P.S Handmade for Christchurch

Here is the link to all the lovely handmade items for sale on Trade Me

Handmade for Christchurch

Like a lot of fortunate people not directly affected by the Christchurch earthquake I have been feeling a bit helpless and wanting to help in some way. Well some very clever crafters are way ahead of me and have organised Handmade for Christchurch.......

Click here to go to the facebook page for all the details

You can donate a handmade item and it will be auctioned on Trade Me with all the profits going to the Salvation Army and Woman's Refuge. I have donated a Sally Anne doll....

Hopefully she will raise lots of money for such a worthy cause.

So if you have crafty friends and family please let them know about Handmade for Christchurch



Babushka Softie Doll Tutorial

I thought I would put together a little photo tutorial to go with my Babushka Softie Doll pattern . Sometimes it is easier to explain things visually. Here goes....

Cut out all the pieces remembering to include the notches. You of course will have ironed all your fabric first because you do things properly, as you can see I am a little slap dash (I am time poor due to a certain 10 month old!).

Machine stitch the hair onto the face following the hairline with a 3mm seam. As you can see here I have broken the rules and have actually hand stitched instead because  a) I like the to be difficult and b) I like chunky stitches!

Next add some personality with a face. I have used a fading fabric marker to draw on the details. Use 3 strands of brown embroidery floss and either back stitch or split stitch to outline the face.

Now I have the iron out (better late than never!). Give everything another little press and taking your dress piece flip it face down and iron up about 5mm of the hemline - hope you can see this clearly.

You could also zig zag or overlock before this step if you like.

Flip your dress right side up again and pin the lace or ribbon just above the fold of the hemline - making sure the piece you have just ironed is still tucked under and captured by the pins.

Stitch the lace/ribbon on.

With right sides facing up take the front piece of the body and lay the dress on top of it - aligning the notches.

Place the face on top, centred in the head and pin through the 3 layers.

Stitch around the face with a 3mm seam.

With right sides together pin the front and back of the body together.

Sew around the body with a 10mm seam leaving a 4cm gap at the side for stuffing.

I usually sew around again very close to the first seam just to give it a bit of extra strength.

Trim off excess fabric with pinking shears or cut little 'v's or slits to help create the rounded shape.

Turn your doll inside out and see how she looks!

I use a knitting needle and run it round the inside along the seam just to push all the edges out.

Stuff, stuff, stuff!! Be generous with the stuffing to help create shape but don't overstuff the head as it can start looking a little pointy!!

Sew up the gap with invisible thread or just the cotton used to sew with. I used a ladder stitch to close the gap.

Choose a piece of ribbon from your stash and tie a nice bow or knot around your dolls neck. You can leave it like this or tack it down if you prefer. I have tacked this bow down under the ribbons at the side seams and under the middle of the bow. I find spotted ribbon great as you can hide the stitches within the dots.

Now she is complete and all she needs is a name!!!

I am sure you will want to get started on another one straight away - they become addictive!!!

I would love to see your creations and  I have started a Photo Gallery page to showcase all the 'girls'.

If you would like to include a photo of your doll that would be fabulous - you can tell me her name and I am happy to include a link to your own website/blog. Email me if you are interested.

Babushka Softie Doll Sewing Pattern....

is finally complete!!!!

You can sew your own cute Babushka Doll like these ones...



Once you have made one you won't be able to stop!

You can get your PDF pattern in NZ dollars here or US dollars here

I have just created the Babushka Softie Doll photo gallery page and I can't wait to add photos of your dolls.



Craft 2.0

Hooray for me....

I have a stall at Craft 2.0 in April!!! For those who have not heard of it.......

Craft 2.0 is a cult Wellington craft fair for style junkies, craft enthusiasts and all fans of handmade. A favourite on the Wellington arts calendar; Craft 2.0 runs four times a year at TheNewDowse, attracting a wide following of quality stall holders and eager shoppers alike.

I am very excited but have no idea how much stuff to make and what if nobody buys anything (eeek!)

Check out the Craft 2.0 blog here

P.S Babushka Softie Doll Pattern

As promised about a year ago.....

Make your own Babushka Softie Doll Pattern

I am finally putting the finishing touches onto the pattern and it will be available very soon.

Big thanks to Anne my pattern guinea pig who tried it out over the weekend and gave fabulous suggestions on what needed tweaking! 

I will have a free photo tutorial available on my blog to use alongside the pattern.

I will also have a Babushka Softie Gallery so you can send photos of your dolls...

I can't wait to see the different designs you come up with! 

Babushka Softie Dolls

I dusted off the sewing machine this past weekend and whipped up a few more Babushka Softie dolls......

Lots of new and interesting (!) colour combinations.

You can get yours here



Another cross stitch pattern anyone?

Little Red Riding Hood meets Babushka.....

Cross stitch/tapestry pattern available here

More detailed photos on flickr

Another pincushion anyone???

Yep here I go again......

This one has teeny tiny felt bunting - cute!!

More photos on my flickr page or ...

you can get one for yourself here

Car & Caravan tapestry

I have finally hung the tapestry I designed and stitched for my son while he was still in the womb.....

he is nearly 10 months old - I only had to remove a couple of layers of dust!

Here it is - I think it looks soooooo cute (if I do say so myself)...

More detailed photos on my flickr page