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Showing posts with label free pattern. Show all posts
Showing posts with label free pattern. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Crochet Baby Cocoon ~ Photo Prop: PART 1

When I was pregnant with my youngest daughter, I saw all kinds of cute crochet cocoons in friend's pictures. After several trial runs I came up with this pattern. I made a lot of them & we loved them when our baby was little because they were blankets that never fall off. It so nice not having to fuss with a blanket. I am going to have 3 separate posts with 3 different variations to this pattern.




The hooks needed for these patterns usually come together in a pack. They are the largest plastic hooks found in the crochet aisle ~ the small gray one is size P & the large blue one is size Q} Here are the 3 different variations of this pattern and the hook size needed for each that I will post.


2 strands of yarn {gray hook size P}
1 strand thick yarn {gray hook size P}
3 strands {blue hook size Q}


What You Will Need:
{2 strands variation} 
*Size P Crochet Hook 
*2 skeins of yarn - I use Red Heart Yarn 



Here are the abbreviations that you will need to understand to complete this pattern. If you want to know how to do any one of these stitches, please click here. To learn how to start the yarn on your hook, click here.

Abbreviations:
ch = chain
dc = double crochet
sl st  tog= slip stitch together


At the end of each round you'll see 'sl st tog'. You'll want to sl st into the little v that was created at the top of the 1st stitch for that round.

To start, take both yarns and tie together to start on hook like shown here.



ch 4, sl st into 1st ch to form a circle
Row 1: ch 1, 10 dc, sl st tog              {10 stitches}
Row 2: ch 1 2 dc around, sl st tog                  {20 stitches}
Row 3: ch 1, *1 dc, 2 dc* repeat around, sl st tog               {30 stitches}
Row 4: ch 1, *1 dc, 1 dc, 1 dc, 1 dc, 2 dc* repeat around, sl st tog            {35 stitches}
Row 5-25: ch 1, 1 dc around, sl sl tog                                 {35 stitches}

On row 25, fasten off and hide tail.  Admire your cute little cocoon!


For Matching Beanie:


ch 4, sl st into 1st ch to form a circle
Row 1: ch 1, 10 dc, sl st tog              {10 stitches}
Row 2: ch 1 2 dc around, sl st tog                  {20 stitches}
Row 3: ch 1, *1 dc, 1 dc, 1 dc, 1 dc 2 dc* repeat around, sl st tog               {24 stitches}
Row 4-7:  ch 1, 1 dc around, sl sl tog                                 {24 stitches}


On row 7, fasten off and hide tail.  Admire your cute little beanie!

Friday, November 25, 2011

DIY Flannel PJs ~ Part 2: The Top

So here goes part 2! There are more steps in making the top, but you can do it :)



First things first, lets talk Black Friday at Joannes ~
Doors opened at 6 am & people weren't killing each other to get anything!! Everyone was patient getting in the door and shared their flannels :) It was the best Black Friday experience
I've ever had! I scored some uber cute flannels!


Plus, the store employees gave everyone the coupons when you walked in,
so I got an additional 25% off my entire order & 50% off my oldest daughter's
Christmas gift since it wasn't on sale.
OH YES!!


I can't wait to cut into these!
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE :)




What You'll Need:
1 1/2 Yards Flannel Fabric {this will cover the shirt as well}
About 24 Inches Grossgrain Ribbon
4-5 Buttons Depending On The Size
Matching Thread
And Your Sewing Machine & Tools :)
Also, I used my Seger, but if you don't have one use your zig-zag stitch.



Bring back your paper bag and let's make the pattern. If you have a pair of pjs to trace, then trace each piece. If not, grab a shirt that fits your child loosely. If all you have are onesies, you can use it for your pattern, just make sure to add a few inches to give some room.





If you're using a loose shirt, ignore the sleeves for now & trace the back twice.
Cut 1 out & cut down the middle, then retrace adding 1 1/2 inches to the center.
You only have to create one side because you can flip the pattern over. Next, draw
the neck line how you want it. I like an angled neckline on these type of jammies.
For the collar, measure along the neck line of your pattern for the length, then
make a rectangle with the width of 3 1/2 inches. You can keep the angles sharp
or round them, whichever you like. After you cut everything out, take the front
panel and you're going to trace along the center line and 2 inches at the top & bottom,
keeping the angles the same at the neck line. Draw a line connecting top to bottom,
this is for the reinforcement fabric behind the buttons and button holes.
For the pockets, make a 4 inch square.




Trace each piece on your flannel or fleece. Make sure that you flip the patterns
over for the front panel, reinforcement pieces & collar pieces. In this picture
I marked where the 1 yard mark was so you could see.




But I forgot to make sleeves :)


So take your back & front panels, and line them up at the shoulder, then trace that round angle. For 12 month size, measure out 7 inches from each end & then square off the bottom of the sleeve. Trace those onto your flannel.




Cut each piece out and get ready to sew and serge. First, sew at the shoulders,
then serge or zigzag stitch. Next, serge the bottom edges of the sleeves and
pockets & hem the same way I described in part 1. Add the ribbon about
1/2 inch from the bottom and stitch on both edges.



Pin the sleeves to the front & back panels then sew and serge.



It should look like this after the sleeves are on. Set the pockets aside for a later step.




With right sides together, pin along the sleeve & the side of the shirt.
Then, sew along that seam, then serge or zigzag stitch. Next, take the reinforcement
pieces & sew them on to the center of the shirt. I like the fabric to have the
right side showing, so that's how I sewed it on. When both sides are on,
serge the bottom of the shirt then hem like you did with the sleeves.
Don't add ribbon to this hem, since you'll be adding pockets.
Flip right side out and attach the pockets. I forgot to take pictures of this step,
but its really easy ~ just fold the 3 edges under along the sides & bottom,
then stitch on. Make sure to back stitch at the beginning and end.




The collar was my least favorite part of this whole project, so beware,
it may get a little frustrating! The easy parts are: sew the ribbon about 3/4 inch
from the edge, make sure the fabric lays the way you want it to, if the fabric has a
direction. With right sides together, sew along the first short side, then the side
where the ribbon is and end on the other short side. You should have the
long side with out the ribbon left open.




This is the part that drove me a little crazy, maybe there is an easier way
to do this, I just haven't figured it out. . . fold the flannel inside itself at 1/4 inch,
then pin the neckline of the shirt inside the collar piece.




Sew along the pins, go slow to make sure that both sides of the collar stay in line
with each other & the shirt stays inside the collar. Every single one I made
I had to flip over & sew the other side because I wasn't patient enough to
follow this step, but no big deal since you have to look really close to see the mistakes ;)




The final step that I forgot to take pictures of is to measure your button holes and sew them into place. Open each button hole with your seam ripper then sew the buttons on.

Friday, November 18, 2011

DIY Flannel PJs ~ Part 1: Pants

***When I was at Joanne's this morning I found out that on Black Friday
all their snuggle flannels will be on sale for $1.49 a yard!!!
Can you hear me screaming with joy? I paid $2.99 a yard for these PJs,
so it cost me $4.50 per set; but, with this sale
I'll be able to make 18 month PJs for $3 per set!!!
While you're there check out the fleece since it'll be $2.99 a yard.
You can make pants out of them too, and I'll be posting a top variation next
week that is adorable in fleece.


YAY!!! See you at the cutting table :)




Sorry I haven't posted in a while, I have been so busy that October & November
have just been a blur! I made a few of these PJs for baby A & have been meaning
to get the tutorial up. There are a lot of pictures & steps so I am going to do
2 posts. In this one I'll show you how to make the pants; the tutorial for the top
will be posted early next week. The measurements are for a size 12 months.



So here goes. . . .


What You'll Need:
1 1/2 Yards Flannel Fabric {this will cover the shirt as well}
About 24 Inches Grossgrain Ribbon
1/4 Inch Elastic 2 Inches Less Than Your Baby's Waist
Matching Thread
And Your Sewing Machine & Tools :)
Also, I used my Seger, but if you don't have one use your zig-zag stitch.



The first thing you'll need to do is draft your pattern. I use the paper bags I get at
Trader Joe's for my patterns. If you are tracing a pair of PJs you already own,
then trace them on to the paper.




For the rest of us, measure your baby's waist then take that number and
subtract 6 inches. So for a size 12 months the measurement, the measurement
is 19 inches, so it brings the measurement to 12 1/2 inches + 1/2 inch seam
allowance for the top of the pattern.


Next take the measurement from your baby's ankle to the point on the
waist/hip where you want them to rest. Add 3 inches for seam allowance.
In the picture below you can see that I originally came up with 16 3/4 inches
for the length, but the first pair that I made comes up to the middle of her diaper,
so I added 2 1/2 more inches for a total of 19 1/4 inches. So make a rectangle on
the paper bag using these measurements.



For the inseam, I measured from my baby's ankle to her diaper & added 1/2 inch.
From the bottom corners measure up & mark it on your pattern. Next, on the
same corners, measure in towards the middle & mark 1 1/4 inch. Draw a diangle
line from each point.

For those who want just the numbers, here are the
Measurements For 12 Months:

Width: 13 inch {1/4 in seam allowance}
Length: 19 1/4 inch {Finished: 16 3/4 in}
Inseam: 8 inches {1/4 in seam allowance}
Ankle: 10 1/2 inches {1/4 in seam allowance}



Now cut it out and you have your pattern!
Go you with your pattern making self!!! :)





After you trace the pattern twice & cut them out, serge or zig-zag stitch the bottoms,
then fold just over 1/4 inch over and stitch at the 1/4 inch mark. Next lay the ribbon
about 1/2 inch from the bottom and stitch on both edges. Sorry I forgot to take a
picture of this step, but the good new is that you shouldn't have to pin the ribbon
before sewing since it stayed really well against the flannel.




Fold it in half with the right side inside. Sew the inseam then serge or zig-zag the edges.




When both legs have the inseam sewn, lay them together & pin the remaining raw edges.
Sew, then serge or zig-zag stitch the edges.





Turn right side out and admire your work.




Take your elastic & align the edges with one of the seams 1/2 inch from the
edge of the flannel. Place one edge slightly over the other & sew in place.
I like to run the machine front and back a few times. Some people may want to
skip this step & thread the elastic through at the end. I like to do it this way
so that it doesn't roll over on it self to much.



Fold the edge of the fabric over sew around.




I pulled the elastic tight so I could better control it and not sew over it.
Go slow with this step because un-stitching is a pain; but, un-stitching from elastic just stinks.




Finish with a back stitch or 2 and there you go,
some cute little PJ pants that will look adorable on your little one!



MEASUREMENTS FOR:

18 Month
Width: 16 1/2 {1/4 in seam allowance}
Length: 21 inches {Finished: 18 1/2 inches}
Inseam: 10 1/2 inch {1/4 in seam allowance}
Ankle: 12 1/2 inches {1/4 in seam allowance}

FABRIC NEEDED: 2 yards




24 Month/2T
Width: 19 1/2 inches {1/4 in seam allowance}
Length: 22 3/4 inches {Finished: 20 1/4 inches}
Inseam: 13 inches {1/4 in seam allowance}
Ankle: 14 1/2 inches {1/4 in seam allowance}

FABRIC NEEDED: 2 1/2 yards

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

My Not So Itty, Itty Bitty Dress



When I was pregnant with Aarilynn, I spent hours searching the internet for free patterns or ideas for baby cloths. I found a lot; but, my favorite site is Made-By-Rae. She is uber talented and has so many crafty ideas and baby patterns!!!!!! This is her picture of the Itty Bitty Dress she created and posted on her site:



I wanted to make the this dress ever since I stumble across it, but I wasn't sure how much she would weigh.
Since her sister was over 8 pounds I figured she would be too ~ and she was. Anyways, I finally got my chance to make it for a baby shower. Everyone I know was having boys, so I was super excited when I got invited to one for a girl!


I pulled the pattern out and decided to go a little bigger in case she has big babies too {I was too tired to think of that when she was born} but I went a little too big for a newborn. I guess I just had 12 months on the brain. Since it fit my baby, I had to crochet a cocoon instead ;)




So if you want a 9-12 months, then print it and add like 2 inches on the sides and bottom. Also extend the round part by about an inch. I didn't do this part because for some sleepy reason I didn't think it was going to be this big! I have been making lots of dresses and PJs for the baby, so I must have just been on automatic. Also, Rae's design doesn't call for buttons or zippers, but I added buttons on the back so I wouldn't have to fuss getting it on and off her. I still love this dress and the next chance I get to make one for a baby girl I will follow instructions lol.



If you want to find this dress in a 3T size click here.



Happy Sewing!!!