Sing 'n Sew

Yesterday I did my annual sing 'n sew. I turned on Handel’s Messiah and sewed the day away, singing along with my favorite parts. I don’t exactly enjoy sewing, but it’s still somehow satisfying in an inexplicable way. I do enjoy the Messiah, though, so it all evens out. Listening to the Messiah should totally count as scripture study. I wish George Friedrich had put the rest of the Bible to music! But I guess Lamentations conquered even his music-genius (understandably). So here’s what I managed to sew amidst phone calls, chaotic children, and musical rapture:

Jay’s Star Wars pajama pants:

He is 100% Star-Wars’d in this picture, right down to his undies.

Here’s a close-up on the fabric he picked out.

Rose’s Elmo PJ pants:

In the past few weeks, Rose has really started loving Elmo. She says his name so cutely, like “Ow-mo.” I need a video.

The pants turned out kind of big and billowy because I was paranoid about fitting them over her diaper.

They are SO easy to make. To prove it, here’s a quick run-down, no pattern necessary:

Trace a pair of pants loosely (maybe not this loosely) on the fold of the fabric, with the pointy part NOT on the fold. Then do it again, so you have two identical pieces.

Next, unfold the two pieces like this and sew from the top/waistband area to the tip of the point (from the elastic to the scissors in this picture), on both sides.

Then pull it apart at the top so the two crotch seams line up in the middle and tadaaaa, pant legs appear magically! Just finish them up with an inseam, some elastic, and a hem. I made big cuffs on the bottom so I can let them out when Rose grows. In fact, my third sewing project of the day was lengthening the PJ pants I made Jay during last year’s inaugural sing 'n sew.

While I sewed, Jay and Rose mostly cooked elegant, fuzzy meals.

Rose’s Fleece Jumper:

I did use a pattern for this one, and I must take this opportunity to say that sewing patterns are SO CONFUSING. But I eventually decoded the iffy instructions, finished the dress, and then watched Rose spill milk all down the front of it.

Of course amidst the sewing we had to make time to frolic in our beloved wide-open, scantily-furnished house:

 

We all love a nice rowdy game of chase.

Well, that’s it for the sewing, but in the spirit of Christmas craftiness, I shall show you a few more recent projects.

Popsicle Stick Snowflakes:

We used up our décor budget on inside Christmas cheer, so no Christmas lights outside our house this year—just a wreath and a snowflake. And a tipped-over pumpkin that Jeff never carved. Hmm.

I’m on a roll, so why stop now?
Two more holiday joys:

1. Babysitting the soft, snuggly little Laynie-girl. Adore. (doesn’t Rose look huge?)

2. Peppermint bark popcorn: SO YUMMY! The recipe (from ourbestbites.com) made 2 gallons of the stuff, and I’m the only one eating it. Yep, it’s been a good week.

As G.F. H. put it, A-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-ahhh-men, Ahhhmen, Ahhh-a-a-a-a-ahhh-men!
Amen.