A new skill

I've been pretty busy this summer running a "Bed and Breakfast"-at least it has seemed that way with all the visitors we have hosted this summer. However, with the end of summer, our visitors have tapered off and we are adjusting to life just the 2 of us again. With the extra time, I have become even more aware of my unemployment status and spend time everyday looking for and applying for jobs. However, in my attempt to feel at least somewhat productive (besides spending time at the beach), I thought this was the perfect time to learn a new skill...and so I did/am.

We bought a nice sewing machine for ourselves several Chirstmases ago, and I have barely ever even turned it on. So, with some extra time on my hands and two pregnant sister-in-laws, I thought this was the perfect time to learn to sew. I know it sounds silly, but I was pretty proud of myself for even just figuring out how to thread my machine and wind a bobbin, not to mention changing the stitches to tailor it for each part of my project. 

In the experience I gained in helping with the triplets as infants, I learned that cloth diapers make great burp cloths (and I dealt with a lot of spit up/projectile vomiting), however, they aren't very cute on their own, but it seems like when you sew cute fabric over the entire absorbent middle section their functionality is not at its peak. So...I took it upon myself to make something cute and effective. I think they turned out pretty awesome :)

I used iron on backing to adhere the fabric to the diaper and then used a small zigzag stitch to go all of the way around each (and 2 seams down the middle of the zebra one). I made this set of 3 for each of my pregnant sis-in-laws (Cecily and Trisha). I'm an easily frustrated and impatient sewer, but this project was quite simple and enjoyable. I got a little taste of why all those stay out moms out there want to make and sell stuff on Etsy :) It's a fun little project and would be awesome to get paid for it (although I think I'm going to continue focusing my energy on finding a nursing job-a much dirtier job :) And since I knew the name for one of the new little men in our family, he got a personalized barf rag :)

I told Cec that he was waiting for my gift to arrive before he came out to play, and sure enough, she went into labor the day after she got this package :)

 Introducing, Dash (who was initially not living up to his name with slow progression, etc); however, showed everyone in the end that his name was well suited to him...

 After the burp cloths were complete I decided I was ready for another challenge. I would have made more burp cloths because they were pretty fun, but decided I should venture out. Cecily had a nursing cover on her registry, but I had already ordered everything from her registry that I was going to, so decided to make her one instead. I had been eying the fabric selection at the Crate and Barrel outlet for months now and finally had an excuse to make something with it!

I used THIS tutorial which was pretty straightforward, and I was extremely happy with the outcome. There were a few little tricky parts (folding in and sewing the boning was probably the most difficult), but really not bad. I had the time to be patient, and finished it in a few hours. It wasn't perfect but I think it still looked pretty dang good :)

Not sure what I'll try next, if anything, but fun to have a few baby gift projects up my sleeve :)

Trying to find good new skills to learn while I have some time on my hands that don't require a lot of money (I can't just stay home and spend money I'm not making :) Any ideas?