Close Out and Going Out of Business Sale

After much deliberation, I have decided to retire. This is bittersweet.

I have worked hard since my divorce in 1998 to start and build up my business of designing baby sewing patterns, catering to preemies and sourcing hard to find cotton knit fabric.
I was in the process of expanding to carry more notions and become a one-stop shop for making baby clothes.

I will be 60 next year and have been dealing with health problems that have limited my ability to sew. Sewing is something I have been doing since I was 5 and I have enjoyed it as a creative outlet. Another thing I love is fabric and I admit to being a "fabri-holic" and even a recovering fabric "hoarder".

It was really hard to sell that first yard of fabric, but then I realized I could feed my addiction and buy even more fabric if I sold it... and of course help others by providing a place to get cute juvenile knit prints.

Now... I have decided to fulfill another dream. The dream of moving to Hawaii. I live in Montana and we (my husband of 13 years) are tired. Tired of the daily struggles of running 2 businesses (his and mine) and tired of 6 months or more of winter. We spent 3 weeks on the islands for our honeymoon and have wanted to make it permanent ever since. We also love living in the mountains, in the forest as far from civilization as possible. The cold was the deciding factor and the realization we could actually have both living on Hawai'i Island. It doesn't bother me that the mountain is a volcano and the trees are Ohia instead of Pine because there are tons of ferns.

Back to the business at hand... everything must go. (I can't take it with me, nor do I want to.)
If you see something in my shop you would like... copy the info into a message to me and send it to my email lilbabythangs {at} gmail {dot} com. Bulk and Wholesale orders are welcome.
If you want to order directly through the shop checkout, you can choose between Etsy payments and PayPal to process your credit card. Please be sure to use coupon code GOINGGOINGGONE for a 25% discount off the prices shown. I will try to keep up with what is still available in the shop, but if you have any questions, contact me.

Thank you All, for your support and the friendships we have made along this 17 year journey that has been Lil' Baby Thangs. PS. I will keep designing and making my digital patterns available under the Lil' Baby Thangs TM name, but that is it.

Hugs and happy thoughts,
Carolyn

Use coupon code GOINGGOINGGONE for 25% off in my Etsy shop!

Update:

Here it is Nov. 2nd 2015 and our move has been put on hold.

Instead of retiring right now, we have taken on a huge project. We are starting a Non-Profit Organization to enrich the lives of people who are losing or have lost their vision. There aren't any comprehensive training centers in our State or region. There are programs, services and organizations available to help the visually impaired, but not all under one roof. We will be working with all of these organizations and expand on what they do to help individuals to live independently.

Fabric of the Day - Woven Cotton Quilting Fabric Prints

Today I thought I'd share something different.

I usually post my knit fabric finds, but today I'd like to share a few 100% Cotton Prints.

Little Pilots has Little Teddy Bear Pilots, Airplanes, Helicopters and Clouds in shades of blue with brown and red, on a slightly off-white background. This really cute, light weight woven fabric is sold by the Yard and Fat Quarter, but is available in any length by special order.  

Bright Plaids in Yellow and Pink.

These really cute Plaids are a nice weight woven fabric with a smooth finish and are sold by the Yard and Fat Quarter, or any length by special order.

Yellow yardage. 
Yellow FQ. 

Pink yardage. 
Pink FQ.

These fabrics can be used to make any Nursery items, baby and children's clothing and quilts.

Two New Heavy Weight Cotton/Lycra Prints



Cherries, Cotton/Lycra Jersey Knit Fabric



This popular fabric is formed by blending 10 percent Lycra with 90 percent cotton. This combination results in a soft, absorbent material with just the correct amount of stretch. The beauty of the product is not only that it allows movement, but also that the garment springs back to its original size and shape immediately. Lycra helps the stretched areas, such as the knees of the pants, to spring back to their original size, thus avoiding the dreaded "baggy knee" syndrome.



DAISIES, Cotton/Lycra Jersey Knit Fabric



It is the ultimate 4-way stretch fabric for dance-wear, skating attire, athletic apparel (compression shirts, etc.), costumes and even swim-wear. It is great for manufacturing anything from Babywear to ladies' panties, bras, sleepwear and undershirts. This blend is also popular in the T-shirt industry because the Lycra prevents the cotton from shrinking to some extent, helps shirts maintain their original shape, and also alleviates the wrinkled appearance of all-cotton T-shirts.

Available by the yard, FQ (Fat Quarter) or any length by request.

Click the pictures for more information on that print.

Visit my Shop here.

♥





Baby Bootie Patterns and Fabric on ArtFire

I opened a store front on ArtFire. It is a great place for artisans to promote their "Crafts".
I carry my baby bootie sewing patterns here and some "Hard to Find" cotton knit fabric.

LilBabyThangs

Buy Handmade

Fabric of the Day, from Helena Montana

Today's Featured Fabric is a "Hard to find" 100% Cotton Interlock Knit.
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FIRETRUCKS AND DOGS
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It is available by the yard, Here for $12.50

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This fabric will make really cute baby booties from any of my patterns.

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The above link will take you to my Etsy Shop listing for this fabric. It will also give you more details and more pictures of this fabric, including size of print ruler.

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While you are in my Etsy Shop looking at this fabric, check out all my other goodies.

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For $2.00 off per yard, write BLOG in the comments during check-out, before paying. I'll send you a revised invoice to pay me from.
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We did it. 263 Sales in my first year on Etsy

A big thank you to everyone who has purchased my baby bootie sewing patterns and cotton knit fabric during my first year on Etsy.

After eBay changed their policies and forced me out, I didn't know what I was going to do. I let my customers know I would be closing my store there because of the changes.

At the time I was only selling my patterns. Most of my sales were digital downloads with free shipping, so I able to email them all over the world.

The new policy put a stop to digital downloads. And put an end to the instant delivery people wanted.

To make a long story short...One of my eBay customers told me about Etsy, bless her heart.
It was free to set up a shop and only .20 to list. Wow! A great place to make a new start!

Etsy has a little more of a learning curve, but I love it there.

I highly recommend Etsy to anyone who does handmade and is looking for a place to showcase their work. Go here if you'd like to open a shop of your own.

Thank you again, for making my 1st year on Etsy a fabulous one!

Carolyn
Lil Baby Thangs Etsy Shop

♥

Come Celebrate My Etsy 1 Year Anniversary

My Etsy Anniversary is March 30th. I would like to hit it in style by getting 250 sales or more. I am at 221.

To help me achieve this goal, I am offering $1.00 off each item in my Etsy Shop from today through the 30th. I mean every item. So lets say you want 3 yards of fabric, you'd get $3.00 off.

In my Shop I have everything you would need to make my baby bootie patterns, or any other baby related pattern, such as;

My designer baby bootie patterns,
Hard to find Cotton knit fabric,
Woven cotton fabric,
Polyester knit fabric,
Ribbing,
Cording,
Ribbon,
Elastic.

I also do custom orders.

Now, the fine print...♥
To get this special sale discount, go to my Etsy Shop, pick out what you want by adding it to your cart. Then BEFORE you pay me, send me a convo (contact seller) and put "ANNIVERSARY COUPON" in the subject line. I'll then send you an updated invoice from PayPal or Revolution Money Exchange (let me know your preference). Pay me from the invoice and I'll send you your items the following day (M-F).

Thats it!
Come Shop!
♥

Montana Bootie Queen

An article written about me and my bootie patterns, by Jamie Fuchs
http://bigskymontanaetsyteam.blogspot.com/2008/12/montana-booty-queen.html

Baby Bootie Pattern 3 (Thistledown) Pictorial Tutorial

The following are Pictorial Directions for Baby Bootie Pattern 3 (Thistledown). 
The Pattern is available in a PDF Download for $8.99.
The Pattern fits small Preemies up to Babies with a 4-inch foot.

***Please wait after completing your purchase through PayPal, to be redirected by PayPal to your pattern.
You may then save it to your computer and print it.
You will no longer be sent an email with a link or attached pattern... unless for some reason the redirect doesn't work, which has been happening. If you aren't redirected, please email me and I will email the pattern to you as soon as I can.

OK, you have picked out the fabric for a darling pair of booties. You have decided on the size you are going to make and have traced it onto some type of pattern paper and have your notions ready. Now what?


1. Cut out 2 tops and 2 linings on grain.






2. Mark snap and elastic placement on right side of lining (use a water-soluble marker, but don't iron over it or it will become permanent). I usually mark elastic placement with a pencil on the inside of the lining (as shown) and mark the snap placement later.





3. Place 1 top and 1 lining with right sides together and serge or sew as shown. If you can't see the stitching on this photo; The pattern's directions, illustration #3 shows where to sew.





4. If sewn, pink outer curves and snip inside curves.




5. Turn right-side out and press, smoothing and rounding edges.




6. There are 2 ways of doing this step. The easy way is to just sew the elastic on the outside of the lining, stretching it tight as you sew. Cut off extra elastic.

My way is to sew the elastic between the layers. So If you are doing it my way, here is what you need to do. Look inside the end to see where your placement mark is and pin one end of the elastic there, fold it back the way it is supposed to be, and re-pin on the outside. Pull the elastic through to the other side. Stretch the elastic to the other side to see how much you need. Add 1/4 inch to that length and cut off.



7. Keeping your elastic flat, look inside the other end and pin it in place, just as you did in the previous step.




8. Starting at one end, tack the elastic in place, then using a zig-zag stitch, stretch it flat and sew across to the other end and tack the elastic at this end too.





This side looks good too.




9. Fold heel over the sole with right sides together and pin in place.




10. Fold top over sole and heel as shown and re-pin in place.



Another view.




11. Sew or serge side seam together making sure you catch all of the layers.




Another view.



12. If you have sewn the seam, you may want to zig-zag the edges.




13. Turn right-side out.



Another view.




And another...




One more...

14. If you haven't marked your snap placement, you can do it now. Place the snap 1/4" in from the edge. Then for the second one, I leave 1/3 of an inch between them. You can space them how you want. Apply the snaps. I use the flat ones for the adjustments, as shown.

15. Woohoo! One done. Now go make the other one. Remember to place your snaps the opposite of the first one, as shown below.

Congratulations, you now have a pair.
Now, go take pictures and post them on our Flickr group to share and inspire others http://www.flickr.com/groups/lbtbabybootieart/

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Baby Bootie Pattern 2 (Asparas Dreams) Pictorial Tutorial

As a designer of Baby Bootie Patterns, the hardest (most time-consuming) part has been drawing the illustrations. I have always enjoyed drawing, but it is very time-consuming when trying to get a new pattern out. For me, it takes close to a year to tweak them enough that I feel comfortable in letting others see them. (A Virgo thing I am told).

Now I have decided to try something new, for me. Pictorials. I am sure you know that it means; containing illustrations or photographs, as opposed to writing or text. However, mine will contain text too.

The following are Pictorial Directions for Baby Bootie Pattern 2 (Asparas Dreams). Patterns are available for sale in a PDF Download for $8.99. *
The Pattern fits small Preemies up to Babies with a 4-inch foot.

***Please wait after completing your purchase through PayPal, to be redirected by PayPal to your pattern.
You may then save it to your computer and print it.
You will no longer be sent an email with a link or attached pattern... unless for some reason the redirect doesn't work, which has been happening. If you aren't redirected, please email me and I will email the pattern to you as soon as I can.

Please let me know what you think and if this will help you more than the drawn illustrations included in the pattern.

1. Cut out 2 sides on the fold, 2 tops (inserts), and 4 soles (2 of lining fabric)

2. Mark elastic placement line on the wrong side of the fabric.

3. With right sides together, pin, then sew top insets into sides matching notches and elastic placement line.

4. Stretch and sew 1/8" wide elastic to placement line on the wrong side of the outer bootie.

5. Sew the center back seam with right sides together, matching elastic ends.

6. Pull the lining half of the bootie down over the outer half so the wrong sides are together. Match toe notches and heel seams. Pin.

7. Place 2 soles (1 outer fabric and 1 lining) wrong sides together and pin to bootie matching toe notches and the heel notch to the heel seam. Pin starting with the heel, then ease together around the toe.

8. Sew bootie to sole starting mid-way and going around the heel first. Be sure you catch all 4 layers in the seam. My preferences are to sew the seam then go around it with a zigzag, then once more with a straight stitch to make sure it is the same width all around.

9. Turn right-side out.

Waa Laa! One done. Now go do the other one so you have a pair.

Now, go take pictures and post them on our Flickr group to share and inspire others http://www.flickr.com/groups/lbtbabybootieart/

OK.....Comments Please!

Thanks for playing,

Carolyn

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