A little unselfish sewing ...

Every once in a while, I sew for someone other than myself. Ok, not a lot, but a little bit. Christmas gifts for sure, and I always make something special for Ashley and Darrin, for their annual trip out to the San Diego ComicCon. This year, Ashley sent me some fabric for a dress - how cute is this! And do you think she likes Hello Kitty...

Darrin got a new rubber loop bracelet, his favorite, in black and gray. Who would have thought - these bracelets are a big hit with my son and grandson as well. In fact, I just got a special order for a couple in Florida Gator orange and blue.

But back to the dress, I've made this pattern about 5 times now for my girl. I drafted it several years ago from a pattern that looks nothing like this dress!

And a couple weeks ago, Ashley came over to help me with a surgery. It meant so much to me - she took FMLA from work, and it was such a comfort to have her with me. Not to mention how much she helped me afterwards. Before she came over, I made her a thank-you dress, in a little fancier fabric that she can wear with a shrug for casual Fridays.

(And I'm doing great. Not quite ready to model clothes yet, but almost there.)

Meanwhile, the super-nice person who helps me with yard work and small fix-ups around the house, and his wife, are expecting a little girl, their second child, this month. They're originally from Morocco, and I think it must be hard not to have any family nearby. I wanted to make something a little different for them, and at first I thought might do little flannel blankets. And then I remembered how popular gauze swaddling blankets are now with new moms. And how perfect for our Florida heat and humidity.

I started with a 5-yard x 44" wide piece of cotton gauze, which I thought would be enough for 4 blankets, 44' square. Nooo... when I pre-laundered it and took it out of the dryer, it was 2 feet shorter than when it went in! So enough for three blankies.

To finish the edges, I pressed out about 1" along the side seams, cut off the selvedges, and simply sewed a double-fold hem all the way around.

After another wash and dry, they are so nice and soft and airy. I want one!

Double Eye Needles

Before I could manage the stairs up to the sewing loft, I indulged in some online shopping - nothing wrong with my fingers! I finally got around to ordering a couple things I really need, both from Nancy's Notions - what a fun site, it has lots of interesting things I don't see everywhere.

I love double-eye needles for sinking serger tails back through the stitched seam - and I haven't found them anywhere else, in shops or online.  I lost one of my two needles somewhere in the sofa a couple weeks ago. Panic. At 2 for $2.75, they are a great tool. They also come in a pack of 10.

Tracing Paper

And I ordered 2 rolls of tracing paper. I really go through this stuff - just give me paper, scissors, and tape, and I'm happy.

These are 77 yards long and 21" wide, two rolls for $15 (it can be ordered by the single roll as well). What a good buy, much less than I've been paying at A.C. Moore. To make this a totally guilt-free little purchase, I also found a free shipping coupon online :-)

What next? Well, I'm back to sewing now. Before the surgery, I cut out and prepped a few garments - I knew that part would be difficult for a while. Fun stuff - Kathryn Brenne's new Vogue 9135 jacket, a Wiksten top re-drafted with a little swing, a Kwik Sew 2895 denim jacket, and a Morris blazer in black ponte. 

So I'm staying busy and grateful for such an easy recovery.

Bye for now - Coco