introducing...zipper pouches!

I just added these zipper pouches to Lemon Bee!  They are the perfect size for your purse or diaper bag, especially for all of those loose items that usually fall to the bottom.  Make sure to buy yours now while they are on sale--10% off all zipper pouches by entering the coupon code ZIP10.  Sale ends Friday!  Happy Monday, dear reader!

sewing tutorial: diaper cover

This is one of the best tutorials I have come across in a while, which I REALLY appreciate as a beginner sewer.   It's honestly as easy to follow as one of Pioneer Woman's recipes ;)

Two new skills I learned while doing this project were, 1-sewing in elastic (not as difficult as I thought) and 2-sewing a ruffle (harder than I thought).

To make the diaper cover, just follow the directions and don't give up!

There are so many ways to do ruffles.  I had a hard time deciding which kind to make.  This type seemed pretty easy so I went for it.  The only thing I never really figured out was how to sew the ruffle to the diaper cover properly.  So, I just went ahead and sewed really closely to the middle stich and on the sides.  I'm not in love with how it turned out, but it will do.  Here are some tutorials that I found helpful for ruffles...
*how to "gather" or bunch the fabric
*seven types of ruffles
*sewing layers of ruffles (I might try this one next time)

 

I made another drawstring top dress to go with the diaper cover.  The process was SO much faster the second time around!  I used the pattern for the next size up (6-9 months, Q is 5 months old), which seemed to fit Quinn a lot better.  You can check here if you missed my post on how to make this dress.

 

Happy sewing!

sewing 101: little girl dress

I did it!  I finally made my first little girl dress!  I bought the fabric and pattern with a friend the week before Quinn was born in an effort to stay distracted.  Fast forward four months, and I still had not made the dress.  I finally found the motivation and patience last week to go for it.  We found the pattern off of Etsy (SewSweetPatterns has a lot of options and great prices).  The instructions were pretty easy to follow.  I can't wait to make another one.  I'm not sure if this pattern runs small or Quinn is especially long, but the dress came out on the shorter side.  Next time, I might try making it a little longer.

 Here is a look at the process...First, cutting out the pattern.

 2-Sewing the front and back of the dress together.

 3-Sewing the armholes and hiding the raw edges.

 4-Hiding the raw edges on the neckline.

 5-Almost done.

 Final step-Sewing the drawstring.  It was tricky trying to turn it inside out.  This video helped me.

This was a great project for beginners.  My dress is far from perfect, but I am looking forward to making another one.  Hopefully, the process will go a little faster next time!