Crafty Schmafty
Oh, which do I show off first? I think it will be the doll Sarah and I made Friday night to bring to her friend’s birthday party.
I really hope it isn’t tacky to give very mistake-ridden handmade gifts as birthday presents for 5-year-olds. I know my 5-year-old would love it, and that’s why she wanted to make something for her friend.
She did do at least half of the work on this doll. She cut the pieces from the free Black Apple Doll pattern. Originally, we used regular quilter’s cotton but a few difficulties (and the fact that I think we were supposed to add a seam allowance, and didn’t) led us to give those up and just use wool felt — which doesn’t fray and so doesn’t require turning, a major bonus in my book, where itty bitty legs and arms are concerned.
I used a couple of the fancy stitches on my sewing machine to do the mouth and eyes (Crooked, yes. It gives it a nice, “handmade original” touch, don’t you think? Don’t tell me otherwise.)
Sarah picked out all the colors and even did much of the sewing and was just so thrilled with the whole thing, and very excited to give it to her friend.
Next up? This:
A newborn wool diaper cover. I dyed the wool fabric with Kool-aid (the only suitable purpose for that stuff, right?), appliqued the heart on the front and a flower on the back . . .
Which turned out a little lopsided, but still, it resembles a flower and I’m not complaining.
I used the Very Baby Snug Wrap pattern and followed this tutorial and I can’t WAIT to wrap this around a little baby bum!
Here it is opened up with a prefold inside, but I’ll probably use my fitteds (shown here) so maybe the runny newborn poop will stay contained inside the diaper a little better and I won’t have to wash the wool so often.
Which, did you know how awesome wool is as a diaper cover? Totally. It is extremely water resistant and can hold lots of moisture without feeling wet. It is naturally antibacterial so unless poop gets on them, you don’t have to wash them very often at all.
Can you tell I’m a bit excited to use these? Do I get excited over weird things? The other ladies in my church talk up their fancy cribs and monogrammed bedding and I think it’s all maybe a little excessive — until I realize I get my kicks out of something just as ridiculous — appliqued poopware. Awesome!
I’ll probably make another one tomorrow. And maybe, just maybe, get around to finishing that diaper bag. You know when a project gives you so many little troubles that it just drags on and on? Yeah.
Trina
I absouletly love the diaper. I personally use the pro-wrap, but after looking at yours it makes me almost want to sew my own. I have a friend who sews cloth diapers too I think I’ll buy a few covers from her since my covers are falling apart due to washing them with bleach for so long. I used to sanitize them that way, but now I just use the dryer heat.
Simply Mother
Ooh, I’m afraid of using bleach in diapers for that very reason. I just wash on hot — I try not to dry PUL in the dryer very much either. The sun is an excellent bleach and sanitizer — that’s why a clothesline is an essential for me. And it gets out stains like nothing else!
Nat2
I have wool covers. Yeah, lack of enthusiasm. My kids’ poop is, how to say, liquid. So, yeah, I had to wash the wool all the time. I recommend wool for those with solid poops. But I still don’t know what runny poops require. Elimination communication?
Nat2
Yours is cute, though. I love the look and feel and the idea of wool. I’m bummed about my kids’ bums, if you know what I mean.
Nat2
Hey, the corner of the diaper bag is cute!
Simply Mother
Thanks Nat. Sorry about your kids’ bums!