06 August 2015

Double Bow

double bow

I recently wrote about a big rainbow in my life. Well, now I have a full double bow.

All Heart

My adopted daughter, who cut the heart shape in the fabric I recently turned into this quilt...

All Heart

...had a little girl in May. In another lifetime, my daughter took an unauthorized field trip (ran away) and spent the next several years battling, well, battles. There's a lot more to the story I won't go into in public because her life is not my package of dandelion seeds to scatter in the wind. Suffice it to say, I finally received a mailing address and sent her the finished quilt for the baby. My daughter sent pictures of the baby in the quilt. Communication has been improving since then, and she recently asked if I would make some baby clothes "like you used to make for us when we were small."

I can't tell you what kind of happy tears were falling all over the place at that request.

I went through my stash of patterns, most more than 20 years old. Back when sewing patterns were two or three dollars each...

Because both my kids were older when I adopted them, I had not invested heavily in baby patterns.

I discovered I had only ONE pattern for a newborn to six months. YIKES! I don't have much experience in the newborn department, so I can't make up patterns without an idea of size. (The baby is across the country, and mom is math-challenged like me. The best I could get out of her was "newborn to six months." I didn't even know the weight until I finished writing this blog post.)

I went online to buy some baby patterns because I figured that would be cheaper than the always-distracting trip to a local fabric store, because, you know, there's fabric there, and I'm addicted. If I buy patterns online, all I get are patterns online.

BUT HOLY MOLY!!! I guess it's been a while since I bought a sewing pattern!!!!! $12 for baby patterns, and $18 for adult dress patterns?!?!? (Good thing I didn't go to the store!!!) I was able to keep my impulse spending completely under control. I bought only three baby patterns.

My goodness!!! I could have bought seven or eight ready-made outfits at Walmart for the same price!!!

But homemade is sew much better, right??? :)

While waiting for the online purchase to arrive, I pulled out some sock yarn and an appropriately sized crochet hook. I looked up a few baby patterns on Ravelry and found a suitable one to adapt (because the skein of baby soft green acrylic yarn that won't cause the baby to itch wasn't a full skein). When I began this project, I wasn't sure I'd have enough yarn. The yarn in my stash is so old, I didn't think I'd be able to match it.

Here's my interpretation of a classic baby dress:

lace for baby

And here's how much yarn was left over when I got done:

by the skin of my chinny chin chin

I had never blocked acrylic before, but I knew, in theory, how to do it. I pinned out the dress on a clean towel on the spare bed and steam ironed the skirt on a high setting without actually touching the iron to the yarn. Sort of a hoverboard maneuver.

painstakingly worth every extra effort

This is why we block:

unblocked

And this is why we are willing to take the time and effort to block:

little princess dress

16 comments :

  1. Your skills amaze me. She's going to love it.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Lizard! I wish I could see a picture of her in it!

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  2. Turned out great indeed. Wow, can really rack up a bill buying all those patterns too. Never figured it was that expensive.

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    1. Thank you! Fortunately, Pat, I can use the patterns over and over, so the investment works out in the long run for most patterns.

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  3. I love your talent! And the double rainbow is beautiful! :)

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    1. Thank you, Linda! I love rainbows! Can't get enough of them!

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  4. omg, I have always been in love with knitted/crocheted baby clothes. That is incredibly precious. I hope your daughter realizes how much you want to be in their lives. I feel your longing from here. Connection is important. I hope for the best for you. LeeAnna

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, LeeAnna. I hope things continue to improve, and I hope to meet that little bundle of joy one day!

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  5. That dress is gorgeous. Many blessings on your daughter and granddaughter to find joy.

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    1. Thank you, Lisa! I feel truly blessed right now!

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  6. I know what you mean about the price of patterns. I try to wait for them to go on sale. As well... you can find quite a few free patterns on-line for babies now.

    The dress you crocheted is lovely!

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    1. Thank you, Super Mom! The price of the baby patterns was quite a shock, but hopefully I'll be able to wait for sales (or pick up used patterns at thrift shops or garage sales) in the future. I couldn't do that this time because she would have outgrown the patterns!

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  7. Oh Deb - some happy tears here as well. The little dress is lovely - a real heirloom.

    Try New Look patterns - much more reasonably priced and very well designed. And I think Simplicity has a lower-priced line too called "It's Sew Easy" or something like that - the selection isn't huge but most of the designs are identical to things from their regular pattern line.

    Happy grandbaby sewing! :)

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    Replies
    1. Sue, I really do think sometimes we are twin sisters from different mothers. The patterns I bought are New Look!

      Can you believe I still haven't sewn anything yet for the baby, except the quilt? Gosh, I've got to get back to my sewing machine! I'm having serious withdrawals!

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