Crochet: Bear and Bunny Lovies

Lovies, aka mini security blankets, were a great thing to have in the stroller for my kids when they were little. I remember an atrociously pink bear that my older child used to cradle in the crook of her elbow when I used to take her on stroller rides to the park.

The blanket part is super soft thick and chunky chenille, and the head and arms are made with fine soft fingering/baby acrylic yarn.

Popular vote at home is that the bunny is cuter than the bear, but, am sure the babies for whom this is intended won't care.

This is for twin girls that a friend is expecting, and I weaved in my prayers and good wishes for the safe arrival of her babies.

Of course, my middle-schooler, who can make her own lovies, very sheepishly asked if I could crochet one for her as she watched me make the bunny lovey. How could I refuse?

I had a bit of soft sheep-fleece-like fabric, so, I made a Sheep Lovey for her one Saturday night after she was in bed.

I gave it to her on Sunday morning.

And, all of that Sunday she didn't let go of it! Took it with her to the library, to Costco, to a little league baseball game (as audience, she doesn't play baseball)... I am guessing she likes it.

Either that, or she felt a certain obligation because I put in all the effort to fulfill her request...

I didn't write down the pattern, I just made it up as I went - started out with a magic ring as usual and worked my way up to one third of the sphere and then decreased appropriately to get the muzzle shape.

Looks more like a cow, apparently, but, i am sticking with the sheep theory.

Since, this is not for a baby and so no choking hazard, I hot-glued googly eyes rather than little French-knot eyes I embroideredfor the baby lovies.

Sewing: Baby Changing Pad Tote with Pockets

I've eyed wistfully at some of the tutorials for making changing pad clutch. However, I didn't want to do a clutch -I am more of a "hold-all" kinda gal. Clutch seemed too fancy, with an implied assumption to keep it elegant and slender. I have a tendency to stuff things into my knapsack and call it my "purse".

For the longest time, my "purse" held just-in-case diapers and wipes, just-in-case bananas and Baby Mum-Mums®, and sure enough, just-in-case onesies, hat, and socks.

When I saw this cute print of laminated cotton at JoAnn, I knew I had to make a changing pad. However, I didn't like that changing pads were not fully washable and dryable in the machine. So, I made a cotton and fleece changing pad that can be washed and dried using the machine. And, with Velcro™ to attach the laminated cotton that acts as the waterproof barrier for changing, this becomes a convenient changing pad that doesn't just have to be wiped down, but actually thrown in the washer.

I added two pockets - one for diapers and butt paste, and one for wipes, which can all be toted easily with the roll-up changing pad.

And, I also sewed some small cotton cloths that can double as washable/reusable wipes, or burp cloth.

Simply tuck the pockets in, fold in the long edge, and roll it up to tie into an easy carry-along changing pad.

This was an extremely satisfying and rewarding sewing project and am glad I had a good reason and motivation for doing it: it's for my colleague and friend who is expecting her twins this summer.

Sewing: Flower Play Mat

This flower play mat is a fun and easy project. It took me a whole weekend to finish, but, only because I was juggling cooking, laundry, house-cleaning, grocery-run, and library-run.

The project from start to finish, if one can devote uninterrupted time, should not take more than a few hours. Once the pieces are cut and ready, the sewing goes quite fast.

The fun part is to add little baby notions like mini rattle, cellophane etc tucked into the petals for the babies to discover and engage with. I can just picture little cuties getting their Tummy Time and grabbing a petal to have the rattle amuse them.

Of course, this was not for my babies who are much too old for a play mat. It's for a good friend who deserves all the happiness that life can give, who is expecting her babies this summer.

The idea came from DK Books Made for Baby, which has 50 beautiful projects to sew.

I went with a 28-inch diameter circle for the center. The petals are roughly a rounded rectangle cut in half, coming to about 10 inches tall and 13 inches wide. All the fabrics are baby flannel which was on sale at Fabric Depot. The batting for the flower center is actually two layers of fleece fabric plus a layer of quilt batting, so it is well-padded and snuggly warm to hang out in.

Sewing: Citrus Orange Baby Quilt

With all the color-coding going on for baby stuff, what with blues and greens, pinks and purples and such, I decided to skip the convention and go with a bright orange quilt.

It's a simple block pieced cotton top, with a cotton backing, and warm cotton and fleece batting. Finished size is approximately a square, barely a rectangle, at 40" x 48"

I was dreaming of making very cute applique quilt with whimsical baby animals, but, ran out of time. Well, rather, I realized that by that time I get that done with my current schedule, the baby for whom it was intended might be off to college...

This is not for either of my babies, of course. It's for a colleague and friend who has the best smile and attitude at work that makes others want to do their best. And, who is expecting twins this summer.

Sewing: Baby Diaper Covers

Another quick and easy project to sew baby diaper covers. I loved adding the lacy ruffles. And I broke the convention of pink and purple and went with sunny yellow print for these adorable covers.

Sewing & Crochet: Baby Blanket and Baby Toys

For a new nephew who arrived six or so months ago, I made a quick little baby blanket, simple block pieced quilt top and a fleece backing for this blanket. And a little crochet teddy bear, with tiny cowbells inside so it can double as a baby rattle toy.

Now, the colors are not typical pastel baby colors for this quilt. I went with some batik and some kid-friendly panels that I cut out from a fabric remnant piece I had stashed.

Also crocheted some tortoises for fun...

Sewing: Palazzo-style Pants

A dear friend sent me this lovely cotton fabric a while back and I was wondering what to sew with it. I thought of a matching Mama-daughter skirt at first and soon realized the resident preteen will not wear skirts, especially skirts that match her mom's.

Then, it struck me to make my usual lounge pants - easy elastic waist for house wear. But the fabric was too gorgeous for that.

So it became a lovely pair of Palazzo-ish pants with a sash waist that ties at the side to hold the pants in place.

Sewing: Kids lounge pants with pockets and knee patch

Same standard pants pattern, but, since I was short on fabric I took some creative liberties.

The fabric remnant was too hard to resist at 75% off - it had US states on it - and the younger kid loves anything to do with states, countries, administrative divisions - everything to do with political geography.

So, with not enough to make the flare pants I love so much, I decided to use a strip of plain blue fleece on the pant legs side seams. And then, it seemed like a cute idea to add pockets and knee patches with the same blue fleece fabric.

If only I can get the child to model it for me by standing still... And who says lounge pants can't stop at the shin?

Sewing: Refabrication: Value-added Custom T-Shirts

I made some fun t-shirts for the ten year old. Or, to be precise, I added some iron-on transfers to store-bought $3 t-shirts which I customized for her style.

One t-shirt got a scalloped hemline plus some photo pile-like arrangement of pictures (iron-on t-shirt transfer) from her recent trip to Winston Wildlife Safari, Humboldt Redwoods, Golden Gate Bridge, Monterey Bay Aquarium and such.

One white t-shirt was partially dyed blue to evoke a feeling of flowing water in which I ironed on some pictures from our recent trip to Monterey Bay Aquarium.

One t-shirt got an angular and slightly asymmetrical hemline, to which I added cute picture of her pets - cat and guinea pig - with the words, "Make new friends but keep the old; One is silver and the other's gold."

And her favorite is this white one with a picture of the cake pops that she had made a couple of years ago; the special feature being the fringe hemline and sleeves that I added. Coupled with white capris, this t-shirt has become her favorite outfit of late.

Sewing: Refabrication: Flags T-Shirt

The shirt front has flags of 6 Russian oblasts, krais and republics; the back of the shirt has 6 German Bundesländer flags.

The youngest was into studying administrative divisions of various countries and wanted badly to have shirts with flag of his choice.

Simple iron-on transfer, no fuss, no mess.

Sewing: Mug Rugs

I completely sat out the Mug Rug fever at its peak. I told myself it is a glorified place mat no matter what everybody else wants to call it. I've made enough place mats in my life so far and we didn't need any new ones at this time, I convinced myself.

Then, around the time when I was wondering what to make for my family as Xmas present, Mug Rugs took hold of my consciousness. I could not ignore them. I could not let them go. I had to make a few.

On Friday evening, after tucking kids in bed, I took a piece of paper and drew some tentative designs. The next morning, being a weekend with no outside commitments, I raided my stash of fabrics and scraps. There was no turning back.

I made 4 Mug Rugs with simple applique depicting winter designs I had drawn the previous night. I had enough inexpensive felt fabric which I used as batting for these mug rugs. I intended to quilt them, but they looked fine as-is so decided not to.

Being a bit lazy, I didn't iron the white background fabric well enough, and not being one for measuring accurately, the rectangular fabric pieces were skewed a bit causing some pinches and folds. I thought I can handle it in the finishing process, and possibly hide it with quilting.

A simple pine tree design - a favorite around this time of the year.

A heart-warming scene of mittens and stockings hung to dry from a tree, with a giant ornament suspended from somewhere in the upper regions and two little birds perched meditatively.

A pair of cutie birds roosting on a winter-bare tree, with diamond accents adding the elegant touch. (wanted a plain fabric for all the diamonds, but, ended up with a self-design blue one somehow)

And, liking the birds too much, and finding myself with a lot more triangular trees cut out and ready-to-go, another wintry scene, bringing in the cute birdies and the diamonds.

Sewing: Handmade "Bumblebee Dress" with Cross-stitch Motif

I don't have the patience for cross-stitch for some reason, although I love to do hand-embroidery on and off. My mom loves cross-stitch and has this fantastic technique where she likes to stitch right onto the dress fabric!

Basically, she bastes the canvas on to the dress or shirt or skirt on which she wants the cross-stitch, then, does the cross stitch as usual on this canvas, using interfacing as needed depending on the weight of the fabric. When done, she very carefully removes the waste canvas, thread by thread. This is a zen-like activity that she enjoys more than the cross-stitching itself, sometimes.

Anyway, a while back, for her grand-daughter's birthday, my mom had sewed this yellow+black dress and added cross-stitch to the neckline, chest, and skirt-front that is just too precious.

Now that my daughter is outgrowing it, I am thinking of ways to recycle it so I can still use the precious work on another outfit and hopefully keep carrying it forward for as long as the fabric and stitches will last.

Sewing: Upcycle Adult Skirt to Girls Asymmetrical Hem Dress

On a whim while shopping with a friend over a decade ago, I had bought this skirt with a sort of tiger-like print as I liked the flow and the style. I wore that skirt about thrice in the last decade as it was not exactly my style, the print at least. But I didn't have the heart to give it away as I thought I could reverse engineer and learn how it was made.

I really liked the design of the skirt - flowing lines, asymmetrical hem, a little detail at the front that gives the illusion of layers... but, after a decade of no reverse engineering, it seemed like it was ready to go.

My daughter, however, wouldn't let it go. Her heart was set on it as she loves that print.

So, I upcyled this old skirt into a nice dress/tops for her to wear over capri shorts or Bermuda or biker shorts, or even leggings. It has all the hallmarks of being a favorite and most-worn dress in the near future.

Sewing: Boys Summer Shorts

I had a small stash of quilt cotton remnant, identical pattern in two different colors, more than enough to make a pair of shorts for the 6 yo to use over summer, plus something for myself.

I used one of his old shorts to trace and cut out a pattern in a brown paper bag and used it as a template to make a few pairs of shorts over summer. Nothing fancy like flap-pockets or zipper/button fly, just an elastic waist one.

But, I don't like the puffy stomach that elastic-waist tends to make, so, the front is flat, no elastic, and the back has the necessary elastic to fit snugly and make it easy to pull on/off.

While I was at it, I had enough left of the two fabrics that I made a summer dress for myself - just a simple sleeveless bodice, with paneled skirt part, no shaping/fitting, just a casual dress.

Sewing: Up-cycled dresses for girls from adult tunics (kurtas, kurtis)

A few of my old tunics from India - kurtas and kurtis and kameez - were collecting cobweb as I don't fancy those colors or patterns anymore, opting for a more sober brown/black/navy palette for my everyday wear as well as work wear.

They were perfect candidates for up-cycling into little girls' dresses. The colors which were my rejects just happen to be my daughter's favorites. So, when my mom visited lasted year, she turned these old one-size-fits all adult kurtas/kurtis (tunics) of mine to a few dresses for the little girl by chopping and trimming and adding her unique style.

I love how each turned out differently!

Flowing halter-tie maxi dress - the tiny lilac calico print is the main attraction

Calf-length tie-back dress from a really old kameez my mom gave up wearing.

A similar one from another old kurta- a lilac print that I used to like... makes a really nice tie back free flow dress.

Skirt and tops set made from a large kameez that I never wore often enough to warrant keeping.

Sewing: Old-fashioned pieced long skirt

With all the scraps from quilt cottons and sarees, my mom decided to make this gorgeous full skirt for the 8 year old.

It turned out perfect for her pioneer peasant girl costume for her school play, when paired with the peasant tops I had made for her a couple of years ago; plus the apron and bonnet I quickly sewed the weekend before the play.

A uniquely lovely skirt that brings a certain vintage charm to her wardrobe.

Sewing: Kids Fleece Tops

An easy and useful sewing project is to make fleece tops for kids, especially as the weather gets colder. I like the anti-pill soft fuzzy warm Polar fleece which I get on sale on and off. It is usually 60" Wide and so even half a yard is plenty for making one. I usually make a Size 5/6 which fits both the 4 yo and the 7 yo at home.

The fun part is to just add a small applique or detail to the front to personalize it, make it unique. I remember my daughter's favorites when she was about 3 or 4 - I was gung-ho about making a series of Nursery Rhymes themed appliques for her fleece tops.

Of course, the kids grow out of them before the fabric wears out so we've been able to pass the tops on to keep other kiddos warm. The Baa Baa Black Sheep applique one I had made about 5 years ago is still fine and is a great hand-me-down to the younger child. Of course, I 'extended' it a bit to fit the little guy with a band of blue fleece.

And, then, an elephant one, which is actually a Pajama Set.

One with race cars when race cars were the rage with Og

A green one, with a Cat, which was part of his Pine Tree Costume.

A grey one for the little girl, with a similar Cat.

And a very jolly Holiday one with a merry bird.

Sewing: The Canada Dress

Of late, I've been making clothes for my daughter as needed, trying to incorporate her ideas. One of her ideas at end of summer was a "Canada Dress" which will be red and white with the Canadian flag appliqued on the chest.

Since it will be getting colder over the next few months,  she also requested tights to go with the dress.

Her choice of fabric was fleece and flannel for warmth. But, I didn't have white flannel, but plenty of white stretch knit T-shirt fabric.

I didn't use any pattern, as usual. Just measured her and cut the bodice based off another dress she has. I liked the ruffled collar/neckline and the bell sleeves with a gentle flare.

She did the Canada flag - white fabric, plus red strips sewed on by hand; then, fabric marker to trace and color in a maple leaf we found in our yard. I sewed this flag on to the dress.

Sewing: Wrap-around Double-tie Sarong-style Thai Pants

About 8 years ago was the first time I wore genuine Thai pants - at least it came from Thailand - and loved the pattern very much even if it doesn't flatter my frame much despite deftly wrapping the lower body in elegant fabric.

And since then, I've worn those pants only a few times a year, not because I don't like them, but because the style I was given is hard to put on - it is a double-tie wrap-around sarong-style pants. Ties are such that one fastens in the front and one ties in the back, and together they cover the legs in that elegant way that loose pantaloons tend to, but provide the elegance of a wrap-around.

Why not more often? Well, using the bathroom always turned out more of a challenge than I wanted it to be. Although that can be handled by smartly wrapping the front over the back and tying it in the back first, then tying up the front. And even then, the weather here is so cold that I have to wear leggings underneath and that poses a whole new level of challenge to use the bathroom.

However, I love the style as it is so simple to sew. So, this summer, I sewed one for my 7 year old. Only, rather than ties, I used hook-and-loop fasteners so she doesn't have to fumble with the ties.

And I got to recycle an old dupatta (shawl) that was part of a Salwar-Kameez outfit, that I wasn't using anymore.

It is not quite the loose pants with a tie that is popularly known as Thai Fisherman Pants, but a wrap-around one; but it was easy to sew with some reverse engineering to extract a reusable pattern.

And, the peasant tops she is sporting in the picture below is also recycled salwar, sewn a few summers ago.