His and Hers Towels- A (Somewhat) Homemade Wedding Gift Idea

I adore giving meaning, personal, and usually handmade gifts for all occasions. But, as a former bride, I know that brides mostly appreciate getting gifts that they have chosen on their registries! Smile 

These his and hers towels were a combination of the two. My brother-in-law is getting married this summer, and I made these for his fiancé’s bridal shower. The towels are from her registry, I just added the applique in coordinating colors.

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The font is Cheri, and it’s one of my favorites for applique word projects.

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On the hand towels I appliqued a lowercase “f,” so she can celebrate her new last name in style!

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Tree of Love Pillow

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I’ve eyed this quilt on Pinterest forever…

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I think I could make it, but never quite have the time. So, for my inlaws’ anniversary I did a mini pillow version. Now, I’m more convinced than ever that I need to make that quilt!

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To make the pillow I used a piece of (turquoise!) fleece for the batting behind the front piece of the pillow to quilt on (you should have seen my husband’s face before he could figure out how it would go Smile) and drew the lines with washable marker. Then sewed the “tree” lines and appliqued on the heart from jersey scraps and threw it through the wash. After I assembled the pillow case (it’s an envelope style case), I used my Silhouette to make heat transfer initials and the date of their wedding. Next time, maybe I’ll embroider it!

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Easter Rompers

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For Easter, Jack and Charlie wore their suits that they’ll wear in my sister’s wedding. I put green and navy striped shirts underneath them, and decided that I’d do myself a favor and only make one piece of clothing for Easter… a coordinating romper for Joshua.

Having never made a romper before, I thought I’d better practice first, so I made one for Charlie from some Thomas the Train fabric I got a super great deal on that I’d been saving for something special. I knew he’d love it. I drafted my own pattern and used snaps for the shoulders and crotch. I also made it big enough for him to wear through summer.

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For Joshua’s I used a nice green fabric I found in my stash paired with one of my husband’s old shirts for the facing at the top and the pants cuffs. I used snaps in the crotch, but buttons at the top, and made them long pants.

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Best part- my little model looked adorable! Of course, I’m his mom- I might be a little biased! Smile

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A very special vestment

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This stole was made for one of my very best friends- one of those friends who I can not see for a year, and pick right back up where we left off when we do. Laura was my first college roommate and I’m so thankful that our college saw fit to put us together!

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In December she accepted a call as pastor of a church in NC, and I immediately knew I wanted to make her something special for her ordination and installation.

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Laura’s mom passed away when we were in college, so I contacted her dad, asking if he had any linens (a handkerchief, etc.) belonging to her mom I could sew into the lining of a stole I wanted to make. He responded that he didn’t really have anything like that but he did have her wedding dress that I was welcome to.

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Gulp.

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It was such an honor to be given this special fabric to use! After psyching myself up to cut into the dress, I was able to use it to line the entire back of the stole. I also used it to place this dove on the front, and the “branch” that the dove is carrying is lace from the bodice.

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My time in NC for the ordination was short, but sweet. I was so glad to get to be a part of something so special! Looking at this next picture, of me and Laura and our good friend Jen who I actually got to spend a WHOLE DAY with, is bittersweet. It was such a great time, but I miss them so!

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Here’s to many more big life events that we can share together, girls!

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A little of what I’ve been up to…

I’m back from my little vacation from sewing over the holidays! My family had the best time in Florida with my parents and sister, and the break was just what I needed. I’m so excited to sew again!

I ended up being SO busy with Christmas orders (definitely a blessing) that I didn’t have a chance to blog much of them. I did manage to update the Facebook page much more often, so if you like more real-time updates, you might choose to follow us there. Smile

Without further ado, here are many of the Christmas orders I fulfilled!

Many big/lil sibling shirts

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A total of six tree skirts…

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including a couple with quite unusual (but super fun!) color schemes.

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Stockings for some friends (and now I feel the need to make new stockings for my family!)

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A special stole for my friend Laura (detailed post coming for this one!)

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Lots of blankets!

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A couple of custom shirts ordered as gifts…

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And TONS of Christmas and general bib/ paci clip types stuff, for two craft shows!

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Come back later this week for some brand new designs!

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Just a little big/lil love

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted any big/lil shirts, but they are the bulk of what I sew as orders for others. Without further ado, some big/lil love!

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(hmmm… nice camera strap Smile)

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Grandma and Grandpa Bib and Burp Cloths

The boys’ Parents as Teachers Parent Educator is going to be a grandma for the first time next month! She asked me to create a set of bibs and burp cloths for her new grandbaby Elisha.

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One bib has his name and a bowtie, and the other says “Grandma and Grandpa {love} me.”

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I didn’t take a picture of the back, but they’re lined with super soft brown minky, the same I used on the back of Joshua’s blanket.

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Her daughter’s shower is this weekend, so I got them done just in time.

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Purple Butterfly Blanket

This blanket went to a special little one who beat the odds by just being born.

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I’ve been saving this brightly colored polka dot minky for  a long time, and knew this was just the project to use it on. I also love the purple and turquoise color combo!

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Elmo and Candy Land Lollipop Shirts

A good friend’s niece had a Sesame street party for her first birthday, and I got to make her an Elmo shirt!

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She paired her onesie with these legwarmers… how adorable!

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Months ago, Jack and Colton’s friend Lily celebrated her 4th birthday with a Candy Land party! I made her a pink and turquoise lollipop shirt to celebrate by using a satin stitch in a spiral pattern on a circle of fabric. So cute and easy!

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English Bulldog Blankets

A friend from college is an English Bulldog lover, and evidently has several friends who are as well. Some of these friends are expecting babies soon!

She wanted a set for boy and girl twins…

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one for another boy…

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and one for a mystery baby!

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The bulldogs were a little challenging, but I was so excited to see that they actually ended up looking pretty life-like rather than cartoon-y.

Several babies are about to be swaddled in puppy love!

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