Me Against the Sewing Machine

So my journey starts with of course me trying to save to money and do things myself. Where of course part of the time it gets me into some sort of trouble. See I have what some call a “Type A” personality. I like things done my way, perfectly of course. It never turns out the way. Another issue is I am stubborn. Some say it’s the German in me. I think it is just part of what makes me, me. When things don’t go the way they do I get extremely frustrated. Believe or not sometime with outbursts. Much like a toddler who doesn’t get their way. Picture that in your head now. A 27 year old woman that is 38 weeks pregnant throwing tantrum. Kinda comical. So back onto the original subject.

My project this time is what I have referred to as a “Hooter Hider” only because it gets humorous reaction out of most and tends to break the ice about breastfeeding. Which surprisingly is still such a taboo subject in the US. A Hooter Hider is simply a breastfeeding cover. Most ask why not just use a blanket. Well when my baby doesn’t want to be covered while eating his meal he will just pull the blanket off. (Do you eat your meal with a blanket covering you and your food? Most BFing babies don’t like to either.) With the Hooter Hider it has a strap much like an apron so the feeding baby doesn’t expose the “Hooter” to everyone. When I began to search for one commercially made I couldn’t believe how much they charged for a yard of fabric, a little bit of sewing, and some “D” rings. Anywhere between $40-$80 dollars. Sometimes you can find specials or even websites giving them away for free all you have to pay is S&H. I found that shipping itself could be upwards of $15. So I had at first thought that I would go the blanket route. When I had the brilliant idea of making my own.

It took me a week to find the fabric I liked and to gather all the supplies needed. Living in Northern Michigan makes that tough sometimes. So finally yesterday I sat down with my sewing machine (that I barely use) and got to work. I googled several free patterns and decided it would be quick and simple. HA! My beginner sew skills and my sew machine deciding it wanted to do everything but sew a correct stitch made it anything but simple. After several hours I finished my Hooter Hider. It’s not perfect but I made it. What it made me realize is I am definitely not domestic. I would have much rather tear into a car engine or be saving life. What I did deiced is that I am actually going to make a second one. One for the diaper bag and one to go in with the breast pump. I don’t give up easy :)