Baby MiH Reviews {The Hooded Towel}

As I was SO overdue in the end, I made a few more things than anticipated. Are they all used? Was it worth it? Baby MiH is now reviewing his Made in Home world - starting with the baby hooded towel and wash cloth (following the PurlBee pattern). Of course, we had to wait for the first bath time - which we dreaded but in fact he loved. 

I was slightly worried that the terry cloth would not be absorbent enough, I am not sure why, maybe because the cloth is lighter than my usual towel. I was wrong, it works wonders and in fact the owl fabric does not get soaked at all.

The wash cloth is the perfect size for him and is proving very soft - he really likes bath time as you can see, he even found his thumb in the process (managed to lose it since). 

The hooded towel is also the right size for him - not sure for how long, as he likes to be swaddled in it after the bath. The hood does not stay on but is the right size as well - I mentioned when I first made the towel that I may change the size, I would not in the end. 

All in all, thumbs up for both projects and some than would recommend - for your baby or as presents. Baby MiH approves! 

Hooded Baby Towel {Sewing}

Baby report (D-date +5): nothing. What's the spiciest curry I can get tonight? On the bright side, I have managed to finish Baby MiH hooded towel following the PurlBee tutorial. I kept putting it off because of the way the Terry Cloth behaved when I first cut it. It generated so many bits and even seemed to unravel. I was slightly concerned that I would be disappointed in the result.

However with some 'high-tech' machinery (a sticky roller, a handheld hoover, and a lot of ironing) It was nearly painless - and a beautiful hooded towel we have now.

                **Don't forget to enter my giveaway - open until Tuesday night** 

I did not change a thing to the tutorial as I wanted to see how it turned out in the end - and also using a new fabric texture got some used to. I mentioned a few appliances that were life saving in the end.

Cutting Terry Cloth is a nightmare, well personally I find it a nightmare. There are bits everywhere it is messy and you are worried it will unravel. I had my sticky roller handy all the time, and actually it did not unravel once you are rolled out all the bits. It was really useful to see the sides of the fabric again. I was worried the bits would also go into my sewing machine, but as I removed them that did not happen. 

Also Terry Cloth has a tendency to stretch and therefore it is hard to keep it flush with the cotton fabric. I ironed it a lot to make sure the two layers stayed together during the sewing process. So every time I was sewing a side, I ironed the towel again. Worked wonders. 

I personally feel that the hood is actually quite small in comparison to the body of the towel, and I think I will change that next time. Also it does eat a lot of fabric in one go - so I may go for cheaper fabric or make the main part with different bits of fabric. 

To buy the organic Terry Cloth.. Well that was a bit of a chore here in the UK. I bought it from EcoEarth fabrics, and I believe you can buy it on Etsy at Werkundstoff as well. The cotton fabric is from Robert Kaufman Urban Zoologie Owls. 

And apart from that, it is finished Friday, and this little cross-stitch (definitely not little by the way) is finished. More tomorrow, I am hoping to have a chance to frame it to show you!

Happy Friday everyone!

The Pressure {Sewing}

You know that it is going to be your turn soon when two of your antenatal class friends have given birth and you are supposed to be the fourth one... A bit more than a week to go... although we think the little one is just chilling and will be late. Anyway we are nearly there, but not yet. A couple of WIPs on the go - and we are nearly there as well. 

The Moses basket roundabout/bumper binding needs to be finished. I hand quilted it as I wanted a vintage feel.  I may add a blue hand stitch as well - but binding first! 

And I could not resist the little bunny - so cute!

And I making a hooded towel following the  Purlbee's tutorial. I love the Night Owl Carnival fabric from Robert Kaufman. It is the first time I have been working with terry cloth, and I personally found it quite tricky to cut.  Hopefully it will be better to sew together!

I am quite excited to see the finish towel though, will look great on the vintage concertina hanger!

Nesting {sewing}

There was a time when Mr MiH was very worried - I was not nesting according to him. He has not read anything much about the changes I was going through, but he was expecting that I would be interested in making things for the baby - all the time. I was not. He is now all relieved, and here is why: the little one's very first kimono. 

I used the (free) pattern from the PurlBee website. It is so easy to follow, the tutorial is full of pictures which works really well for me. The fabric is not new for those following my blog, I showed you on Monday the bias tape I made for the kimono, and the Essex linen is the one I used for my Denim Blue top. All from M is for Make. 

I changed the places of the snaps. I wanted to make sure it would be secured at the top. 

I was really happy with my choice of thread as it does not how at all (it is hard to see where I had to sew the snaps). The thread is from Coats Duet, colour ref 4520. 

I suppose this little tiny kimono gives you a good idea of what we might be expecting.. 

PS: I am now linking up to Plum and June Blog Hop.