Christmas Pajamas!

My little man's Christmas pajamas are finished and I have to say - what a fun sew! This may turn into a tradition; we'll see! (At least for now he loves them....as he grows he may not always appreciate handmade. For now, I'll enjoy it!)

He received them early, just in time for his class Polar Express party. And really, he picked out the snowmen fabric and wouldn't let me forget I had a project in the works, so these were no surprise! 

However, I read somewhere of a family who opens their Christmas pajamas on Thanksgiving night. Great idea, right? Then they can wear them the whole Christmas season!

I went with the Peek-A-Boo pattern, Sweet Dreams Button Up Pj Set. I liked the range of sizes included in the pattern (3 months - 12 years) plus I have used these patterns before and had good luck with them. That's saying a lot because I am a novice when it comes to sewing clothes! To me, putting together a quilt is much more simple. :)

These came together without any problems - pleasantly surprising! I wouldn't label this project as quick, however. The piping really slowed me down, but I love the detail. I bet a set of pjs without the piping would be a much faster project. 

As I mentioned before, my son was in love with these little snowmen. It's a quilting weight cotton from Joann's, which faded a bit. Bummer. It turned out fine, but a flannel would be much more cozy. Maybe next time!

The fit was perfect, and I didn't even go to the effort of measuring my little man or another pair of pajamas. I just went with the size I would have purchased. 

He loves them and it was fun for me!

Merry Christmas!

Quick Charity Quilts

A couple of years ago I picked up a few prints from the flat fold table at my local quilt shop for a really low price, knowing they would make great charity quilts.

Earlier this year I put together the pink quilt so I could practice quilting in loops...

And then when my husband bought a {new to me} sewing machine for my birthday in September, I put together this boy's quilt so I could get a feel for the Bernina walking foot. And that guide bar? Awesome! Makes grid quilting a breeze!

When I heard our church group was participating in a community charity event this weekend, I knew these quilts would be perfect! So I quickly finished the binding and they are ready to go.

They each measure 44" x 60" and though they are not fancy, these simple whole cloth quilts are warm!

Hourglass Quilt & Patchwork Pillow for Baby

We had an awesome Thanksgiving - good food and good family time - and even x2! We enjoyed two Thanksgiving dinners, one with each side of the family.

My sister came to town for the holiday, so I was able to give her the gifts for her baby boy, due to arrive in a few weeks! We're excited! And now I can share the finished set here...

This simple quilt is made of basic hourglass blocks. I used the leftover scraps to make a patchwork pillow. (Which I think I like even more than the quilt!)

Want to make one? Very simple. You will need...

6 fat quarters or 1/4 yards - assorted prints

1 1/5 yards background fabric - solid

1/2 yard binding

1 1/5 yards backing

Cut the prints into squares measuring 7.5". 

From the background fabric cut 6 strips, each 2.5" x width of fabric. These will become the border.

Also from the background fabric, cut 5 strips, each 7.5" wide x width of fabric. Then subcut into 7.5" squares.

You will use 24 print squares and 24 background squares to make the hourglass blocks.

Never made an hourglass block? 

There are many great instructions out there already on how to assemble an hourglass block. Check this out: Hourglass Block Tutorial.

Though my blocks are bigger, the construction is the same. I trimmed my blocks down to 6.5" square.

I arranged and sewed my blocks together into a 6 x 8 grid. 

After the rows are sewn together, piece two border strips together along the short ends to make a very long strip. Sew this long strip along the left side (a long side) of the quilt top, centering the seam with the center of the quilt top. Repeat this process for the right side. Trim the excess. Then sew one strip along the top and one along the bottom to complete the outer border. The quilt top is finished. :) It should measure approximately 40" x 52".

Quilt and bind! Here are some links with more detail: Quilting Basics.

For the front of the patchwork pillow, I cut the print scraps into 3 3/4" squares and sewed these squares into a 4 x 4 grid. Then I made this patchwork panel into a mini quilt. I used a batting scrap, backed it with muslin, and then quilted in straight lines, just on either side of every seem. 

When this mini quilt was complete, I cut a piece of fabric for the back of the pillow - the same size as the front. I lined this back piece with interfacing to give it a little more structure. (You could also quilt the back panel in the same manner as the front.)

Then I sewed the front (the mini quilt) to the back around the edges (right sides together), leaving an opening for turning. After clipping the corners and turning right side out, I stuffed it with fiberfill until it was firm and then hand stitched the opening closed. The pillow measures approximately 13" square.

I used a Michael Miller print - On the Go in Navy (the cute little bicycles!) as well as several Riley Blake dots and stripes.

Excited for more boys in this family!