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.

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.

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.

 

And so I did.

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.

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!

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

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

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

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

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.