Baby shower gift, learning new things, Skirt Week update, pattern sizing rant

First things first--I used some stash fabric (a cute remnant that I picked up from JoAnn's) to make a baby shower gift for one of my coworkers! I started out with the plan to make a bib, burp cloth, and onesie. The onesie did not work out. So I revised the plan, and instead made a portable changing pad and a wet bag.



Bib--tutorial from Chickpea Sewing Studio.



I don't know why I can't turn that one the correct direction! Burp cloth tutorial from Chickpea Sewing Studio, though I think I referenced several others.



Changing pad, folded up.



I LOVE this button!



Unfolded to see the inside. I can't find the tutorial I used! Hopefully it's still in my browser history on my laptop.



Wet bag! Tutorial from Dilley Dalley Diapers.

You can see the PUL lining here--finally found some in white, and I will be using it frequently!



The whole package.

And the mama-to-be opening it up!

Everyone was super-impressed that I made it and she especially loved the changing pad. It was a hit!

I mentioned in my last post that my sewing machine sucks. Well, here's the thing--my sewing machine is a very basic entry-level machine from Brother, the LS-2125. It was not intended for heavy usage and I'm using it a LOT. So I am in the market for a new sewing machine--I'm looking at the Pfaff Hobby 1142 or the Bernette 25 (goes to a PDF). There are so many things to think about--do I NEED the 155 stitches (including alphabet and numbers) that the Bernina offers? Do I need an automatic needle threader? Would I rather have mechanical (Pfaff) or computerized (Bernina)? So complicated! And since presumably I will own this machine for many years I want it to be a purchase that I don't regret.

In the meantime, I'm struggling with my old Brother, and I learned something new last night. I've had lots of trouble with the bobbin thread--it catches at the end of nearly every seam and requires me to rethread the machine almost every time, which majorly slows me down. I know I'm threading the machine correctly. But--did you know there are different types of plastic bobbins?? I didn't! I've just been purchasing bobbins that look right, but not necessarily the ones that are intended for my machine--meaning that the bobbin thread jams! Total breakthrough! So I'm ordering the correct type (Brother Style SA156, for future reference) and going to mail all the wrong ones to my aunt, who owns an alterations shop and about 15 different sewing machines and should presumably be able to put bobbins of nearly any type to use!

Skirt Week: almost over and I have yet to complete one single skirt! But I'm working on it. I'm using some stashed linen or linen-look fabric, not sure which, to make Simplicity 2314 (the medium-length version). Which brings me to my rant. How on earth do they figure the numerical sizes on patterns? I was a good little sewist (I kinda hate that word) and measured my hips and waist, as I was supposed to. My 33-inch waist and 42-inch hips somehow resulted in me having to make the LARGEST size of the pattern--a size 18! That's absolutely ludicrous. That's 4 sizes above my usual size 10. I cut out the waistbands, and it is the correct size for me, but Simplicity, what are you thinking? How on earth do you think that making women sew a size drastically larger than they're used to is a good idea? And no, the number doesn't really matter, but still--it's maddening.

And finally, I'm participating in a new swap (button is in the sidebar)--the Gen X Quilters Spoonflower Swap. For those of you who haven't heard of Spoonflower--you can design your own fabric and upload it to the website, then you (or anyone else) can purchase your custom printed fabric. I'm definitely not a designer but I'm loving a lot of the stuff on there--it's so pretty! It's a little pricey which has kept me from ordering thus far, but I'm looking forward to getting charms of 28 different fabrics from the swap. (You order one yard, cut it into 56 charms, mail them off, and get a charm pack back with 2 of each charm.) It should be fun! Here are some of the ones that have caught my eye so far.

And finally finally, Happy Quilting is hosting a sponsor giveaway from Sew Obsessed fabric--because I need another resource for pretty fabric like I need a hole in the head! Go here to enter the giveaway.

Have a good day, everyone!