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9.22.2014

Monday Meanderings

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

I'm this close to finishing the newborn gown pattern I've been working on.

newborn gown


I've learned that pattern making is no joke! (Not that I'd call myself a 'pattern maker'... at all! ) Initially, I thought it would be as easy as scanning in the pattern I self-drafted and calling it a day.  But I knew I needed to sew the pattern a few more times, just to be sure everything consistently came together perfectly.

newborn gown

Maybe it's because I'm working with knits but it didn't.  So it was back to the drawing board, literally and figuratively.  There were definitely a few moments when I was ready to raise my white flag and scrap the whole project.  But after a couple more tries and a few tweaks here and there and I finally have a pattern I'm really happy with.

baby hazel

After putting so much work into it,  I decided I wanted to digitize the pattern.  And, maybe it's because I'm a newbie, but that's a whole other headache of its own.  It's probably one of those things that's particularly difficult the first time through and then gets easier?  I'm just not sure.

hazel baby 

But this is all to say I am close- very, very close- to having the pattern ready.  I'm pretty excited about that!

happy hazey 

Hazel is 6 weeks old today.  It's hard to believe she's that 'old' already and yet also hard to imagine life without her. Time is weird like that, right?

baby hazel baby hazel 

She's definitely transitioning from scrawny newborn to chunky cherub.

newborn gown 

When we make eye contact with her and smile, she smiles back.  She also coos which is ah-dorable.  We've even heard a teeny tiny giggle.

sisters

Anytime she's not being doted upon or held, she cries.  Indigo likes to say to her "How dare we set you down!" in her best sing-songy, mini-mama voice.

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But never fear, you won't hear much crying here.  She hardly ever gets set down.  Hazel has her siblings and me at her beck and call.

my fab four my fab four

Oh, and definitely him, too.  :)

sleepy days

19 comments:

  1. She most definitely looks like one very loved bub :)

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  2. That picture of Hazel and Indigo together? Oh, be still my heart. It's really a precious!
    And I can't believe that you're putting a pattern together! I could barely put a meal together in those first couple of weeks! I am in awe of your awesomeness and ability to stick with things when you rather just throw up your hands. You go, girl!

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  3. Don't tell me what Iris is wearing on her foot this time ? Isn't it a sock ??? How weird !
    www.aufilducanal.com

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    1. Iris is so funny! Dan was outside grilling and the kids were playing soccer. I saw Iris wearing one of Hazel's shirts and two of Dan's socks (mismatched... of course). She obviously dresses herself. ;) I grabbed my camera to take a photo because it was just so silly and I was able to wrangle all for our them together for a group shot, too! :)

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  4. You are superwoman. With a 6 week old baby it's a super big achievement to prepare a pattern, sew it several times and learn how to digitize it! I'm sure we are all looking forward to the pattern, but just take your time. We will still be here in some weeks... Love to hear about Hazel and your whole family!

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    1. Aw thank you so much, Annika I have to confess to having a bit of an ulterior motive. Two of my friends recently announced that they are pregnant. I want to sew gowns for their new babies, so I needed to figure out the fit while Hazel is still small. Otherwise I don't have a model to try it on. :) It's a pretty easy pattern, so thankfully it comes together quickly.

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  5. Oh gosh, she's obviously so precious to all of you. These pictures are the best!

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  6. I can't wait to see your finished product and try out the new pattern. What a great gift for my preggo friends!

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  7. Oh my goodness, Hazel is precious. And so are your other children! Love Iris' giant sock!! And look at you go, mama! A friend of mine just got into digital pattern making and was complaining about all of the software she needed to learn and what a pain it was to put together! Sounds like a lot of work! But I think once you've done one, that part goes faster anyway. I will totally make a newborn gown when you put out your pattern - I always have babies to sew for!

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  8. Oh, that photo of Dan and Hazel just melts my heart! I used to love, love, love when my babies slept on my chest like that - it's such a fleeting stage and I'm so glad you are enjoying/soaking it all in! Hard for me to conceive of how you find the time/energy to not only design a pattern, but then to also digitize it - super impressed that you've done so. Hazel looks adorbs in her grey striped gown. Love how she's filling out:)

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    1. Thank you, Lucinda. Dan is helping me with the digitization part. It's been a learning curve for both of us and I feel so blessed to have his love and support. Hazel can be a pretty intense baby - she usually wants to be carried all day every day, so sometimes it's really nice to have a break to listen to a podcast and do some grown up work. :)

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  9. Oh my, Hazel is just so precious! I can't believe you're making a pattern in between caring for a newborn, homeschooling, mothering 5 kids, and taking care of your home. You're amazing, Rachel! I love the photo of Indigo reading to Hazel (and Hazel looking at her instead of the book!), and Iris' cute fashion style. Such a beautiful family!

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  10. Darling little model. All those littles, and you find time to write a pattern. Wonder Woman!
    My youngest, the only girl, was never put down either. She still has all five brothers wrapped around her finger : )

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  11. Sorry to sound so repetitive, but those pictures of your kids together... They're always so amazing! And
    I've always had a soft spot for striped baby sleepwear <3

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  12. Between Iris' socks (and that little face), Tarikua's awesome shoes and then Dan's cargos the whole family are looking fantastic. And I haven't even mentioned the cute baby sleepsack, and the biggies...
    I have a very similar photo of my husband providing a sleeping platform. Love 'em

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  13. Your pictures are just so lovely! I look forward to the baby pattern- we're done with the newborn gown stage but I think they would make a lovely baby shower gifts!

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  14. I am so, so behind on my blog reading, but catching all up today! Sorry to hear the pattern-making has been a tough one. Crossing fingers the digitizing has straightened itself out by now. By the way, I recently checked out Growing Up Sew Liberated which has lots of knit clothes patterns, including a gown. Wonder if you've tried any of those (now I know to ask you first!).

    She is definitely a cherib!

    xo,

    Rachel

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  15. I didn't know you added on to your family Rachel! Congrats! Hazel is a dream!!

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