Friday, December 30, 2011

Pinspiring Me to Preserve: Baby's Clothes

This project has been a long time coming.  Back in the summer of 2009, my sister Allison (of the amazing FabRehab Creations) asked me if I could do anything with a few personalized Onesies/t-shirts that her middle son had grown out of.  I was so flattered that she thought highly enough of my sewing skills to trust me with transforming her cherished pieces into a keepsake for my nephew!  I gladly accepted the challenge. 

And then I didn't do anything about it. 

FOR TWO AND A HALF YEARS.

I think I was waiting for Pinterest to be invented so I could find inspiration on what I could do with these three pieces, which were all very different in style (sporty, whimsical, preppy).  Again, thank heavens for Pinterest!  I had heard of T-shirt quilts before, but I was pretty sure that 3 baby shirts would look a little dwarfed on a quilt.  But then it dawned on me: it didn't have to be a quilt!  It could be a pillow! 

I still took inspiration from Pinterest:


Such a sweet way to preserve those precious garments!
Of course I completely forgot to take a "before" shot of the onesies/t-shirts still intact.  This is what you get:



My first task was to cut the patches to be close in size.  Clearly, each shirt design had different dimensions.  As I learned from my stocking project, it pays to measure and re-measure, rinse and repeat, to make sure I am on track.  Voila!  I made three patches that were all very very close in size!


Next I had to determine how to lay these bad boys out.  Again, all different style, and an odd number to boot (I have issues with symmetry).  I knew that my nephew is now in a "big boy bed" which is twin size.  To minimize any awkward negative space, I decided on a long, narrow pillow, with the white background design in the middle.  Things started to come together.


Notice the strips of fabric between the patches?  Symmetry.  It's a problem.

Once the pillowcase was assembled, it was smooth sailing.  I am rather thrilled with the final product!






And I was thrilled to recieve a photo of the happy little dude after he opened it on Christmas Day!

#1 Auntie!  Heart melting!

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1 comment:

  1. I liked your ideas the way you making pillows. The design gives me inspiration to make the pillows. I loved your thoughts.



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