Cuddly Owl Tutorial and Pattern

 

It's been awhile since I have made an owl softie, so I have been itching to create a new simple pattern.  I thought I would use some of the scraps from the quilt I just made to make a sweet owl for the new baby.  I snapped some (dark) photos of the process so I could include a tutorial. 

The first thing you are going to do is cut out your pieces.  You can print the pieces using the link below.

Pattern Pieces

I used a minky fabric for the main body pieces and back side of the wings, but you could use whatever type of fabric you have on hand.   I think this owl would be really cute made out of felted wool.   I used scrap pieces for the face and wings.

 

 

Then applique the face on one of the main body pieces.  Sorry I have no photograph of the pieces before I sewed them on.  I did not use fusible interfacing because I was lazy.  I just basted it in place then zig zagged around the edges.

 

Take the wing pieces and place them right sides together.

 

Sew around the curved edge.  Keep the straight edge open.

 

Turn right side out.

 

Place the wings on the main body piece that has been appliqued with the printed fabric side down.

Baste in place.

 

Place the other main body pice on top with right sides facing.  Sew along both sides and ears leaving a space for turning between the ears.

 

Take the oval piece and pin it to the bottom of the owl.   

 

Here's another look.  This is definitely the trickiest part.  Sew all the way around the bottom.

 

Turn right side out through the opening in the top.  Stuff with your favorite filling.  Then hand sew the opening shut.  That's it.

 

This took me less than an hour from start to finish.  Gotta love that!!

 

 

Two Zip Hipster Bag

I finally found time to finish my Two Zip Hipster bag. 
I saw How About Orange's review of the pattern and knew I had to make one for myself.
I have found that if I break it into small manageable steps, I am more successful finishing projects.  I cut out the pieces one night.  Then interfaced the pieces the next night.  Then I completed the front piece with the pocket.  Then put the bag together.  It took all week to finish, but didn't seem like I spent hours slaving over it. 

The pattern is very detailed and easy to follow.  I love the front zipper, plus the top zips close so I can keep all my belongings nice and secure.  It is even big enough to hold an iPad, but doesn't feel huge when you are carrying it.  It even has an adjustable strap.  I would highly recommed this pattern. 

Here's a link to the fabric I used in case anyone is interested.

Silent Cinema

This week I am hoping to put together a baby quilt.

If you get a chance check out Sewcanshe.com today, she is featuring my Snack Bag Tutorial.

 

 

 

Organic Striped Baby Quilt Pattern

I am very much a beginner when it comes to quilting.  I am still a little intimidated by the process, but I feel like I am slowly getting there.  I decided that I wanted to make a quilt for a baby gift.  I knew I wanted to use organic material, so I found this adorable fabric at fabricworm.com. I fell in love with it instantly.  I did some sketching, some math, and finally settled on a plan.  I decided to do a simple striped quilt utilizing the whole width of the fabric. I used 7 different fabrics.  I already had the Michael Miller woodgrain fabric, which matched perfectly.  I ordered a half yard of all the fabric except the orange dot fabric that I used for the backing.  I used 1.5 yards of it.  I would suggest getting 2 yards of the fabric you are going to use for the backing though.  I had absolutely no wiggle room with the 1.5 yards.  I also had a yard of the woodgrain fabric so I used it for the binding. 

Here's the breakdown:

1 yard of the fabric that will be used as binding and for stripes

2 yards of fabric for backing and stripes

5 half yard cuts of various coordinating fabric

Finished Quilt Size: 40" x 50"

I wanted the stripes to be random widths.  I labeled the photo so that you can see the measurement of each stripe.  I used the width of the fabric selvedge to selvedge.  Then once the fabric was cut I trimmed the selvedge off and made sure they were all the same size.  The ended up being about 40" wide.

I pieced the quilt top together.  Then I realized that I did not quite have enough for the backing so I added a stripe towards the bottom.  If you use 2 yards of fabric, you should be able to have the whole back solid though.

 

Then I basted the top, batting, and backing together and quilted it. I lined up my walking foot on each of the seams and quilted along each side.

I used a 2.5" strip for the binding.  I sewed the binding to the back by hand.  I really like how it turned out.  

 

 

 



18 inch Doll T-shirt Pattern & Tutorial

What you will need:
old t-shirt or jersey knit scap and velcro

pattern pieces (link at the bottom)

Cut out your pattern pieces. The front piece is cut on the fold. I used the existing hem from a t-shirt so that I would not have to hem the doll shirt.

Cut out the back pieces. Cut 2 and make sure they face in opposite directions. I cut these pieces using the hem as well.

Open up the front piece and place the back pieces on top of the front piece with right sides together. Line up shoulder seams and stitch across.

Now hem the arms and neck openings. I just folded the fabric over 1/4 inch, since it is knit it will not fray.

With right sides together sew from the arm all the way to the bottom hem.

Now attach the velcro. Fold over one side so that you can attach velcro to the inside of the shirt.

Sew the velcro on top of the folded edge. I usually take a piece of velcro and cut it to the length that I need and then cut it in half lengthwise so that it is skinnier.

Sew the velcro on the other side along the outside edge. I do not fold this edge over.

Embellish the tee or leave it plain.

That's it. Easy, right?

If you make any doll tees, please remember to add photos to my flickr pool.

Download Pattern Pieces