Something to make sewing easier

52 WEEK CHALLENGE: WEEK 3: Sew something to make sewing easier

This week I made pattern weights. The first set I attempted to make were cement weights using mini pie silicone molds. But I had too much cement in the mix and they crumbled :( I do want to try again because I love the concept.

My second attempt was using felt and filling the shapes with rice. I used a puzzle piece pattern by 'Handmade by glow' this pattern shop is mainly a cloth pad (sanitary towel) pattern shop, but Rebecca has wet bag, wipes, novelty puzzle patterns too.

I received my puzzle pattern in a "like and share promo" but there are a few other patterns that are similar. The sea, dinosaur, Christmas, vehicles ones are available in her etsy store.

My pattern weights are made up of 6 puzzle pieces that get put together to make a giant puzzle piece shape.  The lower puzzle pieces in my picture are actually the image in the pattern showing you how to piece the puzzle together.

I scaled up to 102% for the larger puzzle pieces, and printed at regular size for the lower puzzle pieces. I hand sewed the pieces together and filled them with rice. I'm not worried about mold and pests, I have had a heatable beanbag filled with rice for over a year and never had a problem :)

Luckily this project is a handsewn one because this was another very bad week with power and internet outages. I managed to print while we had power and the day's without power I did my hand sewing.

Aidan loves them too and loves putting the puzzle together :)
So if you're looking for a unique gift for any kiddies, get the puzzle piece patterns from 'Handmade by glow' they sew up incredibly fast, its a perfect project for in front of the TV :)

Something with the latest fabric I bought

52 WEEK CHALLENGE: WEEK 2: Sew something with the latest fabric you bought.

This week I made a romper for Aidan using the 'Romperalls' by Peek-a-Boo Patterns, if you join her Facebook group you can get it for free.

I used a cotton knit arrow print fabric I bought in a flash sale online at South African WAHM supplies, the navy lining is from them too. They no longer have this print but they are always getting in new stock.

The cuffs are cotton lycra I bought on line from Sewista, she also has a Facebook group  Sewista , if you're in South Africa both of these suppliers are fantastic.

I did this in a 3T , upsizing from his usual size because I'd like this to last through winter, in winter he'll wear a long sleeve tee under it

This was another very quick, easy sew. I do love a romper but I feel that past age 3 on a boy it doesn't quite suit them, on girls however they can wear rompers for all eternity.

This post contains affiliate links to Peek-a-boo Patterns 

something warm and soft

52 WEEK CHALLENGE :WEEK 1: Sew something Warm/Soft

Already the year is off to a not great start. The 1^st we had no power all day, so no sewing and no blogging. The 2nd we had no internet, the 5th we had no power again, and the 6th no internet.

I had already decided to finally sew myself the 'Riverside Robe' by Peek-a-Boo Patterns'. 2 years ago I tested this particular pattern and for the test I made my husband a robe, bought fabric to make myself one and never got around to it. So Soft and Warm is the epitome of this robe. Aidan saw me sewing mine, trying it on and declared he also wanted one thus week one became a two item week.

Just before the power went out I managed to print off the 'Comfy Cozy Robe' by Peek-a-Boo Patterns' for Aidan, piece the pattern together, trace off his size (because this particular pattern has no layers), cut the traced off pattern and cut the fabric.

Now normally I hate patterns without layers but for an item you'll be making in many sizes it kinda makes sense to print off all the sizes unlayered and just trace off the size you need. Although trying to fold the taped together pattern neatly is like squeezing a watermelon through a doughnut.

Both patterns are incredibly quick to sew up, its very easy to follow Amy's directions and the robes are super comfy.

I used a coral fleece on mine and a polar fleece on Aidan's.

I do find that they both tend to run big, my measurements put me in a large, I made my husband a medium 2 years ago, I tried it on and saw immediately a medium would fit me with room to spare.

I made Aidan a 2T and it is very spacious on him, it may last him two seasons.

Overall I love both patterns and would definitely make them again.

I created a PDF printable to keep track of my sewing, I make notes on every project I do. You can download it here

Week one's sewing task is successfully completed.

This post contains affiliate links to Peek-a-Boo Pattern shop.