Mini Me Top

One of the things I love most here at Prudent Baby is being able to chat with crafty mamas from all around the world. Even if we don't have the same first language we can still learn so much about crafting from each other. Citra from Innocentia is here from Indonesia to share her adorable Mini Me Top. So cute, right? You can also check out her posts on how to draft a peter pan collar, sew a basic balloon dress, and a super easy way to make hangers.

Get the full tutorial for the Mini Me Top after the jump...
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Prudent Baby DIY Gift Guide: Gifts for Newborns

Welcome all the new babies this holiday season with a handmade, one-of-a-kind gift.


What about whipping up a few button down bibs for a little gentleman?


Keep their tiny heads warm with a top knot baby hat.


Doesn't this hooded baby towel look so cozy?


These softies are easy to make and can be completely unique.


A collection of crib sheets would make a great gift. You can find the prettiest fabrics here.


No sewing required with this pretty ribbon mobile.


A dream catcher mobile is a bit more intricate but is definitely worth the time.


A rolled fabric flowers headband is a wonderful stocking stuffer.


Any new parent will need a handful of changing pad covers.


Wrap up the new little bundle in a swaddle made from the heart.


When going from one place to another this travel changing pad will be a big help.


You could make a Handmade 1st Christmas basket for a newborn complete with Christmas burp cloths.

Trimmed Trees Tutorial

About two weeks ago we had Virgina from Gingercake share her adorable Vintage Pillowcase Nightgowns. We are big fans of Gingercake (as I'm sure you can tell) and love seeing what new ideas she's coming up with. If you haven't already headed over to her blog it's a definite must. Along with that, make sure to stop by her shops Ginia18 (for sewing patterns), Gingercake on Etsy (for vintage linens including pillowcases), and Gingercake Sews (best Christmas presents). Take it away Virginia...
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Update: Prudent Baby Put a Serger in My Stocking Contest

This just in! The 9 runners-up in the Prudent Baby Put a Serger in My Stocking Contest will win a yard of Organic Birch Fabric from Fabricworm. Any one they want from what is in stock! Maybe a yard of the brand new Woodland Party? Or the Field Stroll we used for our cheater quilt tutorial? Or how about some Avalon His Cruiser for the little man in your life? So basically I'm saying that you should make a stocking and enter because there is some gorgeous organic fabric in it for 9 lovely sewists!

Contest details can be found here...

Jersey and Wool Felt Stocking

December 7th is quickly approaching which means the deadline for the Put a Serger in my Stocking Contest is drawing near. We have been putting all our old clothing to use with a Baby Onesie Christmas Stocking and a Recycled T-Shirt Stocking. If you don't have a piece of clothing you are ready to part with no worries, you can always pick up a bit of jersey at your local fabric store like we did here. This stocking is easy to make and perfect for someone who is just starting out using jersey/knit fabrics. Learn to make this classic Christmas stocking after the jump...

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To Quilt Market We Go!

Last weekend I road-tripped to Houston to see all the news in quilting and also fabric, sewing patterns, trim and craft books. As you might imagine, I took hundreds of photos so I'll be sharing more throughout the week. Here are some gorgeous highlights of all the delish eye candy that I spotted like the circa 52 by monaluna for birch fabrics organic (available in november) pictured above. The new Ruby Star Shining by Melody Miller for Kokka featured on a vintage suitcase (below) was one of the show darlings.

Sarai Mitnick was there signing her new sewing book, The Colette Sewing Handbook: Inspired Styles and Classic Techniques for the New Seamstress, and showcasing her collection of beautiful sewing patterns. Here are her frocks...

Natalie Lymer was there with her sweet Woodland collection. The embroidery patterns were pure sweetness.

Of course, you already know how we feel about Anna Maria. Here is the bag that I stole off of the wall in her booth. Just kidding. However, if you felt the stunning velveteen, I doubt you would have blamed me. Yes, there is much much more from Anna Maria's booth to come. Want to see more...


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Making Your Own Pattern

We often hear that new sewists are intimidated by drawing their own patterns, so we were thrilled to see Katy from Sweet Verbana made a fantastically easy Make Your Own Pattern Tutorial that everyone, yes everyone, can do!

Make sure to stop by Sweet Verbana's to check out many of Katy's other tutorials like the adorable Maxi Dress, an infinity loop scarf (perfect for winter) and even a learn how to do reverse applique (I'm seeing Holiday gifts!).

Don't go anywhere just yet, keep reading for the Making Your Own Pattern Tutorial after the jump.

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Sewing with Rayon 101

Are you ready to branch out beyond sewing with quilting cotton? Last week Jaime shared the details on Sewing with Knit Fabric and today Jessica from Sew Homegrown is here to share the basics of Sewing with Rayon. With designers like Amy Butler launching rayon collections, it's so tempting to jump into sewing with this gorgeous draping fabric. With just a few basic skills you can sew lovely items in rayon like Jessica's Anthro-Inspired Headband(above), our Sleep Shorts or the Baby Peasant Blouse or Long Sleeve Peasant Dress. And not to leave out the mamas, how about the Freestyle Hot Mess Mommy Dress or Jessica's recent Simple Cardi? Read on to get the scoop on Sewing with Rayon and see more rayon-friendly projects to get you started!

Peasant Blouse

Sleep Shorts

Freestyle Hot Mess Mommy Dress

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FABRIC FRIDAY!

Vroom! Vroom! Baby on the move! We are loving this Cross Town from Alexander Henry.
To enter to win a yard of this adorable fabric, tell us about your first car. Mine was a white TC3 Miser which was basically a suped-up Plymouth Horizon. One of my dad's friends hit it with a snow plow in our driveway and punctured a gaping hole in the door. My dad didn't ask him to fix it because he was so nice to plow our driveway! I covered the hole with a 92 PRO FM bumper sticker. If you, like my BF Cindy, had a brand new cherry red Pontiac Grand Am, I'm going to be so jealous.

Leave your comment anytime between now and next Friday, September 16th. Tweet, stumble, or share on facebook and leave another comment letting us know. Come back every day for new entries. We'll randomly select a winner and announce right here next Friday.

Find out who won last week's Fabric Friday after the jump...
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Scrap-busting Fabric Bowl

Last week my mom sent me a crafty care-package. Yes, my mother still sends me care packages, how great is that?? Included was a fabric bowl from my childhood home as inspiration and 12 yards of 1/2" piping cord. I had no excuse! I had to whip up a Scrap-Busting Fabric Bowl. Here's what you do...
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FABRIC FRIDAY!

Oh my forest-y goodness. Yes to Suzy Ultman Critter Community! Yes to raccoons (not real ones) and porcupines (not real ones) and owls (not real ones)! To win a 1 yard panel of this adorable fabric, tell us (and yes we have beat this subject to death) what you think the next "hot" animal is. I've been seeing 'coons and ponies! Whatcha got?

Leave your comment anytime between now and next Friday, September 9th. Tweet, stumble, or share on facebook and leave another comment letting us know. Come back every day for new entries. We'll randomly select a winner and announce right here next Friday.

Find out who won last week's Fabric Friday after the jump...
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FABRIC FRIDAY!

These little Daiwabo Tip Top Elephants are a true favorite of mine. They even made an appearance at Quinn's 2nd Birthday Party! To enter for a chance to win a yard of the Navy (swoon) tell us your favorite thing you did with your peanut this week (yes, boyfriends, doggies, and best friends count!)
Leave your comment anytime between now and next Friday, August 26th. Tweet, stumble, or share on facebook and leave another comment letting us know. Come back every day for new entries. We'll randomly select a winner and announce right here next Friday.

And did we mention that all Japanese imports are 15% off this week at Fabricworm? It. is. true.

Find out who won last week's Fabric Friday after the jump...
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FABRIC FRIDAY!

Did you know that Cynthia of Fabricworm is also the founder of Birch Fabrics? Check out Birch Fabric's newest line, Storyboek by Jay-Cyn Designs. With two little boys, Cynthia is a true champion of designer boy-friendly fabric. Thank You Cynthia!

To enter for the chance to win a yard of Storyboek Whale Watch Shroom, tell us your favorite storybook. Either your own or whatever you are sharing with the kids. Quinn loves Curious George right now. I have a soft spot for anything Beatrix Potter or Russell Hoban. Leave your comment anytime between now and next Friday, August 12th. Tweet, stumble, or share on facebook and leave another comment letting us now. Come back every day for new entries. We'll randomly select a winner and announce right here next Friday.

Find out who won last week's Fabric Friday after the jump...
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Pin Cushion Ring: 5-Minute Project!

Remember how we were all confessing over on Facebook that we can't help but hoard tiny scraps of fabric? Here is a project that gives us pack-rats the last laugh. Make a pin-cushion ring (or a dozen!) It only takes 5-minutes, assuming you don't have to drink a beer to get the cap.

Here's what you do...
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FABRIC FRIDAY!

Doesn't this print just make you want to roll in a bed of flowers? It's Joel Dewberry Heirloom Rose Bouquet in Sky from Fabricworm, and we have a yard of it to give away to one Prudent Mama! We've decided to change up Fabric Friday, so this week, instead of our favorite comment of the week, we're going to award the prize in the traditional way; by randomly selecting a winner from this post's comments. So to enter, leave us a comment on this post telling us what your favorite flower is and why. Mine is a toss up between peonies (so luscious, and the way they change color in the vase is magical) and ranunculus (i love their sculptural stems). Leave your comment anytime between now and next Friday, July 29th. Tweet, stumble, or share on facebook and leave another comment letting us now. Come back every day for new entries. We'll randomly select a winner and announce right here next Friday.

Find out who won last week's Fabric Friday after the jump...
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How to Block Print Fabric

I showed y'all My New Backyard and promised some tutorials. One thing I did was to block print some fabric with a chevron pattern. I couldn't find a fabric I liked to cover the cushion with, I wanted a linen with a sort of handmade feel to it. So I block printed my own.

Then I sewed it into a cushion cover (using the exact same method as I did in my tutorial on sewing a crib sheet, with the measurements adjusted to the measurements of the seat cushion).

I'm really happy with the way it turned out. Let me show you How to Block Print Fabric after the jump...
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How to Make A Fabric Tassel Garland (No Sew!)

Last week I shared the big reveal of My New Backyard with y'all. One of my favorite little touches are these fabric tassel garlands.

After our one millionth skype conversation/patio critique session, Jacinda suggested a tassel garland like these from Confetti System. I loved the idea, but those are tissue paper, so not ideal for outside. Hmm.

I decided to whip some up with fabric, so I ordered some Kona Solids from Fabricworm in shades of peach, coral, and blue, as well as some natural linen, and got to work. These are easy as pie and no-sew. Learn how to make a Fabric Tassel Garland after the jump...
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Fabric Friday!

For this week we have the Oh-So-Pretty Amy Butler Lotus, Lacework Brown for one Prudent Mama (or Papa, or Grandma, or crafty-single-gal-on-the-go.) We have some fun projects in the works with Amy Butler herself so this pick from fabricworm is extra sweet to us! More on that later. For now leave comments on any and all posts this week, we will pick our fave next Friday and announce the winner right here.

Find out who won last week's Fabric Friday after the jump...
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Quilt Market: Fabric Preview Eye Candy (Part 2)

Ahhh. More gorgeous Quilt Market fabric to gaze our little peepers upon. Monday morning doesn't seen so bad after all, does it? So grab a cup and enjoy!

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FABRIC FRIDAY!

You knew it had to be coming, right? This week's FABRIC FRIDAY is a yard of Anna Maria Horner Lou Lou Thi, Summer Totem Tart. LOVE LOVE LOVE! I want a little of this for my patio project.

Leave comments on any and all posts this week, we will pick our fave next Friday and announce the winner right here.
Find out who won last week's Fabric Friday after the jump...
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