Well, I’ve started my Christmas sewing. My 1st project? A fleece robe for my little man. And I’m using most of those tips I found last week.

• Because I cut my fleece without determining which side was which, I used that water test. And sure enough, the water soaks in quickly on one side and just rolls off the other. As this is a bath robe, I used the side that soaked in the water as the wrong (inside) side.
• I marked, marked, marked. I made sure that I marked the wrong side of every piece.
• I sat my stitch on 3.0 (is this in mm or what, I really don’t know).
• I used a size 14 ball point needle and it worked like a charm.
• I set my iron on the poly setting, but it was a little too warm. Thankfully, I was using a pressing cloth. After I turned it down to a little below half-way, it worked well.

I started with Simplicity 5874. I cut a size 3 because my 2-year-old LM is about 39.5 inches tall. I am using a bright red fleece that he picked out at Hancocks. And now, I am so frustrated! This robe is enormous!!!! The length is perfect, but I could wrap it around him twice. Sure, it is a robe, but come on!

Anyway, I have since started over. I have basically drawn my own robe pattern for him. I used what I liked about this Simplicity pattern, and what I liked about 2 other patterns I found. It fits better. It is still a little big, but at the rate he grows, it may just fit perfectly by Christmas! I will probably grab a picture soon and then put the robe away. He will forget about it by the time he opens it Christmas morning.

And one more thing–I also finished a Thomas pillowcase to go with his robe!

Well, it’s time to get my Christmas sewing underway. This year, that means lots and lots of fleece!

I’ll be using several patterns to make my Christmas gifts, including a bean bag pattern I’ve drafted myself, Simplicity 3874, Simplicity 4053, Simplicity 5831, and Simplicity 3575. Since I really don’t want to waste fabric (and $$$) on bum projects, I have been researching fleece tips. Here’s what I’ve learned.

1. Spend money on good fleece. Splurge on anti-pill. (Note: the pilling doesn’t damage the fabric, but it certainly isn’t attractive.)

2. Most fleece can be used on either side. If you really want to know, you can determine the right side by pulling along the selvage. The fabric curls toward the right side. (According to one website, you can also find the right side by sprinkling water on 2 different areas on either side of the fabric. The side that wicks the water the fastest is the right side. )

3. Once you know the right side, MARK IT!!!

4. Fleece has a nap! Follow the layout on that pattern guideline.

5. Use a zig-zag stitch or a serger.

6. Use a size 14 needle.

7. If pressing is necessary, use a cool iron and a pressing cloth.

Myspace Countdown Clocks at JazzyCountdowns.com

Less than 50 days to finish all my Christmas sewing. I suppose it would help if I started! I have fleece jackets, kids’ robes, bean bags, and much more planned. Now, where to start?

Our BG turned 6 on Thursday. And that meant plenty of sewing!

For starters, her Daddy painted the room pink! The new quilt on her bed was a family project. I appliqued, my mom pieced, and my aunt machine quilted. The curtain took about 30 minutes to put together. The bed skirt is actually a panel hemmed on all 4 sides and velcroed to the day bed frame. The beanbag is also a new addition–and there’s the story…

I found really clear instructions for making a bean bag here. The instructions taught me how to draw off the pattern and to put the bean bag together. Easy, easy, easy. But—I went to our local Hancock’s to “pick up” 3 bags of bean bag filler. How much could that cost, right? Oh my goodness. That stuff was 23.99 a bag!!! I wasn’t spending almost $75 on a silly bean bag. After fretting for about an hour, I called the local vacuum cleaner hospital (who’s other claim to fame is bean bags) and found a bean bag for $19.95! Needless to say, the filler went back to Hancock’s. The hubby and I created a make-shift funnel and emptied the 19.95 beanbag into the new one!