tote for baby book project

Smurf#2, who's in kindergarden, is going to join in the reading fun (well, his mom will read, he will behave - ah! - and listen...) and is in urgent need of a tote to take books home.

(sorry, not pressed...)

Kindergarden gave Sis precise directions, and I didn't have much space for maneuver... except for the lining... this is the result.

(guess what? Ikea soft fabric!)

Even if I had restrictions, I must say I like how it came out. Easy peasy!

I embroidered the name with a very simple stem stitch

shoe covers

Sis (who else?) needed a pair of shoe covers for her and Smurf#1 when they go to pick up Smurf#2 at kindergarden. The school has those horrible (and dirty) bags, which you use wondering who ever used it before praying they didn't have smelly feet... 

I made a little pair and a bigger one, and a little pouch to put them safely in Sis' purse. 

They really are easy and come together fast.

WIP wednesday #44

This week has been quite feverish, being the first week in primary school for Smurfette#1 and the first week in kindergarden for Smurfette#2... let's not dwell on that for now, I'll post about it another time. Aside from that, I got a serger (which I've not been able to use yet - remember the feverish part?) and sewed and crafted and planned...

COMPLETED PROJECTS:

- kindergarden bag: for my youngest nephew, Smurf#2

- pre-school bib: for another nephew, Smurf#1

- oilcloth diapers pouch: an organization issue is often the starting point for a new project...

- more little oilcloth pouches: after seeing my diapers pouch, Mom's asked me for smaller versions to keep in her bag for cosmetics, tissues, ... you can't say no to Mom, now, can you?

this is Smurfette#1's shot, complete with our feet... (!)

- basket ball holding net (the fishnet): I've finished the net, and now (   ) I have to invent a practical handle...

PROJECTS IN PROGRESS:

- heavy girls' bedroom blind: planned, now I need to get supplies (plastic rings, wood sticks, string, ...)

- lunch bag: on hold

pre-sewn lunch bag

- Paths in my Garden quilt (king size quilt) - on hold 

- Secret project #1 (lap size quilt) - on hold

- Chains of Love quilt (twin size quilt) - on hold for priority reasons

- Secret project #2: it's a Christmas present for very important people :) - planned and partially supplied with the right fabric...
- craft room restyling: I know, I'm repeating myself, but don't you think that once in a while some restyling is in order?
- family room restyling: this is a very much needed project, and we are slowly progressing. I'll post about it later, it deserves a specific post.

THIS WEEK:

completed projects: 5

in progress: 9

new projects: 8

uhmmm... not so good, but I hot to do better next week!

one more bib

My nephew, Smurf#, needs some more bibs, 'cause it seems that the more you grow up, the more you make a mess at lunch. Funny how that actually applies also *out* of pre-school...

Anyway, Sis told me to go with a yellow pattern, 'cause colors identify classes. I personally don't like yellow too much, but this turned out pretty well.

One down, two more to go.

kindergarden - the never-ending story

I have four nephews: two are in school, one is in pre-school and one in kindergarden. Once in a while, some of them need something handcrafted, and I'm the crafty aunt. Lucky me! No, seriously, I love making something for them.

This time, Sis (who's a totally can-I-have-it-already-made-please person) asked me some bags and bibs for  Smurf#2 in kindergarden.

Yesterday evening I started on this project with the first bag.

I had just the right type of fabric, obviously Ikea, which has a fabulous selection of fabrics for kids. With the considerably positive plus of being super-affordable...

I made a bag for the weekly change, with the name cross stitched.

the front

the back

 Isn't this print the cutest ever? It's bright and happy.

For the embroidered part I used cotton emiane and satin ribbon. This time I didn't use an alphabet, but I've  transformed my own handwriting in cross stitch letters. I'm happy with the result.

planning the handwriting2cross stitch thing

kindergarden pillow

I've finished Smurfette#2's kindergarden pillow, which is supposed to be used when listening to storytelling... so the softer, the better.

I went with 50x50cm in size and polyester for extra softness. And being a stay-on-the-floor pillow, a soft cotton cover (with a very practical zipper) that can be easily washed whenever it gets dirty. The pink fabric I used for the kindergarden kit was just perfect for this project also.

the finished pillow

And because a simple cover never seems to be enough when it comes to kids, I added a fabric butterfly, with big wings which I left free (the butterfly is sewed on the pillow at its body). Smurfette#2 could play with the wings when listening to her teacher.

big butterfly on the pillow: I used the same color palette as in the kit

detail of the free wings

And because I recently discovered I did have a fantastic zipper foot, I made good use of it and with no efforts of sorts.

The final touch: the name is embroidered with the embedded alphabet of my sewing machine (Gracie).

kindergarden kit - tote

It's done! It was quite a long project, but also very satisfying because it's actually composed by sub-projects, which are smaller and quick.

I had in mind a traditional, straight tote, big enough to carry also the change bag: I already drawn the pattern, but then I saw this post from Ashley @ MakeItAndLoveIt and I knew that I was going to give it a try.

The pattern is so easy to follow! The tote sewed up in no time, really. I added an external pocket, for school messages (they always end up lost or even washed with dirty clothes...).

It's very nice and big, it can easily carry all the things my Smurfette will need to take to school.

I'm very proud on how all details came out neatly.

I used a very stiff linen fabric for the outer side, and a soft and light cotton for the inner side. In a few points there were thick layers of fabric to sew, and I managed to bend my double needle...

I'll definitely make another soon...

kindergarden kit - change bag

I'm working on Smurfette#2's kindergarden kit, and today I made the change bag.

The bag is very simple, and I tried not to have raw edges (french seams are pure bliss in case you have this goal, let me tell you...). It can also easily contain the whole 'activity' kit, hence I'm assuming a change set can fit.

This is the bag that will stay at school for any 'change-the-kid!' emergency...

Now on with the tote, which I'll use to bring home clean things and pick up dirty things at school. I'll post when it's done.

it's kindergarden time (again)!

It's mom's fault: just before I went to Austria she told me "Haven't you prepared anything yet for Smurfette#2's kindergarden kits? 'cause she's going in September..." and that was it.

I told you that I wouldn't have been inactive during vacation, and in fact I did make something:

Does it ring a bell? Yep, kindergarden is tough.

I like my cross-stitch back to be clean and nice, and I often have it right, but when letters are involved it's sometimes tricky...

the whole 'activity' kit

hearts are all over

My old flame cross-stitch comes in handy for this purpose, but I'm also putting to good use my sewing skills for the 'containers':

bib pocket

I've already designed the change bag and the tote bag, which I'll post about when they're done.