Handmade Gifts

Little Pumpkin's birthday was filled with lots of handmade gifts. I have already given a peek into this first gift. The older kiddos decided that they should make a dolly blanket for Pumpkin. We spent one day coloring squares of a thrifted white sheet using Crayola fabric markers. After you iron them they are supposed to be colorfast. I am not a quilter, although I would love to be, so I fumbled my way through piecing the kid's artwork with sashing. I have no idea if I did it right or not. We didn't add batting so we just sewed it right sides together and then turned it right side out and top-stitched around. Princess did the top-stitching. She is starting to get the hang of using a sewing machine and its fun to watch.

We added a label on the flannel backing with signatures of the artists.

I made Pumpkin a poncho which kind of reminds me of Sherlock Holmes in pink. I used a discontinued pattern and then altered it by cutting it up the front and adding three inches to each front piece to fold under to make a facing for the buttons/buttonholes.

Because the fleece was a plaid and I wanted the plaid to match up, I had to add three inches to the back also. I wasn' t really planning on that little detail so I was getting pretty frustrated (okay. . . extremely frustrated ), but finally decided to make a pleat in the center back to allow for the extra 3 inches.

I ended up really liking the pleat because it adds to the Sherlock Holmes look we've got going on here.

Pumpkin also really liked the drawing pad/ crayon holder. She was mostly quiet during church, and I think mostly quiet is pretty good. Hopefully it will continue. . .

What are your favorite gifts to make? I'm starting to think about Christmas and would love more ideas.