After nearly a week of not getting to play with my sewing machine, The Little Empress very graciously allowed me a few moments to sit down to “practice” a few things… namely sewing in a straight line. Which I did. GO ME!
Aside from the couple pairs of baby leg warmers I’ve made, I have also managed to make a few… things… out of a remnant piece of fabric I picked up at Joann’s when I bought the machine. I had picked up the fabric and some organic bamboo batting (yikes, expensive) to make into sucking pads for either our Pikkolo or TLE’s high chair. Seeing as I forgot to attach a means to fasten them to either the carrier or the chair, the would-be sucking pads are now mostly useless pieces of sewn fabric with batting between them. I say mostly useless because I’ve discovered that TLE has decided that they make fabulous toys to play with so maybe they’re not a complete loss.
Part of the reason that my would-be sucking pads turned out so clumsily was because I was largely cutting them freeform without a real idea or pattern to follow. Talk about wasting fabric. Aside from the printed ruler on my self healing cutting mat, I really didn’t have any other means of measuring or marking my fabric or cutting a straight line. With that in mind, I trekked over to the nearest Joann’s store to get a few supplies.
One of the things I’ve always disliked about beginning a new hobby is the initial money you inevitably have to spend in order to build up your tools and supplies. This is part of the reason that I’ve never gotten into scrapbooking though I could spend hours at craft stores just drooling at the supplies. Since I’ve taken up sewing to make (so I say) items that will have an immediate use, I’m able to justify the expenditure better, telling myself that what I invest in tools now will more than pay for itself in the money I’d save by making my own item.
With that in mind, I bought myself a fabric marker and a quilters ruler which is a little bit shorter than I was initially hoping for but will work for my use.
I also bought these two fabrics:
I am especially proud of the floral pink camo fabric — it’s such the perfect print for The Little Empress! Her Daddy totally approves. Even better, it came from the Red Tag area so it was only $4/yard. Sadly, I only got 2 yards. In hindsight, I should have gotten more so I could make more things from it. I could have (finally) done all of The Little Empress’ (never used) nursery in floral pink camo! Floral pink camo bedding, curtains and lampshades. How awesome would that be?
For my next project, I’m planning on making a nursing cover from the blue floral fabric. After looking at several different patterns online, I’ve decided to use these instructions over at Breastfeeding 1-2-3. (Definitely worth checking out for nursing moms — also has instructions for DIY nursing necklaces. If I wasn’t so broke from investing in the sewing machine and other tools, I’d make myself some necklaces too!) Really, the concept is so simple (rectangle with a two straps, 2 D rings and boning) that I’m sure more experienced seamstresses would wonder why anyone would bother hunting down instructions. But I am a n00b so therefore, I will (try) to follow instructions. And because I made those, uh, fabric whatsits that have no purpose whatsoever when left to my own devices 
To be honest, I’m not sure how much I’ll actually use the nursing cover. While I wouldn’t call myself a lactivist, I do tend to nurse in public a LOT without any real care to who could be watching. If The Little Empress wants to eat, I see to it that she does, regardless of where we are. (I think at this point, the entire Delta region has probably seen at least one of my breasts but hey….) While nursing in public rarely gets me much attention (and when it does, it is usually positive) I would like to be prepared for if anyone raises a fuss.
(And let’s be honest, there are some sleezy folks out there that sexualize breastfeeding. I haven’t run into them myself but I really wouldn’t want to. And for the record, dude, that’s just gross. The only person that should be sexualizing my breasts right now is my husband and that’s just because the poor man hasn’t gotten any in ages. TMI? Whups. Sorry. )
I can already tell that trips to Joann’s will be bad for my wallet. *sob* But luckily, I won Cousin L’s giveaway and have scored a $10 gift certificate to Joann’s. YAY!! That’ll help me get more goodies
I’ve totally got sewing on the brain now. I was dreaming about things to make last night and today while in the car (The Hubster ™ was driving), I sketched out an organizer to sew for the back seat. A utilitarian craft — this is so awesome! While at Barnes & Noble today, I saw this cute book called Zakka Sewing: 25 Japanese Projects for the Household which I’ll probably pick up from Amazon later this month. Japanese, cute, useful and sewing? Right up my alley right now!
* Don’t forget to sign up for Joann’s circulars, in which there is always a 40% off coupon. Plus, every 2 months or so, they usually have a huge notions sale where the entire notions wall is 50% off–that’s scissors, Velcro, snaps, d-rings, markers, pins, needles, etc. at half off. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever paid full price for a single item at Joann’s. And now I have a credit card that gives me Joann’s points (hence the many $10 cards laying around in my purse).
* Nursing covers don’t have to be thought of as a way of hiding breastfeeding. They are also very effective at shutting out distractions for very curious babies who might not otherwise stay latched long enough for a full feeding.
* There are several specialty sites and blogs dedicated exclusively to Japanese crafting books (sewing, crocheting, felting, etc.) and they often show very detailed images. While you’re waiting to order your book, you might consider sneaking some peeks on the cheap.