My quilting thoughts and inspirations sprinkled with a glimpse of life down on the farm

Saturday, May 16, 2020

Family plus Friday Night Sew In

Now that New Zealand is in Alert Level Two of our Covid-19 response, life feels quite different.
Many people are out and about catching up with friends or family they haven't been able to see (in person) for such a long time. Others are out and about catching up with shopping or other activities that have been on hold. Others are content to stay home until the risk of infection becomes even lower.
I've been happy to go into work (once a week on a Friday)....this week we were able to have customers in the shop and I must say it was nice chatting to people casually (and from a distance) again.
I'm happy to wait to do shopping other than the usual groceries...I understand town was pretty busy with little parking available and queues outside shops on Thursday and Friday.
But one thing I'm not putting on hold is spending time with our family. How sweet those first hugs have been.
We merged our bubbles with ED's family under level 3 so that I could do some childminding while they got their new house ready for moving into, and so that the MOML could help with putting up fences and making them childproof.
So nice to have these two visit again —
Feeding the chooks was a good activity to do - it took them ages to feed out all the pellets!
Anyway, I wanted to visit them on Friday afternoon after work so that I could deliver Lily's vest. I talked about it in my *last post* and sewed it up on Thursday —
So pleased with how it turned out.
She didn't get to try it on while I was there (too busy!!) but ED sent me through these photos this morning —
Is it cute or what?!
Now I remember why I love sewing kiddie clothing!
(This Pathfinder pattern is found *here*.)

Once I got home and we had a quick evening meal, I settled in to join in with Friday Night Sew In, kindly hosted by Wendy of Sugarlane Designs. I've been working on a knitted vest for YD's son on and off this week and really wanted to get it finished.
'Pebble (Henry's Manly Cobblestone Inspired Vest)' (found *here*) is a cute little pattern I've made several times before. It only comes in one, newborn, size so I've had to play with it a bit to get it bigger.
Another time I'd made it larger by going up a needle size. This time I went up a yarn size, a needle size, and then another needle size before I was happy with how big it was going to be.
Version One
Version Two, unravelling one as I make another!
But finally, I finished Friday night with a knitted vest, all the ends darned in and ready for buttons.
(YD likes this design with the buttons at the side for easy on and off when Odie is asleep.)

Buttons sewn on this morning —
So that he could try it on today —
Got the sizing right!
Thank you Wendy for inviting us all to sew (or knit) with you on Friday night. Visit Wendy's blog *here* to see what others got up to.
'til next time,
happy stitches,

25 comments:

  1. It's so nice to see your little grandies on your post again.. such busy little people...
    The vest looks lovely and I like how the back is longer to keep her warm.
    You spent a busy night on Friday unknitting and reknitting Oldie's vest..
    He sure has grown, such a cute fella...

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  2. How good to be getting back to a bit of normality. I bet the kiddies are enjoying seeing you too. The best bit about work is the social side of it. That is something I have had the whole time of the shutdown for my usual three days. I just love the little vest. It turned out so cute - a bit cowgirl on the outside, but cutesy on the inside. Perfect. The jumper looks nice and snuggly too.

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  3. Isn't it a relief when things fit!!

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  4. to see your grandchildren again! well at least some of them so nice - I hope all goes well now in your country and I bet it is nice to see your customers in the shop again

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  5. Happy to hear that NZ is in stage 2 and you are able to see the grandchildren. That was indeed the hardest part. Maine is opening up slowly, but we are still very cautious. THat little vest is simply adorable!

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  6. The sewn vest and the knitted vest are both darling! I hope your COVID continues to go down and you can resume a semblance of your former life. Your grands are just the cutest!

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  7. Missing the grandkids hugs is one of the hardest things, for sure. We have moved from red, to orange, and not yellow. But I am still having to keep distance from them in order to continue to help with my Mom.
    You make the cutest things for those grands, Raewyn. Both clothing items look adorable on the kiddos--or is it that the kiddos are adorable and they look great in your creations?

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  8. Beautiful pics of your little ones, looking all nice and cozy in your hand made garments. Feeding the chooks must be exciting for them, I think I'd enjoy that too!

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  9. It must be wonderful to be back to semi normal, I hope the chooks were patient getting their pellets!! Lovely activity for the little ones to be doing. Lily best looks perfect sizing, so cute! You did well with uprising the best for Odie, he looks super cute. So nice formyou to be spending time with the grandchildren again, and being at work too.

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  10. Both vests look lovely. Things are slowly opening up again here too & whilst it's nice to get out & about & see family I'm not keen on all the people clogging up the shops/shopping centres & the traffic!!!! Hugs, xx

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  11. I love both those vests, but my favourite one is Lily's. My other favourite thing in this post is Odie's chubby little legs! Mum called them 'bracelets' and my girls had plenty on legs and arms. :-)

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  12. That vest is very cute! Might have to pin that pattern. I stopped sewing kids clothes so many years ago because quilts are a lot more fun but I've been thinking about maybe doing some things for the grandkids now that I have them. And I really wish I would get around to knitting some clothes for them--so many cute things out there--but I have not attempted clothes...yet. You're getting lots of fun things made!

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  13. I’m so glad your bubbles have extended to the little ones. LOVE the cute vest. That really turned out well.

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  14. How nice to see the little ones and get hugs. The vest is very cute. I only go out to work. But not much else.

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  15. Doesn't he look cute in his new hand knit!! We have decided to wait another two weeks in a sort of Level 3 stage because of age and underlying health problems, but we have had a visit from eldest son, we still keep to the two metres distance but so nice to sit down in the same room and have a cuppa!

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  16. Lovely to spend time with your family again. The little jacket for your grandaughter is gorgeous as is the cute stripy vest. xx

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  17. What cuties and Lily looks gorgeous in her new vest....love the burgundy and white knitted one too.....you have such cute models lol!

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  18. That flannel vest is adorable. Nice job finding such a wonderful way to use that gingham.

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  19. that flannel vest looks like one i need to make a bunch of for the great grands!

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  20. That is so special to be able to spend time with your family. And that vest is wonderful!! How many more do you have to make?
    Love the knitted top, too. So snug and warm.

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  21. Those tops look so warm and snuggly....must be nice to get those cuddles.

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  22. Raewyn - what a blessing that you can be with family again - hugs!?! I love my hubby, but it will be nice to get hugs from other people too. You are talented with kiddie clothes, which is no big surprise. I especially like the vest - is it reversible? Enjoy our new-found freedom - a reason for rejoicing, to be sure!

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  23. Wow. I'm so impressed with the little jacket and the vest. Good for you for figuring out how to make it bigger. I really don't know when our stores will open again. So strange to be locked down and have a wariness of strangers. I will admit I've given up not seeing the grandkids and we are back to visiting with them.

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  24. I’m trying to be a good girl by visiting blogs today, and yours is at the top of the list! Such a nice post to read while I have a little break from housework. How nice to be able to finally merge your families together ! I swear you have the most beautiful grannies ever. I love that buffalo plaid vest! You’re a woman of so many talents. Stay safe!

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