I sewed up several things over the last several weeks that I never posted about because they were gifts. And I realized as I started this post that I neglected to even take photos of several of them before I sent them off! Oh well! I’m going to write about them anyway!
Did I take this photo in the car on the way to the baby shower? You decide…
Most recently — as in last Friday — I made 3 small fabric “beach balls” for a friend who’s due with her second baby in March. I gave her a big pack of diapers (since it was a diaper shower) but I wanted to throw in a little something handmade as well. I used this pattern, and these were pretty quick and easy to put together. I used scraps of flannel that I already had in my stash, so the only thing I had to buy was another bag of polyfill since I didn’t have quite enough left from previous projects to fill all three balls. The pattern called for hand-sewing circles on each end to add to the beach ball look…but I decided I liked them just fine without the end caps.
(While I was sewing these closed, Emma got very excited about them — and really, these are great for kids because they can be tossed around without hurting anyone or anything. I think I’ll be making our own set any day now.)
The rest of my projects were done as part of a meme of sorts. Wayyyy back in January LAST year, a bunch of people were posting variations on the same idea on Facebook — something along the lines of “the first five people to comment will get a surprise gift from me sometime this year!” I joined the fun, but switched it up to say that people would get a hand-sewn gift. So in December, as 2013 began to wind down, I finally started making good on my promise to those five people: my friends Jen, Becca and Carter, my cousin Pam, and my sister Katie.
(Well, to be honest, I made good to 3-4 of those 5 people. Becca’s is done, but I haven’t actually seen her since I finished it last month, so she doesn’t have it. I’m posting anyway, so sorry for ruining your surprise, Becca! And my poor sister will be waiting for her item for a few weeks more, although she didn’t know it until right now. Sorry Katie!)
For Jen, Becca, and my cousin Pam, I picked projects from this “Bags” book that I picked up at Half Price Books in Corpus Christi over Thanksgiving. Jen and Pam each got a Pleated Zipper Wristlet in different color schemes and sizes. Becca will get — whenever I finally see her — an Elegance Clutch. (The photos above are from the book, not what I made.)
While I was at it, I couldn’t resist making something for Jen’s almost 2-year-old daughter. I had already planned to make a monster doll for Emma for Christmas, so I just made two instead — one for each girl!
For Carter, I made a men’s bag using this Boxy Dopp Kit tutorial and some green and gray plaid flannel. The bag turned out bigger than I had anticipated, but hopefully he finds it useful for something, or at least just fun to have.
Hooray for making things!
Jennifer says
Isla loves her stuffy. It’s in her crib right now. But she’s not 2 yet!
saroy says
I said almost 2! 😉
Jennifer says
Ah – so you did. 😉
Becca says
You made me something!!! And I didn’t even have to have a baby :)! So excited!!!!! Also why haven’t we seem each other in ages? We must get better about lunch at least.
saroy says
I meant to give it to you that day we got pedicures right before Christmas, but I forgot to bring it and I haven’t seen you since!