Crinkly Taggy Blanket Tutorial

Today I am excited to share my first tutorial.  As I venture into the world of tutorials I thought I would start with one of my favorite baby gifts:  taggy blankets.  Taggy blankets are cuddly and offer sensory benefits for babies.  

As an added bonus taggy blankets can often be made completely from fabric scraps and may not even require a trip to the fabric tore to our chase supplies.

Supply List

Here’s the list of needed supplies:

1. Top fabric 11” x 11” 
2.  Bottom fabric 11” x 11”
3. Crinkly material for inside (I used a plastic diaper package, but you could also use a plastic bag, plastic wipe packaging, empty cereal bag, etc)
4. Ribbon in a variety of widths, textures, colors, and patterns.
5. Coordinating thread

Step 1:  Prepare the Top Fabric

The top and bottom fabrics need to measure 11”x11”.  Either use one solid piece of fabric or piece squares together smaller squares, similar to constructing a quilt top.  This gives the opportunity to encorporate more textures and colors to increase the overall stimulation for the baby.

I pieced together 4x4 squares using a 1/4 inch seam allowance, which resulted in finished dimensions of 11” x 11”.

Step 2: Prepare the Tags

Cut the ribbons into 20 pieces that are each 3 1/2 inch long.

Step 3: Attach Ribbons to Top

Fold each ribbon in half with wrong sides together.  Pin each folded ribbon to the right side of the quilt top.  Aline the raw edges of the ribbon with the raw edge of the fabric.  Arrange the ribbons so there are 5 ribbons evenly spaced along each side of the top.

Sew along each side of the quilt top with a 1/8” seam allowance.  This will attach the ribbons to the top.

Step 4: Attach the Crinkly Plastic

Pin the plastic to the wrong side of the blanket top.  I usually cut the plastic a little bigger so it overhangs the top fabric.  This gives a little extra material in case the plastic shifts while sewing.  

Sew around the entire top with a 1/8” seam allowance to attach the plastic to the top.

Step 5:  Attach the Minky

Lay the backing over the the top with Wright aides together. Secure the top and backing with pins. 

Tip:  If using minky apply lots of pins because minky is slippery and shifts easily while sewing.  

Sew around the blanket with a 1/4” seam allowance, leaving a 2” section open on one side to allow for turning the blanket right sides out.  This opening is shown with the yellow arrrows in the below picture.

Tip:  When sewing with minky, the minky should be on top. The feed dogs tend to cause the minky to slip and shift.

Step 6:  Finish the Taggy Blanket

Trim the corners and turn the blanket right side out by pulling the fabric through the 2” opening.  Lightly iron the quilt top, being careful to not touch the hot iron directly onto the ribbons and minky backing.

Using a ladder stitch, hand sew the opening closed.  (Click 

here for instructions on the ladder stitch)

Sew a top stitch round the entire blanket.

Congradulations!  You have completed a taggy Blanket!

Girls Nautical Nursery

When we were creating the nursery for our little girl I knew we wanted to incorporate pink (my favorite color) into the room while still having a gender neutral theme.  I was unable to find any bedding in what I was looking for in stores so I decided I would need to make my own.

So after looking at virtually every fabric option possible, I settled on a nautical theme from Premiere Prints in bright pink, gray, and navy.  These fabrics are twill and duck cloth, making them both heavy and warm.

I started with a crib quilt using chunky 6” squares of fabric.  I contrast the twill and duck cloth quilt top with a soft minky backing in navy.  Due to the weight of the canvas and twill fabric I opted to not use batting.

Next I worked on a fitted crib sheet using Riley Blake anchor fabric.  Then I created a crib skirt.

I hand painted four 12”x12” canvases to coordinate with the nautical themed quilt.

I painted the dressers gray to match the crib and added a pop of the pink on the drower knobs.  And then finished off the room with a light gray walls plus a navy accent wall.  Overall I am quite pleased with how it turned it.  

There are still a few details that need to be completed before I can call the room complete.  I found some chip board anchors that need to be painted, I want make a bow organizing board using leftover fabric, the shelves need some more decoration, and I would like to add a strong inspiring vinyl decal quotation to the wall.

But that will be for another post.  So stay posted to see what I come up with.  And until next time, have a Sew Scrappy Day!

Color My World Quilt

I have been busy working on my first quilt project of 2018.  It was actually a quilt kit that I received as a Christmas gift from my one year old daughter, Alexis.  It comes in this cute little box and is bundled to look like a big box of crayons, which is probably why Alexis refused to leave the door until Daddy bought it.

It’s Crayola Fabric Colors by Riley Blake.  It comes with 10 solid colored fat quarters in tight little rolls so it looks just like a no of crayons.  And on the back is a picture of Riley Blake’s Color My World quilt pattern, which you can download for free here.

The kit only came with the solid colors shows above.  I had to purchase separately the black background and binding fabric as well as the backing fabric.  I choose to go with this cute coordinating Riley Blake Crayola Crayon in pink for the backing.

As soon as the fabric came in ore washed it and got right to the cutting.  And there was lot of cutting — 39 crayons each made up of a tip, a serpentine, and 5 rectangles. 

Check back in a few days and check up on my progress.  And until next time, have a Sew Scrappy Day!

Helicopter, Airplanes, Trains, & Truck Crib Bedding For Baby Austin

This past Christmas my husband surprised me with some fabric he had picked out form our local quilt house so I could make a baby blanket for our soon-to-be baby Austin.  Once I got the blanket done, I decided I needed a matching sets.  I got that done and decided I needed a big and burp cloth.  And then after that decided why not have a matching bed skirt and coordinating pillow.  So when all was said and done I had a complete bed set.

I used cozy flannel fabrics by Blank Quilting -- Starlight, Moving & Shaking, and Airplanes.

For the sheets I used a tutorial from I Candy Handmade

I made the bed skirt using a tutorial from We Like To Learn As We Go.  Instead of one solid piece of fabric, I constructed panels consisting of one piece of airplane fabric two pieces of green fabric.

And here's the blanket that I posted about in an earlier blog post.

I thought it would be nice for Baby Austin to have a pillow.  I made it reversible so one side of the pillow has the air plane fabric, and the other side has the trains and truck fabric.

And with the left over fabric I made a quick burp cloth and big and used my embroidery machine for some added personalization.  For the burp cloth I used this tutorial and for the bib I used this tutorial

My next project for the bed set is going to remake the mobile by covering it with fabric and painting some helicopters, airplanes, and trains to hang from the mobile.  Hopefully I will get it done before Austin outgrows that mobile stage :)

DIY Infant Carrier Cover - Perfect for Shielding Baby

Here's an easy DIY sewing project I did for my little Austin -- an infant carrier cover.  These covers work great from shielding the baby from the bright sun/lights and even protects the babies from exposure to germs when out and about.  I followed this tutorial that I used over at the blog Make-It-Do.

I just fell in love with this Michael Miller fabric from the Elephant Walk line that I purchased from the Quilt Hause here in New Braunfels.  I used the "Zoology-dirt" fabric for the outside and "Dumb Dot" for the outside and for contrast on the outside.  If you are making this cover for a little girl, they have this same adorable fabric in pink and purple tones too!


And of course, I just couldn't help but add a picture to show off my adorable little baby.  Here is Austin enjoying a nap in his infant carrier with his nice hand-made cover.

DIY Baby Age Blocks for Photo Props

Here's a project I finished just in time for Austin's arrival -- age blocks.  These work great for photo props to document the baby's age.  And since Baby Austin is 1 month old today, I can show off how much he has grown and changed in the first month!

I can not take complete credit for this project.  My mom passed the idea on to me after seeing a present that my sister-in-law received as a shower gift (purchased from BB Blocks).  And I have to thank my dad for doing the cutting, sanding, beveling, and staining.  Complete instructions are located at the end of this blog post.

My Age Blocks Put to Use on Baby Austin:

Instructions for making your own photo blocks:

Supplies:  

• 4x4 piece of wood that is at least 15 in. long
• polyeurothane & sanding blocks
• For the lettering
• Cricut cutter and cutting mat
• multiple colors of adhesive-backed vinyl
• font cartridge (I used Cake Basics).
• transfer tape

Instructions:

• Step 1:  Starting with a wooden 4x4, cut the wood into two cubes (actual dimensions are ~3.5 in. x 3.5 in. x 3.5 in).  Then cut a rectangular piece that is 7" long (7 in x 3.5 in. x3.5 in).  Use a beveler or a sander to round the edges, and thoroughly sand all surfaces.
• Step 2: Apply two or three coats of polyurothane, sanding between each coat.  For best results, follow the application and sanding instructions on the polyurethane label.
• Step 3: While the polyurethane is drying, cut the letters and numbers out of the vinyl as described below.
• for the first cube: cut numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6
• for the second cube: cut numbers 0, 1, 2, 7, 8, and 9
• for the rectangular cube: cut the following words: days, weeks, months, and years
• Step 4: Using the transfer tape, apply the words and numbers to the blocks.
• Step 5: Once the vinyl letters and numbers are in place, add two or three more coats of polyurethane, sanding lightly between coats.  This will protect the vinyl from getting scratched and scuffed.

Big Bro and Little Bro Appliqué Embroidery Shirts for My 2 Boys

Now that Baby Austin is almost a month old, I am starting to get into a normal routine and am starting to have more time for crafting and blogging.  And I am so excited to show off my two boys with today's project -- Big Bro T-shirt and matching Little Bro onesie.

I purchased the embroidery program on Etsy for $2.99 from JoyousEmbroidery and the gingham fabric came from Warehouse Fabrics.  I made big bro 5" x 7" for the toddler shirt and the lil bro 4" x 4" for the baby onesie.

And here's a picture of my two boys showing off their new shirts.  Landon is such a proud big brother and is so happy to introduce Baby Austin to everybody.  (I still need to work on the art of getting a toddler and a baby to both look at the camera at the same time)

Trains, Helicopter, Trucks, and Planes Baby Blanket Using Random Rectangle Pattern for New Baby Austin

I am so excited to finally be able to show off my two latest projects.

First -- the most important project -- we welcomed our new baby boy last week.  Austin Ryder was born on March 25 at a healthy 7 lbs 14 oz and 18 3/4 in long.  We are so blessed to have this new addition in our family!

Second -- here is the project I've slowly been working on over the last several weeks that I finished just in time for baby Austin's arrival.

The fabric is all cozy flannel from the Starlight Flannel collection by Blank Quilting.  I actually got the fabric as a Christmas present from my husband.  Didn't he do a great job picking it out!  To make the blanket extra cozy, I used a plush border.  For a personalized touch, I embroidered Austin's name in the upper right hand corner.

I got the random rectangle pattern idea from this blog:  Cluck Cluck Sew Blog 

Here is a view of the entire blanket.  It's finished size is about 43" x 50", which is just about crib sized.

And here is a view that shows the airplanes and helicopter fabric I used on the backing.

I still have enough fabric left to make a crib sheet, bibs, burp clothes, and pillow case.  So I better get working!