Baxter and Sam

I did my first ever 3-D sewing this winter. I sewed some teddy bears!! I wanted something loveable to gift along with the quilts for my cousin's twins, and thought a new sewing project would be a good idea.

I used The Wool and Liberty Bear pattern from the Purl Bee. They have the most beautiful projects for sewing, knitting, and crocheting. Their bear was made from a lovely wool, but I wanted something soft, but a little vintage looking. I found some of the super-soft microsuede that I've used for so many projects, and decided to use accent pieces from leftover quilt squares.

I lovingly named them Sam and Baxter

They actually turned out better than I had planned, and were easier to make than I imagined.

Each one pairs so nicely with their coordinating quilt.

I'll let the twin's parents decide who gets which one, or if they'll change the names. They're hard to let go of after they've been starring at me so long now. I know they'll love their new home.

At least I know they're going the same home. Twin bears, for twin girls. I hope they love them as much as I loved making them.

Twin Quilts

I finished the quilts for my cousin's twins in plenty of time before they were born. This is different than my usual last-minute gift scrambling! I was so happy to put these together for their teal and orange nursery. I wanted to put names or monograms on the quilts themselves, but I wanted their mommy and daddy to pick which baby got which color.

I chose neutral backings for each quilt.  A pretty gray damask for the teal quilt...

And a gray and white polka dot for the orange quilt.

I quilted them with an allover grid, outlining the seam lines of each patchwork square. It adds nice texture without competing with the patterns in the fabrics.

They are of course bound with my favorite black and white stripe binding. The perfect frame for a finished quilt. These are slightly larger than crib sized, so they will last for a long time as warm blankets or soft playmats. I can't wait to watch these two babies grow and snuggle them!!

The Billy Ray Lounge Pants

The Billy Ray Lounge Pants are ready for YOU to sew!

 

Available in sizes 12 months - 6 years 

 Perfect for BOYS and GIRLS!!

 

The pattern includes:

*Full size printable pattern pieces

*Lots of color photos for each step

*Step by step instructions for garment construction

 

All available for INSTANT download.

 

The pattern also includes an option for a faux drawstring, for an extra pop of color and detail.

 

Baby boy loves his flannel pair to match his Nautical Bedroom

 

And anything soft and fuzzy gets an A+ on Goldilock's list. Hers are made of super soft fleece.

 

There's extra room in the legs and rear, perfect for a cloth diapered baby! I know it can be hard to find a good fit over all of that fluffy goodness.

 

Whether they are for pajama pants, comfortable play, or lounging around the house...your little one will love these!

 

You can find them in my Pattern shop on

Etsy or Craftsy

along with your other Grits & Giggles favorites

Christmas Comes Early

I hope you are all having a wonderful holiday season! Christmas is coming early for my readers...

especially my fellow "Crunchy Mamas".

 

I have a new pattern available...and it's FREE!

 

Download Here

 

If you've been around here a while you know that I'm obsessed with cloth diapers and how cute and soft they make the little hineys in my house.

 

I sewed a lot of newborn diapers for baby boy, and am now starting on a stash of bigger overnight fitteds for him. Fitted diapers are real workhorses, but they are expensive, so buying up a good stash can really cut into your budget.

 

 

However, sewing them is a real money saver, and you can make them unique and fun!

 

Hubby is completely obsessed with this diaper. What's not to love?

RealTree Camo and a Clemson Tiger Paw.

 

And for my techy baby.... "iPood"

It's the closest he'll get to an iPod anytime soon.

 

The beauty of fitted diapers is that they can be embroidered with no risk of hurting their absorbency. Perfect for feeding my new personalization habit.

 

The Mattie Diaper Pattern includes 4 sizes:

Newborn, Small, Medium, and Large.

 

This pattern guides you, step by step through making a fitted or All-In-One diaper from start to finish.

 

Here is an All-In-One I made for baby boy. It fits great around his skinny legs and chunky belly.

 

How much do you want to pinch those fat rolls? It's a miracle I get anything done around here with all of that cuteness crawling around.

 

 

The e-book includes ideas on making soaker pads as well, from materials to layers.

This version is a quick-dry soaker to take less drying time than other All-In-One diapers.

 

If you've thought about cloth diapering, or love to try new patterns of diapers on your baby...(always looking for the perfect fit!) then give the Mattie Diaper pattern a try!

 

What can it hurt, it's FREE!

 

Download the printable pattern HERE at Craftsy.

 

While you're there, check out the other free patterns, classes, and great tutorials they have to offer!

 

Let's Sew Some Vests

It's here crafty friends!! The Adams Vest Pattern

 is ready for YOU to sew!

 

 

I adore this sweet little vest, and with 12 SIZES you will too! The pattern includes sizes 12 months to 12 years and is perfect for both boys AND girls!

 

I love our boy/girl versions

(Although I think baby girl would look cute in camo too)

 

It's the perfect layering piece for fall and spring, and that extra warm layer for the cold wintertime.

 

Comfy and warm, but roomy enough to play all day.

 

I had my friend test this little gem for me. She is the author of Such Big Dreams and mommy to an adorable baby boy.

 

She's an absolute wiz with crochet hooks, and turns out some sweet items on her sewing machine as well. You can find some of her creations in her Etsy Shop, or visit her Blog for some amazing FREE crochet patterns.

 

Her baby's vest is outdoor-ready. He looks pretty happy to be wearing it!

 

"Possum Commander".

If you aren't from around here.... you wouldn't understand.

 

She did a beautiful job didn't she?

 

Now it's time to make yours!

 

The pattern is only $6.50 and you can buy it for INSTANT DOWNLOAD

on Etsy or Craftsy

 

Happy Sewing

A Little Preview

I have really fallen in love with pattern making. Because I LOVE making things for my babies, I sew a lot. And if it's something I like, I draw out a pattern to have again. I figure, if I'm drawing it in one size, I might as well spend a little extra time and do more sizes...which results in adding to

 my Pattern Shop.

 

My family is a little obsessed with fleece vests. They're practical. They keep you warm without lots of bulk, and they add a little color to a boring long sleeve shirt. We all wear them.

(This was the one time Hubby WASN'T wearing one)

 

With winter approaching, I wanted my babies to be warm, without the fussy bulk of a big jacket. Vests were on the sewing menu.

 

I loved them SOOOOO much when I was done, that I got out my pen and paper, and started drafting.

 

 

This little baby is being tested as we speak.... and I've sewn up a bunch myself!

 

I am head-over-heels in love with this camo version for baby boy. Hubby is jealous of his boy's new vest. I think he wants one in his size.

 

 

Goldilocks' is over the top girly, lined with pink fleece and with a little pocket on the front for all of her treasures.

 

It's soft, comfortable, and warm. Just like babies like to be!

 

The pattern will be for sizes 12 Months- 12 years.

I cannot WAIT to have this ready for you to sew too!

You're going to love it!

 

Sneak Peek

If you are fans of Grits & Giggles on Facebook...then you know that there has been a sewing frenzy going on at my house! As part of my "cleaning out" (this has been going on for months, yet nothing seems to be missing) I have decided to use up as much of my fabric stash as possible to make some fun things for my babies and my home. Once I started sorting fabrics I found some really fun ones that I had forgotten about!

 

I laid them all together and decided to make some dresses for Goldilocks. A few hours later...the child had FOUR new dresses for her closet. She thinks it's Christmas around here. I love when she puts on new dresses and wants to "twirl" all day. As I was making them I decided that I needed to share them with YOU.

 

The patterns are in the works and are coming along nicely. They'll be a sweet addition to the Grits & Giggles Pattern Shop at Etsy or Craftsy.

 

They of course had to be named after my girlfriends....

 

First is the Aprile Knot Dress and Top Pattern.

This little one is named after my sweet cousin. She has a baby girl just a month older that my baby boy. It's been so neat having two close babies in the family.

 

I can't decide whether I love it more as a dress or a top. Goldilocks loves both.

 

 

It's a classic knot-dress style with a banded bottom.

The possibilities for fabric combinations are endless with this little piece.

 

So sweet, and super easy to wear.

 

The dress is a conservative length and just precious with a monogrammed bodice. It's getting pretty chilly here, so throwing a shirt underneath made it very winter appropriate.

 

 

 

The second pattern is the Kristen Apron Knot Dress.

My girlfriend/sister from college has a blog BA in Housewifery, where she writes about her life as a military wife. She has some fun stories, recipes, and travel notes. When I thought about the apron dress, I immediately thought of her "housewife" title and knew I had to use her name.

 

 

This dress is similar to the Aprile Knot Dress, but has different pieces, including an apron piece on the front of the dress. The pattern will have an option for a flat or ruffled apron piece.

 

 

Goldilocks thought it was fun to play with.

 

Here is the ruffled version. It adds just a little extra "girly touch" to the dress. As if it needed any. I also knotted this one in the back instead of the front. LOTS of options for styling and fabrics with this dress.

 

Baby girl loves her new wardrobe, and I loved seeing these fabrics come to life again in different ways. I had forgotten about some of them.

 

Hopefully the patterns are just a few days from completion.

 I can't wait for you to try them!

 

See the patterns that Grits & Giggles

 has to offer HERE and HERE.

 

The Bradshaw Pattern is HERE!!

I am soooooo excited to announce that the Bradshaw Pattern is ready for YOU to sew!!

 

This is my first pattern for a BOY and I love it.

 

Best of all...it's REVERSIBLE!

Ya'll have done some serious sewing with my last reversible pattern,

 The Kaileigh Dress, so it's time for some double sided goodness for the boys too.

 

The pattern is a full color E-book, with printable pattern pieces, color photos,

 and step by step instructions on how to put your garment together.

 

It includes instructions on how to make a LONG jon jon as well,

and how to install crotch snaps for making diaper changes

 and getting dressed a breeze.

 

This corduroy version is perfect for the fall and winter months!

 

 

Great for fall photo shoots in the pumpkins!

 

 

Add monograms, appliques, pockets and other embellishments to make

the jon jon truly unique to your little boy.

 

I hate paying for "wear once" outfits for holidays, so how perfect to put a theme on one side and leave the other side ready for everyday wear! You can still have your cute boutique-style holiday wear, without hanging it in the closet to never be worn again.

 

Make one side dressy for Mama to love...and put your favorite sports team on the other side for Dad!

 

It's a win-win really.

 

As always, this pattern is only $6.50 and available for INSTANT download at both Craftsy and Etsy.

 

Start your fall sewing for your little boy today!