Crocheted Wool Soaker

I got the Seraphim Soaker pattern a couple of weeks ago and I really like it. The pattern is great, and since I love wool diaper covers and crocheting it was a perfect match. I did use the smaller hook for the leg holes and I decreased a few stitches on the last round (for the leg openings) because they seemed a little big.

Front of Soaker


I decided that I would use some natural Paton's Merino Wool to make the soaker. This was my first time to dye a whole skein of yarn. The yarn was dyed in the "I can't believe I thought I knew what I was doing. It is too late to stop now. Which tutorial am I following? How can a skein of yarn get this tangled?" colorway. :-) Basically I squirted the colors on the yarn (I used brown and sky blue Wilton's) and then stuck it in the oven on 250 degrees for about 35 minutes. I had the yarn wrapped in plastic wrap, laid it in a pan, and covered it all with aluminum foil. I really don't know how I got the yarn so tangled when I dyed it, but it was very frustrating to wind into a ball after it was dry.

Back of Soaker


I wasn't sure I would like how I dyed it, but it turned out much better than I anticipated. I had just enough yarn left to make a ball for the baby. I put a jingle bell in the middle of the stuffing. As soon as I gave it to him he grabbed and pulled it to him. He shook it and mouthed it. I think it was a hit. Of course, he is easily amused.

Cute baby with ball :-)

Crocheted Wool Soaker

Canning Meat

I have never attempted to can anything but fruits and vegetables before. However, I got a desire to figure it out after our power was out for several hours last weekend. I have so much food in the freezer that could have spoiled.

I have a pressure canner, which is what is required to can meat, and all of the other supplies, so I went for it. I found this site very helpful. I also have an older copy of the Ball Blue Book that provided some more information. I canned 5 pints of pork loin on Saturday. I still need to open a jar and taste some to see if this process is going to be worth it for our family. I do think I will try canning some soups and other convenience meals.

Canning Meat

Chalkboard Rolls

I finally finished the 18 chalk rolls I have been making for Christmas gifts. I used this tutorial from a fellow DSD.

I used 1/4" bias tape to make the ties (I stitched down the length of a whole package and then cut them into 9" lengths.) I attached them to the short edge on the middle of the back side so they would be under the binding. I also sewed over them a few times for good measure. I made erasers out of 4" squares of Sherpa (the Joann's kind). I folded them in half with wrong sides together and faux serged the 3 cut sides. I tried rounding the corners of a few of the rolls, and left some straight. I also tried zig-zagging 2 of them and didn't like that so I just used a straight stitch for the rest. The fabrics were all from my stash (except the chalk cloth). I put a piece of white chalk in each pocket and I will give a pack of colored chalk with each roll. One thing I did do was use a leather needle for sewing through the chalk cloth. My machine skipped stitches otherwise.

I hope the kids will have fun with them.

Chalkboard Rolls

Baby Present

This set is for my cousin who is due to have a baby girl any day now. I sewed up a burp cloth that has 4 layers-a print, 2 hidden layers of flannel, and fleece. I also crocheted a hat and a pair of booties. I have been trying to perfect the pattern for the booties. I hope to get some good feedback from her on the way the booties fit.

Baby Present

Aprons by the Dozen

I made 12 aprons from assorted fabrics in my stash. I stitched up some for me to wear and the rest will be gifts. I started this process in February and have just now finished them. It wasn't that they were difficult to sew, but there ended up being projects that took precedence.

Here are instructions for how I made these simple yet functional aprons. First, I cut 2 pieces of fabric 18"x30" which were to be the apron panels. I also cut a piece of fabric 5"x72" for the binding and ties. I stitched the main panels, right sides together, along the bottom and sides (this leaves the top open for turning). Then I turned the fabric right side out and pressed it. Next, I ironed the long piece of fabric in half lengthwise. Then I opened it and folded the raw edges into the center and ironed again. I folded it closed and pressed again. Finally, I centered the long strip over the apron, pinning it carefully, and stitched it closed with an 1/8" seam. I ironed the apron again and I was finished.





There is a really good site with many free apron patterns and information. You can find it here. I want to start wearing aprons more to have a more set "work" time around the house. I also think that not all of the old-fashioned ways should be forgotten.

Aprons by the Dozen

A Rainbow of Playsilks

I have been wanting to get some playsilks to dye for quite a while. I finally ordered some last week from Dharma Trading. The playsilks I ordered are 100% silk and are 15"x60". There are many other sizes, but I thought these would be nice. Also, they are so much cheaper then buying already dyed silks.

It has taken me three evenings to dye all of them, but was so much fun. I used two different methods to dye them. For the smaller silks I used Kool-Aid and followed this tutorial. Many of them look like they have been tie-died even though that wasn't the look I was going for. I used 4 packages of unsweetened Kool-Aid (mostly generic brands) for each silk. I think I should have used 5 packets for the yellow since it is so pale. Also, when my husband went to the store for me yesterday he picked up 2 packets of what appeared to be purple Kool-Aid. I already had 2 purple packets and added the ones he bought to the jar. However, I realized he didn't get purple. It was some sort of red Kool-Aid, but it was in a purple package. Oh, well. I added some blue food coloring, but the silk turned a weird dark maroon/brown shade. I stuck it into the hot water in the big pot I had the jars in for a few minutes before I rinsed it with cold water. The result is the last scarf in the picture above. It isn't exactly what I envisioned, but it will work. I haven't given these to the kids yet, so I hope they like them.


I also ordered a 35"x108" silk veil from Dharma. I used this tutorial to dye it using Wilton's icing. I really like how this turned out. It is just the right size to go over the playstands I had the wood shop class at my husband's school make.



If you want more info on playsilks or playstands check out the discussions here. I love open ended toys that let kids use their imagination. Also, with the playsilks being fabric and not plastic, and the use of food coloring to dye them, I am not worried about them being hazardous.

A Rainbow of Playsilks

More Diapers, Covers, & Wipes

I guess I am stuck on these patterns. I am trying to use up my stash of fabrics. I had some extra flannel I had gotten at the $1/yard table at Walmart last fall. I used most of it to make pajama pants for my boys. From the big scraps that were left I was able to make 2 wipes and a RRP Diaper . I also cut up a double layer fleece blanket last fall to make a pair of pants for my 3 year old. I used more of the blanket today to make 3 MHM Covers. I am now using the large size pattern. (My baby is a chunk!)

More Diapers, Covers, & Wipes

Flannel Sheet Becomes Diapers & Wipes

I have really been trying to use fabric I have or thrift store finds to inexpensively diaper my baby. I purchased a queen size flannel sheet at a thrift store last fall for $2.00, and am just now getting around to using it. In a previous post I used two pieces of the sheet to make a turned and top stitched flat diaper. I used another cut of it as the inner fabric of a blue jean diaper. Yesterday I stitched up three RRP Diapers and a dozen two layer 8"x8" wipes. I still have some decent sized scraps of the sheet that I will try to come up with more things to make. The sheet was certainly not pretty, but by re-purposing it I have gotten some very inexpensive diapers and wipes. In these times frugality is a must for us.

Flannel Sheet Becomes Diapers & Wipes

Cloth Diaper Sewing Websites

I decided to compile a list of cloth diaper sewing websites. I may be adding to this as time goes on.

Diaper Sewing Resources
These sites are a wealth of information on diaper sewing. There are also many knowledgeable mamas who frequent these sites. I personally have found the ladies at Diaper Sewing Divas to be very helpful.

Mothering.com
Diaper Sewing Divas


Free Diaper Sewing Patterns

Rita's Rump Pocket Fitted (one-size-fits-most!) and variations
Fern & Faerie Frugal Diapering
Bum Wrap Longies
Sweater Pants Tutorial
Recycled Triangle Bum Sweater


Diaper Sewing Patterns ($)
All of these patterns were designed by work at home moms, and I encourage people to by from them when they can.

Mile High Monkeys Patterns
Wired Up Designs Patterns
Kayla's Cloth Kits
Darling Diapers Unlimited Pattern
Little Comet Tails Patterns
Fattycakes Pattern
Chloe Toes Pattern
The Hippy Hippy Snap Pattern
Artistry Mini Diaper & Cover Patterns
Ditto Daddy Patterns
DiaperKit.com
Crocheted Soaker Patterns by Elysium

Cloth Diaper Sewing Websites