So yesterday marked the first day of Elsie Marley Spring KCWC. Never mind, TODAY is the first day of KCWC!!! Guess I’m a day ahead at this point as I was totally sure it started yesterday. Ah well, here’s the summary of my pre-kcwc:
Fueled by green smoothies, jars of green tea with mint, and homemade trail mix (raisins, dulse, almonds, and raw cacoa nibs), I spent the better part of the morning sewing. And no, I’m not a raw foodist (far from it). Although reading through my sewing menu one might think so. It was just really hot over the weekend. Gray blessed me with a decent morning nap, and Aaron took the kids for an additional hour after that, so major progress was made on the LIST.
I really wanted at least part of this week to be about sewing clothing my children actually need, not just things I want to sew because they’re cute. But honestly, most things I don’t really need to sew. There are Grandparents and thrift stores after all. The diaper covers, though. Those really needed to be sewn. Diaper covers are expensive, especially wool ones. I tried to hint to my parents that, no, Gray really wouldn’t mind if they bought him new diaper covers for his birthday. But I think they pictured buying something he’d be a little more excited to open. Ah well…
We used one-size adjustable PUL diaper covers with Audrey (I wasn’t quite ready to take on wool cloth diapering as a brand new mother), and after that much use, they just didn’t smell fresh anymore. Unlike wool, over time synthetic materials seem to retain odors and no matter what I did, they just didn’t smell clean. We used wool covers for him as a baby and I didn’t have that problem. But he was rapidly growing out of them.
I set to work cutting out a new set of diaper covers months ago (self-made pattern). And then got distracted by all the more exciting things I could be sewing. Meanwhile Gray kept right on growing and his other covers got smaller and smaller. So new covers. MUST BE FINISHED. I told myself. Then on to other more appealing sewing.
Ta Da! Goal number one completed. A finished set of wool covers using recycled wool sweaters. All given to me by a generous friend and my dad (my number one source for repurposed clothing). So, entirely free, except for velcro. Which satisfies a certain wannabe frugality that I possess.
But either the velcro is weaker than the last velcro I used for his smaller covers or he’s gotten much stronger. I think it’s both (he still can’t unfasten the smaller covers). He systematically removed every one I put on him. I had to be quick with the camera. Audrey, giggling gleefully: “Gray wants his bummie to be bare!” Hmmm…guess if it’s not going to be perpetual ‘naked time’ then a buttoned onesie or pants are going to be necessary. Now I understand why people invest in things like industrial snap fasteners.
The covers are made with two layers of wool sewn right sides together. Either with a serger or zig zag stitch, I’ve used both. The elastic is sewn to one layer along the leg gussets and the back before the two layers are sewn together. They’re then turned right-side out and top stitched. Then the velcro is sewn on. These were sewn with maximum speed and not a whole lot of matching thread to fabric and other more finicky touches like I used for his baby diaper covers. I was feeling the rush to finish them and just. have. them. done.
The rest of the time was spent cutting out pants. Goal number two: new pants for the baby. I already mentioned he’s growing. Seemingly by the minute. Both my kids are tall (they get it from their dad, not my 5’3″ genetics). Most of his pants are too short and since he seems to possess a talent for getting maximum dirt/sand/water on him in minimum time, he really needs new pants. Ideally a pile of them so I don’t have to wash his clothes every two days.
Three super fast t-shirt pants for digging in the dirt. I couldn’t resist cutting out knee patches to spark them up a bit.
Two Anna Marie Horner Quick Change Trousers just so I could play around with mix-and-match fabrics. Plus I figured when they get dirty I can brush them off and turn them inside out. Which should cut down on laundry, right? Partly fabric from my stash, partly fabric from upcycled fabric.
And two mellow, neutral colored pants that should go with every outfit. Quick trace, self-drafted pattern on those ones. Upcycled from old maternity pants of mine.
So that makes seven pairs of pants. Yep, that should be enough, I think.
And that is where today’s (and probably tomorrow’s) sewing energies will be spent: sewing toddler pants. Off to work…
What are you sewing this week?
Inspiring and amazing as always. I started a pair of the QCT last week too and am totally confused by the yoke…can I call you or can we meet (maybe next week when your challenge is over) so that you can look at it? I am not doing the challenge, just wanted to make some pants for C.
Sure.
Wow, that is a ton of work accomplished, I am impressed and inspired :)
Love the diaper covers.
Lovely plans! I love the apple fabric.Now I want to make pants with knee pads. I might just do that while the baby naps.
You have been so busy and the week has only begun!!! Can’t wait to see what else is in store for the other days.
Being that I live in Ohio and wear wool sweaters to keep warm in the winter/snow, I have to ask if those wool covers get really hot on your little guy in the heat of California?? Just curious! :)
I wondered that too when I switched over. They’re not nearly as hot as wearing plastic. Which is basically what the PUL diaper covers are (or disposable diapers for that matter). Wool actually breathes surprisingly well and wicks the moisture away. So it feels cooler. Of course, on the hottest days, nothing is more comfy than a “bare bummie” :)
Was able to work on them a bit today while Calvin napped. I figured out my mistake. Hopefully I’ll have a single pair finished in the time you knock out your seven!! XO
Ha! We’ll see…much slower going today without another adult here to help.
I didn’t even think of the alternative of the PUL covers or the disposable ones! So true!! I know it breathes well and wicks, but all I could think of bundling up with this goodness in the cold. Love the bare bummies! And with that comes quicker potty trainings!
And to think my “goal” is just to get some jammie bottoms sewn by June!!!!! You are my hero!
Ah! But all that knitting you manage to finish!
Wooo hooo! those diaper covers look great, good job rocking those out pre challenge ;) i think i should add my half finished diaper covers to this week’s list too. going with your cue, i started my challenge yesterday too- cleaned out the sewing room and drafted a few pants and short patterns. managed to do all that and actually get a bit of sewing done- curious george fabric (picked out by tanner at an excursion to the fabric store a few months back) lounge pants. tonight i stitched up a pair of soy/organic cotton microterry shorts for noah, but i think i should rip the waistband and lower the rise. it feels like i haven’t sewn in so long, i forgot how quickly simple patterns sew up! thanks for inspiring me to join the challenge!
Way to go! Glad you’re in it with me. Sorry about fooling you (accidentally) into adding an extra day. But, hey, you’re way ahead now…