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11 posts categorized “Tips & Tricks”

July 03, 2012

Best Online Knit Fabric Sources

One of the most common questions I get currently is "Where can I buy good knit fabric online?" Fortunately for you I know many of the best places to buy knit fabric!



Ixat—Tons of print knits you won't find anywhere else. Shipping is a bit high but she ships worldwide so perhaps it is cheaper to your part of the world. 

Fabric.com— Wide variety of cotton and synthetic knits. You can find the new designer knits here.

The Fabric Fairy— Great variety including fun prints for kids. Ships from the U.S. worldwide.

Fashion Fabrics Club— Lots of knit fabrics in adult prints. I've never purchased from here but it has been recommended. They ship from the U.S. to a short list of other countries.

Chez Ami— Great quality knits. Fun prints and stripes for children. I've purchased many fabrics from here and they stand the test of time. U.S. based but ship internationally.

Girl Charlie Fabrics— Loads of great knits for kids and adults. Very large section of cotton knit jersey. Ships from the U.S. internationally.

Harts Fabrics— Great selection of adult knit fashion fabrics. Ships from the U.S. to Canada, U.K. and Australia and U.S. Armed Forces.

Etsy— There are numerous shops selling all types of knit fabrics on etsy. Just do a search for knit fabric and you'll have thousands of options from shops around the world.

Spoonflower— Create your own fabric or buy one someone else designed. So many fun designs here. 

Reader Suggestions:

Banburry Place— Ships from the U.S.

Kids Fabric— Ships from Canada

Sewzanne's— Ships from the U.S. This is where I buy my Ottobre magazines too.

Sew Baby— Ships from the U.S.

Nature's Fabric— Ships from the U.S.

Print Knit Studio— Ships from the U.S.

So tell me, where do you buy knit fabrics? Especially those of you outside the U.S. Now that you know where to buy knit fabric go pick up your Go To Signature Dress pattern!

July 03, 2012 in DIY, I recommend, roundup, Sewing , Tips & Tricks | Permalink | Comments (12) | TrackBack (0)

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July 22, 2010

Black & White

Back when dark rooms were necessary, I loved spending time in one. Black and white photography can be so beautiful. Of course now anyone can turn out a great black and white photo with a little photo editing. There are a few secrets to success, however, just like with color photography. Here are a few things to look for.

Light. As with any photo, you want good lighting. This is especially true for black and white because without good lighting you can't naturally have white whites and black blacks. You'll have a fairly gray photo. That's okay, if you're looking for that effect, but I'm not a huge fan of a photo that lacks an absolute white and black. I'm sure photoshop or picnik.com or some other editing software can help you on the back end but try for good light to begin with. That means open the windows or get outside. Overcast days are the best. That's a bummer if you live in Colorado but for the rest of us they aren't that tough to come by.

Composition. What's in front of and behind your subject? Take a look around. I love a photo with great lines and texture. 

Process, but not too much. Don't go nuts editing your photos. If you take a good one in the first place it won't need that much editing. Crop if you must and tinker ever so slightly with the contrast. You should have a range of grays and a true white and black somewhere in the photo (in my opinion).

Mostly, just have fun. They're for your memories so don't worry if yours don't look as good as the next guy's.

B and w 028First find a photo you like. This is a random one of my girls.

B and w 027Convert it to black and white.

B and w 026 B and w 025Adjust contrast until you like what you see.

B and w 024
But don't overdo it. You don't need too much contrast to make a good photo.

B and w 023There is also such a thing as too much vignette.

B and w 025  
This one is my favorite. Check out You Capture for more black and white photos. 

July 22, 2010 in My world, Tips & Tricks | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)

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July 15, 2010

Daphne Dress Sew Along

UPDATE: You can now find the Daphne Dress pattern here

Is this not one of the cutest dresses you've ever seen?

Daphne dress collage
This is "The Daphne Dress" and we'll be making it together in August because it is time for another sew along!!

Photobucket

This is the EASIEST sew along ever! The Daphne Dress comes precut with all you need (except your machine, thread and pins). 

This sew along is for you if:

  • You own a sewing machine and really wish you could learn to sew for your little girl.
  • You've been tempted to make a little girl's dress but are a bit scared of patterns.
  • You'd love to sew but just don't have the time.
  • You just plain love this dress (as I do).
  • You would like someone to walk you through the steps and answer your questions along the way.
  • You have a cute daughter/niece/granddaughter/neighbor that would look adorable in this dress.
  • Want to make an all-season dress.
  • You want to support mom run businesses.

Is that you??? If you order your Daphne Dress Kit by August 1st you'll get 10% off! Just mention The Train To Crazy at checkout and you'll get a 10% refund. What's more, if you order BEFORE July 21st you'll get free shipping plus the 10% off!! That's a great deal!

 

Kits Contains:

Precut designer fabric 

Simple instructions

Elastic

Safety pin

Everything you need to make a dress no one will believe is homemade.

Children's kits come in two sizes: 1-4 and 5-8 with instructions how to adjust for the different sizes within the kit.

Join me August 9-13th and you can get all your questions answered along the way!! Are you excited? I am!! Order your kit now! Grab the button for your blog if you'd like and get ready to make a dress together! Make sure you check out all of Oh So Sassy's dress kits. Maybe you'll find a dress even cuter than the Daphne Dress! She even has a skirt kit for you! The 10% discount applies to the entire site!!

So, are you going to join along??

July 15, 2010 in Daphne Dress Sew Along, I recommend, Sewing , Sewing for Girls, Tips & Tricks | Permalink | Comments (21) | TrackBack (0)

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May 17, 2010

Too large shirt to maternity shirt

I found a really cute shirt at Target today. I bought it a couple sizes too big to accommodate that growing baby. The problem with shirts that are a couple sizes too big is that there is too much room under the armpits and the chest. This was my simple solution.

IMG_5212
Just a few rows of shirring made a big difference. It could probably use more but I'm leaving it this way.

It looks much better now from the front. Less like a too big shirt and more like a maternity shirt.

IMG_5211   

May 17, 2010 in Maternity sewing, Sewing , Sewing for women, sewing tips & tricks, Tips & Tricks | Permalink | Comments (8) | TrackBack (0)

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April 04, 2009

Editing Photos

Do you like to take pictures and wish you could make yours look "professional"? Of course having a good camera and taking good pictures in the first place is a great idea but if you can't get that done, try a little photo editing. Picnik.com is a great FREE online photo editor. This is a photo I took of Naomi with my phone on her birthday.


Then after a little editing with the help from my new friend Picnik…

So even if all you have is a 2 megapixel camera with a super slow shutter, you can still have a little fun with your photos.

Here are some more fun ones.


It really makes a difference doesn't it!

April 04, 2009 in Tips & Tricks | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)

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March 30, 2009

We move. A lot

Have you moved a lot in your life? I lived in 4 houses from the time I was born until I graduated from High School. I never had to change schools. I really appreciated that. Since I graduated from college I have moved 11 times. In 10 years. We've been married nearly 7 years and have lived in 6 places.

Naomi has already lived in more houses than I lived in my entire childhood. She is 4 years old and has lived in 5 different places and it will be 6 before she has her next birthday. We're not talking about moves across the street either. Each move was a different town. She has already lived in 3 states. THREE states and she JUST turned 4. 

Naomi doesn't handle change well (most kids don't). We've learned a few things in the moves that have helped along the way. These are the most important;

Talk up the move before hand, but not too soon. It is important to give them as much of a visual image as possible about what is about to happen. If you are selling your house and packing up toys and such, let them be involved. Tell them as much as is age appropriate. With our latest move we started discussing that we were selling our house and moving about a week before we started getting our house staged to sell. We'd known for months but telling them so far in advance might have caused anxiety so we waited until a more appropriate time. If they were older we would have let them know sooner. When it came to talking about where we were moving, we tried to let them know what types of things we'd do once we moved and let them know as much as possible. We talked about how big our apartment would be, what toys we'd have, the fact that we'd still play outside and go to the playground, etc., etc. The important things to them. Give them the little details about what is going to happen between houses. Are you flying? Living out of suitcases for a while? You get the idea.

Keep things "normal". We try to make sure to spend lots of family time together during times of transition. Make sure the "special" toys are readily available during traveling and when you get to the new place. 

Get excited! Even if you aren't that excited, or aren't happy about the move at all, get excited for the kids. You don't have to lie, but you also shouldn't doom their move by frightening them either.

Don't plan any new developmental tasks around the time of the move. Daphne needs to be potty trained. She wants to be potty trained. The poor girls hasn't moved on to the big girl panties yet because first she had a baby sister, then moved to a "big bed" then gave up her pacifiers and is now completing a move. It wouldn't have been fair to her to try to train her right before or after the move. We have to give her time to get settled. 

Extra hugs and snuggles. Depending on their age, most little ones can't really tell you what they are thinking or worrying about. Extra snuggles and attention help to soothe them through the possibly scary time.

What has helped your kids during times of transition and moving?


March 30, 2009 in Home Sweet Home, My Family, My world, Tips & Tricks | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

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February 24, 2009

The Bedtime Routine

I've been rolling this idea through my head for a few months now. A nightly checklist for my girls to "check off" at bedtime. I think it will eliminate some of the resistance and whining we sometimes encounter. I am not an artist (obviously), but I drew this. 

Sc013277a7
I plan to have the girls color the pictures. I'll laminate the sheet and then at night when they finish a task they can put a check next to the picture with a dry erase marker. Either that or I'll laminate some oversized checks and put a little velcro on the back so they can stick them to the list. We'll see. Feel free to use the list or make your own. Just don't make money off it 😉
Download Bedtime 

February 24, 2009 in Tips & Tricks, Unsolicited Parenting Advice | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

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February 17, 2009

The not quite essentials for newborns

Once you pick up the essentials for your newborn and all your essentials for breastfeeding you can start thinking about the things that are pretty good to have as well…  

A reclining umbrella stroller.  I never had one of the big stroller/car seat combos and didn't miss it at all.  I had a universal infant car seat stroller with my first and it was really great to have.  After the first few months or so we only used our umbrella stroller.  I haven't used a stroller at all yet with this baby and she is 4 months old, so you decide. If you do a lot of walking or jogging you can consider getting something three wheeled with air filled tires.  This is a great website for reviews. Most jogging strollers don't recline so you can't use then at first. Make sure they'll fit in your car before you buy them!!

Play Mat .  My girls always loved laying on these and looking at the dangling animals.  Lots of entertainment.  All of the girls have been in love with the lion and giraffe in this set.

Cradle Swing. I highly recommend getting a swing if you can.  It helps some babies fall asleep and it makes other babies happy.  Rarely do babies hate swings.  I love the cradle swing because it reclines a lot and can be adjusted to more of a seat. More importantly, it can swing from side to side or back and forth.  I've also had a swing that is a bouncy seat/swing combo but I wouldn't recommend it. It does save space but I'm not a big fan.

Baby Monitor. I use these a bit with my kids. I've never lived in a place that I couldn't hear babies on the other end of the house but if you go outside to the yard while one is sleeping you'll never hear without a monitor. Check reviews online when deciding which one to get.  Make sure it is a different frequency than your cordless phones or any wireless router you have in your house. I have one that has sounds and lights up with noise and I like it a lot. It isn't available anymore but it is a First Years brand and is still working well.  It has some rubber on the sides of the receiver which has probably kept it from getting broken since it has been abused slightly over the years. The video monitors aren't necessary but if you want one, go for it.

Pacifiers. Buy them right before baby is born and don't open them!  Keep the receipts taped to them just in case you don't need them and need to return them. After baby is born you may want them and some kids want to try out a few kinds to find what they like. We like MAM around here. They come in different sizes so make sure you get the 0+ ones and then when they turn about 6 months old get the bigger ones.

A crib. Even if you are going to co-sleep, you might want baby to take naps in a crib.  OR, you might get a baby that isn't a fan of co-sleeping, which can happen! You may want something in your room so baby can sleep there for the first few month.  You can also use a mini crib or Pack N Play, or a Co-sleeper, Mini Arm's Reach Co-sleeper, or a Close & Secure Sleeper. Of course, there are bassinets as well.  It is really up to you.  Check them out, see what you like.  Remember that bassinets are outgrown within a couple months usually.  If you use a Pack N Play it will have more longevity but it isn't that comfortable.  We used a mini crib and loved it.  Daphne slept in it until she was 1 because Naomi was still in the full sized crib.  The mattress that comes with those is usually very thin so think about buying a better one. Whatever you do, try out some cribs in a store to see what features you like best.  If you want one that has a drop side, what kind do you want, etc.

Crib Sheets & Mattress Pads. No matter which way you go as far as a crib or bassinet goes, you'll need waterproof mattress covers and sheets.  Get at least 2 waterproof mattress covers and 2 sheets. Accidents happen at night and you'll want to have a spare in case you need it. Spring for the fitted kind of waterproof pads if you can. There is a lot of debate about crib bumpers and I am of the opinion that you don't need them and they are dangerous. If you absolutely must have a bumper, get the Breathable Baby Crib Bumper.

Rocker/Glider.  Not mandatory but nice to have.

Blankets. We like to use blankets on the floor or couch when we lay babies down. This helps protect the floor AND the baby! They are also good for in the stroller and car seat. Beyond quilts and lap blankets I have enjoyed having Bundle Me blankets.  They come in different sizes, colors and styles.

Clothes. Babies go through a lot of these.  If you want to go beyond my sleeper and onesie recommendation, don't go nuts. Most babies will grow out of the 0-3 month size well before 3 months.  

Changing Pad. These are handy whether you have an official changing table or not. This cover is the best, so soft and cuddly.  I have others but this is by far my favorite.

Waterproof changing mats. I have a few of these and use them a lot. They are great in diaper bags or when changing baby on the floor or a bed.

Baby bathtub. Bath thermometer. IMG_6435  I had a bathtub with my first two and can't find it now. I wish I still had it, they are useful but a sink will work fine for a while. I miss the tub now that Maggie is getting bigger. A thermometer isn't necessary at all but I had one and was surprised at how warm I liked my bath water! Too hot for babies! Baby temp was colder than I had guessed.

Sleep Sacks. Love these.  We use them after babies stop being swaddled (sometime between 4 and 5 months for us) until they are in a big bed. Skip the smaller sizes because they aren't necessary. 

Miracle Blanket. Babies are wiggly. Most babies will learn to break free from a swaddle before they are ready to sleep on their own. You don't NEED these, but they've helped my kids sleep much better.

Head support. Most car seats and strollers are not made to support babies heads correctly. You could always use a rolled blanket or let baby's head wobble but I like these. 

I'm sure I missed things that are handy. But, like I said, none of it is absolutely necessary! What else would you add to this list?  What would you take off?

February 17, 2009 in Parenthood, Tips & Tricks, Unsolicited Parenting Advice | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

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February 01, 2009

The essentials for breastfeeding

Even though breastfeeding is natural, it doesn't always come naturally.  If you are planning to breastfeed your baby I'd recommend learning how to do it before you have to do it.  There are classes out there but you could probably do just as well reading a book.  These are the things I found necessary for successful breastfeeding.


The Nursing Mother's Companion.  This is the best book out there and you'll be glad you have it.  I went back to it time and time again with my first two babies.  It was invaluable.

The phone number of a lactation consultant.  Many women have difficulty in the beginning and calling a lactation consultant within the first couple days of breastfeeding if you are having pain or problems with the baby latching is one of the wisest moves you can make.  Ask your doctor for a recommendation ahead of time.

My Breast Friend.  I had a Boppy with my first baby and I think it actually caused some of the problems I had breastfeeding.  I got a My Breast Friend and love it 100 times more than a Boppy.  Of course, a boppy comes in really handy when baby is learning to sit and a MBF isn't useful in that way, but I digress.

Lily Padz.  These are the best there is when it comes to breast pads.  At first you'll definitely want something that absorbs more so get some disposable pads.  The cloth ones don't hold much.

Soothies.  I loved these for the first few weeks.  I am the only person in the world that had an allergic reaction to Lanolin (which is highly recommended as a way of soothing sore nipples).

Nursing Tank.  I wore these almost exclusively during the first month.  The soft cotton was way more comfortable and it was easier to get a little air, if you get my drift.  I prefer the kind that you unhook the clasp and lower rather than the kind you pull up or down.  I can't find a link to my favorite kind but I got them at Motherhood.  You'll need nursing bras too but I can't make a recommendation.  I've tried a lot of different ones and with each baby found I preferred something different.  

Breast Pump.  Which one you get depends on what you need it for but every nursing mother will need one if she wants to ever feed baby a bottle.  I had a hand pump with my first baby and hated it and therefore didn't use it.  It took a long time and was difficult to use.  I got an Ameda Purely Yours with my second and I am so glad I did.  A double pump electric is way more efficient.  They are a lot more expensive than hand pumps so it is up to you what way you want to go.  If you plan to give daily bottles or work you really need an electric double pump. 

Bottles.  Don't go nuts buying bottles before baby comes along.  Unfortunately, babies are often picky about which bottles they will drink from so you might have to experiment with different types.  My girls actually tended to like the cheaper Gerber bottles the best. 

A nursing cover is nice to have but not absolutely necessary.  I started using one with my third baby and it is nice when you are in a restaurant or at your in-laws.  

Here is my best breastfeeding advice for the first few weeks.  Always get comfortable and get a glass of water first.  Sit somewhere your feet are firmly on the ground (or a stool).  Don't slouch over, put a pillow behind you if need be. If baby isn't latching correctly, don't be afraid to start over again and again until you get a good latch.  If you are having pain, call your LC.  Air out as often as possible to help with any healing that needs to occur. 

What did I miss?  Did you find all of this necessary or is your list of "must haves" shorter?  Any good advice for the newbies?

February 01, 2009 in Parenthood, Tips & Tricks | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

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January 31, 2009

The essentials for your newborn

I have quite a few friends who are pregnant right now with their first baby.  Very, very exciting!  Considering I am parenting a baby again I've been thinking about what STUFF is essential and what stuff is nice to have.  Of course, there is a long list of "don't waste your time on this" kinda stuff too. 

Must Haves 

A baby bouncer/rocker.  This Fisher Price Infant to Toddler Rocker is my favorite. For reasons I won't explain right now, we have 3 different baby bouncy seats and this is by far my favorite.  It reclines for newborns, vibrates if they like that, and becomes a seat for when they have better head control.  Bonus is that it can hold up to 35 lbs. so my older girls still love sitting in it.  It is important to have a safe place to lay baby down when you are say, in the shower, or cooking dinner. I found ours at a consignment store, gently used, for $15.

A carseat.  I've had a Graco Snugride and a Combi and I MUCH prefer the Graco. What you need to look for in any carseat, besides safety, is how easy the buckles are to adjust, if they get twisted, how easy it is to install, etc.  **UPDATED** The Chicco Keyfit 30 seems to be the most popular/safe car seat on the market these days. I wish we still had the Graco but sadly we don't.  I can't wait to move her out of it and into her Britax. As a convertible carseat I can only recommend the Britax Marathon or Roundabout.  We have 3 and love them.  Love them.  We had a Graco toddler carseat and hated it. Hated it. Don't buy a carseat used, if you can help it.  You don't know for sure if it has been in an accident. 

Swaddle Blankets.  Don't buy these if you can help it.  The kind you buy (labeled "receiving blankets") are usually too small to be effective past the first week.  Get yourself a 1.25 yard of flannel fabric.  A 44" square piece is what you need to work perfectly.  You can probably buy expensive swaddle blankets that are this size too. I would recommend 4 or 5 of these (at the least).  I wash mine every few days.

A baby thermometer.  Get the rectal kind.  They are most accurate.  Make sure it is a quick one.  You don't need to be waiting around 30 seconds to get a reading! Nobody is going to like that!  

A wrap/sling.  Not everyone will say this is a must have but I do.  Do your research, talk to friends.  Don't just buy the cheapest (or the most expensive).  For young babies I recommend a Moby Wrap.  For older babies and toddlers I recommend the Ergo.  I've also heard great things about Mei Tais and other structured carriers. A Baby Bjorn has its usefulness as well. I regularly use several different carriers for different needs.  

Burp Rags/Cloths.  I use prefold cloth diapers for this and prefer these to homemade ones.  If you are going to make one, make sure it has at least 4 layers of flannel.  I have a few that are 2 layers of flannel and with a spitty baby they soak through immediately.  I'd recommend getting 10-12 of these.  I thought this was an outrageous amount with my first two but with Maggie we go through them every couple days.

Onesies.  Plain white are fine.  I'd get a couple 6 packs.

Sleepers.  You know, the kind with feet.  Get cotton, no buttons or anything fancy because you won't want that at 2 a.m.  Get 6 to 10. You may go through 4 or 5 in one day, you might go through 1 a day.  Every day is different.

That's it.  These are the essentials.  There are a lot of other things that would be great to have.  Remember, all babies are different.  I'd say this is what all babies would need. I'll have another installment for things I really like having but aren't absolutely bare bones necessary.

What was essential for you when you had a newborn? 

Other related posts:

Not Quite Essentials for Newborns  

Essentials for Breastfeeding

January 31, 2009 in Tips & Tricks, Unsolicited Parenting Advice | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)

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November 13, 2008

Baby Wearing

International Babywearing week started Wednesday. Is it usual for a “week” to start on a Wednesday? Adventures in Babywearing is having a contest to give away a new baby wrap or sling. This got me thinking about the babywearing apparati that I have.
Img_6135
They all serve their special purpose and come in handy at different times. I have a Moby Wrap, a Kangaroo Adjustable Pouch, a Baby Bjorn, and the Ergo Baby Carrier. Here are my personal pros and cons for each.

Moby Wrap
Pros: Very comfortable. Baby’s weight does not hurt my back or shoulders. The baby likes the wrap.
Cons: It is a LOT of fabric and can be tricky to figure out at first. It is also not something you can quickly just throw on, though it doesn’t take too much time.

Kangaroo Pouch
Pros: Easy to get on, easy to use. Comfortable for baby.
Cons: I had to see a chiropractor for a month after using this a lot when Daphne was a newborn. Too much pressure is put on one shoulder.

Baby Bjorn:
Pros: Baby’s weight is evenly distributed. Men don’t mind using it.
Cons: Can only be used for baby’s first year. Baby hangs by the crotch which isn’t good for baby for long periods. Can only be used for front carry.

Ergo Baby Carrier:
Pros: Easy to put on. Very comfortably. Comfortable for baby. Can be used with older children. Can be worn on front or back.
Cons: Difficult to first get baby on your back though it gets easier with practice.

I definitely prefer the Ergo out of all of these because of its usability over the lifespan of the baby/toddler. Some people use the wrap or pouch with older kids but I haven’t. The Bjorn is my least favorite.

I’ve never tried a Mei Tai or o sling but I’d like to. What is your favorite baby carrier?

November 13, 2008 in Everything Else, My world, Parenthood, Reviews: Books, Patterns and Places, Tips & Tricks | Permalink | Comments (10) | TrackBack (0)

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