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.

I will keep Lil Baby Thangs going but in a reduced capacity. 

Thank you for your continued support!
Carolyn

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.

Sizing Baby Booties

The foremost question I get asked about my baby bootie patterns has to do with sizes.

The biggest problem that arises from designing your own sewing patterns is sizing. 

As for my baby bootie patterns, I always encourage buyers to measure their infants foot to determine the size to make. 

I size by inches, Not by age.  

The reason I size by length is there is no set standard. There really can't be when sizing by age. This causes everyone who makes baby patterns to do their own sizing, even tho we try to make them close to the same sizes. We typically use shoe size charts for booties. Another reason is because most booties are sized by Months... ie. 0-3 months or 3-6 months, etc. Typically 4 inches = up to 9 months. 4.5 inches = up to 12 months. Your infant could have been born with feet under 2 inches to over 3 inches and by the time they are 3 months old, they could be 5 inches, depending on if your Newborn baby is a Preemie or a 12 pound Toddler and how fast they grow. 

Measure, Measure, Measure! Check the finished length of the bootie to your infant's foot measurement and allow for wiggle room and/or growth.

Here is a picture of baby shoe forms (lasts). They are marked as being the same size, but there is over 1/3 inch difference between them (1 whole size). I used the yard stick to make sure they were even in the back.

My current sizing chart... 

Large = 4 inches.

This chart will also change a bit, when I get my new patterns completed 

and when I update my older patterns and add more sizes.

This chart is what I base my sizing on. I don't use 1/2 sizes, 

and I base whole sizes on 1/3 inch increments. So... if your foot measurement is 3 inches (size 0), you would want a bootie at least one size larger (size 1).

Don't be daunted! It is very rewarding making baby booties for your own babies or for your friend's.

Have you ever wanted to make a Snapazoo Toy?

Snapazoo Tutorial

The Snapazoo, is a toy that uses your child's or your imagination to create animal shapes by snapping it together in different configurations. 

A couple years ago I searched the internet to find directions to make one. What I found was bits and pieces scattered across the web. I compiled, rewrote directions and made a workable pattern, just so I could make a few for my grandkidos.

KamSnaps (where I purchase my snaps) also put together a list of some of the places you can go to find more information.
To read more about Snapazoo and its origins, visit Snapazoo.com

This LINK will provide you with an updated PDF copy of the tutorial, with all the hard work I put into it.

****(Please note that SnapazooTM is trademarked. The PDF is provided for informational purposes and for personal use only. Commercial use is prohibited.)

Jack Skeleton Jersey Knit Fabric

I have 4 Colorways of Jack Skeleton (Skellington) on 100% cotton jersey knit fabric. 

White on Black, Black on White, White on Red 

and White on Pink.

It is 60 inches wide.

Click the pictures to go get some while it lasts :)

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Announcements!

1. I have a new print... A Special One-Time print from Mom Designs, Christmas Santa Ooga Booga on 100% cotton Interlock Knit fabric. This is Light Blue (not greenish), with Turquoise and Red Santa's.

Christmas Santa Ooga Booga Fabric

2. I have a little bit of this Special One-Time print from Mom Designs left, Football Ooga Booga on 100% cotton Interlock Knit fabric.

Football Ooga Booga Fabric

3. And I have this Special One-Time print from Mom Design, Pirate Ooga Booga on 100% cotton Interlock Knit fabric.

Pirate Ooga Booga Fabric

New Fabric for Doctor Who Fans

Since I am such a "Whovian"... I have been spending quite a bit of time designing a collection of Police Box (Doctor Who) fabric to play with.

I am custom making Credit/Business Card wallets and Baby Booties from these fabrics.

Custom Made Credit or Business Card Wallets from designer fabric (my designs)