Quilting with Let Them be Little

Do Grandma's-to-be actually NEST?

I'm not sure what's normal... 

but nothing about 2020 is "normal" thus far. 

So as the lockdown went in to effect, 

I grew increasingly grateful for my excessive quantity of fabrics hoarded.

(I mean cherishingly collected through the years)

All of my projects for the nursery center around the fabric collection:

Let Them Be Little:

a modern, children's fabric line designed by 

Simple Simon and Company 

for Riley Blake Designs.

I have made 2 of almost everything- 

because my daughter and her best friend 

since Brownie Girl Scouts are

pregnant at the very same time. 

Both were actually due the same day.

(And who says childhood competition to the finish line ends in childhood)

Luckily I was able to start the quilts with a wonderful panel!

I added some borders... and a binding on first quilt- and the topper was done!

Since I had that panel perk- 

I decided to jazz my daughters quilt up 

with a row of prairie points! 

After the toppers were completely pieced...

I made my sandwiches-

and started pinning.

 Some close up details:

I added a 2 1/4" binding stitching on front by machine... and hand stitching on back to finish

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And...,

Here are several other projects 

I've created during Quarantine 2020.

Flannel backed Lovie 

created with Let them be little fabrics 

& prairie points

Baskets to store diapers and supplies:

pattern downloaded from

https://www.ehow.com/how_12343106_make-reversible-fabric-storage-basket.html

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A port-a-pack to carry diapers and 

wet wipes from:

https://crazylittleprojects.com/diapers-and-wipes-holder/

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"wee-wee" cups- pattern shared by

https://www.peekaboopages.com/2012/06/pee-pee-teepee-pattern.html

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Luvie created with AGD machine embroidery:

https://www.anitagoodesign.com/product/sweet-dreams-applique/

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I am loving in-the hoop embroidery options- 

All designs purchased on line-

created on my Babylock Elisimo 9000

& completed with my "It's a Snap" pliers

Oh well... off to sew some more now...

2 weeks after Avrams' birth: 

For Scott & I, 
becoming grandparents meant a desperate 

drive from Texas to Indiana. 
Our journey was delayed 'til 

after our champs were discharged from 
a stressful week in NICU. 

It meant driving 1000 miles in two days - not being 

sure what lay ahead for rest stops or motel experiences. 

It meant anxiety over how to deal with: 
food... 
fuel... 

restrooms... 
motels... 
and what if we had trouble with our 

overstuffed nursery transport vehicle?

This adventure shall forever be thought of by me as the
" Covid19 First Time GrandParent Schlepp".

To limit the risks, 
I obsessively packed up a bag of masks, 
gloves, 
toilet paper, 
paper towels, 
lysol 
and sanitizers.

I limited fluids- to minimize restroom stops.

I'd been maintaining self-isolation since March-
 focusing all my nervous energy in my sewing space. 
My only outside contact with the Covid19 world 
had been my husband. 

Unfortunately- being at the hospital- 
he is exposed to it all-
 so we both took every precaution we could for months. 

Many rest stops were closed completely. 
Others, were so clean- they frankly deserve a gold star. 

Same with restaurants... 
Some only allowed outdoor seating or drive through. 
You just had to check ahead...
Some restaurants were allowed 25% occupancy 
depending on state. 
Those that were serving, 
couldn't attempt to serve full menu... 
so you just make do.

We learned (sometimes too late)- 
you had to really pay attention to state
 & county for availability of services! 

Don't even mention TENNESSEE to my bladder!
(We won't discuss it further)

Motels have new occupancy rules which would 
benefit us- and later- work against us. 
But overall, I was really very impressed 
with their preparedness. 

And then-
Here was the big moment, 
when being a grandmother would finally seem real. 
(Not that sewing obsessively for months 
was not a constant rehearsal).

We drove 14 hours through storm after storm… 
But finally, we were there!

Scott knocked & opened the door… 

& there they were… 

curled up in corner!

 My baby girl- 
a momma now, 
nursing her son. 

And as I stepped through that door- 
I truly understood the joy of a grandparent. 

So yeah… travel is tough during this chaos of Covid19… 
but given the chance, 
I'd be back in my seatbelt tomorrow 
repeating that Covid19 Grandparent Schlepp! 

Trapped in a Puffy Play Mat

I wanted to create a play mat for my daughter to place my grandson on at playtime. 

A safe space to stretch... but not escape too soon. With bright colors to catch his interest and soft puffs to protect him. 

I explored Pinterest (of course) and found project ideas easily. It takes some time... and an absurd amount of batting and fiber filling... but I am very happy with the results.

I used solid fat quarters for the

 individual pillow edge pieces

The pattern I eventually created 

was eyed by viewing on-line patterns.

I used a sheet of 8 1/2 by 11" printer paper and rounded off one Side.

I cut 2 pieces of each fabric 

and sewed it together leaving a small area 

for turning and stuffing.

Then after stuffing- 

stitching remainder closed by machine.

For the Mat:

I used the full width of my chosen fabric-

Mine was 45" wide.

I folded it towards length to create a 45" square.

Once I had my square cut-

I folded it in half-

And over in half again and rounded edge so I could arch edge.

(Sorry I forgot to take a pic)

I wished I'd had a hula hoop for this part!

I took advantage of the embroidery 

feature on my machine and added the 

babies name before moving on and 

layering with 3 layers of thick baby quilt batting. (I opted for this batting assuming, it is likely to

 need frequent spot cleaning at minimum)

Puffs were pinned in place... 

overlapping edges... 

sewn around edges 1" seam

Puffs sewn in place- be sure to lay facing inward before pinning next layer!

Next layer clipped over top... 

This is clumsy and a constant reminder:

You are not in charge: 

The 18 pillows are in charge!

I used my walking foot and went VERY SLOW

I went around the edges 3 times by machine- knowing all further stitch work would be done by hand.

See the turning hole above???

THIS IS NOT THE IDEAL SIZE TO LEAVE REMAINING!!!

LEAVE LARGER TURNING SPACE!!!

I really did lose control

If you wear glasses-

Take

Them

OFF

before 

turning

this

beast!!!

After my DH got his picture 

and stopped laughing- 

he helped me.

Glasses now retrieved- 

I eventually finished turning "the beast".

I completed all further stitchery by hand

 with thick red embroidery floss.

Eventually, I hope to add pics with our future grandbaby

Finished Play mat:

I copied directions from a link at: 

fabricartdiy.com

 for their DIY Puffy Sun Baby Playmat Free Sewing Tutorial.

THE HAPPY STACKER

Have you ever loved a cute little kids toy pictured on Pinterest so much 

you were inspired to buy the pattern without thinking about your skills to complete such a pattern???

...and then immediately known you were in trouble???

Now magnify that many times over!!!

I sewed a Happy Stacker for my future grandson. It is my hope it will be a family heirloom 

played with by all future siblings and 

protected  forever by his Momma.

What I do know for sure- 

it will be my last pattern purchased & attempted...

I just don't have the patience for following complicated details in me anymore.

But- I DID IT (eventually)

And I've decided some things:

Every seam out of place shows my originality.

Every blood speck says... 

yes, indeed another pin prick- 

"Grandma was here"...

and for every thread still frayed sewed in a seam... 

The seam police better leave off their glasses!!!

First things first...

I purchased Heather Bailey's pattern on line 

& copied all pattern pieces

(thinking I'd make this as my new baby gift for all...

 there will be no other recipients!)

Chose my fabrics and prepared 

my first ring with "ease"

Everything was going very well- 

until it was time for "the flip" 

See this Pic above???

DO NOT DO THIS!!!

I would spend days recreating this puzzle.

I am now an absolute pro at what 

NOT TO DO!

BUT-

I still do not know how 

to correctly complete the pattern.

Others have shared their pics and experiences on line & eventually done a great job.

But, I had to go another way.

So I started over. 

And from this point on... 

I would do all centers by hand 

without attempting to 

reverse my rings as directed

OR 

to hide stitch work. 

I prepared all my layers...

especially the center bands, 

because I knew they were my chance

 to make it mine.

Assembly of each ring is: 

bottom layer+

outer edge+

center

Once you get past center... 

(& however you got past it- I applaud you!)

Then you attach top- 

and for me- it's back to hand stitching the center.

I followed all pattern cutting instructions as written... but quickly decided to 

add stitching on outer edges of center flaps

 as reinforcement for my hand stitch work.

After stuffing- I had to apply a lot of pressure to whip stitch ring closed.

Then I went back and did a more secure stitch for (hopefully) permanent hold.

And then I just took my time...

and stitch by stitch... 

pin prick by pin prick I went on....

Once I was done with rings... 

The pole still remained.

Thankfully, compared to the rings- it was a breeze.

And HERE IT IS:

The pattern was created by Heather Bailey. I purchased it on line:

https://www.heatherbaileystore.com/product-p/sp003-hs.htm