Rag Quilt Tutorial

I have completely fallen in love with sewing- with a machine. Its quick and once you get the hang of it, it's easy.  I would gladly recommend the place I took my beginner's sewing class:

https://citycraftonline.worldsecuresystems.com/classes

If you dont know how to sew and dont have anyone to teach you take a class! it was really fun :) anyway, after my class I felt like I was a champion sewer (read sew-er not sewer) and took on a rag quilt. Rag quilts are a great first project. Theyre super easy and it doesnt really matter if you dont get it perfect the first time because it just adds character. This was the youtube video I followed:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-LQfYXrG_Q

Its a little lengthy so ive put my own directions below if you want to check that out instead:

Step 1: Picking out a fabric. I went with the advice of the video and used flannel. Its super soft, easy to use/cut, and you dont need any batting/filler. Hobby lobby has a great selection. I would pick out at least 3 different patterns at about a half a yard or a yard a piece depending on how many squares you want and what size. I did 8x8 squares at five across and five down with three different patterns so a yard of fabric of each pattern was perfect. A yard gave me about 20 sqaures- I used 50 squares total so I have extra left for the next one.

Step 2: Cut your squares.

I used a rotary blade- lifesaver. And an 8x8 cardboard piece- not so life saving. The cardboard piece worked great until I started accidentally trimming it and the fabric lol. That's why my blanket is slightly uneven. Next time I'm buying a cheap 8x8 tile from lowes/home depot and using that instead. 

Step 3: Pin your squares together- wrong sides together.

So that your "right" sides are on the outside. 

Step 5: Sew all sides of your squares together. Corner to corner about a half inch from the border-and don't forget to back stitch :) 

Step 6: Sew your sewn squares to each other. I should of gotten a photo of this but I was pretty tired by this point. Anyway, it's simple- just line your two seams together (like a sandwich) and sew them together. Youll create a row of squares- five squares total (or however many you choose)

Step 7: Sew your rows youve created from step 6 together. Youll line up and pin your seems together. A helpful hint was to have your bottom seem facing toward you and the top seem facing away from you (toward the needle) that way you know for sure the seem on the bottom isnt going to get caught up. Step 6-7 took the least amount of time but were the most nerve racking. Remember it's ok if its a little off. Your edges are going to be frayed so it's hard to tell anyway. 

Step 8: This is the longest step. I think it took the same amount of time to get from step 1-7 as it did to complete 8. You will need spring loaded scissors. Or youll be getting carpal tunnel. I used these: 

They arent my favorite but they definitely did a better job than regular scissors would. If you have some extra cash invest in a good pair. You will snip every single seam on this blanket. You have a lot of leeway with it. I did about a quarter inchish ( after a while I stopped caring about being precise) between each snip. The only thing ill say to pay attention to is where your cutting. Just dont cut the seam itself and you're good to go.

Step 10: Youre done!! but wait you need wash it :) I threw mine in the washer on the delicate/handwash cycle with cold water. Then stuck it in the dryer at 20 minute delicate cycle intervals- your blanket will hold up. I only did it in intervals because you dont want to overload your dryer with lint. Youll seriously get a whole new blanket from the lint trap itself. 

Hope you guys enjoyed the tutorial :) If you have any questions feel free to ask!

Baby Food Recipes

I wont lie to y'all. The recipes listed below, save the link from pinterest, are from an organic baby book that I didn't not want to purchase so I took pictures of the recipes and ran. Ok, I didn't run because that would be hilarious in my pregnant state but I walked briskly out of the aisle. Anyway, here are the recipes below. All of these should be served 6 months or after. All of the ingredients recommend using organic this or that but feel free to use whatever you prefer. Enjoy!

Tiny Meatballs: (Recommended 8 months and older)

What you'll need:

• Olive oil spray
• 1 egg beaten
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup frozen spinach, thawed and drained
• 1/4 pound organic (optional) chicken-apple sausage, casing removed and diced
• dash of ground cinnamon

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line baking sheet with foil or parchment paper and spray with olive oil.
2. Mix the egg, bread crumbs, spinach and sausage together in a bowl.
3. Using a small scoop, make 1 inch balls and place them on baking sheet. Cook for 15-20 min or until firm.
4. Place the meatballs on a plate and dust them with cinnamon. Make sure you cut them for babies that don't have teeth yet

Variation: use plain sausage and add your own fruit or veggies. 

Chicken and Avocado "Salad":

What you'll need:

• 1/2 cup cooked chicken
• 1 cooked carrot, diced
• 1 teaspoon butter, room temp
• 1 ripe avocado, peeled, pitted, and diced

1. Mash the chicken, carrot, and butter together in a bowl
2. Add avocado, mash, and serve

Bitty Sandwiches:

What you'll need:

• 2 teaspoons finely diced cooked organic chicken or beef
• 1 teaspoon butter at room temp
• 1 slice of whole-grain bread

1. Mash the meat and butter together in a bowl with a fork
2. Spread the mixture over the bread
3. Fold the bread over and cut into sticks or other fun (small) shapes, serve

Soft Carrot Sticks:

What you'll need:

• Baby Carrots
• Oat or rice cereal, crushed

1. Steam or boil carrots until very soft. Allow to cool. The carrots should be soft enough for a baby to handle without teeth.
2. Roll the carrots in crushed cereal for easier gripping. Serve

Green Goodness:

What you'll need:

• 2 cups of frozen organic peas, thawed
• 3-4 large fresh mint leaves
• 1/2 cup of purified water

1. Combine all the ingredients in a blender
2. Blend until smooth, adding more water if needed. Serve

Variation: add chopped pear or chopped cooked chicken

Here is a link to a great site I found on pinterest that has recipes for baby food as well: 

http://www.designedtonourish.com/recipes/stage-1-2

Here is the pinterest link itself if you want to pin it:

http://pinterest.com/pin/141511613264331218/