took this photo!).

 

A close up of the Car Seat Canopy.  I'll be posting soon about how I learned to make my own labels and save tons of $$$!

 

I've had this butterfly fabric for a few months, waiting for the right occasion to use it.  I hope this new mommy and baby (and daddy, too!) love it as much as I do.

Car Seat Canopies are an excellent baby gift!  I have made TONS and everyone LOVES them!  Click here to order one.

Lest You Think I've Been On Vacation.....

I know I haven't posted in nearly a week.  I have been under the weather with a flu bug, and been visiting family in Alabama since I last wrote.  However, I came to Birmingham prepared to sew my heart out while I had my parents to entertain my two children.  So, inbetween doses of Tylenol and Mucinex, I've been making some major headway in my stock for the Handmade Holiday Open House (just a week away!  Yikes!). 

A huge stack of burp cloths

Cell Phone/MP3 Player/Mini Wallets

(Not sure what to call these yet, but I really like them.  My mom even "stole" one as an early Christmas present.)

More Reusable Snack Bags than I can count!

And lots more including Baby Leg Warmers, Lunch Bags, Purse from a Vintage Pillowcase, Baby Bibs, Fabric Balls, Coasters and Dishtowels!