31 Days of Creating 2021 - Day 30

 

“I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.” 

~ Helen Keller

Happy Saturday!!! How did you spend your day? Were you able to spend a few minutes doing something you enjoy? I hope so!!! 

I spent a big chunk of time sewing today and it was delightful! I really do enjoy creating these precious preemie gowns. I like to try out different patterns, techniques, fabrics, etc., knowing that each finished gown will bless a baby and their family. I love that I have this opportunity to serve my community. I always tell my kids to be a blessing, and I try my best to do the same!!! I am blessed!!! 🌸🌿💕

~ Cindy

 

A Finished Preemie Gown...

Yesterday I cut out six preemie gowns to start working on. This one went together so fast and turned out so sweet I couldn’t wait to share it with you!!! 

This precious little pattern from 7 Pine Design is a sweet A-line gown with no pleats or smocking, but it is fully lined and goes together quickly. It is available for free here. And I embroidered this little boat on it using 1 strand of light blue floss and a simple back stitch. 

The rest of the gowns I cut out will be pleated and smocked. I’m considering putting together a video tutorial at some point to show how I make them. If I do, I will let you know and share the link. 

What are you stitching these days? Do you feel better when you have a needle in your hand? I sure do!!! 

Happy Stitching!!!

Cindy

Pure Pleating Laziness......

Yesterday it hit me that Christmas is just over two weeks away! And my sweet Elisabeth also has a birthday between now and then....just to add a little more stress to the equation! But my hands still desire to have something to work on in the little bits of time that present themselves here and there. So I did the unthinkable....I stopped by the local heirloom shop and bought two pleated panels! I know, crazy (and maybe lazy?) when I can easily pleat them myself! But my Ethan really wants tractors smocked on a jon-jon...and honestly this is the last year he will be able to wear jon-jon's and get away with it. So I really do want to make this for him. But I knew if I waited to get the pleater out and ready I would postpone it for several more weeks. Why do I do that?

So I bought two pleated panels in hopes of stitching them for my sweet little boys. I'm not sure what I'll put on Ean's yet....I'll think about that. But in the meantime I can start stitching tractors for Ethan.

And do you see the colorful quilt in these two pictures? Well guess what? That is another bargain I got at the Martha Pullen Warehouse Sale. It is a baby crib-sized quilt (a very generous size) and gorgeous. You can't see the edges but they have large rick rack stitched on them, and the back is the same fabric as the block on the front with all the little cars and such...precious. You won't believe it when I tell you I paid $3 for this amazing quilt. I could not even purchase the supplies for that amount....plus add in the time for construction and such. I love this quilt for so many reasons!!!

And about the sleeping baby, Ean, in the top photo....I could just about kiss his cheeks off!!! That's all I'm saying!!!!

Week in Review.....

I don't know how this can be but it seems I blink and another week quickly passes by! This appears to be the norm around here lately. So for those two loyal readers still here I thought I'd share the highlights of our week with you.

Wayne was out of town all week which always makes for a hectic week. He is so good to help out around the house, especially around dinner time when things can get chaotic. I've mentioned before that I cook almost entirely from scratch so I always allow an hour for dinner prep each and every night. It is wonderful when Wayne is home and is able to be with the little ones during that time. They find all sorts of fun things to do together! However, this week I was on my own and I still managed to put nourishing meals on the table, and for that I am grateful!

Emily delivered both of her custom-ordered baby blankets this week. The purple one you see above was for a sweet baby girl that has already been born. Emily decided she liked this particular stitch and then just decided how big she wanted the blanket to be. Finally she experimented for days to find an appropriate edging for it. She finally decided on this loopy edging that I think fit the open-ness of the blanket well. She wrapped it up in a piece of lavender lace and delivered it. No word from the mom yet, but I am sure she will love it!

The second blanket was for a baby boy that has not yet been born. The baby shower was actually today and the guy that asked Emily to make it called her tonight to tell her how much the mom loved it. We delivered this blanket yesterday and forgot to take a picture before we left home. Emily took this quick picture in the car. I wish we had a good picture of it though because it was really pretty. It was basically a large granny square because the guy that ordered it wanted her to use both green and yellow for the colors and we thought this would work out well. And it's interesting but both blankets were custom-ordered by guys for friends of theirs. I think that is kind of neat! And Emily really came through and did a great job. I am continually amazed by her abilities and her tenacity!

Let's see....there has been NO sewing this week since I wrapped up the halloween costumes. It's not that I did not want to sew....but that the time just hasn't been there this week. Although I am working on the program for our November Smocking Guild meeting. I am hoping to get the prototype finished up in the next few days so I can write up directions and such before our next meeting.

While pleating the sample I had quite the run-in with my pleater. It was acting very cantankerous and that did not please me at all! And then it had the nerve to break a needle! I was not a happy smocker at that moment. But after I completely dis-assembled the pleater, found all three broken pieces of the needle, removed the fabric that was partially pleated and completely mangled, and re-assembled the pleater, I decided to persevere and try again. Fortunately luck was on my side the second time through! Thank you Lord for caring about the little things as well as the big things in my life!!!!

Today our Smocking Guild had a Wee Care Workshop. Only three of us were in attendance but that didn't dampen our spirits. We had a fantastic afternoon together and managed to crank out fifteen gowns that are now ready to smock. The other two ladies were in charge of adding lace to the sleeves, sewing in sleeves, and finishing the back edges with a serger. I was in charge of pleating....which is funny because I'm the first to admit I'm not so great with a pleater. I have pleated many bishops and Wee Care gowns over the past several years...but never this many at one time. However, I chose to look at the opportunity as a learning experience. And now, 15 gowns later, I feel pretty good at it. Again, the gowns have provided me with a way to bless others as well as perfect my skills.

I also "chain pleated" them. I don't know if that is what it is called...but I pleated them all on the same continuous lengths of thread and then cut and tied them between gowns when I was done. I had never done that before...but I had wanted to try it. It sure makes the pleating go fast when you only have to thread the needles one time!!!!

And needless to say, Ean and Emily accompanied me to the Workshop and they were both as pleasant as pie. I can't believe he is almost four months old already!!!! Where does the time go????