Da Bear

 

 

This is the small bear from the Kwik Sew Bear Pattern.   It is much bigger than I thought it would be.  He is about 20" tall.   This is the second time I've used a Kwik Sew Pattern, and every time I think there is no way that this is going to go together quickly.  There are lots of pieces to cut....therefore lots of pieces to sew together.  Both times it actually did go together quickly.  This bear took me maybe 5 hours from cutting to finish.  I made him out of  a navy blue fleece.  I also used the serger machine (my 1st time) to sew it together.  There were still a few instances  that I gave up and sewed parts together with my regular sewing machine because I kept missing little sections. 

For the eyes, I decided to use black fleece...the same I used for the nose.  I did this because I made this for my new baby nephew, and I didn't want the possibility of choking. OK, so the ribbon will have to be removed.  :)

I had to take a picture of the behind!!!  It is too cute not to.  LOL! 

As for the pattern, the instructions are very clear and easy to follow.  I was in a rush to get this made quickly and did not bother to read the instructions first.  It went together smoothly.  My only complaint is that the pattern includes a small and large sized bear.  On the paper pattern, they put the small size pattern inside the large size pattern.   So, if you want to sew the small bear you have to cut through the large size bear pattern.  We ended up tracing the small sized pattern on to paper.   

Tilda Doll #2

Here is another version of a Tilda Doll. Click here to see another one I'd made.   I actually made this one as a Christmas present.  This was my first attempt at this doll.  That is why I was able to make the other doll in a few hours. 

The pattern came from the book "Tilda's Summer Ideas" by Tone Finnanger.  The instructions are minimal...but with some guess work can be understood.  Also, there are full size patterns at the back of the book, but you will have to copy the page 3 or 4 times to get all of the full pieces you'll need.

Tilda Doll

My daughter asked me to make this for a student teacher that is leaving.  She only gave me one day's notice.  Gotta love when she does this to me. Never mind that I was running all over town to get things she forgot for a big project that was due this week.  She keeps me busy.  :)

The doll pattern is from the book "Tilda's Summer Ideas" by Tone Finnanger.  I was able to use some scraps to make this doll. 

I tried and tried to get a good picture of this doll, but I couldn't seem to get a picture where her face wasn't washed out.  I waited a few hours for different lighting and this is about as good as I could do.   Really, she is cuter in person. 

**Update:  Click here for another Tilda Doll
Enjoy your day!

Dress Form Pin Cushion

The moment I saw this tutorial, I KNEW I had to make it. 

It is a simple, quick, use your scraps kind of project. 

I made mine in a polka dot.  I know shocker for me, huh? 

If you'd like to make one for yourself...or make and send one to me (HAAAA) the pattern and video tutorial is here.  I saw some other projects that I'm going to have to try. 

Wrist Pincushion

Can you believe that I didn't have a wrist pin cushion?  Well, I didn't until now!  I wanted one... never thought to buy one of those uncomfortable plastic ones.  I've seen several patterns to make one. I mentally put those on my list of things to make...never got around to it.  Then, I was reading this post.   I knew what my wrist pin cushion was going to be and it moved to the top of my list.  I started this project with the idea that I was going to make mine like hers but with the felt scraps I had.  I also wanted this to be a quick project.  I cut out one of the leaves from the provided pattern and thought..."ya, I don't have the mind set for this today." So, I thought I'd put my card making/scrapbooking supplies to good use and speed up the process. 
Here is what I came up with:

For the band I measured my wrist and added for overlap with the Velcro strip.  The green strip is 8" x 2" and the pink is 8" x 1.75".  In the instructions she suggested using a wooden disk between the band layers.  I knew dh would have something in the garage, but he wasn't home and I wanted to get this done.  Also, the garage is just plain frightening. :)  I tried to think of various options for this disk. Finally,  I spotted an unused wooden paint stirrer.  I measured about 1" and cut it with a blade.  It works!  I layered it between the band pieces and top stitched them together.  I then sewed my velcro on the bottom of one end of the band and the top of the other end of the band.  (see pic)

For the big green leaves on the bottom I cut my wool felt with the larger die from Paper Trey Ink's Bloom Builders #2 Die set.  I gathered it into a circle and tied it off. 
I cut a large circle of pink felt using a QuicKutz nesting flower die--it's scalloped and you won't see the edge of this circle but I don't have a regular circle die.  I did a gathering stitch all around the circle and gathered it a little then stuffed it with fiber fill then pulled it tighter and tied it off.  I whip stitched this to the die cut bloom builder die-cut then stitched all this to the band. 
I die-cut several large rolled roses and the medium rolled rose using My Favorite Things Rolled Roses dies.  I rolled them up and then glued them using Fabri-tac glue.  I then glued the flower to the stuffed mound.  I know that there are places where there is glue and the pin won't go through but that is ok...there are enough other places to stick the pin on the cushion.  If this glue issue bothers you you could take the time to hand sew everything. 
Enjoy your day!

Happy Easter, Easter Bunny!

Can you believe that Easter is almost here? Wasn't it just Christmas? Or is it just me?
I came across this book "Crafting Springtime Gifts" by Tone Finnanger. I couldn't help myself. I had to get it. There are some cute projects in this book. Although, I don't usually sew these kinds of things. I enjoyed it. So much so, that I bought a few more of her books. She even has a few books in Swedish...I might have to learn Swedish. Anyone care to help or join me? Haa Haa!
Here are two bunnies I made with fabric scraps I had from other projects.

Just a small warning. If you are thinking of purchasing the book the instructions are a little vague. So, if you've never sewn before you might not want to use this book for a first project. However, I am guessing that since I was able to make them, then most people should be fine.
There isn't a pattern for the overalls for the bunny. I just played with the pants pattern and turned it into overalls.