Our house has been so chilly the past few days...and I am loathe to turn on the electric heaters, because I know that once I do our utility bill will suddently skyrocket.
I worry about the children though, so I have been trying to make sure everyone is warmly dressed. I didn't have a hat for Amy--I had plenty of newborn hats, but none of them fit anymore. And I didn't really want to buy a hat. I thought of making a cute aviator style cap, with a ribbon tie, but I couldn't find any patterns that didn't look much too complicated for me.
The house was really quite cold yesterday afternoon, and I wanted a hat for her pronto! So I grabbed an old plum coloured work shirt of Chris's that had done that annoying thing that shirts do--become wide and short. I laid it out flat, cut out a rough hat shape (I didn't even bother to draw it first) and then sewed both sides together. It took me more time to find a chopstick to turn the end out than it did to make it, for real!
Amy seems to like it. Now I want to make more hats. It really struck me how easy it was for me to find a solution to the problem at hand (cold, bald baby head) using what I had, without spending a penny. I know I know, it's just a hat, it took zero skill, but a few years ago I wouldn't have even thought of doing that. I would have dragged the baby out to a department store and spent $5 or $10 on a little hat which might have looked fancier but wouldn't have been any more serviceable.
I am inspired. From now on, I will look at every cast-off T-shirt as potential baby garments. I can't wait to experiment!
It's great! I get it; I had the same thrill rejecting the $7 on-sale Old Navy leggings and making some from an old long-sleeved t-shirt instead. Makes it hard to ever get rid of any old clothing, though!
Posted by: Lise | October 19, 2011 at 05:24 PM
WoW! Well Done! I don't agree about the "zero skill" though. Thinking through the problem to find a solution at hand is an AMAZING skill that is greatly lacking in our society. Cutting to an appropriate shape and sewing it to fit all takes skill that you have developed. Again, well done! We are holding off on turning on the heat here as well. I find that slippers or an extra pair of socks really makes a difference in keeping us warm.
Blessings, lisa
Posted by: lisa | October 19, 2011 at 06:21 PM
Scan the thrift stores for old wool sweaters...the sleeves/cuffs make great baby leg warmers, once you've felted them! Very cute hat. We've had the woodstove on each evening, and now and then the oil furnace to take off the chill before bedtime. Those days are upon us!
Posted by: Stephanie K. | October 19, 2011 at 07:44 PM
Laura
Your Mom and Grandma are very proud. Way to go! The hat looks great !
Posted by: Mom | October 19, 2011 at 09:03 PM
Way to go mom!
Posted by: marlyn dubay | October 19, 2011 at 09:32 PM
That baby hat is super cute! I hate to think about the power bill once we start needing heat!
Posted by: Vicki | October 19, 2011 at 11:37 PM
Oooh, such inspiration! Thanks- I have a cupboardful of bits saved for using.
Posted by: Sue | October 20, 2011 at 03:26 AM
And I bet this project was a lot more satisfying than spending that $5 or $10 at a big box somewhere too. Very cute. Way to go!
Posted by: Leah | October 20, 2011 at 07:04 PM
hiya - loving your blog and feeling very inspired. I made a hat a bit like that but put a knot in the end (because i was a bit forceful turning the point inside out and that hides the hole!!)
Posted by: hebejeeby | October 21, 2011 at 04:25 AM
Hi Laura!
Nice to 'meet' you. I really love your etsy shop and came here from there. :) I've also seen you around on sara's blog from plain and joyful living (love that family!).
Your resourcefulness with the baby hat is very noteworthy and inspiring. Job well done! Thanks for sharing. :)
Anyway, just thought I'd say, 'howdy' while I was here! :)
Mary
http://lundkids.blogspot.com
Posted by: Mary | October 21, 2011 at 03:50 PM
Did I say Sara? I mean Toyna! lol. Toyna from plain and joyful living.
I just read your story on the etsy blog and really, really loved it!! I would like to share your shop button on my blog. I'm currently receiving around 250-300 visitors a day, so if your stats are comparable, I would love to trade buttons, but even if you'd rather not, I'd be proud to host yours anyway! Actually, I'm dying to host yours!! :D You can email it to me at jesusbmylightATyahooDOTcom
The whole idea of the family working together is so amazing. I'm trying to get our shop so it can support our minimal needs (we homestead a large farm, so needs aren't great) but we have some debt to pay off and I so badly want to be able do it from home! There's nothing more amazing then families working together!!
(Oh, btw--not to confuse, I'm the oldest daughter.:)
Mary
http://lundkids.blogspot.com
Posted by: Mary | October 21, 2011 at 04:39 PM
I think the hat is wonderful!
One of my favorite things I've made in the past is a simple bandana made from an old work shirt that my mother used to wear. It has a nice brown plaid pattern and is full of memories of my mom. It was as simple as cutting a square and sewing a hem, but it makes me feel warm inside every time I grab it to pull my hair back while working.
Posted by: Shari | October 22, 2011 at 11:54 PM
whenever I'm feeling cynical I check out your blog to see if there's something new....thanks for adding "lightness" to my grumpy old soul.Love the hat!!
Posted by: Carrie Drake | October 23, 2011 at 09:28 AM