A Sweet Baby Day-Gown

I got a little crafty this weekend and wanted to share the results!

Like it? I do too! Caroline wore one similar to this home from the hospital when she was born. By the way, that was before I "decided" I could sew, so I did not make C's. But two and a half years later it's a different story.

A few notes: I did not have a true pattern for this.  I just eyeballed it.  Also, as cute as the ribbon detail was at her empire waist, Caroline's version quickly became hard to put on and off because there was zero give in the fabric.  Lastly, I do not have a monogramming machine, so I chose an iron-on applique.  But your possibilities are endless on the top portion.

Here's a quick tutorial in pictures for you (as well as a recap for me to remember in the future how I did this).

This is a gift, so I prewashed all my materials in sensitive detergent to help the mom-to-be.

Again, I was "eyeballing" my measurements, but I used my rotary cutting blade to turn my onesie into a cropped top.

I am learning to love my serger!  I turned the minky-dot fabric right-sides in and serged it into a tube. I think I've been told this fabric frays very little, so a zig-zag stitch would probably work, too.

 Now, at this point I was a little conflicted.  At first I thought I wanted a line of elastic at the empire waist.  But I was reminded that on li'l ones, the elastic will ride up easily.  Also, the casing I sewed for the elastic got bulky in a hurry!  So I was given the following advice which I happily followed:

First I serged the top of the minky dot skirt (not pictured).  Then, in the before/above and after/below pictures, I stretched the onesie top wide and then zig-zag attached the minky-dot skirt to it.

The result was a piece that did not lay completely flat (giving a slightly ruffled illusion) and that also kept a little give for growing baby tummies!  Exactly what I wanted.

If you love putting babies in gowns, which I do, you love that they have that great length and cinchable bottoms.  Because this is for a girl, I wanted some extra oomph!  So I decided to cinch the bottom with coordinating ribbon.  First I sewed a button hole into the would-be ribbon casing...

(By the way, I am so proud of myself for learning this skill!)

...then I hemmed up the skirt forming the ribbon casing.  I fed my ribbon into the gown and tied it with a big bow!

I think the mommy-to-be will love this custom made, original gift idea.  If not, I can always give her some necessary diapers, etc.  If you know this mommy-to-be, don't tell her about this blog until after this weekend when her shower occurs.  Honestly, I should be sad she doesn't read my blog, but not today!

Joe PA..PA...Party!

***Author's Note 8/31/2012  I am leaving this post in tact, changing no words about it.  But at the very mention of Joe Paterno, I must offer my prayers to all the victims in the Sandusky crimes, to all the innocent football players whose football careers will be marred by association with this program, and to all the residents of Happy Valley who simply love football and now question every truth they believed about Penn State University and its "respected" leaders.***

Joe Pa...as in Paterno...the Penn State Head Football coach.  Saturday 9/10/11 (cool date, huh?) saw Bama play and whoop up on Penn State.  The Morrises had our usual back-porch viewing party.  This one was pretty low key in terms of food and revelrie.  Here are some highlights:

Bobby hates...HATES my taking pictures of him.  And a family picture?  No way!

Well, that is until you throw in BFF and chief trouble-maker Matt.  Just look at those lovebirds!

Below is Matt's mom, Vicki and Matt's youngest, Maddox.  Caroline wanted to hold the baby.  Maddox doesn't look so sure about that prospect!

Speaking of Caroline, I just have to pat myself on the back when it comes to her apparel.  Yes, I totally made her dress all by myself!  I found the pattern idea here...

Check out these besties!  Aren't they cute?

I asked Bobby if he was getting that old familiar feeling while holding Maddox?  He said, "Um not so much!"

Whoa...who invited this clown? Kidding!  He's my brother-in-law and we love him!

Well, that's a wrap for this game.  Final score 27-11.  Roll Tide Roll!

Party Shots

Rob's party was so much fun, but I wanted to share a couple of shots that didn't make yesterday's blog...

Baby Maddox and his mom, Sheila.  She says he has just "discovered" his tongue...He kept sticking it out at everyone all day long!  So cute!

Caroline was in one of those moods where she would not stand still at all.  Sad, because I really wanted a good picture of her.  Why?  I MADE her dress!  It took 4 attempts at the top half a while, but I am so proud of myself! 

Luke is a walking miracle and proof of God's plan for his life.  Born at just over 1 pound, he is healthy, smart, and cute as a whip.  His life has God-given-purpose and I pray that he finds it someday.

My oldest friend, Amber, made an appearance!  I just about cried when I saw her because we just don't see each other very much anymore.  Our kids' lives are consuming us, rightly so.  But that affects our ability to cross paths these days.

Feelin' Crafty (and bloggy)

Hey there!  How y'all doin?  So, I just got that old familiar (crafty) feeling today.  I've had it for a while, but today it got the best of me.

It has been a while since I have blogged and it has been an even longer while since I have sewn, so I thought I would share with you all.

Oh yeah...if you can't tell from the fabric, I'm making something for Caroline.  Want another clue?  Well, here's the main fabric:

A'ight, at this point I just have to share a funny dialogue I had with the Mr. when he got home:

Me: Won't this be cute?

B: Hmm, I don't really care for that.  It's almost hideous.

Me: At least it's for Caroline and not Rob!

B: Let's both be honest, you wish you could have and would have made that for Rob!

Me: (to myself) Yeah, you're right.

I guess I should be saying "thank you" to fate that I am only just now getting comfortable around my Singer.

Because the room has the best light, I cut fabric in my kitchen on my table.  As you can see above, Caroline is a permanent fixture atop the table. I mean, seriously...Get. Down. Now!  Moving on...

I would love to have a fancy new machine.  I also would love, love, love to have an embroidery machine.  But I love most that my trusty Singer is a Wiggins/Morris family heirloom and the thing works like a charm.  Too bad I can only make straight stitches with said charm.  Ahem, I'm getting there.  Slowly.  Baby steps, right?

What's that you said?  Where's Rob during all of this?  Take a look:

That's a sword in the back of his tee-shirt.  He's a ninja.  Bewilderment all around, people.

I used my iPhone for pictures, so I am sparing you the step-by-step.  I'm just so proud of myself.  I'm beaming with pride right now!  Here are a couple of shots of my pride and joy:

Caroline is going to be so super-cute in this dress!  And if you don't have a clue by now where she is wearing it, stay tuned.  I promise to blog about it soon.  I'm trying to stay in touch with y'all.

'Til then, peeps, God bless you!