Help Me, I’m Nesting and I Can’t Stop (aka The Post with Two Left Shoes)

So, I have hit the third trimester and the end is in sight. I have to say, that knowing the end is coming is a great relief.  I feel HUGE and when I express any dismay over my ever increasing size, inevitably my girlfriends with children shake their heads and tell me “just wait----that (pointing at the over inflated beach ball that is my stomach) will get much bigger.  Last month, during my check-up, I was informed that I had gained 8 lbs in the short span of a month….this was quickly followed up with the whipping out of a tape measure and the comment “yes, you have grown quite a bit.”  The Master of the obvious comment did nothing for my ego.  But I digress…

So, I have started nesting, well, at least my version of nesting.  Instead of nesting in a traditional clean the house productive manner, I have started collecting baby related craft patterns and began pumping them out at surprising rate (nothing is “fast” when you are this size).

Here are some of the highlights:

Heather Bailey’s Effie & Ollie Elephant:

Notes: Used fabric from Heather Bailey’s new line Nicey Jane. The pattern was well written and pretty easy to understand. You can buy the pattern here. (side note: Shipping was very fast---I had my order in a few days)

Difficulty level: some swearing (mostly due to inexperience with making 3D objects). 

Terry cloth Bunny

Notes: From my beloved book Baby Stuff.  Made from terry cloth that I picked up from the local fabric shop and felt purchased from Heather Bailey’s store.  Deviations from pattern—I really stitched the eyes down using my sewing machine.  I am paranoid about the baby choking.

Difficulty level: Very easy and fast (under an hour). The only swearing involved was trying to cut out the terry cloth.  (I was told by one of my sewing mentors that if you sandwich the terry cloth in between tissue paper and then lay your pattern on top, the terry cloth doesn’t shift as much.  If anyone tries this and it works, let me know).

 

Nursing cover

Notes: I used a free pattern online that I found to be a bit difficult. The pain of the pattern eased when I decided not to follow it anymore.  I am not going to post a link---it was well intentioned, but I am not spreading the pain to others. The fabric was from Amy Butler's Nigella line.

Difficulty level: swearing and head scratching---lots. However, the project was pretty straight forward.  If you decide to make a nursing cover using a free pattern online, make sure you ready it through first.

*sorry for the lack of pictures on this one, but this project is not the most photogenic. It is the background in the top photo.

Kimono Shoes

Notes: Used a free pattern by Aimee Larsen of www.homespun-threads.com (pattern here). I used another fabric from Heather Bailey’s Nicey Jane collection as well as a scrap fabric from a quilt. These shoes are very cute and quite quick.

Difficulty:  The shoes are small and have curves, so the sewing can be a bit fussy and slow (but not super hard).  The only issue I had was that I neglected to properly switch out the way front overlaps and ended up creating two left shoes (I blame it on the hormones-hehe). The project was quick enough that I decided to create a right shoe and thankfully did not end up with another left shoe.

 

That basically summed up my last two weeks or so.  I am hoping that for the sake of harmony in the house, that a more “traditional” nesting urge kicks in---the feds might find out the state of affairs and condemn the place if something doesn’t happen soon.

~A

Comments

[Terra]

Swooning over the shoes!!

[Kori]

How did I miss the pregnancy post? Well a very late congrats! I can't wait to see how darling your little one will be in the goodies you made (and I'm sure will make).

[Jordan Sneakers]

It's so lucky for me to find your blog! So shocking and great! Just one suggestion: It will be better and easier to follow if your blog can offer rrs subscription service.

[air yeezy]

These shoes look really good. Like this style shoe. They remind me of the way I used to draw shoes on women when I was little. Nevertheless, I'd just say they're ok, but only for the show.

[alissa]

those kimono shoes are absolutely darling! hope you are feeling well!! xo!