Bibs and Burp Cloths

Bradford on Avon

Bradford on Avon is a lovely little village close to Bath with both a river and a canal running through it. The canal itself is stunning and we have spent many weekends cycling from Bristol to Bath to Bradford on Avon. 

  

The village isn't a shopping hot-spot but does have a couple of lovely independent shops and many tea shops. One such lovely shop is Jumble Jelly where I found the fabric which eventually became my bibs and burp cloths.

When I first bought this fabric, as a pack of fat quarters, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with it, I just loved the colours and patterns.

Initially I thought about making it into a blanket but I didn't think it was quite suitable (my mum agreed) so it sat in my draw for about 5 months.

After seeing several examples and tutorials online, I finally decided to make my fat quarters into little bibs and matching burp cloths.

I didn't really follow and of the patterns as I just wanted to maximise the fabric I had.

I have since seen some bandana bib templates which have a curved neckline which, in retrospect, would have been better. I also think that they may be a little small to make it past the first couple of months but I figured I will have 4 pretty triangular cloths which will prove very useful in the following months.








Each of the bibs and burp cloths have been lined with toweling to make them extra absorbent. The bibs currently don't have fasteners but I have bought some Velcro as I thought this would be easier than fiddling with poppers.

A Christmas jumper for a Christmas baby

As our baby is due close to Christmas, I really wanted to knit him/her a little Christmas jumper. I found this lovely pattern in a Sublime booklet and have since seen that the pattern has been remastered.

 

I preferred the retro wrapped neck but thought that was too boyish. I still think the one I've made is a little on the boy side but figured I could add some sparkly buttons on the shoulder to pretty it up if needs be.

I haven't washed and pressed this yet so may replace the picture at some point.

My 'quiet book'

I love to make things but tend to flitter between cooking, knitting sewing...I seem to have a short attention span! I have been knitting lots over the last couple of months but am becoming increasingly frustrated that most baby knits are gender specific. I'm beginning to think Tony was right; we should have found out the sex!

I recently came across 'quiet books' when searching through some other blogs and have become inspired to make my own. I know it won't be of any interest to the baby for many months but figured I might not have much time (or energy) for sewing once baby has arrived. Besides I know I need to act whilst I am interested and before I get distracted by another project!

I have been particularly inspired by a quiet book made by Jill. She has some really lovely photos and a good tutorial on her blog (homemade by Jill). So far I have made three pages and have some ideas for others, which I hope to work on over the next couple of weeks. As of yet I haven't bought anything to bind my book nor have I sussed out how to use the buttonhole maker on my sewing machine- that will be next weekend's job. 

I am really loving this project as I am finding I can be more creative than in my knitting as I am not following a pattern. I am however finding that sewing is a more painful hobby than knitting!

This was my first page. I took inspiration directly from Jill for this page (thank you!) and was really pleased with how it turned out.
I plan to add some text but not sure what yet. As I intend this to be my first page I may have 'this book belongs to.....' but hoping something more interesting will come to mind!

I want the pages to be interactive and hope that as baby grows they will be able to play with it rather than just chew on it! I am hoping my lettering will improve with practice.

 

I think this is my favourite page so far. I placed some crinkly plastic behind the leaves so they sound really cool when you touch them.

I will update you with the other pages I make in the coming weeks.