Yellow and Gray Ruffle Bag

A few weeks ago, I posted pictures of my yellow and gray ruffle zipper pouch. Here's a follow-up project in the same color family!

I created this bag from the remains of a pair of pants (the pants I made into maternity shorts, tutorial parts I and II). The yellow ruffle is from a t-shirt (the same shirt from my ruffle scarf tutorial).

Here are the pieces I started with for the bag:

The only pieces I measured were for the bag; they are 11.5" wide x 13" tall. The lining is slightly shorter. I sewed the ruffle on before I sewed the bag together, then followed the same steps I specified in the tutorial for my "Cute Little Bag".

I did buttonholes instead of velcro because I currently have NO velcro in my house. I confess, I don't actually know HOW to do button holes. I use the button hole foot and hope for the best. They turned out well, but completely off-center. So I decided to place the buttons on the inside of the bag to hide my mistake of off-centered button holes.

I really love how it turned out. If only I'd used interfacing! If I'd known it was going to turn out well, I would have purchased some (I have none!)

No velcro, no interfacing....If you can't tell, I'm in need of a trip to the sewing store!

Baby Burp Cloths

I took the scraps I had left from the "just in case it's a girl" blanket I made and sewed two girl-theme burp cloths. I just love pink elephants.

No Baby Yet…

My due date is tomorrow! Sorry for the lack of tutorials and posts this week, I've scheduled some for the next few weeks to keep everyone entertained while I welcome our new baby (hopefully soon!)

Just waiting around in this mid-July heat and trying to keep my 2-year old entertained!

Meanwhile, check out this super good idea for using old trophies. I've always wondered what to do with those things....

http://reuseandupcycle.blogspot.com/2011/06/trophy-coat-rack.html

More Baby Shoes

I made tons of baby shoes back in November. (Here's the tutorial link if you're interested in making your own!) Instead of hoarding them, I gave many pairs as gifts. People really liked them! But this week I realized I had no shoes left made from girly fabric...

''in case it's a girl''.

I made two pairs.

(They still need elastic, I'm out of the 1/4" thickness they require.)

My new favorite way to make them is to cut the soles on the bias. I think it adds a nice touch!

This yellow color is really hard to photograph. I don't know how to improve that.

Quick and Easy Pillowcase Alteration!--Guest Post

Hello Bloggers!

My name is Sarah Allman and I am the creator and founder of
B.I.B.S. (Baby Items By Sarah).
I hope you will take a few moments to learn more about my company by
visiting the links at the end of this blog!

I am so excited to do a guest post for Monkey See, Monkey Do and I hope you enjoy my
tutorial below for a quick and easy pillowcase alteration!

My daughter absolutely loves her toddler sized pillow but the pillowcase that came with her new toddler bedding was for a standard sized pillow. Nothing a few quick adjustments with the sewing machine can't fix!

First measure from seam to seam both width-wise and length-wise. This toddler pillow was 16" length-wise and 12" width-wise.

This alteration can be done in just two straight lines with your sewing machine!

Turn your pillowcase inside out and pin the open edge together to keep your seams straight; add a few extra pins along the way to keep your material together. Starting from the open edge, measure 17" (add a half an inch to each edge to accommodate for your seams) inwards. From the bottom edge of the pillowcase, measure 13" upwards (add a half an inch to each edge to accommodate for your seams).

It does not matter which seam you start with, but line the edge of your foot up to your markings as shown in the above photo. When you reach the end, you can either keep your needle down and pivot the material under the foot so you don't have to cut your thread, or you can finish the edge and turn the pillowcase and sew the other seam.

Trim your material about a 1/4" to 1/2" away from your seam.

Turn your pillowcase cover right-side out and voila!

How B.I.B.S. Began:
My Mom and Grandma taught me how to crochet at a very young age. I always loved to make afghans during the winter months and as I got older I began to make baby blankets for family.

In May of 2009, I gave birth nearly two months early to our daughter. As a result, she spent three weeks in the NICU. During that time I became incredibly touched by the people that donated crocheted beanies for the preemies to wear during their hospital stay. In an effort to give back, I spent the next months crocheting tiny beanies and by Easter of 2010, my husband and I made a trip back to the NICU in St. Louis where Ava was born and donated a hat for nearly every day that Ava was there (I was ONE short!). My love for crocheting and children has since developed into B.I.B.S.!

Find me on Facebook for the latest products and specials!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/B-I-B-S-Baby-Items-By-Sarah/
154525424566359

Visit my Etsy Store!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/babyitemsbysarah

Thanks again to Jen for my guest post!