Month: September 2017

DIY Romper Time!

I decided it was time for the classic romper tutorial to come out.  I decided to make my first one with a free pattern of dinosaurs for my little cute nephew for his first birthday!  Now the size is 2-3t since he is not so little.  But you can easily adjust the pattern to your little ones size, just size it up with one of your little one (or big ones) outfit and adjust!  Easy Peazy!

Here are the parts of the free pattern..this is a 2-3t however just hold up a onesie or romper to the pattern and adjust for smaller or larger!

Also see the photo with the pieces cut out or the tutorial to see how they go together if you can’t tell!

  1. pieces

2. TopBody

3. BodyMain

4. BottomMain

And here is the link to the youtube tutorial as always!

 

Here is the written one besides what is written on the tutorial:

What you need:

  1. Fabric choice 1-2 yards depending on size. I used flannel fabric
  2. If you want an alternate color/fabric for for neckline and bottom (a stretcher fabric is best)
  3. Snaps/buttons/or velcro depending on what you want to use

Steps:

  1. Cut out fabric pieces as written out on the pieces.
  3. Take one main body piece and find the center by folding in half and one neckline piece (and fold it in half and mark the middle) and place pattern facing
    pattern and stretch and sew. Look at the pictures below to see how you need to stretch it and sew (it is not easy if you are a beginner but it just takes practice! Also, if the neckline is a stretchy fabric it is much easier)
  4. Line center to center

     

  5. This is the end result, do for both main pieces
  7. Turn to the backside of the main body piece and fold up and iron the seam line as shown below.  Then fold the top down and iron to make it easier to sew and pin.
  10. Turn it right side and either change pins to the front or be careful and take pins out as you sew bottom of collar
  12. Sew both necklines like this then we will create an envelope neckline.
  13. You are going to line up your front and  back body piece with finished necklines and measure from the top of each side 1 to2 in down and this is where the top of one side touches the other side and you pin together (this may not be true if you need a bigger opening or smaller based on head size, adjust opening based on head size). Pin this on both sides
  15. Fold sleeve piece in half and line up middle of sleeve piece (the curved part facing outwards as shown) and where the collar intersects with pattern facing
    down and stretch and pin (see pics)
  18. Then sew using a zig zag stitch (which keeps it strong).  Do this for both sides and it will look like…

I then added double sided bias tape, for convenience and time saving, to the outside of the sleeve edge.

19. Body pieces and sleeve pattern facing pattern, pin around sleeve and down straight to bottom again I used the zig zag stitch. Then I trimmed the sides. Then you can iron it out.

20. Turn your project to the backside and take your football piece and fold in half and line up middle of football with middle of opening pattern facing pattern, pin middle and stretch and pin around then sew.  Make sure the front piece is pushed out of the way (you don’t want to sew it shut! Just sew onto the back piece

 

21. Take two of your leg banding strips and line up pattern facing pattern and sew the outside 1/8th straight stitch and then do this for the other two as well and turn right side out and iron.

22. The binding piece ends up in the inside and it is used for the buttons or snaps (you can alternatively use fusible interface)

23. Next take your one banding piece and line it up with the front bottom with the fold on the inside and then stretch and sew (see video if this is too confusing!) You pin the outside and sew 1/8th zig zag around

24. Now you will sew 1/4 inch around (the white part as shown will now be in the inside after you do step 23.

25. Next (phew we are getting there- keep going!) is the back banding strip, Same method for the back piece, except you just sew the one time and not the second sew around as in setp 24 because of the flap (you will see what I mean after you do the first sew.

26. I hemmed the bottom leg openings and then did my snap buttons using the hammer method!  I used thick material for the banding which I regret (also that it was not stretchy!) I had to use bigger than normal snaps to get it through the fabric!

Congrats you did it!  Let’s see some pics!

 

 

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Mommy Roadblock Tips 

Some days you feel like you have hit a road block and can’t get anything done. You feel like your in an alternate universe ruled by crying and screaming toddlers and infants. You feel like instead of going forward you are going backwards.  The dishes are piled high, the floor is covered in food your infant throws off the high chair, and your laundry basket is overflowing with clothes. 

Today is one of those days. One kid is trying his best to eat crayons and chalk that are strewn about because he can now stand and grab everything your toddler loves. Meanwhile , your toddler  is yelling no that’s mine! As you are trying to reach your kids,  you trip over your dog that sheds far to much and causes your carpet to be forevermore covered in a layer of long golden white and black hair. 

Meanwhile, you have your toddler dance music on and you are trying to keep your cool, and keep your Children alive And happy. And then a toddler Dives onto your back and pokes your eye and laughs, “I poked your eye mommy!” 
So you put your infant in his walker and he climbs half way out out about to head dive onto the wood floor-i thought they were suppose to be stuck in there-what use is it now! 
As a mom (and dad) you know you have days like this, it’s not every day (thank goodness), but it’s more than you care for. Here are the things that seem to help me (a mom of 2 under 3) 

If available, 

1) find a babysitter for the evening so you can get out with other moms 

2) have your significant other watch the kids and get out and do something! 

3) if you feel like your losing it, put the little one in a playpen or crib to secure them (they can’t kill themselves in there, or can they?)

4) if you need to put the tv on for a half an hour, pbs preferred for us! I can’t tell you how many lessons and songs my toddler knows from Daniel and she can relate the events and the songs to situations which make it so much easier to teach lessons (I also have the songs in my head). 

5) take the kids out somewhere,  even if it is just a drive (once they are finally in their car seats secured you can breath). When my infant was a little baby and my toddler didn’t want to nap, I packed up he car and drove around while they fell asleep so I could have a breather. 

6) go for a walk with the kids (even though it takes longer to get gen ready and out). Use a stroller, wagon, whatever you have lol. 

7) if it’s nap time soon, get them going earlier 

8) call your family/friends/mom support group (or like me call or text your husband and ask when they will be home). 

9) take a deep breath and count to three (that one is for all you Daniel tiger fans) 

10) suck it up and say this too shall pass. 
I find that if I don’t get free time (besides cleaning the dishes, showering, doing the bills, laundry and everything else after the kids go to bed), I start to get closer and closer to that roadblock until one morning I just wake up on the wrong side of the bed. Don’t get me wrong, I love and adore and cherish the time I get to spend with my little ones, but if you are a parent or caregiver day in and out, you know what I’m talking about. Don’t worry, The next day you will wake up and be ready for a brand new day of fun and new surprises with your little ones! 

 It happens to all of us, and it too shall pass…


What tips and techniques do you use? 

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