Still waiting......

Well, it appears that this baby is taking its sweet time in arriving. The due date has come and gone and I'm still sitting here wondering when it's going to happen. Hopefully soon!

I've made all sorts of things while waiting, including a few more things for the baby. This pillow will sit on a chair in the baby's room.




I made a basic envelope back pillow following instructions in The Sewing Bible (which is an indispensable reference). I had previously embroidered the two birdy images on linen not knowing what to do with them but this seems a good fit.




Both are Sublime Stitching patterns. I took the completed embroidery, cut out squares around them, ironed on some interfacing, turned the edges under 1/4" all around and pressed, then pinned in place and blanket stitched around the edges. Easy peasy.



The nursery is ready, all we need now is a baby!

Playing the waiting game

I've been off work for two weeks now. While it's given me time to prepare for the baby and to relax, I must admit to being a little bored. I'm always surprised when people say that if they didn't work they don't know what they'd do with themselves. I'm sure I could always find something to fill the time. But being this pregnant really limits the possibilities. Some of my favourite activities are pretty much out of the question. I can't go for long walks or hikes because I tire very easily. I can't garden because I can't really lift anything and bending over is a pain. I can't go on any trips, even day trips, because I want to stay close to home (I don't imagine driving while in labour would be much fun!). Thankfully I can still knit and sew!!!

I recently made this nursing cover:



Both my sisters have one and I've seen them in the shops. I happened on a pattern for one here and had enough of this lovely Amy Butler fabric to make it. It was so easy to make and only took a little over two hours total.



The addition of a length of boning along the top edge means that the U-shape that you can see in the photos is maintained when you wear this around your neck so you can keep an eye on your baby while you nurse, while still being covered up (if that's your preference - it is mine).



There is even a little bit of terry cloth on one corner in case the baby needs a quick clean up from dribbles.


On the knitting front, I've completed this baby blanket from The Little Sublime Hand Knit Book:



I didn't want to go with traditional baby colours, so picked this combination from Sublime's Baby Cashmere Merino Silk dk. It's incredibly soft - I think the baby will like it!



It's quite a small blanket but I think it will be good for a little extra warmth for the baby when in the car seat or stroller. There isn't much of it for actually wrapping around the baby or laying out on the floor.



I'm just going to keep sewing and knitting until the baby arrives. Word has it there won't be much time for either once it does. We'll see how much more I can make...only 8 days until the due date now!

Getting ready for baby!

Well, it's been almost an entire year since I've posted anything! And a busy year it's been - new job, new house, and first time pregnancy! Needless to say the blog hasn't been at the forefront of my mind.

The baby is due in three weeks and I've been crafting like crazy. I'm also off work now so I thought it a good chance to post about some of the things I've made.

First up is a Shibui Baby Pullover (ravelry link), a pattern from the booklet Shibui Baby.


I really like how this turned out. I used Lanett which is nice and soft and found 4 different coloured buttons from my stash. I can't wait to put it on the baby!


Next I made a bib with my favourite bib pattern from Bend the Rules Sewing by Amy Karol (I've made these for quite a few babies now!), and a pair of newborn pants from the Made by Rae Basic Newborn Pant pattern.


I used 'Crumbs' Forest Friends Flannel by Cloud 9 in the Earth colourway.

I also made a quilt for the little one and am pleased with the way it turned out. I based it on the Cloud 9 pattern here, but used the instructions from the Spumoni Stripe Quilt in Sew Darn Cute to bind it with the backing fabric, a technique I really like. The fabric is My Happy Nursery, organic cotton from Cloud 9.

As you can see, the quilt has not been ironed since being washed. This is partly because I don't mind the look of it all crinkly, but also because my iron is driving me crazy leaving stains on my fabric. I didn't dare pass the iron over this and risk iron/hard water stains on it. I even ran white vinegar through the iron and used the steam setting on a piece of scrap cloth to try to clean the scale out but it wasn't 100% effective. I'm dreaming of getting a Rowenta with an Anti-scale Valve not to mention 463 microholes to evenly distribute the steam! I'm such a nerd - I never thought I'd covet an iron of all things but my current model doesn't get creases out nor hold folds very well and a Rowenta would make sewing so much more enjoyable! Oh well, a new iron hardly seems like a priority right now!