Stroller refit

When I was talking earlier this month about doing some projects for my kids that I have been putting off, this was way up there on the list. A couple of months ago, Logan sat in Myra's toy stroller and tore off one of the ties that holds the little fabric seat on. I promised her that I would fix it, but it just sat in my sewing room. I hate mending. On the other hand, I think it is particularly dastardly to break a promise made to a child, so here is her new stroller.

Isn't it fun? Instead of just sewing the loop back on, I made a whole new seat. The old one was some cheap polyester that wasn't even very cute.

Here is the original seat, taken off the stroller. Sorry the picture is blurry. I took it just for reference in reassembling the seat, then realized that I didn't have a "before" picture to show you. See what I mean, though? Not very cute! I did scavenge the original straps and binding, and used a remnant of quilting cotton from Hobby Lobby for the new seat. The new seat back is two layers, so that the wrong side doesn't show. After scavenging the binding, I used the old seat as a pattern. It worked great and only took about 45 minutes.

Here is Myra and baby trying out the new ride. Myra is happy with it and so am I. She loves that fabric, and I wasn't sure what to do with it since it was a small piece but a large print. I think this is perfect!

Because patches are so NOT cool...

but everyone loves Elmo!!

Logan's favorite pair of jeans were on their way to the trash pile. He loves them and wears them all the time. They even still fit! The knees were sadly threadbare, and while I can recon my jeans into a skirt, that really isn't an option here. So, I took a little help from my friend Elmo, who now doubles as patches and knee pads.The appliques are felt, applied to the knee of the jeans in layers. Sewing was a bit tricky, since the jeans were already assembled. It might have been easier to just rip out the inseam and resew it, but just wiggling it around my free arm worked fine.

This is the most complicated applique that I have ever attempted, and the first time that I have used felt. Loving the felt! No need to satin stitch, just sew it on and no worries about unravelling. Sweet. Despite the multiple pieces and layers, this was a pretty fun and easy project, and a great way to save a pair of jeans!

Here's a little up close of the Elmo on the left. He looks happy to see you!

Mostly mending

I had tons of mending to do today and, while that doesn't distinguish this from any other day, I was thinking today how fortunate I am that I have the ability to fix a piece of clothing when needed, and even to change it into something new should mending no longer be an option. Thanks for teaching me to sew, Mom.

Of course, since I really hate mending, I stole a few minutes away from the buttons and hems to make a little outfit for Brody, who is expected to join my brother's family in a few months. He'll be their first child and my first nephew, so I'm excited to sew for him! The pants are McCall's 3665 (but without the butt ruffles - he's a boy!), and the top is a purchased onesie that I appliqued using a coloring page from the 'net as a pattern. Can you tell it is supposed to be a plane?

I also trimmed up a piece of fleece for a blankie. I found this wicked cool motorcycle fleece in the remnant bin at Hobby Lobby even before we knew it was a boy, but I knew it was destined to be for James' son. It is the perfect size to be a crib blanket. No cold cotton sheets for my nephew!

As a point of interest, both the camo fabric for the pants and the motorcycle fleece are made by David Textiles. I find this interesting because my motorcycle-riding ex-Green Beret dad (and therefore Brody's Grandpappy) is named David. See, Kismet. They were clearly meant to be.