Things that keep Janelle busy other than the 2 monkeys

roll in outer fleece

2010-07-03T09:35:00.005+10:00

i tried this ages ago and it didntwork quite well (partly due to my reluctance to put pin on my sewing project). i learned about thistechnique from a forum-Diapersewingdivas. i've tried to find the link but not very successful but if i found it, i will post here. I dont have time to upload step by step so hopefully this will make sense for some who already have some basic nappy sewing skill

This is how the nappy looks on the wrong side. when u want the outer fleece to roll in, as u sew the legs u sew as picture above. u still sew normal seam allowance on the outer fleece but take a larger allowance on the inner layer microfleece. trim the excess microfleece when u are done.if u have a cotton outer and want the inner layer microfleece to roll out to prevent wicking u can do it the opposite way (a larger seam allowance on the outer layer fabric instead).

so when u flip it to the right side, this is how it looks (photo above).

The benefit of roll in outer fleece is to avoid wicking. and for sewing the roll in outer fleece this way, it gives your nappy a nicer finish. There's no excess microfleece gathering and less bulky.

This is how i attach elastics on legs (sew the both ends only). photos below are without sewing elastic casing.

I made casing for the elastic just to see what the difference is. Because my pattern is trimmer i find that it's much better to have the casing. Bubblebub AIO doesnt have casing for the elastic. i guess it works fine because the nappy is much wider than my pattern and the material is heavier than mine.

i just found another lady who have a tutorial on this on flickr. it's called Camocotton on PUL here's the link . Her tutorial is on roll out inner fleece to avoid wicking if you are using cotton material on the outer layer.

the most uncooperative model

2010-03-20T07:38:00.008+11:00

Here's me trying to capture some photos of my new creation. However, i dont think my model is too happy to work today

here's a better shots:

ally's wearing a tie dye yoga pants and she's getting creative and wore her fairy dress as a top. she might not look like typical model u see in the magazine or catologue even look a bit silly but i am happy that she's wearing mummy's creation.

2 nappies out of 1 nappy cut

2010-03-17T18:42:00.002+11:00

I always find cutting nappies in full size is a waste of fabric. This is a good way of using your scrap fabric as well of making full use of nice expensive fabric ie printed PUL and minky when u make nappies.

This is what i get fr a 50cm x 50cm printed PUL. TWO NAPPIES!!

Basically when i cut the pattern, just cut the body and cut the wings seperately. i use another fabric for the wings section. It only takes a little more time to stitch the wings to the body but it's worth it especially when you are using a more expensive fabric ie printed PUL or minky. Dont forget seam allowance where you will stitch the main body of the nappy to the wings.

Tips of the day:
Do u find it hard to sew stretchy fabric ie PUL. i cut interfacing and stabiliser (i've heard people using baking paper too) into strips and lay it on top of the PUL when I sew. it's much easier to sew and it wont stretch the PUL.

Good Luck and enjoy sewing!!

my new hobby- TIE DYE

2010-03-08T10:46:00.006+11:00

This is my new hobby, cant get enough of it. just love to see the colourful swirl and excited to see the outcome of mix of colours on the fabric.

bamboo velour fabric. havent decided what i am going to do with them yet.

transformed the boring white prefold and "lampin" to a more colourful fabric.

gave old nappy and clothing a new look.

i mostly use the presoak method which is soaking the fabric or clothing in soda ash solution then squirt dye solution onto the fabric.

slow progress but getting thr

2009-05-01T13:45:00.003+10:00

This is size s/m pocket.

2 layers of microfleece (inner & outer) and PUL.

Took weeks to get this done, mainly due to lack of free time. However, i m happy with the result :) Cant wait for it to dry so i can put it on Troy.

Cloth nappying with Newborn

2009-03-10T16:28:00.003+11:00

Just want to share something quickly. Troy is about 6 wks old now. Cloth nappying with him hasnt been very successful and i have to use disposable most of the time. Main problem is he leaks through most of the nappies even the disposable nappies. I have to use fitted nappies without microfleece liner or prefold and i havent been able to sew that many of them b4 he was born. However i do find that using fleece cover helps contain the leaks.

Finally got around to take some photos. The 1st photos is a side snap pocket with 1 layer cotton (for making quilt), 1 layer PUL and 1 layer suede. i find that as he grows older we have less leak problem. this probably due to the nappy being washed several times (no more chemical residue on the stay dry layer) and better fitting. i noticed that if i stuffed the nappy with more absorbant material it take longer for the wee to wick through to the cotton layer.

Something for the new baby

2008-11-29T16:19:00.003+11:00

32 weeks pregnant this week. It's getting harder and harder to find time to sew and actually finish sewing. If i can find the time to sew, my pelvis and back won't allow me to sit too long to sew. Finally managed to finish a few things and upload some photos.

I know we've got way too many blankets but i just cant resist these soft minky blanket so i made one for baby. 1 side minky and the other side microfleece.

Various nappies, cover and soakers

Something for mummy- Wetbag

A few things that i bought. 3 covers, 1 pocket and 1 fitted

Dont know when i can do more but what i can't sew i guess i'll just have to buy

Vanilla Slice

2008-11-09T20:44:00.003+11:00

My favourite dessert so far for this pregnancy. I found the simplest and cheapest way to make yummy vanilla slice. Here's the ingredient:

Ready frozen pastry sheet - 2 pieces
milk- 1 1/2 cup
thickened cream or pouring cream 1/2 cup
custard powder 1/3 cup
water 1/2 cup
sugar 1/2 - 2/3 cup depending on ur tastebud
some icing sugar for dusting later

instruction:
pre-heat oven 180 degree celcius (fan forced oven). cut ur pastry sheet to fit ur baking dish. Put the pastry sheet on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Put a baking dish on top of the pastry sheet. This is to put weight on the pastry sheet so it doesnt puff up a lot as we only want thin pastry. I've seen other recipe books suggested putting beans on top of the pastry sheet lined with baking paper. U can try what works. bake for about 20 mins or until brown. Then cool them on a rack.

Custard: mix milk, sugar and cream in a pot on medium heat. mix custard powder with water. When it's warm (not boiled) put the custard mix in the pot and keep stirring for few minutes until thickened. Then cool it.

When both pastry puff and custard are cool. Line the baking dish with baking paper. Put 1 layer of pastry puff then the custard and another pastry puff on top. Put it in the fridge for about 2 hrs or until the custard becomes firm. Dust icing sugar on top of your vanilla slice b4 serving.

I normally use a 20 x 30cm baking dish to make my vanilla slice and the thickness of the custard is about 2 cm. If u like to have really thick vanilla slice like those they sell at the bakery u can double the amount of custard mix.

Hope u enjoy it as much as i do :)

Friend's kinder

2008-10-15T08:03:00.002+11:00

Just found out my best friend sister Juphin has opened a childcare in Kepong, Smart Cookies Education Centre. Well done Juphin your centre looks like it's got lots of fun activities and very clean. The kids looks so happy there.

Taggy blanket

2008-10-13T17:39:00.003+11:00

I think i must be nesting. Made a taggy blanket out of leftover fabric.

Dalmation minky one side

Skulls flanellette print on the other side.

Today i went to Spotlight and bought more blankey fabric. Baby is due in Summer i wonder if the blanket is going to be too warm. Also bought Disney Cars and sea creature print cotton fabric to make liam's bedsheet and doona cover. Hope that's going to turn out ok because it'll be my first sewing bedsheet and doona cover.

Newborn nappies

2008-10-09T17:52:00.004+11:00

Oh they are soooo cute just because they are so tiny!! I have forgotten how small newborn used to be. i've finally finished 2 fitted in size S (with constant interuption from my 2 cheeky monkeys). I can't resist buying 1 pocket nappy rom Julie the creator of Cloth for Comfort when i was at Hawthorn craft market last sunday. The color is just so vibrant and unisex. Cant have enough of infant nappies now.

Just want to show how small they are i've put a mouse next to the nappies for comparison.

The one in the centre i serged the edges with overcast stitch on my sewing machine. It actually doesnt look too bad. Of course it doesnt have the professional stitches like what an overlocker can do but all my inserts were sewn this way and i have no problem with stitches coming off after washes so i thought i'll give it a go.

Vege patch is finally ready

2008-10-02T17:12:00.003+10:00

It took me few weeks to finally finished clearing the vege patch that looked more like a bush. I am not kidding the grass has grown as high as my knee. Too bad i didn't get around to taking picture of it. Now i've got new seedling planted. Here they are:

Roma tomato

yellow tomato

zucchini (Liam just pull it out!)

mix capsicum/chilli

i've also got some existing herbs that survive the winter:

curly parsley

italian parsley

spring onion

Now i cant wait for the vege to bear fruits!

Spring is here

2008-09-13T09:38:00.002+10:00

Woohoo spring is here. Cant say i am enjoying the weather yet as i've been sick since i got back to Melbourne. My vege patch is overgrown with weed. The only herbs that survive winter and Rick's lack of care are garlic and parsley. This is my plan for our vege patch so we have nice salad and homegrown vege for summer:

1) clear weed by end of next week.
2) Fertilizing
3) buy some seedling: tomato, basil, egg plant, zucchini, chili (cant think of any more)

Any experts out there who want to give some inputs, your suggestion is very welcome.

Long overdue update

2008-08-20T21:29:00.006+10:00

Phew finally a long overdue update. I thought i'll have more time to sew when i am in Sabah but I actually have less time. Liam is getting so clingy and the weather is not helping. It's so hot and humid in Sabah. I do find fitted more breathable for Ally in this weather and regret that i didnt take more fitted nappies with me. i didnt even bother putting cover on when she's on fitted nappy. She has lots of runny poo here may be due to teething and i am so glad i got lots of spare silk liners with me. Since i've been back i've only managed to sew 4 pocket, 1 fitted and some inserts or double and silk liners.

Here's what i've finished yesterday. A large fitted with 9 layers of bamboo (3 sewn in). Gotta work harder so i dont have to bring back much fabric.

minky side snap

2008-05-25T15:41:00.004+10:00

Rushing to finish off the last side snap pocket nappies this afternoon. Thank god, the two monkeys are behaving and having a good nap today.

Green minky has PUL as waterproof layer and a thin cute printed microfleece.

This time i try cutting a line on the liner so u wont see the pocket gap. Microfleece doesnt fray so i dont even need to sew around the cut area.

The dalmation pocket nappy has ripstop as waterproof layer. By comparison, i find the one with ripstop much lighter and less bulky.

p/s Aunty J hope u like the nappies and most important it fits hehe.

nappy rash

2008-05-22T14:03:00.003+10:00

i found out that silk is really good to help prevent and cure ally's nappy rash. I bought a yard of raw silk or silk noil and cut it up and do an overcast stitch around the edges. Line it in her nappy and her nappy rash cleared pretty fast.

Untreated/raw silk has sericin which is antibacterial, absorbs and releases moisture easily. It is an effective natural way to help calm and repair inflammation from nappy and teething rash.

Wool longie

2008-05-22T13:55:00.002+10:00

It takes forever to knit a pair of longie. When it's halfway done i almost gave up. i even knitted one side of the leg cuff different from the other one (1 side has 2 ribs and other side has 1 rib) but i cant be bothered fixing it. Anyway, i think it looks alright overall and it's a really warm and comfy longie.

Bags, bags and more bags

2008-05-22T13:37:00.003+10:00

My husband is terrified of hearing the word "bag". Everytime i mention the word bag, first response is dont tell me u are getting more bags. He thinks i have too many bags for all different purpose (sometimes the same) and gets very frustrated if i asked him to look for something in my bag. Of course men can never find anything in a woman's bag.

Took 2 sewing classes for beginner the past 2 weeks and guess what we made? hehe BAGS

This is my first sewing class project it's a little pouch. Stitches that i learned from making this pouch is bottonhole, sewing button, blind hem stich, overcast. I've learnt a pretty tricky technique on how to fold the fabric to make blind hem stitch. Now i know how to alter the hems. :)

This is a project for my 2nd sewing class it's an evening purse. The lady didnt teach us how to put a lining though :( In this class I learned how to do those embroidery stiches using wing needle (a thick fat one that punches bigger holes) and twin needle (i broke 2 and not too excitied with this needle). Also found out it's much easier to do embroidery or applique with a stabiliser (a piece of paper fibre type of material). And 1 last thing, i know how to sew a zip now with the proper foot woohoo! This leads to making of more bags- Wet bags!

Wet bags

I've made 3 wetbags so far. 2 with zips on the top end and another with zip on the top front.

Now i dont have to worry the kids' bottle leak and wet my whole bag. I put them all in a wetbag

This is how it look from inside. i do a french seam for my wetbags. Some mums told me this prevent wicking. Well we just have to see how well it works.

Useful DIY stuff

2008-05-14T19:00:00.003+10:00

I thought i'll put some useful links:

DIY everything that u can use in your day to day life also tips of reducing wastage.

This site has recipe to make safe cleaning product to patterns for lots of baby items.
http://www.make-baby-stuff.com/index.html

This site has free patterns from beginner to advance level.
http://www.husqvarnaviking.com/uk/507.htm

Saving money, saving time, saving planet. that says it all :)
http://www.savingmum.com.au/

Knitting for baby
http://www.curlypurly.com/soaker.html
http://www.knittinghelp.com/
http://www.tinybirdsorganics.com/organicwool/newbornpantspattern/Tiny%20Birds%20Newborn.pdf
http://www.dunmani.plus.com/knitting/
http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring08/PATTjuju.html
http://www.nappycino.com.au/forum/knitting-corner/20443-shannons-longies-soaker-patterns.html
http://www.birdcrossstitch.com/soakers/pattern/

Nappy patterns
http://katrinassqs.blogspot.com/2008_02_01_archive.html
http://www.thewahmmall.com/
http://handmadebyrita.blogspot.com/

Nappies sewn with my new machine

2008-05-11T08:26:00.004+10:00

I've sewn few nappies already with the new macine. I find the teflon foot really useful for sewing
PUL. Below is a camo print flannelette and poly PUL AI2 nappy. It's like a Jamtot's design. Will need to wait for arrival of snap machine to finish it off. I am testing to see if using flannelette as outer will cause wicking. Will let u know the result in a week time.

This is a Dalmation minky outer, with ripstop (nylon) as waterproof layer and inner of microfleece. it's a pocket nappy with touchtape. i've tested it on ally yesterday. so far no leak. she's done a massive poo though and the leak was from the waistline which even with disposable it happens all the time.

.

Just comparing the size next to a size L Jamtots Berry Plush.

My new machine

2008-05-11T08:16:00.002+10:00

This is my new sewing machine. A mother's day gift that comes early. My old 2nd machine decided to retire just in time b4 mother's day so it helped hubby the perfect gift for mother's day.

It's a Husqvarna Emerald 122. Comes with extra feature of needle up/down when u stop sewing as well as a speed control. Find the speed control function very useful when i need to sew slowly ie. sewing velcro and turning corners. Another useful feature is the overcast stitch which is great for sewing the edges of nylon fabric or fabric that tends to fray. U see i dont have an overlocker so i find this stitch very useful. It also has a button stitch that comes with a foot that automatically measure how big u need to sew the button hole and does it for u. But i have a snap machine on it's way so why sew buttons hehe.

It's still too early to tell the durability and performance or other features that i am yet to learn and find out. But i'll write more review in a few months or years time :)

Newborn/Small nappy

2008-05-03T07:42:00.008+10:00

Finally finished sewing a pocket and fitted nappies for my friend laura's baby who is due in August. I used below pattern for the nappies.

Shar's Small/NB for baby with Clicky Hips (suits big thighs)

I wasnt planning to use a dalmation print hence the mismatch color of liner.

This one has a coral fleece outer and a flannelette inner with a microfiber sewn in wetzone

This is how it looks for newborn setting.

btw, the one behind the nappy is ally's new bolster cover. it's coral fleece leftover from sewing her nappies. She loves it. Planning to make a pillow cover soon.

Sewing AIO

2008-04-20T16:04:00.010+10:00

There are several good website that gives very good instruction on how to sew AIO. When i first learn to sew i used a few instruction sites as reference. Hope mine can give you some helpful tips.
For AIO nappy you will need PUL fabric or any fabric of your choice with a waterproof layer. You can use procare (i find this a bit bulky), PUL, ripstop (it's a shower curtain material). Then u can use bamboo/hemp/flanellete/cotton as soaker/booster, As for the inner top layer more popular choices are microfleece/suede as it keeps skin dry but u can choose any fabric for this as long as it's absorbant.

Before you start u will need to get a pattern, your fabric an outer layer (fleece or PUL), a waterproof layer if u have an non-waterproof fabric as outer layer, and an inner layer or microfleece or suede. Elastic, velcro/hoop & loop or snaps (requires a snap machine). Soaker material can be cotton flannelette, bamboo or hemp fabric.

After you've have cut your fabric, sew your soaker/booster first. I prefer not to hide the booster so the nappy will dry faster. For a beginner, if you hide the soaker, your nappy will look much nicer as all the mistakes and rough stiches are hidden. Attach soaker to the right side of the stay dry/inner layer.

This is a PUL cover so the less you prick the material the better to avoid leakage. In this case, i use pegs or u can also use bulldog clips.

Sew loop at the front or right side of the PUL fabric.

This is another version. I use a microfleece as cover and use ripstop (nylon material) as the waterproof layer which is cheaper than PUL and u can get it from the stores like Spotlight . Some people told me ripstop fabric will wick but for day use i think it's fine.

I cut up about 3 inches of PUL and use it to cover the back where you can see the stiches after sewing the loop. This again is to prevent leaking. Then pegs the wrong side of both pull and microfleece facing out. You are going to sew around the edge and turn it around later. Leave about 10 cm opening at the belly.

When u are done sewing the around the edges. Use zigzag stitch to sew elastic on the legs and waist. Your patter should show you the start and end point where the elastic should be. I sew on the microfleece side so it'll roll inward.

When you are done, turn the right side of the nappy out and topstich the opening at the belly. I prefer not to topstich the whole nappy as i was advised by some people that more stiches or holes on the PUL fabric will make it wick. Last step, is to sew hooks on the tabs and you can sew loops next to it as laundry tabs.

I sew another removable booster toped with microfleece so it keeps baby's bum dry. It's your choice to sew your booster square or with contour. I am just too lazy to create more work. :)

Making cloth nappy doesnt have to be expensive

2008-04-20T13:22:00.004+10:00

This is to encourage mums who wanted to start making nappies but feel the process is a bit daunting. You gotta start somewhere and first of all go find some old mattress, blanket or pillow cases or even clothes or jumper that you dont wear anymore. If u dont have any ask family members, more often people have lots of junk like that which they hardly use but think it's too nice to throw away.

I've used old cotton t-shirt, flat muslin nappy, towel as booster, they are great as backup when my nice nappies are still damp. They also dry lots faster than bamboo fabric. If u have some wool blanket it's perfect as cover.

All u need to buy when u start is elastic, thread, and valcro. Tools: machine, scissors or cutter, cutting pad (this is a bit expensive u can substitute with lino-rubber floor covering or a thin/filmsy type cutting board).

This is my first nappy. It's currently worn by teddy.

Can u see how happy teddy is in cloth nappy.

Cloth pads pic

2008-04-18T13:27:00.003+10:00

These are some of the more decent one that i've made. I have problem with my machine doing the zigzag stitch. Keep missing some stitches. Anyway, who's gonna see them when u wear them right? :DWill post some pockets at some stage.

I must say, after testing the product myself. I like these homemade cloth pads better than the off the shelf disposable. They are much more absorbant and u can taylor make them to suit yourself. Black stripy one is polyster fabric. Got the material for $3.50 (1m x 1.5m) at big W. They all have 2 layers bamboo fabric. I dont have snap machine so i just use HTH hoop n loop. It's pretty good, doesnt feel bulky or uncomfortable at all. The other 2, I use leftover fabric from making ally's nappies. If u are making nappies, this is a great way of not wasting any material. Pink has windpro as base, top layer is flannelette and bamboo in the middle. Blue one has windpro as base, top layer bamboo valour (so soft against your skin) and again bamboo in the middle.

This is how they look when folded up so u can put it in a little pouch in your handbag.

Cloth pads

2008-04-16T20:24:00.002+10:00

i've been so busy sewing cloth pad or menses pads last 2 days. Cant put it off any longer as it's that time of the month if u know what i mean.

Well, i am not very happy with the products that i've sewn mainly because the stiches are so messy. I find sewing pad are much tedious than nappies because of the size.

Found few website with good tutorial and patterns in case anyone who read my blog is interested.

http://www.ecomenses.com/

http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/PADS.html

http://www.tinybirdsorganics.com/organiccotton/clothpads.html

Hoping make some decent pads b4 i post photos online

My cheeky monkeys in cloth nappy

2008-04-13T14:45:00.000+10:00

Ally is wearing Very Baby in large size and Liam is wearing Babybeehind Hemp fitted.

How i started

2008-04-13T08:27:00.000+10:00

When my first child was born, I use the flat muslin cloth nappy which is the only one that i've known available. It wasnt convenient and ended up as chuck cloth instead. I only use cloth occasionally when my baby has bad nappy rash. Then when my 2nd child go through the teething stage and nappy rash is so bad, i had to use my stach of old flat nappies again. Only this time i remember some mums have mentioned something about modern cloth nappies. So i went and did my research. It was very overwhelming to the size of information I get. Various fabric, wash methods, and all the nappy lingo. But mums in the cloth nappy community are very helpful. I finally made some sense out of the things they talk about.

I was lucky at that time a friend's sister is selling her whole stash of nappy as her child now is toilet trained. And i got the bulk of her nappy at a bargain!

So that's how it all started..and then the addiction hehe.

My sewing project

2008-04-13T08:06:00.002+10:00

I have never sewn anything in my life. The passion for modern cloth nappy has brought me to this interesting yet rewarding hobby. I'd like to thank mums out there who shares their sewing and knitting skill and hope one day i can share something useful to other mums too.

Here are some of my works.

Soaker is from Alice's soaker pattern and i just crochet the ruffles on the legs. The technique of making ruffles on the legs can be found here

Below cherry cover is Malden Mill's windpro. They are thin and waterproof good as night cover.

Front

Back

This is a cotton PUL pocket. It's quite stiff but love the fabric's pattern.

Pink cover below is coral fleece from Spotlight. It's very soft and lush.

My first attempt at sewing a wetbag. Material is Procare. It's thicker than PUL and last more washer. Instead of zip and pull string i thought i'd give valcro HTH a try.

MISC