Tutorial:: Teeny Tiny Preemie Clothes

By AnneMarie of Charleedee

My Brother and his wife recently had a little girl. Miss E was born early and very small! A Teeny Tiny 3.6lbs Not wanting her to be a Nakie Baby (because nothing fits) while in the NICU I set out to find an adorable pattern to make her some clothes.

There is not much out there for Tiny Preemie Clothing so after searching I found a site that had some Patterns (see link at the bottom of the post)

I altered the patterns to a side closure, because a bow is so much cuter then a front Velcro closure, and I lengthened the sleeves because Miss E has nice long arms.

There is Velcro that runs along the top of the sleeves so her Nurses can access all her cords, and the front Kimono style closure allows cords to easily feed out.

The other modification I made is I lined them. Preemies have SUCH delicate skin the idea of seams rubbing up against her little skin made me cringe. So my recommendation if you choose to make them is to cut double of everything. Assemble them and then sew right sides together along the entire outside edge, leaving a small spot along the bottom of the gown to turn it right side out, then top stitch. This makes it look so much more finished and so much softer! This also allows you to use a cotton on the exterior (if you want more variety of print) and line it with a flannel so it’s still softer inside for baby.



Hope you are inspired! Remember Altering patterns is easy! Don’t be afraid to try something different.

Pattern available Here!

Not a sewer?  AnneMarie's shop CharleeDee, offers custom made items for the littles in your life and features preemie gowns for boys and girls.  Follow AnneMarie on Facebook, Twitter and at her Blog.  

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Boredom Busters for Kids and Adults

Here in NE Kansas schools, the local Colleges and Universities canceled classes again for the third day in less than a week.  Unheard of.  We are covered in a beautiful thick blanket of heavy, heavy snow - perfect for making snowmen.  In fact, the children are just now putting the finishing touches on a snow family to stand watch out front.   

If you have some crafty little souls in your house who are complaining of being BORED - heaven forbid - let us suggest these patterns and printable PDFs that will allow you to quickly get them engaged in a productive project that won't end in 30 seconds.  If these don't match your children's skill or interest level, don't fear, we have an amazing archive of projects, tutorials, and activities - check out all the categories you can search in our sidebar, bottom right!    

Barn Farmhouse Skin PDF, Instant download from DollsAndDaydreams

Funky Fleece Hat PDF Pattern from monkeysbug

Peasant Swing Top and Dress, PDF sewing pattern from AveryLane

Paper Doll PDF Printout, instant download from DollsAndDaydreams

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St. Martins Day Tutorial

{This post is brought to you by Stephanie from Toastie Studio}

It makes me sad seeing all the fun Halloween posts in blog land over the last few weeks. So many beautiful costumes made and decorations but in the Netherlands no one really celebrates it.
But we do celebrate St. Martins Day on 11th November!
On St. Martins night kids walk around the neighbourhood with handmade paper lanterns or candles. They knock at your door and sing you a little song about St. Martin in exchange for some candy.

Although St. Martins Day is not celebrated everywhere in the world, I am sharing a little tutorial to make paper lanterns today. You can always use the tutorial to make some lanterns for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
And if you like this printable check with my etsy shop in the coming weeks as I expand into party and celebration printables.

You will need:
Template (download here, includes small and medium template)
Coloured card
Tissue paper
Glue
Decorating materials, this can be what ever you have on hand, pencils, glitter, stickers, felt etc.

Print off the template onto your coloured card stock and cut around the edge and cut the 4 squares out of the panels. Score along the fold lines to make it easier later on.
If you are making the medium lantern, glue the two pieces together so it looks like the small lantern template and keep some scrap card to make the hanging loop.

Cut your tissue paper into squares big enough to cover the cut out panels and glue them into place on the back side of the lantern.

Turn your lantern over and take your decorating materials and make your lantern look super pretty! You can really use anything to decorate it with.

Once you have finished glue the end tab of the lantern to the other side so you get a square.

Then glue each of the tabs on the top two sections all the way around making the lanterns shape.

Now glue on the little handle strip, or use ribbon if you prefer.

In the Netherlands you can buy little sticks with string on one end and an electric candle attached so you can hang them from the stick to go out and sing with. But you can always leave them on the table with an electric candle inside.

NOTE these lanterns are made from paper, do not use a real candle in them as its a fire hazard!!

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Sis Boom Nuggets

5 years ago I stared a 'Women Entrepreneur' scrap book - merely as inspiration for myself...I mean - if they can do it - I can...right?! RIGHT! SO - It has grown and grown I now have 2 HUGE volumes and it's great to see women who I have in the scrapbook when they were just starting out that are now very successful and extremely popular, like Carol's Daughter hair and skin care, I was reading about her when she was just selling out of her home and thinking about expanding, now she's seriously rocking and rolling! Hopefully, an article about ME will one day be in my scrap book! hee hee!

I take the book out at least a couple of times a month and go through and read a few articles for inspiration. Last night I was skimming through...and on page 27 of my scrap book is Sis Boom - Jennifer Paganelli is the creative genius behind this line of fabrics and patterns. The name for her business was the actual nickname that her twin brother called her when they were growing up!

There are 3 specific statements from her article that I would like to share with you today.

1. DON'T WORRY
"I used to be so worried that my family would feel left out because I was so busy, or overwhelmed by so much stuff everywhere. (The business has definitely spilled into every room int he house!) But I've learned that the family is happy when Mommy is happy. Doing something you love is the best example you can set for your kids!"

2. DON'T WAIT
"Back in 1995, when I first started this business, I was living in a new state with a toddler running in and out between my legs. I didn't have a brilliant plan the, but I did have all these old textiles and wallpapers that I'd collected at flea markets over the years. I've learned the best business ideas are usually hiding somewhere in your hobby!"

3. WORK YOUR WAY
"Everyone has a work style, but it can take awhile to be honest with yourself about just what that is. I used to believe that I needed the perfect work space to get things done. What's more it had to be clean! But over the years I have learned to let my craft room be the place where I work and work - and then sweep when I have the time!

I hope you Diva's have a rock out Saturday! Hope these 'nuggets' give you inspiration - like they do me - wishing you every success! SMOOCHES!

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