Tote bags

Tote bags are always a good thing to carry shopping or other bits and pieces, so I decided to make a few little one, in 2 different types for little ones.

A5 size big enough for a small book and a few sweets, and A4 size for a larger colouring book, pencils, crayons,  a rubber, and some stickers. and a pocket on the outside, for treasures

 

These bags will be lined for extra strength with fabric I found in the local charity shop and the outer being made in various fabric designs using fat quarters, the pockets will have light weight wading to stop the pocket from sagging,  I'll also add a matching book mark.

Inner pocket

Inner bag

                                                                            Handles

                                                                        Outer layer

Outer pocket

              

Don't forget you can keep up to date on our new items on our                                                     facebook page http://www.facebook.com/SunshineBabyCrafts. there will be lots of new items to buy and also on Instagram #sunshinebabycrafts

#Buylocal  #Supportsmallbusinesses

Pram suits

                                                            New project

Many years ago when I had my first daughter,  as a leaving present I was brought a little red and white knitted pram suit, from one of the girls I worked with.

I did make a little set for my first grandson Edward using fisherman's rib and now I'm going to made one for my new grandson Matthew.

So I've been looking through my patterns some going back over 40 yrs and I selected a number of patterns I want to make, with various patterns on the jumpers, I'm going to mix and match jumpers to leggings from different patterns, I'm going to make 2 piece sets rather than onesies for ease of nappy changes.

 I think the smaller suits I'll do with feet, and from 6 months as trousers, but you'll see I made these two as trousers.

These will ideal for the autumn and winter months, and are also perfect for using in car seats when babies cant wear their coats, they can be lifted straight out of the car seats and into their prams without having to mess about putting coats on.

I'll start with a new born one first to see how they look and ask a few people what they think and then I'll make them in various sizes up to a year.

                                                        A selection of patterns

                                                        A selection of yarns

                                        Hoodie and leggings pictures

I made this set using white yarn specked with orange and green and white leggings with cuffs and waist band in contrasting yarn, this one fits a 16" chest 0-3 months 

And this one in yellow, green and white to fit 14" chest new born ideal for bringing your new baby home from hospital.

So I've made 2 so far I'm hoping to make a few more at a later date.

Don't forget you can keep up to date on our new items on our facebook page http://www.facebook.com/SunshineBabyCrafts. there will be lots of new items to buy

Burp clothes and nappy pouches

A slight change from the norm.


I've noticed now days new mums use small bags to carry fresh nappies when they go out so I decided to make a few nappy pouch which would also then make a lovely gift.  I've also made a few burp clothes which are double sided using contrasting materials

And now my sewing room is up and running I can use all my lovely materials.

All these will be made from fat quarters, and I will be able to use my popper tool for the fastenings, or buttons. 

The nappy pouches are from a pattern by #Crazylittleprojects.com

The burp clothes are from #So-sew-easy.com

Nappy pouch

The pouches will contain 3 nappies, a pack of wipes and some nappy sacks, and will be small enough to fit in the shopping basket of a pram or buggy.

Here are 2 completed pouches

Burp clothe

These are shaped to fit into your neck for comfort, I used fat quarters and soft towelling to the back for comfort.

                              Don't forget you can keep up to date on our new items on our facebook                                              page http://www.facebook.com/SunshineBabyCrafts. there will be lots of new                                             items to buy and also on Instagram @sunshinebabycrafts

Summer dresses and other things.

 

Its been a long time since I've been able to get out my sewing machine, and since the last time I've now got a brand new sewing machine, that has embroidery stitches and alphabet and numbers, and a dedicated sewing room to use.

I was thinking of making sun dresses, cargo pants, shorts, tops and romper suits.

One idea I've had is to put a decorative stitch around the hem line, I have lots of lovely materials to choose from, poly cottons, and cotton jerseys, there's also a large selection of ribbons and laces.

These are soft jersey cotton 

Watch this space to more ideas. 

 Don't forget you can keep up to date on our new items on our facebook page http://www.facebook.com/SunshineBabyCrafts. there will be lots of new items to buy

Back to craft fairs

 

Looking for craft fairs

Now we've moved and settled in, I'm looking at starting craft fairs again, its been a while since my last fair, so I'm going to completely re-vamp my stock and starting small, firstly I'm going to make bootees, mitts and hat sets, then jackets, jumpers and cardigans, and possibly knitted leggings in co-ordinating colours, that can be mixed and matched.  

To catch customers eyes I'm going to make lovely bright colours.

With this in mind I'm hoping the local craft fairs are going to  start to open up again soon and I can visit them and get some booked for next yr. I'm even thinking of re-opening our Etsy shop so I must get the needles out and get some stock made.

I've now book a table at #Posh Crafts, craft fair on the 30th April at The Coronation Hall in Mundesley 

Really looking forward to meet some new people and hopefully make some new friends.

So come along and see me and all my new knitwear and you might find something for the little person in your family

The #Posh Crafts craft fair at Mundesley went really well, I met a lot of local people and made a few new crafter friends, and I'm hoping to get another stall soon.

Don't forget you can keep up to date on our new items on our facebook page http://www.facebook.com/SunshineBabyCrafts. there will be lots of new items to buy

Fabric shopping

 

Today I decided to treat myself to a trip out and I went to a new fabric shop I've found since moving to Norfolk, its called Susans work basket and its in Attleborough, Oh my what a treat, so many fabrics, buttons, yarns and so much more. 

These are poly cotton which I'm going to use to make sundresses and overalls, the snowman material is for my grandson Edwards Christmas overalls

I particularly like this old fashioned rose fabric this will make lovely dresses and the fox fabric I'm going to make into cargo pants 

This is stretch jersey for rompers

I know a certain little someone who will be wearing rompers made from this material soon.

So I cant wait to get my sewing machine out and start sewing.

http://susans work basket

Don't forget you can keep up to date on our new items on our facebook page http://www.facebook.com/SunshineBabyCrafts. there will be lots of new items to buy

Nautical themes

Hello sailor

Since moving to Norfolk, and living only minutes from the sea, I've decided to do a range of nautical clothing, I've designed a pattern with a boat motif on the front which I though I would make in white with a navy blue boat, and also navy blue with a white or even red boat, I've also got an anchor I've designed and I was also thinking of making matching cargo pants and pairing them up as a set !  

Sail Boat

Anchor

I've also got a crab design and fish 

All these will be made using #JamesCBrett super soft yarn and also #Stylecraft yarns #knitsirdar and #Patons in double knit.

All of these yarns were purchased from #Woolwarehouse and #Deramore


I was also thinking of making a few buggy/car seat blankets with the same sort of motifs with contrasting edges using 3 squares by 6 or 9 square with half motifs and half plain in different colours

I was also thinking of matching a jumper with white knitted trousers would make a lovely Christmas present

This of course got me thinking about summer dresses, shorts and tops but that's another blog 😊

All these hopefully will be available at Norfolk crafts fairs very soon watch this space !!!

Don't forget you can keep up to date on our new items on our facebook page http://www.facebook.com/SunshineBabyCrafts. as soon as I've settled in there will be lots of new items to buy.

A new start in Norfolk

A new life

In 1979  as a 17 yr old I decided with my friend Tina to go on an adventure, we left Essex for sunny Caister in Norfolk to work at Ladbrokes Holiday Centre, and what a summer that was, meeting lots of new friends and the holidaying public.

The work was hard and long hours but the social life was wonderful out each night drinking and dancing till late sleeping for a few hours and starting all over again.

Whilst we were there we both met our future husbands !  This year April 2021 we celebrated our 41st  wedding anniversary, over the last 11 yrs or so we've be going back to Norfolk on holiday, mostly with our 2 daughters and their husbands and an assortment of dogs.  Whilst on holiday we made the decision to retire and to move to Norfolk, hopefully this yr.

With this in mind I've been thinking about designing beach inspired sundresses, shorts, babies rompers and knitwear, to sell at craft fairs and I was also thinking of looking into local bespoke children's clothes shops to see if they would be willing to let me have a rail to sell my makes.

For the knit wear I was thinking of boat, anchor, fish and other seaside related motifs to knit onto the front of cardigans, jumpers and hoodies, also jaunty stripes.

For the sundresses and rompers I was thinking of adding appliqué suns, boats and anything to do with the seaside.  

At the moment I'm sourcing new fabric shops near to where we've moved to and I'm really looking forward to going out and buying new fabrics and haberdashery bits, and finding local craft fairs to attend.  

Don't forget you can keep up to date on our new items on our facebook page http://www.facebook.com/SunshineBabyCrafts. as soon as I've settled in there will be lots of new items to buy.

Helping the Mundesley NICU charity knit

 

Charity knitted octopus

Whilst on holiday in May, we decided to have a second viewing of our new home that we should be        moving to soon, which is in the lovely seaside village of Mundesley .                                                            

As we got there a little bit to early we decided to have a wonder around the shops, so we parked up in the public carpark by The beach hut café, and walked through Gold Park towards the shops.

One of the shops there is Norfolk Needlecraft which I'm sure I will be visiting offend.!  

This shop is fantastic, not only does it stock yarn but out the back it has all manner of sewing kits, buttons, beads and so much more.

In the window my daughter pointed out the knitted octopus's and suggested I go in and collect the free pattern to make a few for the shops NICU charity, as I have a large collection of yarn bits and bobs, and as we're moving here soon we thought it would be a good way of getting involved in village life.

So far I've made 6 in assorted colours and multi coloured tentacles here are the first 5 one to finish.

If I get time I'll try to make a few more.

Don't forget you can keep up to date on our new items on our facebook page http://www.facebook.com/SunshineBabyCrafts. as soon as I've settled in there will be lots of new items to buy.