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Constructive Frustration

post #1 of 67
9/5/11 at 7:46am
Thread Starter 

In order to channel my frustration around ttc (first waiting for DH to be ready and now dealing with the journey called ttc) I have been being a crafty lady. I am sure that I am not the only woman out there responding in a similar manner, so I thought I would start this thread where we could share all of the crafts that we have made for ourselves, others and our future babies to keep moving forward even though everything else may not be moving forward in the way/time that we may hope. I look forward to seeing and reading about all of your wonderful creations!

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post #2 of 67
9/5/11 at 12:43pm

I am probably the least crafty person EVER!!! But I am super excited about reading about all of the things the rest of you talented people are doing!

 

Also, I have a sewing machine and REALLLLLY want to learn how to use it and make cloth diapers and baby clothes and (if I can learn quickly...) christmas presents this year. BUT I feel strange starting on diapers before I get a positive test.

 

If you don't mind I will definitely be checking out what the rest of you are up to!!

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post #3 of 67
9/5/11 at 1:11pm

I go through waves of crafty-ness, lol.   (I will come back later and add the pics I have for things)

 

A couple months ago I went through a yarn phase and knit a stuffed goat for my son, a stuffed bunny for a friend's baby, a few lens critters for a photographer friend, a hair snood turned drawstring bag (lol) and failed child's hat turned doll hat (my first attempt at crocheting).

 

Just before my BFP, I got back in to sewing and started making a handbag, I got my BFP and started feeling sick just before I could finish it...when I started feeling better, I started sewing a little dress of my own design to start building my stock (I had planned on opening a little shop), but then I miscarried and have not finished either sewing project and have no crafty desires at the moment.

 

 

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post #4 of 67
9/5/11 at 2:54pm
Thread Starter 

pitbull mommy: please feel free to check this thread out. Maybe we will be the inspiration you need to join the crafty craziness :). I felt the same way about diapers until I couldn't help myself any longer and started.

 

Bugglette: I'm so sorry for your loss, I had an early mc in July. It took me a while to get back to being crafty, too. I can't wait to see your upcoming pics!

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post #5 of 67
9/5/11 at 2:57pm
Thread Starter 

Alright so here we go.....

 

This is a baby blanket and coordinating sweater I started with.

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post #6 of 67
9/5/11 at 3:04pm
Thread Starter 

These are the pocket diapers I made from the free Rita's Rump Pocket pattern

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An open view of the super cute flannel I got from JoAnn's

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A view of the inside view of the microfleece interior

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And another non-flash view of the outside

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post #7 of 67
9/5/11 at 3:11pm
Thread Starter 

Here are the flat diapers that I made by getting a king sized flannel sheet from the thrift store and trying my hand at tie dye. I got 10 flats total and a bunch more for making fitteds and some left over for making mama cloth.

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This one is my favorite

 

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post #8 of 67
9/5/11 at 3:21pm
Thread Starter 

Here is the super cute hoodie I knit, I was trying to keep everything gender neutral because I don't know what I will end up with. I have always thought boys, but now I'm think I may have a girl fist. We shall see!

 

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Here are the wool diaper covers I knit. I got the yarn on clearance at JoAnn's around the 4th of July for $1 per skein.

 

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And here is everything including the recycled wool diaper covers I made but did not include in their own photo (middle left)

 

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And I'm still working on more AAAGGGHHHHH dizzy.gif! I sometimes feel like I'm going crazy but I justify it by saying I can always give it away or sell it if things don't work out. Please don't let me be the only one!

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post #9 of 67
9/5/11 at 5:58pm

WOW!!!  I love what you have done! Those diapers are incredible!! Maybe I will start working on them beforehand........... I just can't tell my family besides my husband haha. Your pictures are definitely inspiring.

 

I am starting a new job where I will be working from home more so I hope that I will have more freedom to do sewing and crafts. I didn't look it up yet.. but I am going to try and check out the patterns that you used to make the diapers.

 

My mom bought me the sewing machine last year (haven't used it yet... oops!) and she used to sew so many of my clothes and beautiful dresses when I was a little girl. Unfortunately, she remembers almost none of what she used to know and doesn't really think she can teach me how to sew. I have taken home-ec in middle school and am very good at using the interweb to look things up. I am hoping that with a little time on my hands, a lot of beautiful fabric, and my laptop (youtube is a gift!) that I will be able to teach myself.

 

I will definitely keep you posted. Any tips for a beginner??

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post #10 of 67
9/5/11 at 7:31pm
Thread Starter 
Pitbull mommy: I don't tell anyone about all of my projects unless I think they will be supportive. Basically my mom and my husband.

I have only uses free patterns online for everything I've made. The Rita's Rump Pocket is one size (possibly too big for a newborn?). If you do a search for the website Diaper Sewing Divas and join they have tons of free patterns, guides and reviews. Also there is a yahoo group. My favorite free sized pattern is Cloth Revolution (I can give you the website if you want; I think it's the tutumafia or something like that). She gives amazing instructions that are really helpful. I've also read good things about the Doodlebee one sized pattern (free) but I haven't tried it yet.

I was totally in the same boat as you as far as sewing experience. I had home-ec in 7th grade and hadn't done a thing since. My mom used to sew but hadn't done it for 30 years. I made an apron and had her show me how to read the pattern which was a huge help.

I just keep doing and keep learning smile.gif Give it a try, you'll get the hang of it before you know it.
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post #11 of 67
9/5/11 at 9:28pm

Wow, love the diapers. We gave away our cloth diaper stash when DS potty-trained fully at 15 months, so I'm going to need to try my hand at making some. lol...love the flannel prefolds! And, what a knitter!

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post #12 of 67
9/6/11 at 6:05am
Thread Starter 
Thank you Pregnova! There are way too many cute flannel choices out there! You may become addicted to diaper making ;-)
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post #13 of 67
9/6/11 at 7:27pm

Thanks so much for all of the great information and your encouragement... I am going to finish my deep clean of my apartment tomorrow (we went through all the closets, etc) and bring my sewing machine out into full view. I am super excited and you are so inspiring!! I am really hoping that I am pregnant so I don't feel so nuts for wanting to make EVERYTHING baby related. How could I want to sew anything else???

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post #14 of 67
9/9/11 at 2:32pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by pitbull mommy View Post

Thanks so much for all of the great information and your encouragement... I am going to finish my deep clean of my apartment tomorrow (we went through all the closets, etc) and bring my sewing machine out into full view. I am super excited and you are so inspiring!! I am really hoping that I am pregnant so I don't feel so nuts for wanting to make EVERYTHING baby related. How could I want to sew anything else???

I know baby stuff is way too cute! Good luck and happy crafting!
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post #15 of 67
9/11/11 at 6:56pm

Cool thread!

I love the stuff you've made, maryk, those diapers especially. They look perfect!

 

I'm working on my first ever baby craft project. I found this star shaped baby blanket and I just liked the pattern so much I decided I had to make it, regardless of having a baby to wrap in it or not.

 

I'll post pics when I'm done.

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post #16 of 67
9/11/11 at 7:39pm

maryk, your stuff is amazing!  I can't knit, but I've been trying to teach myself.  Not going awesome irked.gif  I've been working on some (paper) decorations for an upcoming baby shower I'm hosting, so I feel like my creative "juices" have been flowing lately. 

 

After looking at some of those patterns you suggested, I realize I know nothing about cloth diapers.  I'm super pumped to try sewing some!  Thanks for the inspiration!

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post #17 of 67
9/12/11 at 8:31am

I think I'll follow this thread even though lately I haven't felt like doing much of anything.  I WAS knitting sweaters for Me DH and DS for a family photo.  Who knows when {if} they'll be finished.  DS is done so he can wear it before he out grows it!  DH needs one more sleave, I hate knitting sleeves.  Mine is a pain.  The lace isn't as much fun as I had imagined.  It looks alright.  Just isn't a joy to knit so it takes forever to do one row.

 

I love the diapers MaryKGrove.  I have a wool soaker pattern that is fun to knit.  Never thought to sew one!  I hope more people post pics.  Get on it everyone!

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post #18 of 67
9/12/11 at 12:15pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fnord View Post

Cool thread!

I love the stuff you've made, maryk, those diapers especially. They look perfect!

 

I'm working on my first ever baby craft project. I found this star shaped baby blanket and I just liked the pattern so much I decided I had to make it, regardless of having a baby to wrap in it or not.

 

I'll post pics when I'm done.


That sounds super cute! Is it sewing, knitting,crochet? I can't wit to see how it turns out!
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post #19 of 67
9/12/11 at 12:20pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by casmer View Post

maryk, your stuff is amazing!  I can't knit, but I've been trying to teach myself.  Not going awesome irked.gif  I've been working on some (paper) decorations for an upcoming baby shower I'm hosting, so I feel like my creative "juices" have been flowing lately. 

 

After looking at some of those patterns you suggested, I realize I know nothing about cloth diapers.  I'm super pumped to try sewing some!  Thanks for the inspiration!


Thanks Casmer! I'm sure you'll have fun sewing diapers. There is a bit of a learning curve but once you get the lingo down it's pretty easy. I would love to hear more about the decorations you made as I am throwing a baby shower soon, too.
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post #20 of 67
9/12/11 at 12:23pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by MeAndVee View Post

I think I'll follow this thread even though lately I haven't felt like doing much of anything.  I WAS knitting sweaters for Me DH and DS for a family photo.  Who knows when {if} they'll be finished.  DS is done so he can wear it before he out grows it!  DH needs one more sleave, I hate knitting sleeves.  Mine is a pain.  The lace isn't as much fun as I had imagined.  It looks alright.  Just isn't a joy to knit so it takes forever to do one row.

 

I love the diapers MaryKGrove.  I have a wool soaker pattern that is fun to knit.  Never thought to sew one!  I hope more people post pics.  Get on it everyone!



I totally understand about unfinished sweaters; I have one that has been halfwaydone for 4 years wink1.gif
What Soaker pattern is it that you like? I'm always looking for new patterns smile.gif
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