That Touch of Mink(y)

We've all had those sewing projects that we hate to walk away from.  The ones that we just can't wait to get back to work on again -- we think about them when we're cooking dinner or shopping for groceries, or even when sitting at our day jobs trying to pay attention in a meeting.  We dream about them and get up a little early in the morning or run home at lunch to steal a few minutes in front of the sewing machine. 

That's exactly what "The Slankie*" has become for me.  Although it took me quite some time to bring myself to start it, once underway, I used every spare minute available to me to work on it because the thought of that blue fuzz floating around the house and sticking to my clothes was unbearable.  I dreamed of the day that I could drag out the vacuum to clean it all up and put this messy pile of fleece behind me.  I have to admit that the project became more palatable as I seamed the raw edges and hid them under the lining.  I have made several small projects using the Minky Dimple Dots and do not recall being bothered by the extra lint.  Maybe it's just this particular variety of Minky.

Seeing the joy on my daughter's face when I draped it on her made all that mess almost worthwhile.  Okay, completely worthwhile.  I am looking forward to moving on to my silk blouse, nonetheless. 

Seeing her in it reminds me of a little bath bag we had for her when she was a newborn.  

Slankie: A sleeved-blankie



Princess Sparkle's Slankie (to replace her decrepit blankie):

Pattern:  Free Snuglet PDF by the genius and generous Wilmoed Sisson, who blogs here.  Only one page of instructions with measurements, no ream of paper required.  Very simple instructions and easy to follow.
Fabric: Minky Vine Cuddle in Marina (blue/green) as the outer fabric.  Since it is a one-sided, lighter-weight fleece, I chose to line it in a coordinating flannel -- Bliss Birds Paisley in Turquoise.  The fabrics are cheery colors and I really love the bird print, something about it reminded me of my childhood.  Both were from Fabric.com.

Flannel lining -- so cheery it makes me smile

Adjustments to pattern: 

(1) Since I lined it, there were a few minor/easy adjustments, including sewing the Minky to the flannel and piecing the flannel to get it to a 60" width. 

(2) I made the overall length (chin-to-toe) slightly shorter than the pattern.  At 6'6" it is still long enough to envelope her toes while reclined.

Will I make it again?  Hmmm...only if someone begs me.  The pattern is very simple and it is nice to have an occasional sewing project that doesn't require too much thinking.  I'd use a double-sided fleece, or at least not line it with flannel.  Although very cute and soft, it added a lot of weight. 

*I am changing the name of our creation to Slankie. I didn't realize Slanket was a real product -- I thought it was a made-up term that the 30 Rock writers invented.  Imagine my surprise when I saw the Siamese Slanket! 

Siamese Slanket (sadly, it's currently sold out)

Pyjama, Pajama

I am woefully behind in my sewing -- haven't even started my SWAP!  My theory is that the flannel and fleece extravaganza has broken my spirit. 

My husband's pajama pants are finished, and he says they are the best pajama pants he has ever owned.  That's not saying much, because a 6'6" man who is under 200 pounds has a hard time finding any well fitting clothes, let alone pajamas long enough to cover his ankles comfortably, while not being completely baggy everywhere else.  So these are probably only the third pair of pjs he has owned as an adult that actually fit him comfortably.  I made the first two pairs, also. 

They were a quick, easy project -- as most pajama pants are -- but not at all exciting or challenging.  The flannel is a very nice, thick, soft fabric with just enough stiffness that they hang nicely. 

Steve's holly-jolly pjs

Steve has worn his new green "holiday" pjs almost constantly.  He has rewarded my effort by spending nearly every minute at home wearing them and telling me how much he loves them.  Almost immediately after counting the ways in which he loved them on Sunday morning, he caught the pocket on a door knob, ripping the pocket bag open, while also tearing a long slash along the cross-grain of the leg.  I was so hurt that he would allow the most wonderful pajama pants in the world get damaged, that I told him they were unfixable.  "Unsalvagable, I say! They will be hideous if I have to patch them!"  Until last night.  Then I felt guilty and fixed them.  Other than the tiny patch, it's hard to see where it is and they are just pajamas after all. 

Oops.

I Spy a Patch?

With school back in session and me back at work, it just seems that there is no time for sewing.  I'm back to the 15-minutes-at-a-time thing, which can be frustrating, but if that's all the time I have, then I will take it!  Report cards came out last week and the family was thrilled to see that our son's grades were considerably higher in the second quarter, with very respectable semester averages.  School is hard for him, and after seeing his 1st quarter grades I devoted many evenings and weekends to tutoring him.  Although I didn't get much time for sewing, the time spent with him clearly paid off for both of us.

I started the minky "slanket" for my daughter and it's just aggravating working with that stuff.  It is cut out and laying on my table, bleeding minky fleece particles everywhere.  It makes much more of a mess than any other fleece I've worked with.  I neglected to buy thread to match the robins egg blue, so I am at a standstill with that until I get to the store to buy thread.  Although I am considering just using something complementary, or something that clashes, just to get it off my table.