Monday, March 14, 2011

Shut Up and Sew: Dream Crib Sheet

When I found out last month that I was having a little girl, I called several friends immediately to let them know the news.

Me: "It's a girl! I'm so excited!"

Them: "Yay!...Were you hoping for a girl?"

Me: "No, I didn't care either way. It's just that my favorite fabrics are all for girls!"

Jayce 3

It's true folks, there are some sweet patterns out there for our little ladies.

There are adorable things for boys too, of course, but never having the need to browse the "girls section" of the fabric aisles before, it is a newfound pleasure and I have been loving it. Particularly since we had crazy inclement weather hit immediately after we found out the gender, which prevented me from heading to the store to browse sweet little lady dresses and bloomers, so instead I browsed Etsy for sweet little patterns. And I found them.

Jayce 4

I fell head over heels in love with these adorable elephants. They are Ele-Fete Shell from Cloud Nine fabrics, and I got them from the incredible shop, Cedar House Fabrics. Lela, the owner of the shop, is super helpful, replied to my convos right away, and put them in the mail that day! How wonderful is that?! I can't say enough about a shop with great customer service and FAST shipping!!

There was all sorts of love when these fabrics arrived at my house. I squealed when I opened the package. (I may have even snuggled the fabric a little bit.)

I don't necessarily have a thing for elephants, but I love the simple features of these little elephants, and come on, they are holding strands of bunting!! Really, does it get any cuter?!

Jayce 5

When I saw this fabric I knew that it had to make it's way into the baby bedding. Those sweet elephants just killed me, and the fabric is 100% organic cotton so it is super soft. I received several bits of fabric in the mail in the past few weeks for various projects, and this is by far the softest. It's exactly what you'd want up against that sweet newborn skin. PERFECT for the crib sheet.

I washed it, ironed it, and was ready to go.

Febw4 3

I followed a great tutorial for a crib/toddler bed sheet found here, by Dana from Made. Dana is a sewing genius, and I knew that whenever I finally decided to give sewing a shot, that I'd have to try out a few of her tutorials. It turns out that some projects actually are as easy as they seem. But this was my first time sewing something that required a substantial amount of fabric, and something that required elastic, but I was ready. And the result was just perfect.

Sheets 4

I did enlist the help of this fancy walking foot for this project and was so happy that I did. I hope you can see in this picture, but the walking foot (or even feed foot) has these black teeth on the bottom of it that help grip the fabric and move it through the sewing machine with the feed dogs that are located on the bottom of your machine. (Several of you mentioned that this would help me to keep my fabric lined up better as I was sewing-thanks for the GREAT tip!!)

Feb4 2

Since this tutorial requires making a casing to hold the elastic, the walking foot kept my fabric lined up on the right seam allowance, which I thought would be more difficult since I was working with such a large piece of fabric and basically sewing it into a big circle. (Okay, sewing it into a big rectangle with rounded edges. ) I was able to keep better control of the fabric, even when I was sewing at a fast speed!!

Feb4 1

One thing I would remind you of when tackling this tutorial, is don't forget to check the thread on your bobbin before you get started!! There is not tons of sewing involved, but there is one very long line of stitching in this project, and it would be such a bummer to make it a little ways around and need to refill your thread. Since I have only taken on smaller projects up to this point, I was really aware of possibly running out. If you do, it's no big deal, but just a good thing to check before you get started.

Sheets 6

This crib sheet was such an easy project! So easy, that baby is getting another custom sheet as well. I think the blue elephant set will do perfectly. But Cedar House Fabrics is completely stocked with 100% organic cotton material, so any of the choices will be just as soft and hopefully as sweet!

I love that I was able to get exactly what I was looking for in the bedding, not just my favorite that the store had to offer. Buying your own fabric and spending a little time at the sewing machine is a great way to make sure that your nursery is stocked with your dream crib sheet!!

Sheets 2

I'll be linking to these parties this week, so come see what everyone else has been up to!

Happy Monday!!


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14 comments:

Anonymous March 14, 2011 at 6:18 AM  

That's sew cute! Congratulations on your new arrival, take care!

Ashley March 14, 2011 at 8:44 AM  

Okay, you are just too talented. Loveeeeeeeee this post.

Sarah Jones March 14, 2011 at 10:53 AM  

i can not believe how far you have come at sewing in such a short time! it looks amazing! i told my mom that you were making me want to learn sewing and, thank god, she told me "you have a full time job sarah" which has reminded me why i'm already behind on the projects that i know how to do, and gives me a valid excuse for not taking up sewing just yet... ;)

Alyssa March 14, 2011 at 11:15 AM  

Very cute! A changing pad cover is pretty much the exact same idea but with a smaller piece of fabric, so there's another thing you can do with this also!

Tiffany March 14, 2011 at 12:01 PM  

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! The fabric is precious and so cool that you can design your own crib sheet. I am impressed that you tackled this project. I thought about it with Mia but got scared! You are brave and it paid off! Beautiful bedding. What a lucky little lady!

Anonymous March 14, 2011 at 2:04 PM  

I love it so much! Super cute!

Annie March 14, 2011 at 2:28 PM  

aw!! i LOVE the fabric!! :)

C. March 14, 2011 at 3:23 PM  
This comment has been removed by the author.
c. March 14, 2011 at 3:27 PM  

WONDERFUL, erin!
i love the fabric and it looks absolutely perfect!
YAY!!!!! (=

Tanna March 14, 2011 at 4:45 PM  

Love the fabrics and color scheme. I made my first son's crib bedding set. It was so fun. I never got to peruse the girly stuff except for other people. Just isn't as much fun as it would be for yourself. One plus to having two boys that I wouldn't trade though. They play so well together now (6 and 3 yrs). Can't wait to see how this all comes together before she arrives. Congrats!

Lisa March 15, 2011 at 8:54 AM  

This adorable fabric makes me want a girl too! I found out in 2 weeks : )

Very cute and thanks for the tute! I may try to make my own too!

Tammy @ she wears flowers March 16, 2011 at 10:47 PM  

We're past the crib sheet stage, but I just had to tell you how adorable the fabric is for making baby sheets--adorable!!!

laxsupermom March 17, 2011 at 9:22 AM  

Adorable! I love the fabrics you chose. I torture myself by walking through the girly flannel prints when I'm in the fabric store. I just have the feet that came with my machine. I may have to look into a walking foot. Thanks for sharing.

I'm hosting a Throwback Thursdays Party, and would love it if you swung by and linked up something you made/bought/did from before blogging. I can't wait to see what you bring.

Jayna Rae March 18, 2011 at 10:46 PM  

I love it! Great work. If I ever happen to have another child I think I too will brave sewing the bedding.

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