This one is for a friend. I really hope she likes it. Cotton reversing to raspberry silk dupion,with raspberry corduroy straps and head rest.
Hmmm, dunno what I've done,but all my pics seem to be chopped in half!
I've gone through editing the more recent ones,but to be totally honest I just can't be arsed to change the older ones...sorry!
I've gone through editing the more recent ones,but to be totally honest I just can't be arsed to change the older ones...sorry!
I've been meaning to try a Podeagi for some time,and finally got around to making one a couple of weekends ago.
This one is made using some beautiful Mchael Miller cotton with a silk lining and cotton corduroy straps.
I love this carrier,it's soooo comfy and sooo pretty,even in my scruffy jeans I feel all dressed up once I put this on.
I know this looks creased,but that's because I took these photos after I tried it on!
This one is made using some beautiful Mchael Miller cotton with a silk lining and cotton corduroy straps.
I love this carrier,it's soooo comfy and sooo pretty,even in my scruffy jeans I feel all dressed up once I put this on.
I know this looks creased,but that's because I took these photos after I tried it on!
A couple of people on another forum asked me how I made the toddler MT below.I wrote up these instructions from my notes.They are in no way perfect,but might help someone out.
Just remember if you do follow them,that your baby's safety is your responsibility.
Jeanette’s Toddler Mei Tai
Fabrics etc
Main fabric: 2 metres (outer body, sleep hood and straps)
Lining fabric: 1 metre
Inner (hidden) layer: ½ metre
Shoulder padding: polar fleece or fusible fleece/batting.
Jeans needle (or two) for machine.
Good quality thread.
And if you have one a walking foot makes top stitching much easier.
Cutting Out
All measurements include a 1.5cm seam allowance
Body: 65.5cmx43cm round off top edges
cut 1 of main fabric
cut 1 of lining fabric (or 2 if necessary)
cut 1 of hidden layer (or 2 if necessary)
Straps:
Shoulder straps cut 2 200cmx30cm
Waist straps cut 2 100cmx30cm
Sleep Hood: 29cmx39cm round off top edge to the same angle as body
Cut 1 of main fabric
Cut 1 (or two) of lining fabric
Ties…cut 2 approx 30cm x6cm
Making up
Shoulder straps:
Using fusible fleece/other padding add shoulder padding to required length, remembering to leave approx 10-15cm of strap to attach to body without padding.
Fold straps in half lengthwise and sew 1.5cm seam, along long edge and one short edge.
Trim
Turn right way.
Press
Top stitch.
Waist straps:
Fold in half lengthwise,and sew 1.5cm seam, along long edge and one short edge.
Trim.
Turn right way
Press
Top stitch.
Sleep hood:
Make ties as straps
Placing main fabric and lining fabric right sides together and pinning ties in place,sew 1.5 cm seam ,along sides and top edge.
Clip curve,trim.
Turn right way
Press.
Turn up and press bottom edge in place.
Top stitch.
Sew sleep hood onto main body(and hidden layer) in desired position.
Body:
(this is the tricky bit!)
Place main fabric and hidden fabric layer(with sleep hood attatched) flat on a table with right sides facing up.
Position straps in desired place, keeping at least 10-15 cm of strap inside the body of the MT.
Remember to keep waist straps 1.5 cm from bottom edge to allow for seam. (then waist straps will be in line with bottom edge)
Pin and tack in place, keeping all loose strap ends,sleep hood etc inside and away from the seam allowance.
Add lining (2 layers or 1 lining 1 hidden) right sides facing down.
Pin and tack in place.
Sew seam 1.5 cm along sides and top edge.
Trim and clip corners.
Turn and Press.
Turn up bottom raw edges. Press and top stitch.
Top stitch entire body
Reinforce straps by top stitching through all layers on each strap. X boxes or similar are recommended.
Press
Then try it on!
Just remember if you do follow them,that your baby's safety is your responsibility.
Jeanette’s Toddler Mei Tai
Fabrics etc
Main fabric: 2 metres (outer body, sleep hood and straps)
Lining fabric: 1 metre
Inner (hidden) layer: ½ metre
Shoulder padding: polar fleece or fusible fleece/batting.
Jeans needle (or two) for machine.
Good quality thread.
And if you have one a walking foot makes top stitching much easier.
Cutting Out
All measurements include a 1.5cm seam allowance
Body: 65.5cmx43cm round off top edges
cut 1 of main fabric
cut 1 of lining fabric (or 2 if necessary)
cut 1 of hidden layer (or 2 if necessary)
Straps:
Shoulder straps cut 2 200cmx30cm
Waist straps cut 2 100cmx30cm
Sleep Hood: 29cmx39cm round off top edge to the same angle as body
Cut 1 of main fabric
Cut 1 (or two) of lining fabric
Ties…cut 2 approx 30cm x6cm
Making up
Shoulder straps:
Using fusible fleece/other padding add shoulder padding to required length, remembering to leave approx 10-15cm of strap to attach to body without padding.
Fold straps in half lengthwise and sew 1.5cm seam, along long edge and one short edge.
Trim
Turn right way.
Press
Top stitch.
Waist straps:
Fold in half lengthwise,and sew 1.5cm seam, along long edge and one short edge.
Trim.
Turn right way
Press
Top stitch.
Sleep hood:
Make ties as straps
Placing main fabric and lining fabric right sides together and pinning ties in place,sew 1.5 cm seam ,along sides and top edge.
Clip curve,trim.
Turn right way
Press.
Turn up and press bottom edge in place.
Top stitch.
Sew sleep hood onto main body(and hidden layer) in desired position.
Body:
(this is the tricky bit!)
Place main fabric and hidden fabric layer(with sleep hood attatched) flat on a table with right sides facing up.
Position straps in desired place, keeping at least 10-15 cm of strap inside the body of the MT.
Remember to keep waist straps 1.5 cm from bottom edge to allow for seam. (then waist straps will be in line with bottom edge)
Pin and tack in place, keeping all loose strap ends,sleep hood etc inside and away from the seam allowance.
Add lining (2 layers or 1 lining 1 hidden) right sides facing down.
Pin and tack in place.
Sew seam 1.5 cm along sides and top edge.
Trim and clip corners.
Turn and Press.
Turn up bottom raw edges. Press and top stitch.
Top stitch entire body
Reinforce straps by top stitching through all layers on each strap. X boxes or similar are recommended.
Press
Then try it on!
Made with embroidered cotton corduroy and silk.
Babywearing is a huge part of my life,and finding the perfect large toddler carrier is not so easy.We were using wraps (simple pieces of cloth) daily,but wrestling a wriggly and reluctant toddler into a wrap is really not my idea of fun,so our Mei Tai collection has started to expand somewhat.
I'd been meaning to make a Mei Tai for some time,but finally I got around to it yesterday.I started out with the intention of making a Babyhawk inspired carrier with a sleep hood,but during the design/sewing process found myself making something more like a Colibri.
For once I'm actually really pleased with how this project turned out.No doubt there will be things I'll do differently next time,but there's always room for improvement.
I've got the bug now,so will definately be making more.
I'd been meaning to make a Mei Tai for some time,but finally I got around to it yesterday.I started out with the intention of making a Babyhawk inspired carrier with a sleep hood,but during the design/sewing process found myself making something more like a Colibri.
For once I'm actually really pleased with how this project turned out.No doubt there will be things I'll do differently next time,but there's always room for improvement.
I've got the bug now,so will definately be making more.
I have a love / hate relationship with knitting.My Mum taught me the basics when I was a little girl,and in my teens I discovered I could make myself all sorts of "cool" things,like the piano scarf I knitted using a free pattern in a teen magazine (could have been Jackie).It was a scarf based on the old Minors make up advertisment where a disembodied heavily made up head had a piano keyboard twisted around where it's neck should have been...oooh didn't you love the 80's?
I also knitted myself several berets with pom poms and assorted hats to keep my head warm...a mohawk in the winter was not my best ever idea,although it did mean as a 6th former I was no longer allowed to go to school assemblies,or do prefect duty!
Since then I've flirted with knitting occasionally.I've knitted the odd lacy cardy and bootees when I've been pregnant,but still never got the bug.
While pregnant with my last baby I decided to knit a babywearing poncho,a huge task as it turned out.I spent 18 months (on and off) knitting the damn thing,then just as it was long enough to try on,I discovered how utterly horrible it was,and threw it in a cupboard in disgust!
I'm am not going to let this beat me though. There are some beautiful yarns available now,and I've discovered dyeing and felting too...lots of fun,though as yet I haven't made any felted items I actually want to show anybody!
I'm not a natural knitter,but that isn't going to stop me!
I also knitted myself several berets with pom poms and assorted hats to keep my head warm...a mohawk in the winter was not my best ever idea,although it did mean as a 6th former I was no longer allowed to go to school assemblies,or do prefect duty!
Since then I've flirted with knitting occasionally.I've knitted the odd lacy cardy and bootees when I've been pregnant,but still never got the bug.
While pregnant with my last baby I decided to knit a babywearing poncho,a huge task as it turned out.I spent 18 months (on and off) knitting the damn thing,then just as it was long enough to try on,I discovered how utterly horrible it was,and threw it in a cupboard in disgust!
I'm am not going to let this beat me though. There are some beautiful yarns available now,and I've discovered dyeing and felting too...lots of fun,though as yet I haven't made any felted items I actually want to show anybody!
I'm not a natural knitter,but that isn't going to stop me!
I spent the day on Friday finishing off some projects I cut out before Xmas and had no time to finish.
Firstly a needle roll.I've needed one of these for a while now,and finally decided to use up some knitted fabric salvaged from a poncho I spent 18 months knitting only to discover it was utterly horrible!
I lined the roll with quilters cotton,and used a really lovely ceramic button to fasten.
TBH it's not exactly how I imagined it.Sewing the knit to the cotton was not at all easy.I probably should have stabilised the knit first.
Secondly is a little cardy using a pattern from Ottobre Woman. I made the largest size,but unfortunately it still wouldn't stetch across my boobs. It's not quite a lurid green as it appears here.(please excuse the clashy and stained t shirt.)
Finally a skirt made using a pattern from Prima magazine.(April 2004) I used PRR Buttons cord dyed royal blue. I was so surprised at how great this fits,and it's actually quite flattering.
There is a front split,a yoked waist,and a centre back godet.
Firstly a needle roll.I've needed one of these for a while now,and finally decided to use up some knitted fabric salvaged from a poncho I spent 18 months knitting only to discover it was utterly horrible!
I lined the roll with quilters cotton,and used a really lovely ceramic button to fasten.
TBH it's not exactly how I imagined it.Sewing the knit to the cotton was not at all easy.I probably should have stabilised the knit first.
Secondly is a little cardy using a pattern from Ottobre Woman. I made the largest size,but unfortunately it still wouldn't stetch across my boobs. It's not quite a lurid green as it appears here.(please excuse the clashy and stained t shirt.)
Finally a skirt made using a pattern from Prima magazine.(April 2004) I used PRR Buttons cord dyed royal blue. I was so surprised at how great this fits,and it's actually quite flattering.
There is a front split,a yoked waist,and a centre back godet.
I never seem to get time these days to sew for me,but having finished all my Xmas projects (7 pairs of cheats pj's and 3 cheats dresses),I finally got to make myself a dress I've had the fabric and pattern for since April!
The pattern is New Look 6429,and the fabric is from www.emmaonesock.com
I actually think it looks slightly better in real life than in the photos,but that's beause in my head I'm a stone lighter than I actually am!
The pattern is New Look 6429,and the fabric is from www.emmaonesock.com
I actually think it looks slightly better in real life than in the photos,but that's beause in my head I'm a stone lighter than I actually am!
I don't normally post work sewing here,but I'm really quite pleased with my latest efforts and thought I would.
Although I've drafted my own patterns for my nappies and wraps,and for the simple sun dresses I sell during the warmer months,I've never really drafted from a basic block before,so drafting the pattern for this kimono style dress was a new experience for me,and I really enjoyed doing it!
I can't wait to start designing more outfits.I'm keeping things simple for the moment,but who knows,I might actually teach myself pattern cutting this way.
I've lots of ideas for practical,simple play clothes for babies and children,using funky and fun fabrics,and all with co ordinating nappies and wraps.
Now all I need is a little girl to try this on.
Although I've drafted my own patterns for my nappies and wraps,and for the simple sun dresses I sell during the warmer months,I've never really drafted from a basic block before,so drafting the pattern for this kimono style dress was a new experience for me,and I really enjoyed doing it!
I can't wait to start designing more outfits.I'm keeping things simple for the moment,but who knows,I might actually teach myself pattern cutting this way.
I've lots of ideas for practical,simple play clothes for babies and children,using funky and fun fabrics,and all with co ordinating nappies and wraps.
Now all I need is a little girl to try this on.
The last of my holiday sewing! These are rompers made using a pattern from the Summer edition of Ottobre.I made them in a size 92 for my rather large little man!
I even remembered to use some lamington labels.
I even remembered to use some lamington labels.
Just finished some shortie pj's for Angus. I used some cotton jersey bought at this years sewing for pleasure,and some rtw t shirts appliqued using a juju design http://www.designsbyjuju.com/
Brain dead sewing..lots of shorts for the kids,perfect holiday clothes.
Had a mammoth cutting out session this morning,all sewing for our holiday.So now I'm ploughing my way through it.
First completed item is a chair sling for Sid. I had one of these for India that my step Mother in law gave me.She had made it for her daughter who is now 23!
I started by looking at the pattern here http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/chairseat.html ,and using the measurements as a starting point drafted my own pattern.
Please excuse grubby baby!
First completed item is a chair sling for Sid. I had one of these for India that my step Mother in law gave me.She had made it for her daughter who is now 23!
I started by looking at the pattern here http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/chairseat.html ,and using the measurements as a starting point drafted my own pattern.
Please excuse grubby baby!
It's been quite a while since I've managed to do any personal sewing,or even very much work sewing,but faced with my mountain of fabric and feeling guilty I decided to try and get some sewing done for our holiday in August.
This hat and matching bag are made from some Ikea furnishing fabric,with a little donated (thanks Paula!) quilting cotton for the lining of the bag.
The hat was made using a free pattern by http://www.wildginger.com/products/wildthings.htm and the bag was made up as I went along LOL.
The bag has a pocket inside that snaps on and off,so I'll be able to find my purse/keys easily.I also made a small changing mat in the same fabrics,since I'll most likely use the bag for nappy changes while out and about on my holidays.
This hat and matching bag are made from some Ikea furnishing fabric,with a little donated (thanks Paula!) quilting cotton for the lining of the bag.
The hat was made using a free pattern by http://www.wildginger.com/products/wildthings.htm and the bag was made up as I went along LOL.
The bag has a pocket inside that snaps on and off,so I'll be able to find my purse/keys easily.I also made a small changing mat in the same fabrics,since I'll most likely use the bag for nappy changes while out and about on my holidays.
I have just discovered the joys of wool dyeing with kool aid!
It's so simple and smells so fruity!
I bought these wool leggings in a sale,but they were a rather dull pale pink,which I wasn't sure ds2 would appreciate.
I'd love to be able to tell you exactly which colours/flavours I used for each pair,and I did start to make notes,but got caught up in the frenzy of tearing open packets and mixing the powders,so soon forgot!
I'm reasonably happy with my first attempts,but am looking forward to more dyeing,this time hopefully in a more controlled way!
It's so simple and smells so fruity!
I bought these wool leggings in a sale,but they were a rather dull pale pink,which I wasn't sure ds2 would appreciate.
I'd love to be able to tell you exactly which colours/flavours I used for each pair,and I did start to make notes,but got caught up in the frenzy of tearing open packets and mixing the powders,so soon forgot!
I'm reasonably happy with my first attempts,but am looking forward to more dyeing,this time hopefully in a more controlled way!
Maternity leave is over,and I'm back to work sewing,but not without baby!
I've been very busy lately,and for the first and probably last time,I've actually completed all my Christmas sewing with time to spare...I can't quite believe it myself!!
Firstly there is my secret santa project for someone from the online sewing group I belong to.This is a lovely pattern,Vogue V7862.I really enjoyed putting it together,and hope to make one for myself in the new year.
You can't see from the picture,but there are concealed zipped pockets in the straps for mobile phone,purse etc.
The bag is also more green than it looks.
I added the store bought bag charm as a little detail.
Then,there are the little fleece booties I made for Sid.
Gypsy skirts for my girls.
And finally pjs,and nightgowns,for me and my girls.
Firstly there is my secret santa project for someone from the online sewing group I belong to.This is a lovely pattern,Vogue V7862.I really enjoyed putting it together,and hope to make one for myself in the new year.
You can't see from the picture,but there are concealed zipped pockets in the straps for mobile phone,purse etc.
The bag is also more green than it looks.
I added the store bought bag charm as a little detail.
Then,there are the little fleece booties I made for Sid.
Gypsy skirts for my girls.
And finally pjs,and nightgowns,for me and my girls.
