bLiss

DIY Baby Hammock

2007-12-19T14:49:00.000+10:00

The instructions here are the rough version I posted on a forum some time ago - let me know if it's not clear enough.

I made it by pulling apart an old jolly jumper, used the blue bar and the door attachment. tied some strong ribbony stuff thru the holes in the bar to attach to an elastic thing that attached to the door hanger bit and made a hammock out of calico and tied thru the same holes... lol - is that completely confusing??? (ETA: I used the elastic strap because i didn't like the spring on the jolly jumper - i'm using the spring again now tho with this bub)

I bought the calico in a packet, precut from spotlight, I think it was 3m x 90cm - the base of it is about 30cm wide and all i did was to hem the long edges, fold the fabric so that there were three layers in the middle then loop over each of the ends, triple stitch all the seams and thread the ribbony stuff thru them... rough diagram attached, hope it doesn't just confuse more!!

More Pants!

2007-02-01T17:12:00.000+10:00

This was the first thing Jer ever bought me - he took me shopping for new clothes for my birthday about a week before we started going out - never imagined one day our children would be wearing it!!!! (reconstructed of course ;))

The photo really really doesn't do them justice - they look way cuter IRL. Logo looks really cute on her hip tho - even makes more sense - "Giordano Jeans"

Funky Polo Pants!

2007-02-01T15:22:00.000+10:00

I forgot to take a photo of the polo beforehand (oops) but made these very funky pants for Binna out of an old JayJay's polo of mine that was stretched out of shape and not v attractive looking! She loves them!!! (particularly the little pocket on the front)

Inspired by this: http://community.livejournal.com/t_shirt_surgery/3597625.html

Nappy Pattern Updated!

2007-01-30T11:10:00.000+10:00

I've updated the pattern to include a small size as well. Also wanted to mention that this pattern and tutorial is intended for personal use only, not for resale - and I'd love to hear how you go with it!

Nappy Tutorial

2007-01-29T20:12:00.001+10:00

********* This blog has moved. Visit http://jerliss.com/jerliss/2007/01/29/nappy-tutorial/ to view any changes made and to download the pattern *********

I've been asked a few times now for a nappy tutorial - here it is!!! This is intended for people wishing to make nappies for their own use - not for sale. Please let me know how you go if you try it!

I know there are prolly way too many photos - but thought it better to have too many than too few! It will probably take longer to read the tutorial than it did for me to make the nappy.

The explanation for each photo comes before the photo itself ;)

You'll need:
25x40cm PUL
45x40cm Fleece or Suedecloth
24cm loop side of velcro/aplix
6cm hoop side of velcro/aplix
approx 50cm of 6mm elastic

Cut out the pattern as indicated on the pdf. (1x fleece of each part, 1xPUL of body piece). Cut the hook side of your velcro in half, and 2 x 3cm portions off the end of the loop side so you have 1x 18cm and 2x 3cm.

Pin the right side of the front waistband to the right side of the front of the PUL nappy body - making sure the centres are aligned.

Straight stitch 4mm from edge (this is just to keep it in place for the next step)

There are two ways to do the next step, I've included on here and will do another post later for the other way.

With the fleece on the bottom and right side of the PUL facing down, fold the PUL in half and half again, then one more time making sure you keep the excess PUL at least 1cm from the stitching.

Roll the PUL over one more time until it is small enough for the two edges of the fleece to be brought together again. Still making sure you will be able to stitch approx .5cm from the top edge without catching any of the excess PUL.

Pin the two edges of the fleece together (right sides should be facing IN)

Straight stitch one of the short sides and the long side, stopping before turning the corner for the remaining short side.

Pull the PUL body piece back through the open hole, push the remaining tail thru once PUL is out.

It should look like this:

Fold the PUL in half to check if there is too much fleece on one side (don't want it being lop-sided!!) - you need the unsewn edge to be 1cm longer than the sewn one, but not more than that.

Fold the edges of the open end into the tube 1cm and pin.

Straight stitch shut.

Now pin the right side of the back waistband to the right side of the back of the nappy body.

Pin the other edge of the waistband to the back of the fleece body piece. Right sides together.

Straight stitch along both seams. Laid out flat it should look something like this:

You may need to trim some excess if the fleece has stretched (or if you realise that you cut it wrong to start with - oops!!)

Sew a 1cm hem on the front edge of the inner body piece - I usually use a zigzag but you can do whatever suits.

You should now have one long piece with all parts sewn together. Fold in half, right sides together, ligning up the back waistband edges with each other.

Straight stitch down each side, making sure the fleece doesn't stretch.

Trim each of the back corners slightly so that they're not too bulky when you turn it in the right way.

Attach the elastic. Starting at the back, at the edge of the body piece (not on the waistband), sew the elastic into the seam allowance. Once it is attached by a few stitches, stretch as much as you can as you sew.

Stop once you get to the front waistband and cut the elastic.

Do the same on the other side.

Turn the nappy in the right way - nearly done!!

Attach the big piece of loop to the back waistband - again making sure the centres match.

Attach the small pieces of velcro/aplix to the flaps on either side of the front waistband - hook on the outside, loop on the inside.

That's it!

Model it on an extremely cute baby!!!! :D

Let me know if something's not clear... otherwise - have fun!! I love making these nappies, they fit so well, aren't super bulky and last so long - We use the one size here from early infancy thru to the end of their "nappy days".

Pillowcases and a Pink Polo

2007-01-29T17:50:00.000+10:00

I've been a bit sewing crazy over the last week. A couple of "reconstructions" and some stuff from scratch.

Some old pillowcases my Grandma gave me...

into a skirt for little miss:

There's another skirt too, but it got taken off before I got a photo.... will be here eventually!

This pink polo was a pain- sleeves were too big (bought it at one of my "bigger" times), and the interfacing on the collar and v at the front kept coming out... so i hacked it up, along with an old "pregnancy-stretched" supre boob-tube. I dont' really like the end result (on the left) because it makes me look short and wide, but I like the top itself and what I did to it :)

Also turned a disaster dress sewing effort from last year into a funky skirt, made a matching top and some v cool purple culottes - but no pics yet.

I did it!!!

2007-01-29T17:02:00.000+10:00

I finally (with the help of a motivated friend) signed up for the wardrobe refashion for 4 months. I wanted to do it last year but missed the start. My plan is to do it for myself and as much as I can for the rest of the family - tho I've been told a pair of dress pants for church need to be bought "before I start". Fun!!!

So officially... I pledge that i shall refashion, renovate, recycle preloved items for myself with my own hands in fabric, yarn or other medium for the term of my contract (4 mths).