Slipper Desperation

 Winter is in full swing and I'm desperate for slippers.  The kimono slippers I made back in October have gotten a ton of use and unfortunately, didn't hold up too well.

 I do really love the pattern, but it definitely needed an adjustment for my narrow feet.

 I pulled the insole out of my running shoes and adjusted the width of the base.  Last time I used grippy fabric for the base and within 2 months, I tore a hole through it.  So this time I did the sole in vinyl and made the insole with vinyl and fleece. 

 I made these slippers using fabric sitting around in my sewing room.  Hence the red soles.  We'll see how these hold up.

Nothing better than cozy toes on a cold day!

NICU Shirts

A friend had a baby recently that needs to spend some unexpected time in the NICU.  Not really knowing much info, I felt desperate to do something to help.  

I thought that some kind of shirt with lots of snaps might be useful. 

 I used my baby hat pattern to make some matching hats.

 The shirts are reversible and have snaps on the front and at the shoulders.

We've been fortunate and none of my kids have ever spent any time in the NICU, so I don't know if these are helpful or not.  Nonetheless, I'm sure they will be appreciated.

In A Snap; Kids Wallet Tutorial

Here's a quick project you can whip up in a snap!  Makes a nice little stocking stuffer for some lucky little one.

What you'll need

• 2 pieces of exterior fabric, 5 x 9 inches
• 1 piece of exterior fabric for pocket, 5 x 5.5 inches
• 1 piece of contrasting fabric, 5 x 7 inches
• 1 piece of medium weight fusible interfacing, 4 x 8 inches
• 1 snap fastener

Fold pocket pieces in half, press and top-stitch along folded edge.  Your pocket pieces should now be 5 x 3.5 and 5 x 2.75 inches.  (note, depending on what size snap you use and the weight of your fabric, you may want to insert a small piece of interfacing between the layers of your smaller, exterior fabric pocket, so the snap doesn't tear the fabric over time)

Lay the larger pocket on top of one exterior fabric piece.

Layer the smaller pocket on top.

Place the other exterior fabric piece on top.

Pin through all the layers and round the top.

Sew around with a 1/4 inch seam allowance.  Leave an opening just above where the pocket begins.

Carefully turn right side out and top-stitch all the way around.

Fold the flap down and add a snap.

Super fun and easy.  Make 1....or 8.