March 21, 2013

How to Make a Baby Cocoon & Baby Pod

I have always loved little ones and any chance I get to love on them, so I was really excited to hear that a close friend of mine was going to have a baby. I immediately began to think of all of the things that I could "craft" for baby and decided to enlist Mom and Marissa's help making a baby cocoon and a baby pod.

Swaddled baby
Since each baby is born a different size it was hard to guess the size this baby was going to be. However we used jersey knit for each of these projects so each will have some flexibility.

To make the baby cocoon we cut two pieces of jersey knit (for extra strength) 22" wide by 21" long. We wanted the bottom of the cocoon to have a circular shape so on one end of the 21" long side we traced half of a lid that was 10.5" in diameter and left 1" on the outer side of the half circles for the seam allowance. We used tailoring chalk to trace the half circles.

Measuring for our circles.


Marissa cutting out both layers.

To accommodate for the baby's growth we wanted the cocoon to be long enough to cuff. In order for the cuff to have a finished edge we sewed the tops of the 21" long sides together, right sides together. Then we turned the seam to the inside and ironed the seam down.

Cut cocoon pieces.

Then we turned down 2 " and sewed the side seam and circle halves together all at once.

Marissa turning down cuff.

This project only took us about 30 minutes to complete, including making the pattern.

Finished cocoon!


Our master plan!
To begin the baby pod we made an oval pattern piece from quartered newspaper 15" wide by 8" long. Then we cut two oval shaped pieces of jersey knit, again for stability. These ovals will be used as the bottom of the pod.

Pod bottom


The we cut the one rectangular piece 38.5" by 10" and folded it in half on the shortest side or "hot dog style," with wrong sides together, making the piece appear 38.5" long and 5" high.

"Hot dog" style

Using a 1/4" seam allowance we sewed both of the 5" tall pieces together. For the final step we sewed the raw edges of the open circle to the raw edges of the oval. Another quick project completed!

Both pieces of 5" material pinned together

It is VERY important to note that all projects sewn with jersey knit should use a stretch stitch and ball point needle.
Stretch stitch.


Mid-process.


Finished baby pod!

March 20, 2013

Robin Gift

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SPRING

I have an amazing sister. I'd just like to let you all know. How amazing you ask? When I was a freshman in college my sister sent me the below package in the middle of winter. The "yet-to-be-named" gift stated: in the spring, only when you have heard the first robin sing! And when you really need a lift, only then can you open the gift

Inside was this brightly colored paper lantern which I used to decorate my dorm room!

Since then we have exchanged "robin gifts" upon occasion when we find something inexpensive that the other sister just has to have.

I was recently in one of my favorite gift shops, Daphne's Custom Gifts & Framing, and found this year's "robin gift" for Krista. While I was there I also saw the same basket that I gave to my flower girls to carry at my wedding and had to purchase one for myself!

What do you do when winter gets too long and you don't have anything to look forward to?

March 19, 2013

Thrifty Family

This weekend my mom and I traveled to my Aunt Karen's house to spend time with her and her granddaughter Danielle who was visiting from out of state. One of my favorite things to do with my Aunt is go shopping at her local thrift stores. Here are my most recent finds!

Kenneth Cole sweater, Value World, $3.99

Ann Taylor tank WITH TAGS, Goodwill, $4.99

New York & Company slacks, Goodwill, $4.99

New York & Company slacks, Goodwill, $4.99

Banana Republic sweater shell, Goodwill, $3.99

Banana Republic shirt, Goodwill, $4.99

Back of Banana Republic shirt with fun metal zipper
I will need to hem the slacks but am excited to have found these pieces to build my professional wardrobe!

March 15, 2013

Wedding Veil Series: Single Layer Veil

Last weekend Paul's best friend Brandon married his gorgeous wife Kaylie and I had the privilege of making her wedding veil. Kaylie chose a single layer tool veil that she wore below her gorgeous up-do.

We are so happy for them and wish that we could have joined them on their special day!




See my Etsy shop Sew Help Me by Marissa to purchase your own wedding veil!

March 11, 2013

Good Mail Day!

Today was a great day for my mailbox! I received two packages of free samples, a box of laundry and hygiene products from P&G and a packet of three tea samples from Lipton. I also received my free Lean Cuisine rewards lunch bag, ALL IN ONE DAY! I love free things and many of samples have coupons too!

I visit the All You website daily to see what free samples they are promoting and participate in rewards programs for products I regularly purchase, such as Lean Cuisines.

P&G samples and personalized coupons just for me!

Lipton samples with a coupon.

Lean Cuisine lunch bag with reusable food pouches previously received  using  reward points.

March 9, 2013

Bandeau Wedding Veil




Today I made my first bandeau wedding veil. I decided to use tooling as a delicate alternative to Russian netting and used a small metal comb on each side to secure the veil. If you are interested in purchasing this veil please visit my Etsy shop Sew Help Me by Marissa.


I used two hair tutorials to create this look. I used the "How to Curl Your Hair With a Wand" from Truly Ooly and "Loose and to the Side Updo" from The Small Things Blog.

March 1, 2013

Krista's Birthday Camera Strap Cover


I LOVE all of the camera strap cover tutorials that I have been seeing on Pinterest and was really excited to make one as a gift for Krista's birthday. The tutorial I used, from Nursery Rhymes and Sweet Times, was very helpful with great step by step instructions and pictures of the process. I also really like that this tutorial included a lens cover pocket on the back side.

However, I had a VERY HARD time figuring out what the dimensions should be for her strap because she has an Olympus camera and finally had to break down and ask her. (The dimensions I used were 24" x 3.5".)

This was such a fun, quick, and easy sewing project that I can see myself making quite a few more in the near future.