baby steps

Do you like to buckle down for a few hours to push through a project or to piece it together bit-by-bit in baby steps?

Me, I'm the buckle down type, preferring to have just one or two projects going at once.  Even so, lately I've been working in baby steps as things have been especially complicated with travel and appointments. I keep reminding myself that baby steps can move things along too!

a baby Kimono

I received this selection of Birch Organic knits about a week ago, along with the Modern Baby Set pattern by Green Bee, all from Fabricworm.  Yep, I was motivated by that Knit Challenge event!  The colors I chose are, from left:  sun, mid blue, shell, coral and grass.  The sun is duller than I would have expected and the grass brighter.  My favorite colors are the three in the middle, especially coral.

a baby Kimono

For my first project I am making the kimono top in coral with sun facings.  I cut all my pieces with a pinking blade used in my rotary cutter.   Since knits don't fray, this is my way of finishing the edges!  I'm using my trusty Kenmore to sew a "stretch" stitch with a ballpoint needle.  Worked a charm!  The seams are stretchy and didn't become a bit puckered or wavy.  Goes to show you don't need anything fancy to sew knits.

I found the Green Bee pattern instruction booklet pretty easy to follow.  Not quite as easy as Oliver & S or pdf patterns (with their extra pictures), but definitely doable.

sleepy model

I have to admit I'm concerned that the top is turning out too big.  I'd find out, but my model is totally sleeping in the job...  The pattern only provides one size, 0-3 months, but there is a lot of variations.  You could make an entire, all-season baby wardrobe with this pattern set!

a baby Kimono

All that's left is the very last step - topstitching the sun facings for a clean finish.  I've decided to hand stitch the facings down with pearl cotton size 8 thread.  I think the top could us some extra interest.

a baby Kimono

The facing go all the way around the neck, front openings and shirt hem.  Hmm... maybe a couple of rows of stitching would be just the thing! 

More baby steps...