Patterns for Newborn or Preemie Clothes

Since I have switched from knitting to sewing, I have been searching for patterns.  I've been searching the internet, ebay, craigslist, etsy and other sites.  Just to go to the store and buy patterns can be very expensive.  I would rather invest my monies on fabric than patterns.  I also look for ease.  I want to sew as much as I can in the shortest period of time.  I feel the same with knitting.  I want to start a pattern and be done with it and go on to the next project. 

I found a great sewing pattern.  First of all, it is for preemies (rare) and newborns.  And then, each piece contains two - four pieces......how nice is that.  I bought it from an Etsy vendor and it is a new/old pattern.  I am very excited about this pattern.  The pattern is Simplicity #7418 and has a date of 1996.  This pattern even has a santa sleeper outfit.  How exciting is that?????

It's Off To Work

Even though it did snow in New Jersey, not so much at the shore.  I have a 60 mile commute to work.  When I started off today, it was raining.  By the time I got to work there was 2 -3 inches of snow but the commute was not bad.  So, no sewing today.

I was checking out the internet for fabric.  I never dreamt that finding cute cotton interlock would be so hard.  I discovered a nice selection of knits by an individual who has a shop on line.  Her shop is called "LilBaby Thangs" but the actual site is at http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&seller_id=22461&op=new&body=1  It is a tad confusing but check it out.  I had to order some fabric. LOL LOL  I keep forgetting my promise not to buy fabric.  LOL LOL LOL

Is Winter Ever Going To Be Over?

Weather forecasters are calling for more snow tonight.  The only thing I can hope for is that I don't go to work because I can sew all day.  Yeah!!!!!!  But there is a forecast for a really big snow storm on Monday night.  Yikes!!!!  I have all the bibs and burb cloths cut out.  St. Patrick's fabric hasn't arrived yet.  If it is waiting for me when I get home from work and I am off tomorrow.  I will just have to cut out more bibs and burp cloths.

Holiday Fabrics

Of course, after my sewing class on Saturday, I had to look and touch the new fabric for Valentine's Day.  Who cannot resist fabric?????

Aren't these gorgeous.  It is icy, snowy and rainy today in New Jersey.  I took a day off from work and all I can think about are these fabrics.  How cute will they look as burb cloths, bibs and isolette blankets.   Then I started thinking about St. Patrick's Day.  My fabric shop didn't have any.  I just had to have some so the internet search was on.  I found these cuties at Joanne's.  http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/category.jsp;jsessionid=7949CAF9C44DE63A4142EEE63B3953D0.a2p1?_DARGS=/joann/catalog/narrowselection.jsp.narrowresults1

                   

I forgot to almost say what I made at my sewing class on Saturday.  It was a clean up day.  I had a lot of things cut out, close openings, do decorative top stitching and finish up loose ends.  I never sewed with interlocking knits or really any baby apparel fabrics.  This sleeper was started last June for the July 4th delivery and I never finished it.  The ribbing terrified me.  My teacher finally said enough, sat me down and taught me how to do the ribbing.  It isn't that hard.  I think she started a ribbing monster. LOL LOL LOL.  Here is the little sleeper and I have three more cut out.

Notice the snaps.  I love using my KAM snap press.

Knitting For Adults versus Babies

I can't believe how I am struggling with making adult hats.  The baby hats have long been in production so I can eyeball the size.  But adult hats to me are huge.  I am making a plain hat, 12 rows of 2x2 ribbing and I either take the ribbing all the way up or change to stockinette stitch.  When I think I am not going to have enough yarn, at the end of the ribbing, I add about 5 rows of a different color.  I like this look and I get to use up every piece of yarn.  With my first hat, after the different color band (approx 17 rows), I finished the hat with another 5 inches of knitting.  Holy Moley!!!  When DH tried it on, it barely covered his ears.  DH is a medium size man.  I was shocked because I thought it was huge.  I am now bringing the hat up 6 to 7 inches past my color band.  This fits DH perfectly and if it is too big, it can be folded up and still look good.  I am finally happy with the result and getting use to the size.  I am using Knitpicks, Wool of the Andes, Worsted.  I probably could use a little heavier weight but this is the yarn I have in my stash and it will keep someone's head warm.

Happy New Year

The holidays are over.  The largest delivery to Cooper has been made.  I am over my bad cold.  I have taken a couple of weeks off to get everything organized and figure out what needs to be made for who.  I have a Valentine's Hat on the knitting needles.  Flannel blankets are needed so the serger has been moved out of the closet.  Tomorrow I will be back to work.