New Personalised Panel Sets

Time for something new to add to the range...

Introducing my new panel sets - a quilt/blanket panel, with three coordinating smaller panels - all on a cut and sew single piece of fabric! 

In the example here - two of the smaller panels have been used to make a pillow - with the third being backed with minky for a ribbon blanket.  You could choose to back all of them with a coordinating fabric and have three pillows - or maybe use one in a frame for the wall?  Your choice!

You can use the main panel either by simply backing with minky - or you can go the extra mile and create a lovely quilt like in these examples.

As with all of my personalised designs - these come in any name and any colours you like.  You can choose from a number of different designs for the central image (including a number not shown here), which can be recoloured to suit.  Here are some examples...you can go bright - or a little more reserved :)

Huge thanks to the lovely Megan Martinez from Peas'n'Carrots Baby on Etsy for the lovely photos of her finished set for Olivia.

They will be available to order on my upcoming website - but until then - for any more detail or to order - just drop me a line on info@shelleymade.com

Hope you like them!

Shelley

Reversible Baby Beanie Tutorial

This is a tutorial for sewing up my cut and sew, pre-printed reversible baby beanies which are available on Spoonflower. 

UPDATE AUGUST 2012:  After a number of requests for a paper pattern for these little beanies, I've made the full pattern pieces and a PDF version of this tutorial available for sale on my online store.  That way you can use any stretch knit fabric you like!

Requirements:

• My pre-printed fabric beanie pattern
• Coordinating thread
• Sewing machine or serger.
• Needle and thread

 

Instructions:

1.     First step – prewash your fabric.  It will shrink.  Cotton knit does, but that is not a problem as I’ve allowed for shrinkage on my pattern. 

2.      Cut out your pattern pieces.  You will need two (2) matching pieces for one beanie.  They should each look like this:

3.      Fold each piece in half down the centre, printed sides together.

4.      Sew down the short seam at the top and bottom of the pieces, using a 6mm (¼ inch) seam.  I use a serger, but if you use a regular machine, use a zig-zag or stretch stitch.

You should have this when you are done...four seams altogether:

5.      Open the pieces out, and place them right sides together.  Make sure you match the patterns!

6.      Pin the pieces together – leaving an opening of around 1.5 inches for turning.  I find it easier to change the direction of my pins so I don’t miss them!  The opening should be about 2 inches from the centre of the side...  This way your handsewing or maching stitching will be hidden under the cuff.

7.      Sew around the circumference, again either with a serger or regular zig-zag stitch.  Don’t forget to leave that opening!!

8.      Turn the beanie right way through using your opening... 

9.      Push the raw edges through, and give it a press.  This will give you a good line for stitching closed the opening. 

Push one end of the hat inside the other, and press around the fold line to give a nice finish. Nearly done!

10.   Close the opening.  I prefer to handstitch, taking very small stitches on alternate sides (I use my knee to hold the hat while I stitch).  You could always take a very very small seam on your sewing machine if you are averse to hand sewing...

11.   Turn up your cuff and you are done!  Easy as that.  J

There you go...an easy reversible beanie for a little baby.  Enjoy!

Coming soon..a tutorial for the matching reversible bibs!

Cut & Sew Beanies and Bibs

I'm rather excited...  I received my first set of my Cut & Sew fabric prints for babies yesterday, and today I found out the baby girl beanie design made the Top 10 in the Spoonflower Fabric of the Week competition! 

I was up late last night sewing one set up, so I could see how they turned out, before putting them up for sale today. 

This was the result:

They are sized to be printed on Spoonflower's lovely soft organic knit (as it has a nice stretch to it).  I have a set of 5 reversible beanies, and a set of 7 reversible bibs - one for boys, and one for girls.  Each set fits on a yard of fabric.

Super easy to make.  I designed the bib back when my daughter was a tiny baby.  She had reflux, and we went through a LOT of bibs.  I wanted something not too big, and soft around her little neck.  I only wish Spoonflower had been around 4 years ago!


Each of the fabric designs used in the patterns are also available separately, so that you can make matching blankets, etc.

The designs are printed directly onto the organic knit fabric at Spoonflower.  There are the baby girl beanies (click on the images to see the details):

These are the baby boy's:

...and of course there had to be matching bibs, girls:

...and boys...

I'll be sewing more up over the weekend, so will have more photos to share soon, and I think I'll do a tutorial for them.  The instructions are printed on the fabric, but it never hurts to have some step by step photos!

I'm very pleased with how they turned out - what do you think??

I've just finished a tutorial on making the beanies - you can see it here.  I'll have one for the bibs soon.

:)