Lotta Jansdotter's Baby Snuggler

Let's just start things off with a snuggly baby picture...

I take millions of pictures of my kids.  Maybe not millions, but seriously, a lot.  Maybe millions.  This picture is a little older now, somehow this baby is three months old now!  Since she still fits into this project, though, and I just put the finishing touch on today (yeah, i know...) it's totally still relevant. 

Look at this one... she's so embarassed that it took me so long to finish this project!

So, the project.  Let's get down to business.  This is Lotta Jansdotter's baby snuggler.  This pattern is available for free online, but I got it from the book.  I'll be reviewing this and 2 other baby sewing books in an upcoming post, so that's all I'll say about that for now.  :)  Here are some places you can find the pattern on the good ole interwebs:
http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2009/05/craft_pattern_podcast_snuggler.html
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=393690.0
http://www.onecraftyplace.com/2009/05/18/baby-snuggler-pattern/

I've probably said it before, but I am generally not a pattern follower.  I look at the pattern, then wing it.  Even simple patterns.  But this one I gave my all.  I followed the pattern start to finish, even darts.  It was absolutely worth it!  I am so happy with the way this turned out!  I was nervous about all the pieces matching up, and then matching front to back on top of that... but everything worked out perfectly!

The pictures don't do it justice.  People say that all the time, but it's true.  The inner fabric is pink minky dot - SO soft and cozy.  I'm current;y in love with minky.  I'm looking for an excuse to buy the bright purple minky (aside from another blanket, which we don't REALLY need around here... but I can't resist for much longer!)  If you have any ideas, send them on over!  The outer fabric is from the home decor fabric section at JoAnn Fabric.  I wanted something a little sturdier and more durable than lightweight cotton.  I figure this will get washed often, and I want it to hold up.  But I also wanted the pattern to be bright and fun.  I think I got in all my wants!

The little heart is from a scrap of pin jersey I had from another project.  It's not in the pattern (okay, so I guess I added something after all!), but I thought it added a cute touch.

Also not in the pattern (man, I totally lied about following that thing to the letter, didn't I?!  At least it was ading things, not leaving them out!)  is topstitching.  I topstitched all the way around, because I like the way it looks.  It looked fine before, but the topstitching really adds to the finished look in my opinion.

What I hadn't finished until today was the velcro closure.  Easy peasy, I just needed to buy some pink velcro.  I finally found some today at Walmart, stitched it on in 5 minutes, and now it is totally comlete!  Now it stays closed to kep baby girl warm and snuggly!  When she was little little this wasn't a big deal since she didn't move all that much.  The flaps stayed closed like they were supposed to!  But since she's wiggling a lot more now, she punches the flaps open all the time.  Funny, but not effective at keeping her warm!  I took no pictures of the velcro itself, but here is what it looks like staying closed :)

 

This is a really fun pattern.  I will definitely make more to give as gifts!  The size is roomy for newborns, and big enough that my 3 month old still has some room to grow in it.  I think it will get her through the winter no problem.

This is one of those things I'll be really sad to see her outgrow.  Fortunately, we have plenty of baby dolls in this house that will appreciate a handmade sleeping bag!