$26 Folding Floor Cushion

The idea of a folding floor cushion for kids is nothing new; I've seen several variations of this project online. However I still wanted to share because I think it's such a great project. To make my cushion, I loosely followed this tutorial by you and mie.

Materials and cost:
4 extra firm pillows: $24
1 full sized bed sheet or approximately 2 yards of fabric. I got a vintage sheet from the thrift store for about $1.
8 5/8" or larger buttons: $1

Total cost: $26

I made a few minor changes. Since my fabric was fairly thin, I ironed light-weight interfacing into both hems along the long side of the cushion cover, where the buttons would go.

It fits perfectly on the floor of Vera's closet, making a comfy place for some quiet reading. One of the best things about this cushion is all the different ways you can fold it. It would also make a great floor cushion for movie night.

Bedrail Cover Tutorial

Vera has learned to climb out of her crib so she will be moving into a regular bed soon. We are skipping the toddler bed and going straight to a twin-sized bed with a bedrail. My mother-in-law found a bedrail for us at a rummage sale. It was in great shape but had a bright blue cover, not exactly the look I was going for. Luckily the cover was removable, and I made a simple slipcover for the rail out of unbleached cotton osnaburg (the same fabric I used for these projects).

Materials:

1 1/2 yards of fabric

21" (approx 3/4 yard) Velcro

Coordinating thread

Sewing machine

Fabric marking pen

Pins

Rotary cutter or scissors

Serger or pinking shears

Tape measure or ruler

Instructions:

All seams are 1/2" unless otherwise noted.

First, trace your existing cover, adding 1/2" to the sides and top and 1" to the bottom for seam allowance. Cut two, one for each side of the cover.

Press the bottom edges of both pieces 1/2" then another 1/2".

Increase your stitch length to 3.5 and edge stitch the bottom hem for one side of the cover only.

Measure the zipper on the bottom of the original cover. Mine measured 39" so I cut a strip of fabric 40" x 7" long. This will become a flap with velcro at the bottom of the cover. Fold the strip of fabric in half lengthwise, right sides together, and sew both short ends. Trim the seams, clip the corners, and turn right side out.

Take the other side of the cover, the one with the unsewn hem, and lay wrong side up. Tuck the raw edge of the flap into the bottom hem of the cover, making sure it is centered. Pin in place.

With your stitch length still set at 3.5, edge stitch the hem, sewing on top of the flap as you go.

With the cover still facing wrong side up, press the flap down toward the bottom of the cover.

Turn over so right side is facing up and pin flap in place. With your stitch length still set at 3.5, edge stitch.

This is how the cover will look from the right side (outside) once the flap is finished.

Pin the two main cover pieces together, right sides facing. (Make sure you set your machine back to its standard stitch length, usually 2.5. If you're unsure of the fit, you can first sew the two pieces together with a basting stitch, then test the fit on your bedrail frame before sewing together with a smaller stitch length). Sew the two pieces together along the sides and top, leaving the bottom side with the flap open. You can use either a serger or pinking shears to finish the seams.

Turn right side out.

Cut seven 3" lengths of velcro (both the hook and loop sides). The soft side will be attached to the main cover and the rough side will be attached to the flap. Mark the main cover 2" up from the bottom edge, spacing the marks 3" apart. Repeat for the flap, marking 1/2" from the outer flap edge.

Sew on the velcro.

Pull the cover over your bedrail frame and secure with velcro.

12" Baby Doll Dress and Bloomers- Free Pattern!

Vera's baby doll was in need of a new outfit, so I made her a dress and set of bloomers. When Vera woke up from her nap, I proudly showed her baby doll's new attire to her. "Vera, look what Mommy made for your baby!" to which she replied "Noooo!"and immediately removed the new dress and tried to put the old worn-out outfit back on. That girl does not like change. Fortunately, she warmed up to the new clothes after a few days and now loves dressing and undressing her doll.

This pattern was made to fit a 12" Waterbabies Doll but will fit most 12" dolls with a few minor modifications. I won't be providing a step-by-step tutorial with this pattern, but have included a few helpful tips. To get the pattern, simply right-click on the images below and save. Print at full scale.

Dress for Silent Auction

One of Zach's pharmacy school organizations recently held a silent auction. I donated one of my dresses and am happy to say it helped raise $40 for the organization!

A is for Art

Vera's bedroom walls were looking a little bare so I made her a couple pieces of art.

Vera's silhouette at one-year-old. I completely copied this idea from my friend Bethany, who made one for her daughter. Canvas, paint, paper, and mod podge. Done. Super cute and super easy.

I also made her an alphabet painting.

I started by printing letters of different fonts and sizes onto label paper.

I used a piece of scrap plywood instead of a canvas because I wanted the wood grain to show through for some of the letters. I cut the letters out and stuck several of them to the plywood, then painted over the entire piece of plywood with pink paint. Then I stuck down several more letters and painted it with a coat of blue paint. I repeated this process with the remaining letters and paint colors. Once the paint was dry, I peeled off all the letters to expose the paint beneath. The paint bled a little bit around the edges of the letters, but I was ok with that since I was going for a slightly distressed look. I lightly sanded it to further distress some areas.

Christmas Dress

For the past few months I've had an image in my head for a special holiday dress for Vera. I wanted a gold triangle print for the bodice, peter pan collar, and exposed gold zipper in the back.

I used Butterick's B5912 toddler dress pattern  (view B with the peter pan collar and puff sleeves). The pattern was fairly easy to follow but I had a lot of trouble with the collar. I've sewn peter pan collars before without any problems, but had to rip out the seams twice on the collar of this dress! I didn't love the size and shape of the collar either, so I made a few adjustments. I would probably draft my own collar next time. On the positive side, the sizing was accurate.

I wasn't able to find a metallic triangle print so I decided to make my own. I used DecoArt SoSoft Metallic Fabric Paint in Glorious Gold and made a stencil out of freezer paper. The nice thing about freezer paper is that one side is coated in wax, so you can iron it on to fabric and it will temporarily stick. It's perfect for stencils and cutting out shapes for appliques.

I used premium bleached muslin for the bodice and a cotton/polyester blend broadcloth for the skirt. The skirt looks somewhat gold in the pictures, but it's actually a warm green color...I believe it's called "Avocado".

And I couldn't resist making a coordinating hair clip. It's mistletoe!

Christening Gown

A friend (of a friend) had a baby girl a couple of months ago and asked if I could turn her wedding dress into a christening gown for her daughter. I thought it was such a sweet idea and was glad to help.

I used Burda Kids pattern 9649 . It's a very good pattern with easy to follow instructions and clear illustrations. However, the sizing does run a bit large.

I made a few modifications- a peter pan collar instead of a ruffle and extending the skirt lining to full length. I was able to make the gown entirely out of fabric from her wedding dress. The only thing not original to her wedding dress is the snaps.

I also made a matching bonnet (included in the same pattern).

They plan to use this gown for all of their children so I embroidered her daughter's name on the hem of the skirt lining, that way they can add each child's name as they wear it.