My First Quilt- a T-Shirt Quilt

I finally finished my first quilt! I used my husband's t-shirts to make a quilt for my little boy to have while he's gone. It made it easier for my husband to go through and get rid of some of his old t-shirts.

Each of the squares are 15x15. For a baby it's huge, but he will grow into it. I used sheer fusible backing for the t-shirts and there is no batting because it's hot here and I want the baby to be able to use it all the time. With the fusible backing on the t-shirts and the actual backing it is still plenty thick. I used painter's tape to make my sideways lines while quilting it, and each line is A Very Hungry Caterpillar Board Book apart. (You know you love my measuring methods!) I used a nice gray for the quilting after finding out that micro-filament is difficult to use.

Sleeveless Onsie from Adult T-Shirt

I found this cute idea for a shortall on Pinterest. It's by Heather of Feather's Flights and she made a great tutorial and pattern. Check her's out here. I had some ideas of how I wanted to change it, so here's what I did.

I didn't use her pattern, although I'm sure it would be easier (I haven't had ink in my printer for quite awhile now, it would have been easier but at least it makes me think creatively!). I used one the baby already had and traced it onto tissue paper. I made sure to add quite a bit of space on each side, because I wanted him to have room to grow and for my seam allowance. I also was planning on making a tank top, so there was extra space on the sides of the neck.

The onsie I was copying didn't have the extra piece that Heather had on hers, it was just the front and the back pieces, the same shape. After cutting out the pattern I pinned it to the front of the t-shirt and cut it out of the shirt.

Next I cut the neckline and just cut a little bit off of each side and then pin it back together and sew it.

The sides also need to be sewn, put the two pieces with outsides facing in together, then pin and sew the sides, starting under the arm hole.

The next thing is to hem the legs and arm holes. I did just a single fold under and stitched it.

Next it is time to figure out the snaps. I used snap tape and sewed it on by first pinning one side to the bottom, but with both outsides facing in. I stitched one side and then turned it over so insides were both inside and stitched it closed. For the bottom snaps I pinned them outsides facing in and just stitched it once. Now when they snap the tape isn't very visible.

Starting a Tradition

I'm catching up this week on everything I wanted to post last month! This year for Valentine's Day we got the baby a new book The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. We love this book, but thought that a board book version of it would be best for the next year or so.

On the inside of the book I put in a sticker I created. It has to and from and a happy valentine's day so he can know where it came from when he got older. It also will make us stick with the tradition or else he will ask about it later! It also is much better than candy or a card, and he will get plenty of that from everyone else.

You can also check out the tradition of the rhyme we use for Christmas, click here!

Dimensional Magic Jewelry

I have been on the lookout for a locket for a little while. I'm being picky about it because I know I will be wearing it for the next few years. (I never take off my current necklace.) I saw this cute charm that was made by Polish the Stars. Her's is actually glass and it's customizable! But.. I'm kinda a DIY girl. So I found a bracelet with a metal ribbon slide that said hope. I put my tiny picture down and put the dimensional magic over the entire thing, giving it that glass-ish look. After it dried (wait the entire 24 hours to touch it! Mine has a finger print!) it turned out great and I just added a ribbon to it. Now I can wear a bracelet with my two favorite boys on it until I find my perfect locket. When I do, I was thinking a little strap of leather could make this a boy-ish cuff bracelet for the little man when he gets bigger.

Coke Can Bracelets

I'm over at Arizona Mama today showing off my newest obsession! I've made tons of these but this is the one that I wear! Go check it out and let me know what you think!

Car Seat Strap Covers

My little guy had red marks on his neck from the car seat so I had to hurry up and make some covers for the straps! I used scraps I had and some velcro so they really didn't cost much.

Materials:
Thick Fabric (mine reminded me of a Santa suit)
Cuter Fabric
Velcro

Our straps are 1 1/2 inches thick, so all of the measurements are for that size. Also, don't forget that you are doing everything listed here twice, because you need to make a set of two.

1. Cut your thicker scraps 5 1/2 inches by 5 1/2 inches. I just used one for each side but if you want to have more padding you can add another layer or two.

2. Cut your decorative fabric, 7 inches by 7 inches.

3. Center your thick fabric in the middle of your cute fabric. Fold the edges of the decorative fabric over twice and iron it in place. Sew the edges down.


4. Cut your velcro strips to 5 inches and sew them on.

You're finished! Now you can velcro them onto the car seat straps and have better car rides! Thanks for reading!