The "Bapron"

I found this free pattern and tutorial on Pinterest and think that it's about the cutest bib I have ever seen.  It's going to be so sad when Maddox covers it in peanut butter and jelly.

Anyway, this is what I'm making today.  It's easy, it's quick, and it's useful.  So head on over to Craftiness Is Not Optional and check out this super cute pattern and tutorial, plus about a hundred thousand more and have a great day!

Show your patriotism

For the 4th of July, I made skirts for the girls and an outfit for the boy.  I also embellished the girls' shirts.  I made the tiered skirts out of knit fabrics.  I used the tiered skirt tutorial.  I did 3 tiers using the 1.5x tiers.  I love how they turned out!  I made them much shorter than the previous skirts I have made.  I made fabric yo-yo's for their shirts- one each in red, white, and blue.  I stitched them together and then tacked them to their shirts.  They are easily removed.  Ideally, I will make them into pins so they can be put on any shirt and used every year.

I used the same knit to make Drew's outfit.  I used an existing out fit as a pattern, but added a red stripe in the middle with reverse applique white stars.  I think next time I will make the stripe a bit higher on the chest.  It turned out fairly well.  Next time I will plan ahead better so that I can have colored snaps to match the fabric.

The Flash

During Celebrate The Boy month, there was an awesome tutorial for a boy's shirt  over at




I have been meaning to make one for Drew.  I have some T-shirts around here that would be perfect for it.  I prefer onesies for my little guy at this point, though.  So I decided to go for it.  I ran over to D.I.- yes, they have one or two of those around here- and found a couple T-shirts.  I made the first one this morning.  It took me about 90 minutes total.  I made some mistakes and had to redo a few things, so I think it will take even less time the next go round.
So here is how mine turned out:

I bought a onesie at D.I. so that I could cut it up and use it as a pattern (I don't have any extra onesies at home I can use).  It worked out pretty well except that the onesie was a very stretchy knit and the T-shirt I used isn't quite so stretchy.  Add that to the fact that I use cloth diapers, and the it ends up being a bit more snug around the bum than I like.  So the next one will get cut a bit wider at the bottom - hopefully that will solve the problem!  I plan to take pictures on the next one so that you can see how the bottom of the onesie is done.

If you are apprehensive about sewing with knits, DO NOT WORRY.  It really was easy.  I didn't use my serger because I need to find the tool used to remove the needle as it seems to have disappeared.  I just used a .5 width zigzag with a 3.0 length stitch on my regular machine and it worked great for finishing the neck and leg edges.  It was SO easy.  Go over to 

and get started!

Make It Monday

Welcome to a new week around here.  I've got sooo many projects on my plate, I'm wondering how I'm going to get them all done.  But For Make-It-Monday, I wanted to feature a project I recently found and tested from none other than... (drumroll please) Prudent Baby.

This changing table pad cover might as well be straight out of a high end boutique, but the funny thing is, it's so stinkin' easy and inexpensive to make yourself.  Love It, Love It, Love It!!!

My thanks goes out to everyone over at Prudent Baby for their ingenius changing table pad cover and also the images seen here!  This pattern can also be modified to make fitted crib sheets or if you really wanted, any larger size sheet.

Happy Creating!!

In The Works

First off this weekend, I'm hoping to figure out how to make a fully padded camera strap, or slipcover for my existing camera strap. 

I know there are tutorials on the internet for this project, but I didn't think any of them were quite right for me, so I'm making my own.

Watch for a tutorial the week after spring break, since I'm taking spring break off.

Also in the works this weekend is this project that I found over at Little Birdie Secrets. 

Thanks Little Birdie Secrets for the photo and tutorial!

Love it!  Greatest thing?  Although you can buy wet bags in the store, you can't get them to coordinate your diapers and wipes clutch or your decorative wipes clutch or your handbag.

So to make your own wet bags in the size and color of your choosing, check out this tutorial.

Happy Creating!

Decorative Wipes Clutch

This project is FANTASTIC!!!  I tried it out yesterday and it turned out great!

For my first time doing it, it took me about an hour, but now that I know how, it will take much less time next time. 

To make your own, check out this tutorial from homemade by jill.

Just because it's called decorative wipes clutch, don't discount it's usefulness.  These would make great pencil/crayon cases, or think "that time of the month" or how about to keep all those stray buttons in.  Think outside the box and you'll find endless possibilities for this fantastic decorative wipes clutch.

Oh, and I almost forgot about cost.  I've checked around online and found these for anywhere between $10 and $30.  I spent a grand total of $3.76 for all the supplies.  Definitely better than buying in my book.

Happy Creating!!

Diaper Clutch

 

This is a very simple and useful project, borne from my desire to save money and also be organized.  My friend Laura came over and talked me through it and helped me make a sample or 2, and now we've got a tutorial ready for all you that want your own diaper clutch.

Diaper Clutch

• Supplies: You will need the following items:

• 3 pieces of 8 1/2" x 11" printer paper
• scissors for paper
• pencil
• tape
• ruler
• fabric tape measure
• scissors for fabric
• pins
• thread
• sewing machine (obviously)
• 2 coordinating 1/4 yard pieces of fabric
• velcro

**This tutorial uses a 1/2" seam allowance unless otherwise specified**

Section 1: Make A Pattern

Although you can make this without a pattern, I've found it's much easier when it comes to cutting and getting angles and curves the same if you use a pattern.

• For Front Piece:
• Using 1 piece of paper, draw a curve in one corner.

• Fold the paper in half the long way an cut both layers of paper along curve line.
• Open paper out, this is your pattern for the front section of the project.
• For Back Piece:
• Tape the remaining 2 pieces of paper together the long way so it is 15 1/2" long.

• 
  
  
  At the top, make a mark 1 1/2" from the left side of the paper. Repeat for the right side.

• Measure down 5 1/4" from the top of the paper. Using a ruler, draw a line across pattern. This is your tab fold line.

• Using a ruler, connect fold line at right edge of paper with right side mark. Fold paper in half the long way, and cut along line.

• Using the front pattern as a guide, cut a curve in the bottom corner, then open flat. This is your pattern for the back section of the project.

Section 2: Cut the Fabric

**For purposes of the tutorial, I will be using Hop Dot-Tangerine from Heather Bailey's Nicey Jane Collection as my lining and Welcome Road-Pink also from Heather Bailey's Nicey Jane Collection for my outer fabric. I will reference them yellow and pink for the remainder of the tutorial.**

• Layer a single layer of each fabric then lay the pattern on top of them. You can pin the pattern to the fabric if you wish.
• Cut around each pattern through both layers of fabric.
• You should now have 1 pink back piece, 1 pink front piece, 1 yellow back piece, and 1 yellow front piece.

Section 3: Assembly

• Front
• With right sides together, stitch top edge of front pieces only. Open flat.

• With right sides up, stitch seam allowance to yellow lining 1/8" - 1/4" from original seam.

• With right sides still facing up, measure 2 1/4" from original seam in center of pink fabric. Mark with a pencil.

• Center bottom edge of hook side of velcro rectange on mark, then sew 1/8" from all edges of velcro to attach.
• Back
• With right side facing up, measure 1" from top in center of yellow fabric. mark with a pencil.

• Center top edge of loop side of velcro on mark, then sew 1/8" from all edges of velcro to attach.
• Fold down top edge of yellow fabric 1/2" toward wrong side of fabric. Press. Repeat this step on pink fabric also.

• Putting Sides Together
• Layer back pink fabric, right side up, then with wrong sides together layer front assembly with yellow side up. Last, layer back yellow fabric, wrong side up.
• Pin into place.

• Stitch around 3 sides leaving folded top side open for turning.
• Trim seam allowances to alleviate bulk. Turn right sides out.

• Stitch opening closed 1/8" - 1/4" from edge.

You're finished!! That's all there is to it.

So, according to my assessment, this project costs less than $6 and it takes less than 1 hour. Hmmm, I don't know about you, but that's definitely worth making myself instead of buying one.

If you have any questions, please contact me at kristinslearningmoments@gmail.com.

Oh, did you want to win one?  Well, all you have to do to win this diaper clutch is comment.  If you want another chance to win, become a follower of my blog.  For one more chance to win, post about this tutorial on your blog, and link back to me in your post.  Comment to let me know you did.

This giveaway will close on Friday, March 12.  I will announce a winner on Make It Yourself Monday!

Happy Creating!

*fabric purchased at Piece By Piece, Eugene, OR.  Other supplies purchased at Jo-Ann Fabrics.