Cloth menstrual pads revisited

I posted up a video tutorial for one style of cloth menstrual pads (AKA "mama cloth) the other day.

It is just based on a very old blog post from my cloth diaper sewing blog:
Mama Cloth

Slowly posting some videos

I have 2 videos posted right now, but I have filmed 4 or 5 so far. I should be posting the rest within a week.

I'm VERY new to video editing, so they're pretty rough so far. I also have a really really old slow computer that doesn't do a great job with all of this stuff. However, I was already planning on getting a newer one soon. So, that should help. Look forward to cleaner videos in 2021!

I did some filming today...

Now I just need to learn how to edit!

I whipped up this little 3T stretchy cotton dress with a matching child mask. I recorded with my new gear, but I'm still trying to figure out the best way to reduce the glare from my sewing machine's work light. So, things look a little washed out as they go under the needle. I'm sure I'll get better at this with more practice.

Unboxing my video gear!

Well, before I can start recording videos, I figured I needed to buy a basic inexpensive webcam, headset, tripod, and adjustable LED lamp to set up at my sewing desk!

I really went for the bare minimum here folks! If people actually decide to watch any of my videos, then eventually maybe we can upgrade. For now, this is good enough for something to do to help us all pass the time stuck in our homes during this long Covid Winter of our discontent...

Ignore the cut-off top of the LED lamp. It isn't very exciting. Just an oblong oval with a thin flexible arm.

I decided to get a very simple manual-focus webcam so I can just set that camera to be focused right at my sewing machine's foot for a clean project view.

Obviously, I can also move the tripod and change the focus around for projects that aren't at my sewing machine. I got a USB extention cable so it should be easy enough to move around and change position.

Once I get my sewing desk cleaned up, I'll take a photo of how it all looks together in that room. :)

Preview: Toddler dresses for a friend

My kids are big now, but once in a while I get to sew for littles again!

A friend of mine is currently potty-training her toddler daughter, and asked if I could make her a few easy-on easy-off dresses to make it easier. Like I'm going to say "no" to that??

It has been a long time since I've sewn for a toddler, and I didn't have any tiny dresses to make a template from. So, the first thing I did was buy a cheap cute-looking dress to trace.

It is a basic nearly-circle skirted dress. So, I also bought some double-sided 1/4" wash-away quilters tape to make the bottom hem easier for when I get to that point. I don't use it when working on dresses for adult sizes, but the tighter curve of a toddler circle skirt really makes that hem more of a challenge.

Here are my paper templates for the primary fabric segments:

I will also be cutting 1.5" wide strips of my complimenting solid colors for the neckline and sleeve trim. Sometimes I also cut a waistline strip to go between the skirt and bodice portions.

Super simple stretchy masks

Once I get my sewing room set up for recording, this will be my first video.

Back in March, I got a 5-pack of cheap jersey fabric masks. They looked so simple to recreate with materials I already had around. So, I did like I always do and stretched one out until it was flat to trace around it and make an easy cutting template.

I decided to use some of my old scraps of cute knit prints. This one was from Opulent Monsters (now Sewcery.)

Then I got some lightweight 1/2" fold-over-elastic (FOE) to use for the trim and ear loop elastic.

The stuff I bought ended up shrinking quite a bit after the first wash, so the first few masks I made ended up being kid-sized. After that, I realized I can't stretch the FOE much during the sewing if I want the sizing to stay true. So, I recommend sewing up one mask to wash and dry and test to see how much your fabric and FOE shrinks... before you sew more.

I made these 1-layer for my kids, because they get upset when wearing the thicker masks for long periods. However, I prefer 2-layers for myself with a moisture-wicking inner layer.

I always sew FOE using a fairly wide 3-step zig-zag stitch.

It comes together very quickly.

Lets get started!

Here is a good primer on how I sew MOST things:

Step 1 - I find something that I already like most elements of. Whether that be the fit, the look, or how quick it looks like it'd be to sew up.

Step 2 - I cut open a used paper grocery bag (which we have a lot more of these days since most stores won't use reusable bags right now.)

Step 3 - I trace the item (or each fabric segment of it) plus a little bit more to allow for shrinkage or seam allowance onto sections of the brown paper.

Step 4 - I cut out and label my new paper template (or make any little changes/improvements that I want to and then cut it out.)

*Optional Step 5* - To digitize my paper templates, I take a photo from overhead with them laid over my large cutting mat. The measurement grid on it allows me to then open the photos in Adobe Illustrator or any vector drawing application and allign it with the measurement grid there to trace (I use the paths tools) to get my digital pdf patterns. I delete out the photo once I am happy with my line pattern. Here you can also add in your seam allowance lines, size-check square, and any text or measuring instructions etc.



Pretty simple, huh?

I do obviously create some of my patterns totally from scratch or with trial and error. However, this is how I do the vast majority of my textile-sewing and template creation.

Welcome!

Hi! Welcome to "Arfy Makes!" I am Arfy.

I am a mom who likes to make stuff. I sew. I craft. I knit. I cosplay. I draw. I paint. I cook. I garden. I even sometimes build things.

Many years ago, when my kids were babies, I started a cloth diaper sewing blog where I posted free patterns that I had made and various tutorials.

Well, now my kids are older, and I have more time to do more types of things. I still sew clothes and costumes for them, and also for mom friends with younger kids. So, there will still be a lot of children-focused making. However, I am also interested in what other sorts of things you folks would like to see me make!

I can also make custom patterns and tutorials. So, don't be afraid to comment with ideas that you would like to see made!

I just started a YouTube channel where I will eventually be posting up videos and live-streams of projects as well.

Let the making begin!