How To - My first big sewing project. A blanket for the boy!

ok I am a very beginner seamstress... I've made a dozen pillows...some baby wipes and a hairband. BUT my son has been driving me nuts for a blanket of out 2 fabrics he picked back in the fall. so to shut him up (yep I said it) I made it today.

He had picked these 2 fabrics

The batman panel was great. I bought it from ebay. And the hot rod fabric is from alexander henry....I know they don't match at all but it's my son's quilt and I told him he could pick what he wanted. and it actually looks really cute together.

So At walmart I picked up some baby blanket batting. it comes folded in a flat big piece. The panel for my son's blanket was 35"x43" so I left 1/2 inch for thread as i'm still not a great perfect line sew-er. So I had to cut my hot rod fabric and batting to the same dimensions...easy enough!

I used this GREAT hobo mom blog for guidlines http://www.hobomama.com/2010/12/sew-cozy-throw-blanket.html

it seemed easy enough... just that it's big and kinda bulky. After pinning than repining the 3 fabrics together (yep I pinned it wrong the first time) I got sewing...I checked repeatedly that I was not going over the edge of the fabric...(which I was at one point..) so I guess in an amateur move I just back stitched all the way back and kept going in a BETTER straight line down the blanket. I will admit that I think I stretched the batting so I had this...ummmmm "overlap" or :wave of extra fabric" BUT batting is very forgiving. I simply flattened the batting along the blanket with my arm, pinned down the overlap and sewed a second seam and it worked out fine and didn't add much bulk at all. I do know I should have ripped the seam and redid it all, however if I did not get this blanket done I would either go deaf from the boy asking if it was done...or stop and put it all away. I thankfully remembered to leave a space open to flip it inside right. Than finished off the open part with a "ladder stitch" ooooooo fancy

I had already poked out the corners with my finger (and you thought I forgot)

I must say it was probably a rather crude way of making my first blanket, but I must say myself...it looks great...and I didn't need to go buy one.... It was also GREAT practice in the "sewing under kids pressure" department. My son adores it, and it will be going on the plane with us soon. The best part of making my first big project is I now know what not to do the next time. I also learned how to break my neeedle and am now going thru sewing withdraw until I get to the sewing shop tomorrow. So with that I leave you be.

I never thought i'd see the day where I could do all this.... With the help of an amazing and encouraging friend and seamstress pam, who has an AMAZING etsy shop st http://www.etsy.com/shop/PKStuff (and I have alot of her awesome stuff)  

a great beginner sewing tutorial I got at http://www.etsy.com/shop/CranberryWay

a naggin son and a genuine desire to learn I got thru it... I'm eager to gt onto the new projects I have planned and cut already! And about those broken needles......well I burned alot of food learning to cook too! 

I'm no longer afraid to sew and it also helped alot with self confidence knowing that in my ADHD mind if I just prepare first and have it all ready the actually put together part is easy peasy

This is his "MOM!!!! i'm trying to play my games" Face!

A week of good....than bad

I always try to stay positive so I will start there

Got an amazing deal on a handmade quilt at sinclaieville . I love it. It's so perfect!  I have always had a soft spot for quilts...the amount of time and work that goes into it amazes me.  This quilt was perfect. A mix of purples and greens with a few pops of pattern. Also I liked that it was backed in black, I find it adds a modern touch.

I was shocked when this quilt had been marked down to 35$. It wa over I had to have it. It came smartly wrapped in a clean garbage bag in a great well wrapped box. It did'nt take too long, and after a handwash and line dry it has'nt left the couch yet! In our house we are big cuddlers....our new couch we bought when we moved is a huge oversized blue faux suede with room for 4 to stretch right out. We often lay all over the couch in pj's falling in and out of naps cozy under handmade blankets and quilts, watching reruns of looney tunes with the boy. It's a wonderful way to spend the weekend. I would suggest everyone check out sinclaieville - gifts from a quilters heart   They do still have quilts at amazing prices and also sale ones too. But most of all Tami is an amazing seller, the love she has for what she does shines thru. I would buy here again anytime my budget allows.

The bad

The boy has bronchitis  ICK   so shipments are slightly delayed as he is home with me from school. Oddly it has'nt dulled his loudness or obsession for video games.....but I am glad to be able to baby him for a bit. Now that he is 5 he does'nt seem to need me so much (not at all if you'd asked him)  His teeth are loose, he picks his own outfits......and breaks mommy's heart with his sudden burst of lippy comments!  As much as I miss my baby boy I am also amazed by my little man daily. This picture is from his christmas concert!

MAIL CALL Bubbles and bugs!

bubbles and bugs is this sweet shop owner that seems to be able to find any fabric and make the cutest necktie tops. Some have suspenders...mine never do. I first came across her when looking for construction stuff for the boy... I got an amazing brown top with a dump truck tie.....

Well The boy is sooooooo into green eggs and ham....I figured i'd never find a thing. I spent hours searching etsy, ebay and so on...so I dropped bubbles and bugs a line and asked if she could help....within literally minutes she sent me back a sample...IT WAS PERFECT. With bubbles and bugs you can get a tshirt or long sleeve in an insane amount of colors...So I picked BRIGHT ORANGE (i think it looks great with blue jeans)  

Well today it arrived.... I don't have a picture but I will tonight....It's unreal  this is the necktie piece she cut for the top on a white top

There is no doubt in the world I will use this seller again. Infact I am thinking of doing shirts for all the kids in our family, as she has alomost everything kids love! I would reccomend this seller to ANYBODY and she can be found HERE   thanks Jaymee for everything!!!