Baby sewing, because baby #4 is on his way!... Also, One Thimble #11 is out!!

Hi everyone! Is it Spring already in your corner of the (northern) woods? I can't wait for Spring to show up for good. It has been raining a lot with some occasional sunny days now and then... It seems this year we are heading from Winter straight to Summer with no Spring in between... At the same time, I am enjoying all the beautiful Fall photos of the southern hemisphere. I love Spring but I also love Fall.

Today I am joining the One Thimble issue 11 blog tour with some... baby sewing! Baby #4 is on his way!!! (If you follow me on Instagram you have already heard the good news!) 

It was a huge surprise since we were not expecting any more babies, but we are all very, very happy! The kids are really excited and I can't wait for them to meet their baby brother. <3 The best, most important and truly valuable thing we can give our kids are siblings. There are no material things, iPhones, iPads, high-end clothes, trips to the Disneyland or to foreign countries that can match the happiness and value of having brothers and sisters. 

I picked two baby patterns (of course, ha!) from all 12 patterns available on this issue of One Thimble. These are the Bear & Bunny Baby Quilt and the Wild Things Baby Shoes! 

Wild Things Baby Shoes

Pattern by Big Little Patterns.
This pattern features: 
- options: a mouse, anda, raccoon, bear, kitten, fox and bunny.
- sizes: newborn to 12-18 months.

It's an Intermediate level pattern.

You can get this as a single pattern here.

Bear & Bunny Baby Quilt

Pattern by Horris and Deedle.

This pattern features:
- options: bear, bunny, polar bear and frog.
- It measures approximately 40''x46'' (100cm x 115cm).

It's a Confident Beginner level pattern.

This pattern can be purchased as a single pattern here.

Both of these patterns were an easy and enjoyable sew. And I love how they came out! 

Next baby pattern from One Thimble in line: the Roly Poly Critters, a great pattern by Swoodson Says. If you don't know Stephanie's patterns you should check them out! She has a few great patterns for kids.

Here are the 12 patterns you get on this issue of One Thimble:

– Marty Hoodie (size 1-12)
– Upton Sweater (size 12 months to 14 years)
– Adventurer Pants (size 1-12)
– Hoya Dress (size 12months to 12 years)
– Crossover Flounce Dress (size newborn to 12 years)
– Wild Things Baby Shoes (size 1 – 5 … approximately newborn to 12-18months)
– Hood Creature Free Motion Applique
– Women’s Hoodie Vest (size xs-xxl ladies)
– Rainbow Wild Animal Cross Stitch*
– Bunny & Bear Quilt
– Felt 3D Animal Puzzle
– Roly Poly Critters

There are also several tutorials and articles on this issue. They are amazing! It's 393 pages of patterns & tutorials, great info, sewing techniques and handmade business articles!

– Getting sewing for boys right
– How to install double capped rivets

- Sewing with laminated cotton

- Top tips for sewing knit fabrics without an overlocker

– Tips for getting started with upcycling
– Results of Katie’s pre-washing experiments
– How to make Quilt Block Bunting
– How to make a rag style baby quilt
– How to pattern hack the Scrappies with a rag style quilt panel
– Freezer paper stencilling
– Using Facebook groups for your creative business
– Marketing Do’s and Don’ts
– Trending fabrics and much more

The article that really spoke to me on this issue is the "Sewing for Boys: Getting it right" (by Max California). If you follow this blog you already know that I sew more for my two girls than for my boy. I hope that now that the number of boys is going to be even with the number of girls will get more sewing time. I think my biggest problem about sewing for boys is finding a style that they will love, that doesn't shout "mommy made"... When sewing girl clothes you can go stylish or classic, trendy or adorable, without people noticing it's handmade. When sewing for boys I feel it's a hit and miss. I can either make something that looks like handmade, in a not flattering way, or I can go all the way with creating a cool boy outfit that looks like RTW. But the later is harder to accomplish... 

Another article I really enjoyed is "10 Best Tips of Getting Started: Up-Cycling" (by Candice Ayala). Candice shares sources of fabrics that can be re-used. She also shares lots of helpful tips for being successful at upcycling. I am a true believer of up-cycling. I believe we - home sewists of the world - need to be more sustainable in our sewing. Upcycling clothing and fabrics instead of fabric hoarding is the way to go. (And I am speaking to myself...).

The quality of this sewing e-magazine is outstanding! All articles and tutorials are really good and the photography and styling is amazing. Don't miss it!

Happy Sewing!