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8.31.2014

Another Newborn Gown with a (free) pattern to come

{Edited to add: You can now find my free newborn gown pattern here.}

Do you remember how I mentioned I didn't do much sewing for Hazel during my pregnancy because when I sewed for Iris while pregnant nothing ended up fitting her?  Yet, despite the bad luck with fit, I decided to give these newborn gowns a try.  As it turned out, those gowns are way, way too big in the neckline, at least on my baby.  Here's Hazel in one.

too big newborn gown
wah wah

That gown was right out of the drier and I photographed her in it immediately.   It was only going to stretch out more from there.  Also, I forgot to add the seam allowance to this neckline so it's my smallest neckline of the three gowns I made from the pattern.   When we brought Hazel home from the hospital she was an absolutely tiny (at least in my world) 7 lbs 4 oz.  Then, I had hoped she'd grow into them.  Now she's a whopping 9 1/2 lbs.  Growing into them is not going to happen.

Nonetheless, Hazel has been living in newborn gowns.

newborn gown

They are easy and so convenient for diaper changes.  My pal Rachel from Stitched in Color is pregnant and suggested I create my own pattern.  She wanted to make a gown for her wee one on the way.

newborn gown 

And so I did.

newborn gown

I'm really happy with the way the pattern/gown turned out.  I'd like to make at least one more version and then I hope to make the pattern available for free.   Writing out tutorials takes me a really long time, so it may take me a month or so to make it all available.

newborn gown

Also, I tried out stretch thread for the first time.  I can't attest to how it will hold up long term, but so far, I really like it.  I mentioned here that I was having some trouble with my hems breaking but I thought stretch thread was expensive at $10/cone.  It turns out, it's much less expensive than I thought and I found it on sale here for $3.44/cone (2,000 yards).  It looks like the sale might end today, though.  I bought it in a few basic colors.  Shelley suggested buying a medium gray because it works well with so many other colors.  Brilliant, Shelley!

newborn gown

Hazel is doing so well and we are all pretty smitten with her. Of the kids, Indigo in particular is absolutely crazy about her.

sisters sisters

I like to call Indigo 'Mini-Mama' because she likes to swoop in and hold Hazel at every chance she can get.

hazel and indigo
hazel hazel indigo and hazel

I can't say I blame her.  I find her irresistible, too.

hazel

Dan says it's no wonder babies are called little bundles of joy, because they are exactly that - and such little bundles, too.

our bundle

Of course, that's not to say every moment is only joyous.  Hazel cries with gusto and when she's awake, she pretty much insists on being in-arms at all times, usually mine.  But, at least so far, she also sleeps with gusto.  This is unchartered territory for us, having a newborn who likes her sleep.  And I'll tell you, it makes things so much easier.

30 comments:

  1. Beautiful beautiful photos.
    Don't you just love having a new born in the house and a houseful of loving arms for her?
    Take care of your self and get some rest.
    xx N

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  2. The first pic with Indigo is so perfect ! Do you hang up some of your wonderful photos on your walls ? I'm always very impressed with the tiny ones, my babies cale home when they were 3 monthes.

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    1. I'm absolutely terrible about printing photos. We have a few in frames but most are several years old - and not a single one on the walls. On my computer though, I currently have 7,382... and counting. And that's just from the last (less than) three years. Needless to say, I'm pretty intimidated/overwhelmed by the idea of organizing them.

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  3. I've never seen such newborn gowns before, but they do seem super practical. And those pics are again so beautiful! Love that you share your bundle of joy with us...

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    1. They really are so practical. Dan and I were joking that it's probably time for Hazel to finally get out of her PJs into real clothes. But we don't need to rush things, now do we? ;)

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  4. Oh Rachel, those pics of Indigo with Hazel! So sweet. What a great experience for Indigo to have a baby sister at an age when she can really hold her and comfort her!
    And that pattern is going to be soooo popular - those gowns seem really practical.

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    1. You're right, An - it really is a great age! Indigo’s a great little helper and pal. She’s also so so funny - and in a more adult than kid way. It surprises me every day. She must get it from my husband. He makes me laugh every day, too.

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  5. What beautiful photos Rachel.
    I agree that gowns are so practical for newborns - all of mine wore them (not mama made though)

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  6. Oh, she's so beautiful!! Indigo and Hazel - their names even go! And I'm excited about you making patterns!!?! Awesome!

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  7. enjoy your baby 's good sleeps and hold on when she is not sleeping:) these photos are cuteness overload!!

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  8. Indigo and Hazel are so sweet!
    When Ines was a tiny little 2,5kg baby I had her dressed in white gowns all the time and she looked so lovely!
    I can't wait to see your pattern!

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  9. Oh Rachel! I FINALLY got back to your blog, and what a treat! Hazel is absolutely gorgeous (those eyes!), and I LOVE both her names. I'm also loving the pics with Tia's smiling eyes--she's grown SO much. (BTW, M just started kindergarten, too--didn't realize they were in the same grade!) So happy for you (and your sanity) that you got a sleeper. :) May that blissful peace continue...

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  10. That first picture of your older daughter with hazel is gorgeous. So sweet to have another mamma in the making ; )

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  11. I loooooved gowns for my first baby. Thought they were amazing, and so easy to use

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  12. Oh, Hazel is so beautiful! And those photos with Indigo are just priceless. How wonderful to have an extra little mother around! :)

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  13. Adorable littles! I love the picture of Indigo looking so serious and Hazel just starring back.

    A newborn gown is a new baby must have! I look forward to your pattern. I've got four babies to sew for in teh next few months and have yet to find a newborn pattern I love.

    Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thanks so much, Lisa! I will try to get the pattern finished as soon as I can. I hope I can do it this weekend, but at this point, the new babe pretty much rules the roost - so we'll see if she allows for that! :)

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  14. Oh Rachel! Congrats for being on Jessica's "list" of sewing bloggers. It's really well deserved. Your photography is over the top and your sewing is perfection!

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    1. Annika! Thanks so much for letting me know - and the kind words!

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  15. Hazel is so adorable! I love the photos of her and Indigo together. So precious!

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  16. Hazel is so adorable! I love the photos of her and Indigo together. So precious!

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  17. A baby that sleeps - what a blessing! It amazing what a difference that makes . . . I truly went through Lilah's first year in a sleep-deprived blur. That child could cry like you wouldn't believe. So happy for you that Hazel is proving to be such a bundle of joy:) That top picture of Hazel and Indigo is so beautiful - I love how big sis is gazing at baby sis. And good for you with creating your own newborn gown pattern! How is it that you are able to do so much?! As always, I am most impressed:)

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    1. Well, Lucinda, the truth is that I had a little time to work on this gown during the two weeks Dan took off of work after Hazel was born. I also finished or mostly finished a couple of sewing projects while trying to keep myself preoccupied and not focused on how overdue I was before Hazel was born. :) I have yet to blog those. But I haven't really done much sewing lately. Hazel is getting more and more fussy and, if she is awake, I can absolutely not set her down. Today, I wore or held her for all but 2-3 hours (when she was napping) of the day. But with Iris, I couldn't even set her down when she was asleep! I literally wore or held her all the time. She could also cry like you could not believe. Also Hazel doesn't stay awake at night like Iris did. Hazel nurses and goes right back to sleep. So that's really nice. But last night she must have woken up 5 times to nurse and I woke up this morning feeling like I had been out on an all-night bender. haha!

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    2. Hang in there, Rachel! I"m glad the baby-wearing is working out so well for you and that helps to calm Hazel. But also glad she will let you put her down to nap:) Iris sounds a lot like Lilah was - which made us stop at three kids! Looking forward to the newly completed, yet to be blogged projects - always a treat to see what comes out of your sewing room!

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    3. haha - I'm laughing about how you said she made you stop at three. Having Hazel now, I wonder how I survived Iris - haha! It was so hard, especially looking back on it. At the time, the hormones somehow carried me, I think. But boy, does that girl have enthusiasm for life now! I've heard that's true about those high need babies!
      Oh and I always love to see what comes out of YOUR sewing room. I would love to see you start a blog. ;) ;)

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  18. oh my gosh the photos with iris are priceless. that big sister love is so priceless and i'm so glad i had C when E was old enough to be excited and helpful. it's the best. even though my newborn days are behind me, i'm excited for your free pattern too! will be awesome for gifts. no pressure, though, really. take it easy, mama!

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  19. Indigo and Hazel are so incredible together. Oh, I look forward to that! Thanks so much for working on this pattern. It is such a thoughtful gift to me and to many other mothers out there who will come to use it. And take your time =)

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  20. The photos of your oldest and youngest girls are so special. x

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  21. Hi there! I too have recently discovered stretch overlocker thread and have since been really pleased with my knit hems...what a find!
    Love the clothes you make your little ones and your beautiful photos.
    Cheers!

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