Baby Jumpsuit tutorial

When looking around dor some free sewing patterns, I stumbled upon a playsuit by E&E (Pattern E&E). I thought it looked really cute and the instructions were included in the pattern, so I thought I would give it a try.

Step 1: Since it was my first piece of clothing, I chose this fabric with purple flowers that I got really cheap on a local market. If it would fail, at least it didn't really cost me a lot :), playing it safe! For the contrasting fabric I opted to go with black (I didn't have other fabrics that seemed to match), it's from some pants my mother doesn't wear anymore.

Step 2: Cutting the pattern. I think this took me about the longest time ever! Partly because I printed the pdf double sided so I couldn't just cut it out but had to make new pattern pieces. As you can see, there are quite a lot of pieces involved.

Pattern cut in paper, ready to transfer it on the fabric.

Finally all the pieces are cut.

Step 3: Start sewing! The instructions included with the pattern are pretty straight forward. I'm a beginning sewer and I could follow them, so I guess pretty much everyone could. My fabric option did turn out less than ideal, because it's more on the synthetic side so ironing wasn't really possible. I ended up not doing the front pleat, as it woud not stay put and just looked weird.

First project: sewing four shoulder straps.

All the pattern pieces ready to start sewing the top!

Place the straps in between the fabric and your lining (good sides facing each other).

Fold over the lining, first part of the top is done!

I topstitched the top to give it a more finished look.  Follow the same steps to create your second top piece.

Sew the two pieces together. our top is done!

Start sewing your pockets making sure part of the lining is showing, this gives it a nice touch.

Front panel done! I guess at this stage I wanted the piece to be ready, as I stopped taking a lot of pictures ;).

My first trousers done (feeling proud ;) ).

Now just sew the leg cuffs on your trousers.

Final step: secure top to bottom and add an elastic in the waist.

Step 4: Done! Now I just have to wait untill summer for my goddaughter to wear it as it is still a bit big on her. But, I think for my first attempt it turned out pretty good. (It did take me some time to make it though :), so it isn't a one-day project.)

Up next: first time making curtains!

Baby blocks tutorial

I started this project back in december, and finally I have finished it. Although it took me a while to complete these blocks are a great idea for a beginner.

In Belgium, the 6th of December Sinterklaas ( a kind of Santa Claus) comes to bring 'good' children toys, chocolates and tangerines. Since my goddaughter was only 3 months old I could hardly give her any sweets so I looked online for some inspiration. I found a couple of tutorials on making baby blocks that looked pretty cute and not that hard:

Baby Blocks 1

Baby blocks 2

So here you can find how I made my own, these are just the last two of her name, the first I already gave her from Sinterklaas and the second on Chrismas Eve. Each block took me about 30-45minutes to make (once I got the hold of it, the first two took longer ;) ).

Materials needed for one block:

20g of stuffing
6 fabric squares (9x9cm or 3.5x3.5inches)
Matching thread
Optional: Vliesofix

First, select some fabrics that go together, I found this rather hard. When looking at my fabrics I have predominantly prints that don't match up all that well together... But these are the two combinations I picked out:

Next, as you can see on the photo's, time to cut your squares. I cut mine with a 9 cm side  (approximately 3.5 inches). I chose three different fabrics, so I would cut 2 squares from each fabric.

If you want to personalise the blocks with a name, do this before you start sewing the sides together. I used Vliesofix for the first time an I have to say it turned out pretty nice. 

How to use Vliesofix: 

1. Draw the letter on the wrong side of your fabric (you can also do it on the paper-side of the Vliesofix but I found it harder to make sure the letter faced the right way). 
2. Cut a piece of vliesofix the size  of your letter and put the glue-side of the Vliesofix on your fabric.
3. Iron the Vliesofix to your fabric ( I put a seperate piece of fabric between the Vliesofiw and my iron to make sure nothing bad would happen).
4. Cut out your letter following the markings you made in step 1.
5. Peel of the paper of the Vliesofix, there should be some 'glue' remaining on your fabric letter.
6. Next, place the letter on the surface you want and iron once more (again, I put some fabric in between) for about 30 seconds.

Now, time to start sewing!

I always started with the front side (with the letter) so that if anything would go a bit wonky, at least this side looks good.

Place 2 fabric squares right sides together and stitch (I use approx. 0.5 seaming allowance). Do this for both sides of your front side, next attach the top.

Put your first 2 squares together

First side done!

Place the other side on the front and stitch.

Looking good!

Now is when things become a bit more tricky, attach the top to the sides by matching up the squares right sides together. There might by some pulling and fumbling involved to get all the sides sewn.

Top attached to the front.

Now turn so the top and sides can be stitched together.

First corner done!

Then, attach the bottom to the front, again follow up by attaching it to both sides.

Only the back to go!

Last, you still need to attach the back I had some trouble doing this the first time, but when sewing the next blocks it became easier.

Last side you attach, make sure to leave a turning gap of about 3 cm (1 inch), best thing is to leave it in the middle and not on the side, you can see I tried both and when in the middle it made it easier to close the block up. When makin the gap in the middle, just sew an inch, lift up your needle and fabric an then sew together the last inch.

Side gap, this was a bit harder to sew closed.

Better option to keep a gap in the middle.

Turn the block through the gap and start stuffing it making sure you put enough stuffing in the corner to give the blocks the right shape.

Get stuffing!

Still empty...

Last step: close the gap, you can do this by stitching very close to the side with your machine, or sew it by hand to conceal the gap ( I guess it's called a whipstitch).

Closing the gap...

First one done!

And the second one...

Done!

Cute to put next to the crib and great for my goddaughter to dribble on, 

which seems to be her favourite activity right now.

Next project: First piece of clothing!