Chase's Pillow

So I started on my quilt for the baby bedding a couple days ago. There is so much cutting and sewing, I was only doing little bits at a time. This afternoon, I was working on it and Chase came in and started asking about how the sewing machine worked, so I started to explain it to him. Then he wanted to try it, so I cut a couple of scraps for him to sew and walked him through it, and he actually did a really good job! I took my machine back over and he started complaining that he wanted to do more, so I suggested he make a pillow. He picked the pattern, the fabric, and the size. I did the cutting, and talked him through it, but he made the whole thing himself. The only sewing I did was the edge stitching  not because he couldn't, but because we didn't have enough time if he was going to finish it in time for show and tell tomorrow. I was so proud of him!

                                 Here he is putting the squares together and lining them up carefully.

                                                               Sewing the pieces together.

 After sewing all the squares together.  He really did a fantastic job. The edges aren't completely straight, but come on, he's 7!

And the finished pillow. This took him about 2 hours to do, and I was surprised he didn't get bored, especially because it's so repetitive, but he was determined that he wanted to make a pillow for baby sister. This set is really turning out to be very special. I just had to be "that mom" and brag for a minute.

Baby Bedding

     So, although I haven't blogged in practically forever, I have been busy. I started my work-from-home job, and I've been doing that on top of my regular job, and now it's grass-mowing season. Hurray. As far as baby news, there is none yet, but that's only because we aren't ready yet. I told Cory we needed to jump on all our projects and get them done so we'll be ready, and as soon as we finish, we'll get our baby. He snorted and told me my optimism was cute. Hey, maybe it won't work out quite that nicely, but I'd rather have everything done and wait than procrastinate and get the call and then try to frantically rush to get things ready. Plus, I'm really trying to motivate Cory to do the closet for me. So far it hasn't worked.

     When I was about 11 or 12, I took a few sewing lessons. It wasn't for long, maybe once a week for a couple months. I remember being so mad that my mom was making me go to these stupid classes, and she didn't even care that I didn't want to go. Well, lo and behold. after I got over my little tantrum, I actually really enjoyed the classes. I remember making a little patchwork pillow, that I gave to my Aunt Betty. She still has that thing, by the way. It seems like no matter what it was, I gave my mom a hard time, even if I enjoyed it, and especially if I didn't want to admit it. This was one of those occasions, so thanks Mom! You were right.

     I never got into it that much. I remember making my Mom a Greek-style, one-shouldered dress out of an old ratty sheet. I really don't know how she kept her composure when I begged her to try it on, and somehow she did. I also made Barbie bedding for my best friend's little sister. I made the sheets and the pillowcases, and the skirt and the comforter.  It was a lot of fun, but I think that was the extent of it. Well, for some crazy reason I decided I wanted to try to make the bedding for our hopefully soon-to-be baby.  It took me forever to pick what I wanted, not to mention that I jumped in and painted a mural before even thinking about the fact that it might be hard to coordinate. However, I fell in love with this fabric, and luckily it goes perfectly with the mural I painted.  I think so, anyways.

    I was a little worried that I was jumping in too deep, not having sewn much before, but I literally prayed and prayed before I started. I started off thinking I could do it for a fraction of the cost, but by the time I got everything I needed, now I see why bedding sets are so expensive! After putting so much money into it, I was worried about messing it up completely, but, like I said, I prayed that God would bless my efforts and what do you know, I think it turned out looking like something a pro would have done.  You can be the judge. I started on it Friday night, and finished up Saturday afternoon. (Yes, I put Cory in charge of the kids and practically locked myself in my "sewing room"). It was a lot of fun!

I still have a couple more pieces to do like a curtain and pillows, and changing table pad. And by the way, I'm not so talented that I just jumped in and started cutting and sewing. I did follow a step-by-step tutorial online. So until next time, just praying for a baby! =)